16. 8. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 214/17 
Re-examined proposal for a Council Decision to revise the multiannual research programme for 
the European Economic Community in the field of biotechnology 
COM(88) 356 final — SYN 101 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149 (2) (d) of the EEC Treaty 
on 23 June 1988) 
(88/C 214/07) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130Q (2) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (!), 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social 
Committee, 
Whereas the framework programme of Community 
activities in the field of research and technological 
development (1987 to 1991) was adopted by Council 
Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC (2), 
Whereas Article 130K of the Treaty provides that the 
framework programme is to be implemented through 
specific programmes developed within each activity; 
whereas the Council, when adopting the framework 
programme of Community activities in technological R&D 
(1987 to 1991), recognized the interest of exploitation and 
valorization of biological resources, and particularly 
biotechnology; 
Whereas the Council Decision 85/195/EEC (3) introduced 
a multiannual research and training action programme for 
the European Economic Community in the field of 
biotechnology; whereas Article 3 of that Decision makes 
provision for the programme to be revised as from its 
second year of implementation; 
Whereas the re-examination which has been untertaken 
and whose conclusions were transmitted to the Council on 
21 May 1986 has led the Commission to present a proposal 
for the revision of the programme motivated by the need to 
ensure its adequacy to the objective assigned to it; 
Whereas the implementation of the research and training 
programme for the European Economic Community in the 
field of biotechnology has proved to be insufficient as yet 
for setting up, on a scale commensurate with the multiple 
implications of biotechnology in agriculture, industry and 
the environment, of transnational cooperation networks 
addressing the various levels of risk and their evaluation; 
(') OJ No C 15, 20. 1. 1988, p. 13. 
(2) OJ No L 302, 24. 10. 1987, p. 1. 
(3) OJ No L 83, 25. 3. 1985, p. 1. Whereas any application involving the large-scale planned 
release of organisms created by genetic engineering must be 
preceded by experimental research conducted in accord­
ance with existing safety rules; 
Whereas the area of bio-informatics requires both to 
ascertain the constitution of integrated networks for the 
storage, circulation and treatment of biological data, and 
to stimulate further computer-aided approaches in bio-
technological research; 
Whereas it is necessary to step up training activities and to 
evolve training schemes, including in particular the 
organization of short intensive workshops, allowing 
research scientists in all the Member States to benefit from 
all the research facilities and scientific expertise in the 
Community, thus helping to reduce the disparities in 
development in the field of biotechnology between the 
various Member States of the Community, while being 
consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical 
quality; 
Whereas it is essential to increase the involvement of 
Community industry in the activities and results originat­
ing from the research work under contract; 
Whereas it is necessary to step up the concertation activities 
carried out, alongside the Community research and 
training effort, to improve national and Community 
activity in the field of biotechnology, strengthen dialogue 
with appropriate groups and make as much information 
available to the public as possible; 
Whereas the recent emergence of certain critical areas of 
biological sciences (e.g. genome mapping and sequencing, 
and the exploitation thereof) means that the Community 
effort in biotechnology is relatively weak unless ex­
ploratory activity can be rapidly initiated in this field before 
a new programme in biotechnology R&D (1990 to 1994) is 
prepared; 
Whereas it is necessary to enable participation by Spain and 
Portugal in as many as possible of the activities envisaged 
by the programme; 
No C 214/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 8. 88 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee 
(CREST) has expressed its opinion, Article 2 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The research action programme for the European Eco­
nomic Community in the field of biotechnology (1985 to 
1989) is hereby revised on the basis of the specifications in 
the Annex. The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the 
programme will be increased from 55 to 75 million ECU. 
This increase of 20 million ECU will be used to intensify 
and expand the activities in biotechnological research as 
indicated in the Annex and includes expenditure on an 
additional staff of five. 
ANNEX 
REVISION OF THE MULTIANNUAL RESEARCH ACTION PROGRAMME FOR THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE FIELD OF BIOTECHNOLOGY (1985 TO 1989) 
Extension to Spain and Portugal of the activities envisaged by the programme. 
Intensification of the current research effort in the sector of the programme that concerns the assessment of 
risks associated with modern biotechnology, and particularly with the deliberate release of genetically 
engineered organisms. 
Intensification of the current research effort in the area of information technology with emphasis upon 
processing data related to culture collections, genome sequences and protein modelling. 
Increase in the volume of current activities (visits, publications, electronic networks, meetings, summer 
workshops, etc.) aiming at a timely dissemination of information on the programme and of research results 
to all appropriate groups; involvement of Community industry in the research activities and in the 
utilization of the data, materials and methods stemming from the research work under contract. 
Studies and feasibility pilot projects for the preparation of future Community R&D activities in 
biotechnology during the period 1990 to 1994. 
Increase in training activities in all parts of the current programme. 
Matching of resources (manpower) for the concertation activity to the requirements defined in the 
programme.