P6_TA(2006)0522

Specific programme to be implemented through direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (COM(2005)0439 — C6-0380/2005 — 2005/0184(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0439) [1],

- having regard to Article 166 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0380/2005),

- 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 opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A6-0335/2006),

1. Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2. Considers that the indicative financial reference amount indicated in the legislative proposal must be compatible with the ceiling of heading 1a of the new multiannual financial framework and points out that the annual amount will be decided within the annual budgetary procedure in accordance with the provisions of point 38 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management of 17 May 2006 [2];

3. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

4. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it 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 1a (new)

| (1a) Publicly funded research should be directed primarily towards public needs and priorities and seek complementarity with privately funded research. Work undertaken by the Joint Research Centre should be coordinated with research carried out under the thematic priorities to avoid overlap with and duplication of national research programmes. |

Amendment 2

Recital 3

(3) In implementing its mission, the JRC should provide customer driven scientific and technical support to the EU policy making process, ensuring support to the implementation and monitoring of existing policies and responding to new policy demands. In order to achieve its mission the JRC carries out high quality research. | (3) In implementing its mission, the JRC should provide customer driven scientific and technical support to the EU policy making process, ensuring support to the implementation and monitoring of existing policies and responding to new policy demands. In order to achieve its mission the JRC carries out research of the highest quality, which is comparable throughout the EU. |

Amendment 3

Recital 4

(4) The direct actions conducted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) should be implemented by the present Specific Programme. In implementing this Specific Programme in accordance with its mission, the JRC should place particular emphasis on areas of key concern for the Union: prosperity in a knowledge-intensive society, solidarity and responsible management of resources, security and freedom, and Europe as world partner. | (4) The direct actions conducted by the JRC should be implemented by the present Specific Programme. In implementing this Specific Programme in accordance with its mission, the JRC should place particular emphasis on areas of key concern for the Union: prosperity and social wellbeing in a knowledgeintensive society, solidarity, sustainability, and responsible management of resources, security and freedom, and Europe as world partner. |

Amendment 4

Recital 10

(10) The JRC should continue to generate additional resources through competitive activities; these include participation to the indirect actions of the Framework Programme, third party work and to a lesser extent the exploitation of intellectual property. | (10) The JRC should continue to generate additional resources through competitive activities; these include participation to the indirect actions of the Framework Programme, third party work (subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions relating in particular to the protection of intellectual property rights) and to a lesser extent the exploitation of intellectual property. |

Amendment 5

Recital 13

(13) The Commission should in due course arrange for an independent assessment to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by this programme. | (13) The Commission should in due course arrange for an independent assessment to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by this programme, which would include environmental, social, health and animal welfare criteria, which in the future will lead to further systematic measuring and assessing of both direct and indirect actions under the Framework Programme. |

Amendment 6

Article 3, paragraph 1a (new)

| The Commission shall take all necessary steps to verify that the actions financed are carried out effectively and in compliance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002. |

Amendment 7

Article 3, paragraph 1b (new)

| The overall administrative expenditure of the Specific Programme, including internal and management expenditure for the Joint Research Centre should be proportional to the tasks undertaken under the Specific Programme and is subject to the decision of the budgetary and legislative authorities. |

Amendment 8

Article 3, paragraph 1c (new)

| Budget appropriations shall be used in accordance with the principle of sound financial management, namely in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the principle of proportionality. |

Amendment 9

Article 4, paragraph 2, first indent

—research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes, | — research activity aiming at human cloning, |

Amendment 10

Article 5a (new)

| Article 5a The Commission shall provide prior information to the budgetary authority whenever it intends to depart from the breakdown of expenditure stated in the remarks and annex to the general budget of the European Union. |

Amendment 11

Article 7, paragraph 1a (new)

| The assessment shall contain an assessment of the soundness of financial management and an evaluation of the efficiency and regularity of the budgetary and economic management of the Specific Programme. |

Amendment 12

Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 1

—flexibly responding to the developing needs and requirements of the EU policy makers; | —flexibly responding to the developing needs and requirements of the EU policy makers, including at Member State level; |

Amendment 13

Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 2

—focusing attention on issues which are important in terms of societal concern, which have a research component and which have a dominant community dimension; | —focusing attention on issues which are important in terms of societal concern, which have a research component and which have a dominant community dimension, or which are of significance to a substantial proportion of the Community; |

Amendment 14

Annex, section 2, indent 3a (new)

| —intensifying its cooperation with other European institutions, in particular the European Parliament; |

Amendment 15

Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 5a (new)

| —increasing transparency when setting its research priorities by making the criteria for these priorities publicly available and by informing the European Parliament and the Council of the reasons justifying the choice of research priorities. |

Amendment 16

Annex, section 2, paragraph 3

Dissemination of knowledge among the various stakeholders involved in this process will represent a key feature of the approach. Activities will also be aimed at the support to the implementation and monitoring of legislation and at the dissemination of best practises in the context of EU-25, Candidate and Neighbouring Countries. | The dissemination of knowledge among the various stakeholders involved in this process will represent a key feature of the approach and efforts should also be made to improve the access of SMEs to research results. This will encourage dialogue between science and society. Activities will also be aimed at the support to the implementation and monitoring of legislation and at the dissemination of best practises in the context of EU-25, Candidate and Neighbouring Countries. |

