European Parliament
Philippe Boulland  (PPE ),
in writing.
(FR)
On Thursday 10 May, I voted in favour of the resolution ‘Patenting of essential biological processes’. The issue of patentability is a sensitive one as it underlines, on the one hand, the need for greater protection for European innovation and, on the other, the need to support European businesses by promoting research. Furthermore, we must set clear limits in line with our ethical principles: we cannot authorise patents on living matter. That is why, in this vote, Parliament opposed by a substantial majority the possibility of patenting plants and animals bred through conventional selection procedures. This vote endorses our determination to combat the appropriation of living matter. We must therefore pursue our action along the following lines: we must protect intellectual property without limiting access to these species, and preserve agricultural biotechnology without hampering European innovation.

