Summary : In agricultural biotechnology, we have a tool of enormous promise. This is evident in the unprecedented growth in its use that is occurring in a number of countries around the world. Many feel that those countries that adopt these technologies in agriculture will have an economic advantage over those that do not. If so, those economic implications will be felt along the food value chain. Despite these potential benefits, the European public demands more information and the right to make their own choice before embracing this technology. Only through an open and informed dialogue between our industry and a wide community of interests will the best possible options for the use of crop biotechnology be identified. Such a dialogue should precede informed decisions by key stakeholders - among them farmers, consumers, trade and industry, scientists, health professionals, environmental groups and government - to determine the wisest ways to harness the potential of this technology.