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COUNCIL DECISION
of 27 November 1989
on a specific research and technological development programme in the field of biotechnology (1990 to 1994) (Bridge)
(89/621/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (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 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas, by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4), as amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (5), the Council has adopted a framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing inter alia for activities ensuring the exploitation and optimum use of biological resources;
Whereas that Decision provides that a particular aim 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 it to become more competitive at the international level, and that Community action is justified where research contributes, inter alia, to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and to the promotion of its overall harmonious development, while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas the Biotechnology Research for Innovation, Development and Growth in Europe (Bridge) programme should contribute to the achievement of these objectives;
Whereas the activities provided for in the framework programme include, in particular:
- the establishment of Community research and development (R&D) for contributing a transnational dimension to national efforts and for facilitating technology transfer towards industry and agriculture in the areas of infrastructure, basic biotechnology and risk analysis,
- the continuous evaluation of the strategic significance of new developments in biotechnology and promotion of the essential coherence between the different areas of Community policy concerned with biotechnology;
Whereas Decision 81/1032/EEC (6) adopting the multiannual research and training programme for the European Economic Community in the field of biomolecular engineering and Decision 85/195/EEC (7) adopting, and Decision 88/420/EEC (8) revising, the
multiannual research action programme for the European Economic Community in the field of biotechnology (1985 to 1989) have clearly demonstrated the utility of Community actions in biotechnology and the need for their expansion;
Whereas particular attention should be paid to ethical and social matters which may be associated with this programme;
Whereas the participation of European non-member States wholly or partially with projects in this programme is desirable;
Whereas it is desirable to involve small and medium-sized enterprises to the maximum extent possible in the biotechnology research and development programme;
Whereas the implementation of research and training actions in the COST framework is an essential element to complement R&D projects in the field of biotechnology;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has given its opinion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
A specific research and technological development programme (Bridge) for the European Economic Community in the field of biotechnology, as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period of four years from 1 January 1990.
Article 2
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 100 million, including expenditure on a staff of 28.
An indicative allocation of funds is set out in Annex II.
Article 3
Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme and the rate of the Community's financial participation are set out in Annex I.
Article 4
1. In the third year of implementation of the programme, the Commission shall review it and send a report on the results of its review to the European Parliament and the Council. This report shall be accompanied, where necessary, by proposals for amendment or extension of the programme.
2. At the end of the programme, an evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by the Commission, which shall report thereon to the European Parliament and the Council.
3. The abovementioned reports shall be established having regard to the objectives and criteria set out in Annex III to this Decision and in accordance with Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC.
Article 5
The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of the programme.
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature, hereinafter referred to as 'the committee', composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.
Contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights and obligations of each party, in particular the arrangements for the dissemination, protection and exploitation of research results.
Article 6
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 within a time limit which the chariman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
2. The opinion shall be recorderd in the minutes of the committee; in addition, each Member State 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 committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.
Article 7
The procedures laid down in Article 6 shall apply in particular to:
- the contents of the calls for proposals,
- the assessment of the proposed projects and the estimated amount of the Community's contribution to them,
- departures from the general rules govering Community participation set out in Annex I,
- the participation in any project by non-Community organizations and enterprises referred to in Article 8 (2),
- any adaptation of the indicative allocation of funds set out in Annex II,
- the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the programme,
- arrangements for the dissemination, protection and exploitation of the results of research carried out under the programme.
Article 8
1. The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, agreements with international organizations, those non-member States participating in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technological Research (COST) and those European countries having concluded framework agreements in scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them wholly or partly with the programme. 2. Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between European non-member States and the European Communities have been concluded, organizations and enterprises established in those countries may, on the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, become partners in a project undertaken within the programme.
No contracting party based outside the Community and participating as a partner in a project undertaken under the programme may benefit the Community financing for this programme. Such contracting party shall contribute to the general administrative costs.
Article 9
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 27 November 1989.