Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development (1994 to 1998) (94/C 262/07) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 243 final - 94/0088(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 A (2) of the EC Treaty on 6 June 1994)

The proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Programme in the Field of Agriculture and Fisheries (including Agro-industry, Food Technologies, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development (1994 to 1998) (COM(94)0068 final - 94/0088(CNS)) is amended as follows:

Recital 4

Whereas in accordance with Article 130i (3) of the Treaty, it is appropriate to make an estimate of the means deemed necessary for the realization of this specific programme; whereas the funds effectively available shall be determined by the budgetary authorities according to the resources available under the Financial Perspective and relative priorities given within the First Action of the fourth Framework Programme;

Recital 5 second

(new)

Whereas Community aid to fisheries research can be more effective if a separate budget line is created for the collection of data and the maintenance and development of appropriate data bases in cooperation with the corresponding authorities in the Member States;

Recital 5 third

(new)

Whereas any increase in the overall maximum amount of the framework programme will depend in particular on the evaluation of the progress made in implementing the programme; whereas the progress made in this programme will be deemed satisfactory only if the first commitments of appropriations are effected within a reasonable period following the adoption of the programme; whereas that period may not exceed 12 months;

Recital 6, fourth indent

- contributing to sustainable development, the preservation and restoration of biodiversity and the improvement of rural and coastal development;

Recital 11 second

(new)

Whereas the Commission's efforts to simplify and accelerate the candidature and selection procedures and make them more transparent must be continued in order to support the implementation of the programme and to facilitate the action which firms, and particularly SMEs, research centres and universities have to undertake in order to participate in a Community RTD activity;

Article 2 (1)

1. The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 607 million, including a maximum of 7,3 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

The first commitments of appropriations shall be effected no later than 12 months following the adoption of the programme, unless good reason is given for exceeding that time-limit.

Article 2 (4)

4. The budgetary authority shall lay down the available appropriations for each financial year in accordance with the availability of resources under the financial perspective and in agreement with the scientific and technological priorities fixed by the fourth framework programme.

ANNEX I

Objectives and scientific and technical content (fifth paragraph)

Research in this area will provide a strong scientific research base for competitive, efficient and sustainable primary production and agro-industrial sector; to support the evolving Community policies (especially the major Community policies of Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries, Environment and the Internal Market) and to respond to societal needs for a wide range of healthy and nutritious food, whose organoleptic properties shall be one of the criteria for determining quality, and new non-food products which are produced compatible with the environment.

Scale-up and downstream processing (third paragraph)

The upstream 'green` biobased chemistry, and applied biotechnologies involving enzymatic and fermentative biosynthesis, and the downstream activities of fractionation, separation and product development, are typical examples of processes which pose technological difficulties in scaling up to the industrial operational scale, and where synergy between chemical engineering in design, instrumentation, and equipment, and the life scientist will be most effective. Research on upgrading of by-products from fermentations and other processing industries will be undertaken, including the treatment of agricultural and agro-industrial wastes, but excluding urban waste, to obtain for example by-products or agricultural fertilizers.

Generic science and advanced technologies for nutritious foods (first paragraph)

The food and drink industry, including fish processing, ranks second in terms of output in Europe. Research should improve the industry's competitive position but also provide consumers with a safer higher quality, more nutritious and health promoting diet (including organoleptic).

Generic science and advanced technologies for nutritious foods (third paragraph)

Other research will concentrate on generic scientific phenomena involved in the conversion of biological raw materials into food, and its metabolism. The emphasis will be on multidisciplinary, molecular and cellular physiological approaches which will support new advanced technologies for food quality, safety and wholesomeness, including freshness and spoilage of seafood, and other foods.

Agriculture, silviculture, rural development, and fisheries and aquaculture (second paragraph a)

(new)

In the agricultural sector, research will be undertaken in areas related to the preservation of the genetic heritage and biodiversity in seeds of indigenous species, which have proved their ability to adapt to adverse climatic effects, such as drought, or have shown their resistance to specific pests. At the same time, efforts will be made to develop varieties more resistant to these adverse effects to assist in extensive crops for dry farming.

Agriculture, forestry, rural development, fisheries and aquaculture (second paragraph)

(new)

In the same sector, water management models will be developed for preserving crops when precipitation is rare or irregular, so that lowering of the water table through excessive irrigation from subterranean water can be prevented, and for modifying the procedures which prevent the salinization of water and surface layers. Under the same heading, special attention will be paid to management of soil resources and specifically to the promotion of methods of combating erosion.

Fisheries and Aquaculture (second paragraph)

Environmental impact of fisheries and aquaculture activities: the objective is to generate a better knowledge and understanding of the effects that fisheries and aquaculture have on the ecosystem including work on improving the selectivity of fishing gear with the aim of reducing the mortality of juveniles and non-target species, against the background of other perturbations in the environment caused by natural (e. g. hydrographic) and anthropogenic factors other than fisheries (e. g. pollution, eutrophication, gravel extraction) with the aim of ensuring the conditions for a balanced exploitation of fisheries and aquaculture resources in the Community.