Amendment 17

Annex, section 2, paragraph 8

When requested in the context of its support to thematic policies the JRC will engage into specific exercises leading to a better exploitation of relevant EU-wide research results. In doing so it will enhance the benefits of knowledge society. | When requested in the context of its support to thematic policies the JRC will engage into specific exercises leading to a better dissemination and exploitation of relevant EU-wide research results. In doing so it will enhance the benefits of knowledge society. |

Amendment 18

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.1, paragraph 6

The Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs will be supported by direct quantitative socioeconomic analysis — also in relation to the "better regulation" principle — in a number of policy areas like macroeconomic stability and growth, financial services, aspects of competitiveness, lifelong learning and the human capital dimension of the Lisbon strategy, agriculture, climate change, sustainable energy and transport systems. The JRC will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between education provision and the needs of the knowledge society, of factors affecting equity in education and how efficient use of educational resources can be achieved. | The Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs will be supported by direct quantitative socioeconomic analysis — also in relation to the "better regulation" principle — in a number of policy areas like macroeconomic stability and growth, financial services, aspects of competitiveness, lifelong learning and the human capital dimension of the Lisbon strategy, agriculture, climate change, sustainable energy and transport systems. The JRC will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between education provision and the needs of the knowledge society, of the dissemination of knowledge, of factors affecting equity in education and how efficient use of educational resources can be achieved, inter alia, with reference to open-source software. |

Amendment 19

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 1, indent 1

—to provide a sustainable energy reference system feeding the EU policy needs with S&T expertise on technological innovation and evolution (all energy sources); | —to provide a sustainable energy reference system feeding the EU policy needs with S&T expertise on technological innovation and evolution (all energy sources and energy enduse efficiency); |

Amendment 20

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 1, indent 3

—to provide information on reliability of energy supply for Europe. | —to provide information on reliability of energy supply for Europe and on the availability of renewable energy resources. |

Amendment 21

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 2, indent 3

—the social dimension, with activities including spatial planning, impacts on health and awareness raising. Efforts will also be devoted to aspects of safety and security of air, land and maritime transport. | —the social dimension, with activities including spatial, architectural and urban planning, impacts on health and awareness raising. Efforts will also be devoted to aspects of sustainability, safety and security of air, land and maritime transport. |

Amendment 22

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.4, paragraph 1

The JRC will support the formulation of Information Society Technology policies and instruments contributing to a competitive European knowledge society by generating prospective analyses and strategies related to the knowledge society. Growth, solidarity, inclusion and sustainability will be points of attention. The JRC will also contribute to the implementation of the EU policies closely linked with or strongly benefiting from Information Society Technology developments. This covers applications in e-business, e-health, personal security, e-learning, e-governance, and environment as well as the determination of the potential for new developments in the pursuit of the overall European strategies on growth, inclusion and quality of life. | The JRC will support the formulation of Information Society Technology policies and instruments contributing to a competitive European knowledge society by generating prospective analyses and strategies related to the knowledge society, with a focus on free and open-source Software. Growth, solidarity, inclusion and sustainability will be points of attention. The JRC will also contribute to the implementation of the EU policies closely linked with or strongly benefiting from Information Society Technology developments. This covers applications in e-business, e-health, personal security, e-learning, e-governance, and environment as well as the determination of the potential for new developments in the pursuit of the overall European strategies on growth, inclusion and quality of life. The JRC will seek to improve the access of disabled people to the knowledge-based society. |

Amendment 23

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.5, paragraph 1

Life sciences and biotechnology are pertinent to many policy areas where they can significantly contribute to the Lisbon objectives. This potential is broadly recognised in health, agriculture, food, environment and other sectors where applications are being rapidly developed. The provision of reference materials and validated methods requires access to and control of a broad range of advanced biotechnological instruments. The JRC will further develop its competencies in this area in view of the legislative and regulatory context. | Life sciences and biotechnology are pertinent to many policy areas where they can significantly contribute to the EU's objectives. This potential is broadly recognised in health, agriculture, food, environment and other sectors where applications are being rapidly developed. The provision of reference materials and validated methods requires access to and control of a broad range of advanced biotechnological instruments. The JRC will further develop its competencies in this area in view of the legislative and regulatory context. |

Amendment 24

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 1, indent 2

—Environmental aspects: Assessing implications of good agricultural and environmental conditions and studying impacts and effectiveness of agri-environmental measures on soil and water conditions, biodiversity and European landscapes. Analysing links between agricultural, rural development and regional policies and their impacts on European land use changes through the development of indicators and spatial models. Supporting the development of targeted territorial strategies for the implementation of rural development programmes. Assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture in view of adaptation measures. Contribution to mitigation of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by dedicated energy crops and by energy recovery from agri-wastes. | —Environmental aspects: Assessing implications of good agricultural and environmental conditions and studying impacts and effectiveness of agri-environmental measures on soil and water conditions, biodiversity and European landscapes. Analysing links between agricultural, rural development and regional policies and their impacts on European land use changes through the development of indicators and spatial models. Evaluating promotion measures for low input and organic agriculture and soil fertility. Supporting the development of targeted territorial strategies for the implementation of rural development programmes. Assessing the impact of climate change on agriculture in view of adaptation measures. Contribution to mitigation of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by dedicated energy crops and by energy recovery from agriwastes. |

