P6_TA(2006)0266

Nuclear research and training activities (2007-2011) *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (COM(2005)0119 — C6-0112/2005 — 2005/0044(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0119) [1],

- having regard to Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0112/2005),

- having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A6-0203/2006),

1. Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 119, second paragraph, of the Euratom Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4. Calls for initiation of the conciliation procedure under the Joint Declaration of 4 March 1975 if the Council intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

6. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION | AMENDMENTS BY PARLIAMENT |

Amendment 1

Recital 13

(13) The Joint Research Center should contribute to the attainment of the objectives set out above by carrying out direct activities and by providing customer-driven support for the implementation of EU policies. | (13) The Joint Research Centre has the crucial role of providing customer-driven scientific and technological support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. Continuous support should be given to the Joint Research Centre to allow it to function as a reference centre of science and technology for the EU, independent of private and national interests. |

Amendment 2

Recital 16

(16) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests, (EC, Euratom) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). | (16) Appropriate measures should also be taken to preve nt irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests, (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). In any case, steps should be taken to ensure that any funds recovered from frauds and irregularities committed in breach of the abovementioned regulations are returned to the seventh Framework Programme and earmarked essentially for the training of research staff and scientific advisory activities. |

Amendment 3

Article 3, paragraph 1, introductory part

The overall amount for the implementation of the seventh framework programme for the period 2007 to 2011 shall be EUR 3092 million. That amount shall be distributed as follows (in million EUR): | The indicative overall amount for the implementation of the seventh framework programme shall be EUR 2751 million for the period of 5 years starting on 1 January 2007. That amount shall be distributed as follows (in million EUR): |

Amendment 4

Article 3, paragraph 1, table

(a) Fusion energy research 2159 | (a) Fusion energy research 1947 |

(b) Nuclear Fission and radiation protection 394 | (b) Nuclear Fission and radiation protection 394 |

(c) Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre 539 | (c) Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre 517 |

Amendment 5

Article 3, paragraph 1a (new)

| 1a. Within the amount foreseen for fusion energy research, not less than EUR 900 million will be reserved to activities, other than the realisation of the research infrastructure ITER, listed in Annex I. |

Amendment 6

Article 3, paragraph 2a (new)

| 2a. The Commission shall provide prior information to the budgetary authority whenever it intends to depart from the breakdown of expenditure set out in the remarks and Annex to the annual general budget of the European Union. |

Amendment 7

Article 5

All the research activities carried out under the seventh Framework Programme shall be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles. | All the research activities carried out under the seventh Framework Programme shall be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles, giving priority consideration to safety aspects. |

Amendment 8

Article 6, paragraph 2, subparagraph 2

The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. | The Commission s hall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman. |

Amendment 10

Annex I, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Rationale", paragraph 2

Fusion has the potential to make a major contribution to the realisation of a sustainable and secure supply for the EU in a few decades from now. Its successful development would provide energy which is safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The long-term goal of European fusion research, embracing all the fusion activities in the Member States and associated third countries, is the joint creation of prototype reactors for power stations which meet these requirements, and are economically viable. | Notwithstanding the efforts which the EU is making and should continue to make in the field of research into renewable energies, fusion has the potential to make a major contribution to the realisation of a sustainable and secure energy supply for the EU approximately fifty or sixty years from now, after the market penetration of commercial fusion reactors. A "fast track" to fusion energy will therefore be pursued in order to reduce as much as possible the time taken to develop an actualfusion power plant. Its successful development would provide energy which is safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The long-term goal of European fusion research, embracing all the fusion activities in the Member States and associated third countries, is the joint creation, in approximately thirty to thirty-five years, of prototype reactors for power stations which meet these requirements, and are economically viable. |

Amendment 11

Annex I, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Activities", bullet 1

This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER (as an international research infrastructure), in particular for site preparation, establishing the ITER Organisation and the European Joint Undertaking for ITER, management and staffing, general technical and administrative support, construction of equipment and installations and support to the project during construction. | This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER (as an international research infrastructure), in particular for site preparation, establishing the ITER Organisation and the European Joint Undertaking for ITER, management and staffing, general technical and administrative support, construction of equipment and installations and support to the project during construction. The European Joint Undertaking for ITER will be responsible for managing and administering the European contribution to ITER, discharging the obligations deriving from the international agreements on ITER. The rest of the fusion programme, aiming at improving scientific and technological knowledge for the fast realisation of fusion energy, will be implemented under the direct responsibility of the Commission, assisted by a consultative committee as specified in Regulation (EC) No ... of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) [2] ("the rules for participation"). |

Amendment 12

Annex I, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Activities", bullet 2

A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the facilities and resources in the fusion programme, including JET. It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER project choices, and prepare for ITER operation through experimental and theoretical activities. | A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the facilities and resources in the fusion programme, i.e. JET and the magnetic confinement devices already existing or under construction in all Member States (tokamaks, stellarators, RFPs). It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER project choices, and prepare for ITER operation through experimental and theoretical activities. |

