| Abstract: | Biotechnology was originally identified as one of the leading-edge technologies the EC needed to support in order to maintain its industrial competitiveness: only subsequently was the scope for biotechnology in creating new uses for agricultural products seen as a potential outlet for agricultural surpluses. The development of new, biotechnologically-based products by the chemical industry has been hindered by the price of agricultural raw materials in the EC and the difficulty of negotiating arrangements to bring sugar and glucose prices, for the chemical industry, close to world levels. The negotiations to achieve this end were ultimately concluded successfully in 1986. These are described and a common carbohydrate supply policy called for to avoid such difficulties in the future. |
