This Working Paper summarises the information gathered by the Secretariat as part of its work to obtain an accurate assessment of the current state of biotechnology statistics in OECD member and observer countries. It is an update of the original document, which was released in 2000. The updated inventory reveals a marked increase in the number of countries collecting biotechnology data since 2000. In 2004, 27 countries collect such data, or intend to in the near future, compared to 14 countries in 2000. Further, national statistical offices dominate the data collection scene in 2004, whereas in 2000, biotechnology data was predominantly available from non-official sources (consulting agencies, etc). This shift is likely due to demands made by national policy makers.

Before the OECD undertook its work on biotechnology statistics in 2000, there was no internationally agreed upon statistical definition of biotechnology. In 2001, as a result of the work done by the Ad hoc Meeting on Biotechnology Statistics, OECD countries came to a consensus on a statistical definition of biotechnology. In 2004, 18 countries have adopted the OECD statistical definition of biotechnology. The Ad Hoc Meeting on Biotechnology Statistics has also developed concepts and definitions for statistical purposes and set forth guidelines for the compilation of biotechnology indicators, including model questions for inclusion in national surveys.

This inventory has been compiled on the basis of information provided by officials in member and observer countries (or Organisations). It also identifies situations where no information has been made available and where notification has been received that no such data exists in a country. In the latter case, the contact details of the respondent have been included for future reference.

The country profiles were developed using a standard format. A separate entry has been made for each data source in each of the countries covered by the exercise. The standard format includes details of the agency involved, a description of the collection or compilation in terms of its type, the data items included, its coverage, the frequency with which data have been (or are intended to be) collected, the time period for which data are available, the definitions and classifications used, and the availability of published information. The format also includes a reference to the most appropriate Web sites at which additional information may be available. In some cases, the biotechnology or R&D questionnaires used by national statistical offices are included.