COUNCIL DECISION of 20 June 1989 adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of food science and technology (1989 to 1993) (Flair) (89/411/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular to 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 Comittee (3),
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty states that the
framework programme is to 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 adopted a framework programme for Community research and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing for activites to be implemented to ensure the exploitation and optimum use of biological resources;
Whereas that Decision stipulates 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 industry by making it more competitive at the international level, and whereas the same Decision also lays down that Community action is justified if it contributes, inter alia, to strengthening the Community's economic and social cohesion and to promoting its overall harmonious development, while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas the food-linked agroindustrial research (Flair) programme is
planned to contribute to the pursuit of these objectives;
Whereas a multiannual programme of research and development in the field of food science and technology will assist in the combined progress in public health and
consumer protection with industrial and economic development within the Community;
Whereas having regard to the fact that the specialized skills and capabilities relevant to food technology are numerous, and Europe's most internationally competitive capabilities are located in diverse Member States, general benefit shall be derived from collaboration in a Community programme;
Whereas four Community-COST Concertation Agreements on four concerted action projects in the field of food science and technology (6) have produced encouraging results, and further initiatives in the COST framework in this field are underway;
Whereas the participation of European third countries wholly or partially in projects under this programme is desirable;
Whereas it is desirable to involve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the maximum extent possible in this food science and technology research and development programme and to provide SMEs and agricultural cooperatives throughout all regions of the Community, including the less favoured ones, with a maximum amount of information on the results of the programme;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has expressed its opinion on the Commission's proposal,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 A specific research and technological development programme for the European Economic Community in the field of food science and technology (Flair), as defined in the Annex, is hereby adopted for a period of four years, from 1 July 1989.
Article 2 The funds estimated as necessary for the Community contribution to the execution of the programme amount to ECU 25 million, including expenditure on a staff of five.
Article 3 The programme shall consist of work carried out as concerted and shared-cost actions, and by training/mobility grants.
Detailed rules for implementing the programme are set out in the Annex.
Article 4 During the third year of the implementation and in the light of the interim results achieved, the Commission shall review the programme 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 the amendment or extension of the programme.
An evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by independent experts and published in the form of a communication to the European Parliament and the Council.
The abovementioned reports shall be established having regard to the objectives set out in the Annex to this Decision, in particular for the improvement of food safety and quality for the consumer, 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.
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 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 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 the Committee. It shall inform the Comittee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.
Article 7 1. The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, agreements with international organizations, with those third countries participating in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST) and with those European countries having concluded framework agreements in scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to their participating fully or partially in concerted actions within this programme.
2. Before entering into the negotiations referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall consult the Council on the advisability and on the terms of reference of these negotiations and shall take full account of the Council's views.
3. Where Framework Agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between European third countries and the Community have been concluded, organizations and enterprises established in those countries may, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6 and on the basis of the criterion of mutual advantage, become partners in a shared-cost project within this programme.
4. No participant in shared-cost projects, who is established outside the Community, shall be entitled to Community financing.
Article 8 This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Luxembourg, 20 June 1989.