Amendment 25

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 1, indent 3

—Producer/consumer aspects: Strategic policy analyses in areas such as: impact of the CAP reform on the sustainability of farming systems; responsiveness of agriculture to consumer demands: food characterisation and control, impact of quality assurance (QA) and certification schemes managed within supply chains, and responsiveness to environmental and European agricultural commodities in terms of production, world market, prices, income and consumer welfare; impact of changes in trade policy and world commodity markets; agricultural policies in rural development in conjunction with other policies. Specific attention will be given to the impact of CAP Reform in the new Member States and Candidate countries. | —Producer/consumer aspects: Strategic policy analyses in areas such as: impact of the CAP reform on the sustainability of farming systems; responsiveness of agriculture to consumer demands: food characterisation and control, impact of quality assurance (QA) and certification schemes managed within supply chains, and responsiveness to environmental and European agricultural commodities in terms of production, world market, prices, income and consumer welfare; impact of changes in trade policy and world commodity markets; agricultural policies in rural development in conjunction with other policies. Specific attention will be given to the impact of CAP Reform in the new Member States and Candidate countries and multi-functional rural development programmes and their efficacy. |

Amendment 26

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 2

Common Fisheries Policy objectives will be addressed by improving the quality and timeliness of scientific data and by developing processes for the assessment of the economic and social impact of management options. New technologies, including fish origin identification based on DNA analysis, will be used to identify non-compliance. Attention will be paid to techniques which favour stakeholder involvement. In line with the EU's emerging maritime policy, the feasibility of services developed for fisheries — such as vessel monitoring by remote sensing and electronic reporting, will be extended to merchant vessel identification. The impact of a growing aquaculture sector will be assessed. | Common Fisheries Policy objectives will be addressed by improving the quality and timeliness of scientific data and by developing processes for the assessment of the economic and social impact of management options. New technologies, including fish origin identification based on DNA analysis, will be used to identify non-compliance. Attention will be paid to techniques which favour stakeholder involvement. In line with the EU's emerging maritime policy, the feasibility of services developed for fisheries — such as vessel monitoring by remote sensing and electronic reporting, will be extended to merchant vessel identification. The impact of a growing aquaculture sector, including in environmental, social and health terms, will be assessed. |

Amendment 27

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 1a (new)

| —development and validation of advanced methods for refining, reducing and replacing animal tests for biotechnological pharmaceuticals, and for predicting the toxicity of chemicals by means of in vitro cell cultures, high throughput techniques and toxicogenomics; |

Amendment 28

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 2

—assessment of health effects through experimental work, biomonitoring, toxicogenomic analyses, computational techniques and analytical tools; | —assessment of health effects through experimental work, biomonitoring, toxicogenomic and epidemiologic analyses, computational techniques and analytical tools; |

Amendment 29

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 3a (new)

| —conducting health analyses based on three factors: (i) syndromes and chronic exposures, (ii) interaction with toxic substances and mixes of substances, and (iii) analysis of genetic polymorphisms and immunology tests, including tests of transformation and lymphocytary activation. |

Amendment 30

Annex, section 3, point 3.3.3, paragraph 2, indent 6a (new)

| —development and validation of advanced methods for refining, reducing and replacing animal tests for biotechnological pharmaceuticals, and for the prediction of the toxicity of chemicals by means of in vitro cell cultures, high throughput techniques and toxicogenomics. |

Amendment 31

Annex, section 3, point 3.4, paragraph 1

The JRC will support EU decision-making in the framework of external relations instruments (development cooperation, trade and instruments responding to crises including the instruments for Stability and Humanitarian Aid. | The JRC will support EU decision-making in the framework of external relations instruments (development cooperation, trade, instruments responding to crises and peaceful conflict resolution, including the instruments for Stability and Humanitarian Aid. |

Amendment 32

Annex, section 3, point 3.4.2, paragraph 4

Cooperation with major actors (FAO, EUMETSAT, WFP, ESA GMES-GMFS) will be reinforced. | Cooperation with major actors (UNEP, FAO, EUMETSAT, WFP, ESA GMES-GMFS) will be reinforced. |

Amendment 33

Annex, section 3, point 3.4, subtitle "Ethical aspects", paragraph 1

During the implementation of this specific programme and in the research activities arising from it, fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the environment in accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international conventions and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human genome and human rights adopted by Unesco, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions. | During the implementation of this specific programme and in the research activities arising from it, fundamental ethical principles are to be respected and taken into account. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the environment in accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international conventions and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human genome and human rights adopted by Unesco, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions. |

[1] Not yet published in OJ.

[2] OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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