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COUNCIL DECISION
of 23 February 1989
on a first multiannual programme (1988-1993) for biotechnology-based agro-industrial research and technology development - Eclair (European Collaborative Linkage of Agriculture and Industry through Research)
(89/160/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular to Article 130 Q (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Article 130 K of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each of its activities;
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC, the Council adopted a framework programme of Community research and technological development (1987 to 1991) (4), providing for activities to be implemented to ensure, among other things, the exploitation and optimum use of biological resources;
Whereas the said Decision stipulates that a specific objective of Community research must be to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry, particularly in strategic sectors of advanced technology, and to encourage industry by making it more competitive at international level; whereas that Decision also lays down that Community action is justified if it contributes, among other things, to enhancing the Community's economic and social cohesion and to encouraging its overall harmonious development, while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas the Eclair (European Collaborative Linkage of Agriculture and Industry through Research) programme, which is the subject of this Decision, is planned to contribute to the pursuit of these objectives;
Whereas the specialized skills and capabilities relevant to agro-industrial development are numerous, and Europe's most internationally competitive capabilities are located in diverse Member States, mutual benefit shall be derived from collaboration in a Community programme;
Whereas the activities undertaken in the programme need to be accompanied by ongoing analysis of their associated costs and benefits to avoid their giving rise to new industries, which can only survive on the basis of permanently subsidized sales of agricultural products, or to agricultural surpluses;
Whereas such activities should constitute a logical complement to the Community research programmes in the areas of biotechnology and agriculture, promoting the application of their results to the social and economic objectives of the Community.
Whereas the European Parliament has called for a study to be conducted into the structural and social consequences of promoting biotechnologies and genetic engineering and has also pointed to the risks associated with the use, especially the release, of genetically engineered organisms; whereas the revised Community biotechnology research programme adopted on 29 June 1988 (1) is undertaking research into these risks;
Whereas development activities at the interfaces between agriculture and industry could contribute to the solution of some of the problems which agriculture is currently facing within the Community;
Whereas the principal and most urgent requirements that must be satisfied focus on the development of types of agricultural production suitable for industrial purposes, of transformation technologies and of industrial inputs in agriculture, such as pesticides or fertilizers less harmful to the environment;
Whereas it is important to avoid any adverse effects for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises which may be caused by a concentration of agricultural structures and further specialization;
Whereas it is necessary to involve small and medium-sized agricultural and industrial enterprises to the maximum extent possible in this biotechnology-based agro-industrial technological development programme;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has expressed its opinion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
A research and development programme in the field of biotechnology-based agro-industrial research and technology development is hereby adopted in the form set out in Annex I for a five-year period starting on 1 July 1988.
The programme shall consist of work carried out as contract research and as coordination actions and by training/mobility grants. Participants may be industrial and agricultural enterprises - individual enterprises, associations or cooperatives - research institutions, universities or combinations of them, established in the Community.
Article 2
1. In the case of projects carried out by shared-cost contracts, the Community contribution shall not normally exceed 50 % of the total expenditure, the remainder to be provided by the partners, predominantly from industrial or agricultural sources.
Alternatively, in respect of projects carried out by universities and research institutes, the Community may bear up to 100 % of the additional expenditure involved.
2. The proposals for projects shall be submitted in reply to a call for proposals and involve, as a rule, the participation of at least two independent partners not established in the same Member State. As a rule, research institutes and universities should participate in a group together with one or more industrial or agricultural organization(s). Research institutes which are funded principally or exclusively by industrial organizations shall be considered as industrial partners.
Article 3
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 80 million, including expenditure on a staff of 13.
Article 4
The Commission shall be responsible for implementing the programme.
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature, hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee', composed of the representative of the Commission.
Article 5
1. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
2. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes of the Committee; in addition, each Member States shall have the right to have its position recorded in the minutes.
3. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.
Article 6
1. In the third year of the programme's implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review of the programme and shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the results thereof, together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification of the content and funding, or for prolongation.
2. After the completion of the programme, an evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by the Commission, which shall report to the European Parliament and the Council. The report shall be drawn up by independent experts.
3. The reports referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be established having regard to the objectives set out in Annex II and in conformity with the provisions of Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC.
Article 7
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 23 February 1989.