Amendment 13

Annex I, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Activities", bullet 4

The activities will include further development of improved concepts for magnetic confinement schemes with potential advantages for Fusion power stations (focused on the completion of the construction of the W7-X stellarator device), theory and modelling aimed at a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of fusion plasmas and coordination, in the context of a keep-in-touch activity, of Member States' civil research activities on inertial confinement. | The activities will include further development of improved concepts for magnetic confinement schemes with potential advantages for Fusion power stations (focused on the completion of the construction of the W7-X stellarator device), theory and modelling aimed at a comprehensive understanding of the behaviour of fusion plasmas. |

Amendment 14

Annex 1, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Activities", bullet 5

In view of the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and for the further development of fusion, initiatives aimed at ensuring that adequate human resources will be available, in terms of numbers, range of skills and high level training and experience will be pursued. | In view of the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and for the further development of fusion, initiatives aimed at ensuring that adequate human resources will be available, in terms of numbers, range of skills and high level training and experience will be pursued, including by means of a European PhD in Physics and Engineering of Fusion. |

Amendment 15

Annex I, subtitle "Fusion Energy Research", subtitle "Activities", bullet 6a (new)

| Technology transfer processes ITER will require new and more flexible organisational structures to enable the process of innovation and technological progress which it creates to be swiftly transferred to industry, so that challenges can be met enabling European industry to become highly competitive. |

Amendment 16

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection", subtitle "Rationale", paragraph 2

There are, however, important concerns that affect the continued use of this energy source in the EU. The key issues are operational reactor safety and management of long-lived waste, both of which are being addressed through continued work at the technical level, though allied political and societal inputs are also required. In all uses of radiation, throughout industry and medicine alike, the overriding principle is the protection of man and the environment. All thematic domains to be addressed here are characterised by an overriding concern to ensure high levels of safety. Similarly there are clearly identifiable needs throughout nuclear science and engineering relating to availability of research infrastructures and expertise. In addition, the individual technical areas are linked by key cross-cutting topics such as the nuclear fuel cycle, actinide chemistry, risk analysis and safety assessment and even societal and governance issues. | There are, however, important concerns that affect the continued use of this energy source in the EU. Efforts are nevertheless required to consolidate and improve existing safety levels and ensure that improving protection against radiation continues to be one of the priorities for Community action. The key issues are operational reactor safety and management of long-lived waste, both of which are being addressed through continued work at the technical level, though allied political and societal inputs are also required. In all uses of radiation, throughout industry and medicine alike, the overriding principle is the protection of man and the environment. All thematic domains to be addressed here are characterised by an overriding concern to ensure high levels of safety. Similarly there are clearly identifiable needs throughout nuclear science and engineering relating to availability of research infrastructures and expertise. In addition, the individual technical areas are linked by key cross-cutting topics such as the nuclear fuel cycle, actinide chemistry, risk analysis and safety assessment and even societal and governance issues. |

Amendment 17

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection", subtitle "Activities", bullet 1

Implementation oriented research and development activities on deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste and, as appropriate, demonstration on the technologies and safety, and to underpin the development of a common European view on the main issues related to the management and disposal of waste. Research on partitioning and transmutation and/or other concepts aimed at reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste for disposal. | Implementation oriented research and development activities on deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste and, as appropriate, demonstration on the technologies and safety, and to underpin the development of a common European view on the main issues related to the management and disposal of waste. Specific activities connected with the characterisation and behaviour of this type of waste under conditions of extended temporary storage. Research on partitioning and transmutation and/or other concepts aimed at reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste for disposal. |

Amendment 18

Annex1, subtitle "Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection", subtitle "Activities", bullet 2

Research to underpin the continued safe operation of existing reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities), taking into account new challenges such as life-time extension and development of new advanced safety assessment methodologies (both the technical and human element), and to assess the potential and safety aspects of future reactor systems in the short and medium term, thereby maintaining the high safety standards already achieved within the EU. | Research that continues to underpin the continued safe operation of existing reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities) and new-generation reactors and to minimize the risk of human and organisational error, taking into account new challenges such as life-time extension and development of new advanced safety assessment methodologies (both the technical and human element), and to assess the potential and safety aspects of future reactor systems in the short and medium term, thereby further improving the high safety standards already achieved within the EU. |

| With this in mind, emphasis will be placed in particular on the researching and implementation of methodologies capable of preventing human or organisational error (individual or collective). An appropriate "safety culture" will also be encouraged in all undertakings, thereby ensuring that both the body owning the plant and its workers have safety as a fundamental priority objective. Research in the areas of reactor safety and severe accidents in respect of both Western and Russian types of reactor. |

Amendment 19

Annex 1, subtitle "Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection", subtitle "Activities", bullet 4

