COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC90) 160 final - SYN 265 
Brussels, 28 May 1990 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a specific research and technological development 
programme in the field of Biotechnology 
(1990-1994) 
(presented by the Commission) 
- 1 -
CONTENTS 
Page 
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a 
specific research and technological development 
programme in the field of Biotechnology (1990-1994) 
ANNEX I 
Scientific and technical objectives and content 11 
ANNEX I I 
Indicative breakdown of expenditures 18 
ANNEX I I I 
Rules for Implementing the Programme and Activities 
for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results 19 
- 2 -
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a specific research and technological development 
programme in the field of Biotechnology 
(1990-94) 
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,^1) 
In cooperation with the European Par I lament,<2) 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,(3> 
(1) OJ No C 
(2) OJ No C 
(3) OJ No C 
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Whereas by its Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC(4), the Council adopted a 
third framework programme for Community activities in the field of 
research and technological development (1990-94), specifying Inter alia 
the activities to be pursued for contributing to the development of the 
European potential for understanding and exploiting the properties and 
structures of living matter; whereas this Decision should be taken in 
the light of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; 
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the framework 
programme Is to be implemented through specific programmes developed 
wi thin each act Ivlty; 
Whereas an estimate should be made of the amount of Community financial 
resources needed to carry out this specific programme; whereas the 
definitive amounts will be fixed by the budgetary authority in line 
with the financial perspectives covering the period 1988-1992 included 
in the Inter Inst itut ional Agreement of 29 June 1988^5^ and with any 
future financial perspectives covering the period 1993-1994; 
Whereas, pursuant to Article 4 and Annex I of Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC, the amount deemed necessary for the whole 
framework programme includes an amount of 57 million ecus for the 
centralized dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided up 
in proportion to the amount envisaged for each activity; whereas in 
view of the importance of this specific programme within the "Life 
Sciences and Technologies" action the estimate of the financial 
resources needed by this programme is to be reduced by 1.64 mi I I ion 
ecus, which amount is to be allocated to the centralized activities, in 
order to comply with the second sentence of Article 130p (2) of the 
Treaty; 
(4) OJ No L 117, 8.5.1990, p.28. 
(5) OJ No L 185, 15.7.1988, p.33 
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Whereas this programme must be Implemented by the Commission; whereas 
to help accomplish this, the Member States are bound, pursuant to 
Article 5 of the Treaty, to facilitate the achievement of its tasks 
where necessary, notably within a committee; 
Whereas this programme must be Implemented essentially by the selection 
of research and development projects to enable them to benefit from 
Community participation-, whereas the Commission should encourage the 
submission of such projects by the usual means of publishing calls for 
proposals in the Official Journal; whereas a special procedure should 
also be devised so as to maintain a degree of flexibility enabling the 
Commission, in the face of the continuous evolution and gradual 
acceleration of technological progress, also to take into consideration 
spontaneous proposals consistent with the objectives of the programme; 
Whereas the projects to be carried out under the programme must be 
selected with special attention to the principle of economic and social 
cohesion in the Community, the transnational nature of the projects and 
the support to be given to small and medium-sized enterprises; 
Whereas it is only in the light of experience gathered in the course of 
this programme that the Commission will be able to propose and the 
Council to adopt supplementary programmes by having recourse to the 
means provided for in Articles 1301, 130m or 130o of the Treaty, if 
they contribute to the achievement of the programme's objectives, in 
accordance with the option made available by Article 2(2) of 
Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC; 
Whereas, in accordance with Article 130g of the Treaty, the Community's 
activities aimed at strengthening the scientific and technological 
basis of European industry and encouraging it to become more 
competitive include promoting cooperation on research and technological 
development with third countries and International organizations; 
whereas such cooperation may prove particularly beneficial for the 
development of this programme; 
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Whereas It is necessary, as Annex II to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, 
provides, to reinforce biological knowledge as the common and 
integrated foundation needed for applications in agriculture, industry, 
nutrition and the environment. 
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has 
been consulted, 
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Art icle 1 
A specific research and technological development programme for the 
European Economic Community in the field of Biotechnology, as defined 
in Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period of five years as from 
1 January 1990. 
Art icle 2 
1. The Community funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the 
programme under this Decision amount to 164 million ecus. Of this 
amount 1.64 million ecus is drawn for the centralized dissemination 
and exploitation of results. The amount thus reduced to 
162.36 million ecus includes staff costs which may not exceed 2%. 
An indicative breakdown of expenditure is set out in Annex II. 
2. Should the Council take a decision in implementation of Article 
1(4) of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, this Decision shall be 
adapted to take account of the abovementioned decision. 
3. The budgetary authority shall decide on the appropriations 
available for each financial year. 
