A4-0458/98

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, to be carried out by means of direct actions for the European Community (1998-2002) by the Joint Research Centre (COM(98)0305 - C4-0440/98 - 98/0184(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Article 2(1), (2), and (3)

>Original text>

1. In agreement with Annex III of the fifth framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for the execution of direct actions by the JRC under this programme (hereinafter referred to as 'the amount') is ECU 815 million.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

In agreement with Annex III of the fifth framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for the execution of direct actions by the JRC under this programme (hereinafter referred to as 'the amount') is ECU 739 million.

>Original text>

2. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex I.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex I.

>Original text>

3. Of this amount,

>Text following EP vote>

3.

Of this amount,

>Original text>

- ECU 200 million for the period 1998 to 1999, and

>Text following EP vote>

-

ECU 189 million for the period 1998 to 1999, and

>Original text>

- ECU 615 million for the period 2000 to 2002.

>Text following EP vote>

-

ECU 550 million for the period 2000 to 2002.

>Original text>

This amount will be adapted, in accordance with the conditions established in Article 3(3) of the fifth framework programme.

>Text following EP vote>

This amount will be adapted, in accordance with the conditions established in Article

2 of the fifth framework programme.

(Amendment 2)

Article 2(4)

>Original text>

4. The budgetary authority shall lay down, in accordance with the scientific and technological objectives and priorities detailed in the present Decision, the appropriations for each financial year, subject to the availability of resources within the pluriannual financial perspectives.

>Text following EP vote>

4.

The budgetary authority shall lay down, in accordance with the scientific and technological objectives detailed in the present Decision, the appropriations for each financial year.

(Amendment 3)

Article 5, 2nd subparagraph (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall publish the work programme and every updated version thereof in paper and electronic form (on the Internet).

(Amendment 4)

Article 5(2a)(new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2a. All proposals for RTD actions will take into account the European Union's policies on equal opportunities.

(Amendment 5)

Article 6(2)

>Original text>

2. The Commission is advised by the Board of Governors of the JRC (hereinafter referred to as the Board of Governors) in this task.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

The Commission is advised by the Board of Governors of the JRC (hereinafter referred to as the Board of Governors) in this task. The European Parliament shall nominate two observers to the Board of Governors.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The Board of Governors shall meet as a rule in public, unless a specific duly motivated decision is taken to the contrary and published in good time. It shall publish agendas two weeks in advance of this meetings (also on the Internet). It shall publish minutes of its meetings (also on the Internet). It shall establish a public register of declarations of interest by its members.

(Amendment 6)

Article 7a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 7a

Protection of the financial interests of the European Communities shall be guaranteed in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests(1).

__________

(1) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.

(Amendment 7)

Annex II (c)(I)(I.1), 1st indent

>Original text>

- research to underpin the harmonisation and validation of methods for quality and safety analysis of feeding stuffs, food, beverages, and consumer products; provision of references for the determination of food and beverages authenticity and origin, for the establishment of inspection practices and for risk-assessment; methods and references in support of food-labelling and development of anti-fraud techniques.

>Text following EP vote>

-

research to underpin the harmonisation and validation of methods for quality and safety analysis of feeding stuffs including possible European harmonisation of standards for 'organic' foods (zero pesticide, etc) and for food animal husbandry, food beverages, and consumer products; provision of references for the determination of food and beverages authenticity and origin, for the establishment of inspection practices and for risk-assessment; methods and references in support of food-labelling and development of anti-fraud techniques.

(Amendment 8)

Annex II (c)(I)(I.4), 4th indent

>Original text>

- maintenance and further development of a research platform contributing to the scientific and technical basis needed for civilian land de-mining operations; compilation of an index of mine types and their signatures; development of strategies for examining mine fields and establishing secure detection and destruction methods; establishment of reference criteria and standards and validation of clearing methods and available devices;

>Text following EP vote>

-

maintenance and further development of a research platform contributing to the scientific and technical basis needed for civilian land de-mining operations; compilation of an index of mine types and their signatures; development of strategies for examining mine fields and establishing secure detection and destruction methods; establishment of reference criteria and standards and validation of clearing methods and available devices; the JRC will coordinate and implement the activities relating to the programme on humanitarian demining using its own resources.

(Amendment 9)

Annex II(c)(II)(II.4), 1st indent

>Original text>

- integration of renewable energies in energy systems and related socio-economic studies; development of new testing techniques and proposals for the preparation of norms and standards for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, the new generation of energy - storage systems, fuel cells and the typology of insulation materials; study of hydrogen as a fuel with particular regard to safety issues and analysis of techno-economic aspects.

>Text following EP vote>

-

integration of renewable energies in energy systems and related socio-economic studies; development of new testing techniques and proposals for the preparation of norms and standards for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, the new generation of energy - storage systems, fuel cells and insulating and other energy efficient materials and devices; study of hydrogen as a fuel with particular regard to safety issues and analysis of techno-economic aspects.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, to be carried out by means of direct actions for the European Community (1998-2002) by the Joint Research Centre (COM(98)0305 - C4-0440/98 - 98/0184(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0305 - 98/0184(CNS) ((OJ C 260, 18.8.1998, p. 105.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 130i(4)of the EC Treaty (C4-0440/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0458/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.