To support the availability of research infrastructures such as material test reactors, underground research laboratories and radiobiology facilities and tissue banks, necessary to maintain high standards of technical achievement, innovation and safety in the European nuclear sector. | To support the availability of research infrastructures such as material test reactors and training reactors, research laboratories and radiobiology facilities and tissue banks, necessary to maintain high standards of technical achievement, innovation and safety in the European nuclear sector. |

Amendment 20

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection", subtitle "Activities", bullet 5, title and paragraph

Human resources and training | Human resources, mobility, education and training |

To support the retention and further development of scientific competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers and employees in the nuclear sector over the longer term. | To support the retention and further development of scientific competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers, engineers, physicists, psychologists specialising in organisational systems, and employees in the nuclear sector as quickly as possible, in particular by maintaining educational efforts in universities with an emphasis on organising joint post-graduate studies in the fields of nuclear engineering and radiation protection; and to promote safety as a priority. |

Amendment 21

Annex 1, subtitle "Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre", subtitle "Rationale", paragraph 1

The Joint Research Centre supports the objectives of the European strategy for energy supply, particularly to help matching the Kyoto objectives. The EU has recognised competence in many aspects of nuclear technology, and this is built on a solid basis of past successes in the domain. The usefulness of the JRC in its support to EU policies and in its contribution to the new trends in nuclear research are based on its scientific expertise and its integration in the international scientific community. On the one hand, the JRC has competent staff and state-of-the-art facilities to carry out recognized scientific/technical work; and on the other hand it supports the policy of the EU to maintain basic competencies and expertise for the future by training young scientists and fostering their mobility. New demand has emerged in particular in the external relations and security related policies. In these cases, in-house and secure information/analyses/systems are needed which cannot always be obtained on the market. | In supporting the objectives of the EU, the Joint Research Centre shall have specific tasks related to: |

| global security, particularly through its participation in developing techniques and methods for efficient safeguards, to combat illegal trafficking and for nuclear forensic matters;enlargement of the EU, because this has involved (and will involve) new types of reactors and other nuclear installations;energy supply, by contributing to new techniques for a nuclear fuel cycle in line with the principles of sustainable development. |

| The Joint Research Centre has competent staff and facilities to carry out recognized scientific/technical work. It shall ensure the quality and the appropriate renewal of its infrastructures to keep European research at the forefront of its field. The Joint Research Centre supports the policy of the EU to maintain basic competencies and expertise for the future by giving access to its infrastructures to other researchers and by training young scientists and fostering their mobility and thus sustaining nuclear know-how in Europe. New demand has emerged in particular in the external relations and security related policies. In these cases, in-house and secure information/analyses/systems are needed which cannot always be obtained on the market. |

Amendment 22

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre", subtitle "Activities" paragraph 1

Nuclear Waste Management and Environmental Impact aiming to understand the nuclear fuel processes from production of energy to waste storage and to develop effective solutions for the management of high level nuclear waste following the two major options (direct storage or partitioning and transmutation); | Nuclear Waste Management and Environmental Impact aiming to understand the nuclear fuel processes from production of energy to waste storage and to develop effective solutions for the management of high level nuclear waste following the two major options (direct storage or partitioning and transmutation). In particular, activities will be developed to enhance knowledge and improve the processing or conditioning of long-lived waste and basic research into actinides; |

Amendment 23

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre", subtitle Activities, paragraph 2

Nuclear Safety, in implementing research on existing as well as on new fuel cycles and on reactor safety of both Western and Russian reactor types as well as on new reactor design. In addition the JRC will contribute and coordinate the European contribution to the Generation IV International Forum R&D initiative, in which the best research organisations in the world are involved; | Nuclear Safety, in research on existing fuel cycles, on reactor safety of both Western and Russian reactor types and to a greater extent, research on new fuel cycles as well as on new reactor design. In addition the JRC will contribute and coordinate the European contribution to the Generation IV International Forum R&D initiative, in which the best research organisations in the world are involved; the JRC shall be the integrator of the European research in this area and ensure both in quality and size the significance of the European contribution to GIF. |

Amendment 24

Annex I, subtitle "Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre", subtitle "Activities", paragraphs 3a and 3b (new)

| Campaigning to make politicians and the public understand nuclear energy now that most scientists, politicians and citizens are convinced that global warming is real and caused by fossil-fuel carbon emissions, and that nuclear power is an essential component of the energy mix available to meet the world's energy needs with zero CO2 emissions. Disseminating information about nuclear power to citizens and their representatives through the launching of multiannual information campaigns on nuclear power to encourage debate and facilitate decision-making, thereby enabling them to have an objective debate based on facts and take informed decisions. To ensure that they are as effective as possible, these campaigns should be drawn up using methodology derived from the social sciences. Furthermore, and bearing in mind that comparisons with other energy sources are essential in order to grasp the implications of the use of nuclear power, any information campaigns which are promoted or encouraged will also mention and explain the efforts being made by the EU at other levels to promote other energy sources, with particular regard to renewable sources of energy. |

[1] Not yet published in OJ.

[2] OJ L ...

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