Art icle 3 
Rules for the implementation of the programme are set out in Annex III. 
Art icle 4 
The rate of the Community financial contribution shall be laid down in 
accordance with Annex IV to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
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Article 5 
1. During 1992 the Commission shall review the programme and address a 
report on the results of the review to the Council and the European 
Parliament, together with proposals for any necessary changes. 
2. At the end of the programme the Commission shall assess the results 
obtained. It shall address a report thereon to the Council and the 
European Par I lament. 
3. The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the objectives set 
out In Annex I to this Decision and in accordance with Article 2(4) 
of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 6 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of the 
programme. It shall be assisted by a committee, hereinafter 
referred to as "the Committee", composed of representatives of the 
Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. 
2. The contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights 
and obligations of each party, including the procedures for 
disseminating, protecting and exploiting the research results, in 
accordance with the arrangements adopted pursuant to the second 
paragraph of Article 130k of the Treaty. 
3. A work programme for each year shall be drawn up and updated where 
necessary. It shall set out the detailed objectives and types of 
projects to be undertaken, and the financial arrangements to be 
made for them. The Commission shall make calls for proposals for 
projects on the basis of the annual work programmes. 
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Article 7 
1. In the cases envisaged in Article 8(1), the Commission 
representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft within a time limit which the chairman may set according 
to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by 
qualified majority as provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty 
in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on 
a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the Member States' 
representatives within the Committee shall be weighted in the 
manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote. 
2. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged where they are in 
accordance with the Committee's opinion. 
3. If the measures envisaged are not in accordance with the 
Committee's opinion, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission 
shall forthwith submit to the Council a proposal relating to the 
measures to be taken. The Council shall act by a qualified 
majority. 
4. If the Council has not acted within one month of submission of the 
proposal, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. 
Article 8 
1. The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to: 
the preparation and updating of the work programmes referred to 
in Article 6(3); 
evaluation of the projects referred to in point 2 of Annex III, 
as well as the estimated amount of the Community's financial 
contribution when these projects are submitted through the 
ordinary procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III and the 
abovementioned amount is more than 5 million ecus; 
evaluation of all projects submitted through the exceptional 
procedure referred to In point 4 of Annex III, as well as the 
estimated amount of the Community's financial contribution; 
measures for evaluating the programme. 
2. The Commission may consult the Committee on any matter falling 
within the scope of the programme. 
3. The Commission shall inform the Committee with regard to; 
the progress of the programme; 
planned calls for proposals, referred to in Article 6 (3); 
projects, referred to In point 2 of Annex III, submitted 
through the ordinary procedure, for which the Community 
contribution is less than 5 million ecus, and the results of 
their evaluation; 
accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of Annex ill; 
concerted actions, referred to in point 2 of Annex III. 
Article 9 
In implementing this programme, supplementary programmes within the 
meaning of Article 1301, participation within the meaning of Article 
130m and Joint undertakings or any other structures within the meaning 
of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be decided on as the need 
ar ises. 
- 10 -
Article 10 
Where cooperation with third countries and international organisations 
aiming at achieving the objectives of this programme requires legal 
undertakings between the Community and the third parties concerned, the 
Commission shall be authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 
130n of the Treaty, International agreements laying down the terms of 
such cooperation. 
Decisions on the conclusion of such agreements shall be adopted In 
accordance with the procedure referred to In Article 130q (2) of the 
Treaty. 
Article 11 
This Decision Is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at , For the Counc11, 
The President 
11 
Annex 1 
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT 
This specific programme fully reflects the approach embodied in the Third Framework 
Programme in terms of the scientific and technical goals and the underlying aims 
which it pursues. 
Paragraph 4A of Annex II of the Framework Programme forms an integral part of the 
present specific programme. 
Pre-normative research will be carried out in each of the areas described below, with 
emphasis on the safety assessment of new techniques and novel products. 
The ethical and social implications of biotechnology will be monitored and studied. 
A multidisciplinary approach involving representatives from the various sciences, 
professions and activities concerned will be pursued. Special attention will obviously 
be given to the areas of biotechnology covered by Community research. For all 
projects conducted in this framework, contractors will be requested to provide, when 
applicable, information necessary for the detailed evaluation of the social, ethical and 
ecological impact of their studies, and, where necessary, approval from the responsible 
authorities. 
Information technology will be used throughout the programme for collecting, pooling, 
analyzing, distributing or simulating data. 
Research will be carried out at the level of molecules, cells, organisms and 
populations. Integration between levels will be assured. 
The following presents an analytical description of the content of the programme, 
based on and taking account of the above elements. 
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Area 1. Molecular approaches 
Protein structure and function 
Research under this theme is aimed at two goals. First, to understand and control 
biological functions carried out by proteins (enzymes, hormones, antibodies, receptors, 
body structures, etc.). Second, to produce tailor-made proteins adapted to the specific 
requirements of man (new drugs, industrial enzymes, artificial organs, etc.). 
Target areas will include enzymes and proteins associated with biological membranes 
participating in energy transduction (chemi-osmotic enzymes); immunoglobulins and 
their interactions with antigens, protein messengers and receptors. The latter work is 
connected with research described below on biological communication systems. 
A specific objective of the programme will be the analysis of structure-function 
relationships for a number of membrane proteins. 
Structure and function of genes 
The ultimate goal is to provide the knowledge necessary for a rational use of 
biological species important in agriculture, industry and the diagnosis of genetic 
disorders. The study of the genetic message in representative species will be pursued 
at two levels: precise ordering of the genes within chromosomes (gene mapping) and 
detailed determination of the chemical composition of genes (gene sequencing). 
Efforts will be undertaken to complete the sequencing work of the entire genome of 
yeast, which displays a genetic structure and organisation (genome) comparable to 
that of plants and animals, and to initiate a Community effort for sequencing genes 
in a model plant species (Arabidopsis) and physical mapping in Drosophila. This work 
will complete research under the BRIDGE programme on mapping the genes in 
Arabidopsis and on sequencing certain chromosomes in yeast. 
- 13 -
A specific objective will be the sequencing of more than 10 million nucleotides in the 
organisms studied. 
Close liaison will be maintained with research under the Human Genome Analysis 
programme to ensure that developments in methodology, mapping and sequencing 
techniques are shared with mutual benefit. 
Expression of genes 
In order to make full use of the above information on gene structure, the processes 
through which the information stored as DNA in the genes is expressed in the form 
of active proteins will be studied in some models of practical importance. Transcription 
factors, RNA polymerases, their interactions with signals, ligands and DNA will be 
examined. A specific objective is the analysis of a number of DNA polymerases and 
transcription factors in yeast, plants and mammalian cells. 
- 14 -
Area 2. Cellular and organism approaches 
Cellular regeneration, reproduction and development of living organisms 
In order to provide basic knowledge required by biotechnology, comparative studies 
of reproductive events (meiotic pairing, gamete packaging, gamete recognition and 
fertilization), cell-cell interaction and cell replication in animals and plants will be 
undertaken. Research will be centred on the control of development, cell commitment 
and cell totipotency in higher organisms starting with the simplest levels of 
organisation, namely gametes, eggs, proliferating lines and their reorganisation into 
organs and embryos. 
At the same time, with regard to pre-normative research, in vitro test systems will be 
elaborated which take into account the high specificity of modern drugs and their 
potential toxic effects during cell differentiation and organogenesis. 
Metabolism of animals, plants and microbes; essential physiological tracts 
The objective is to provide industrial and agricultural operators with the basic 
knowledge required for a more rational exploitation of resources in production, 
processing and animal husbandry. New animal models, more representative of human 
material, will be developed for biological analysis, including the use, where necessary, 
of transgenic animals relevant to the study of human health and its protection. 
Research will concern the regulatory mechanisms governing some of the biological 
functions or metabolic activities in species which are important to man (e.g., as 
specific objectives, production and secretion in microorganisms, metabolic pathways 
under extreme environments, nitrate assimilation in plants, food utilisation and 
metabolic control in animals, etc.). 
- 15 -
Communication systems within living matter 
The goal is to provide industrial biotechnologists, agricultural and medical operators 
with a new approach to dealing with the complexity of living systems. This emerging 
subject will be studied at the cellular and systemic level. 
Research will be focused on the immune and the nervous systems. Immunological 
studies will concern the complex interaction between the three main types of cells 
(antigen presenting cells, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes) responsible for the 
reaction of the animal body to foreign substances (antigens). Concerning pre-
normative objectives, pharmacological and toxicological test systems will be developed, 
with special attention to immune reactions in "drug targeting" and immunotoxicoiogy 
as such. Synergism with protein engineering will be assured. 
In neurobiology, attention will be given to the basic unit of the brain, the neuron. The 
production, release and specific reception of chemical messengers used by neurons to 
communicate among themselves and to transmit messages to target cells such as 
muscles and glands will be a priority. The biochemical, pharmacological and genetic 
characterisation of newly discovered neuroreceptors systems will constitute a specific 
objective of the programme in view of possible applications to the diagnosis and 
treatment of pathological behaviour. The interaction between neurons and the 
development of neural networks will also be studied. This research will complement 
projects undertaken in the ESPRIT and SCIENCE programmes, dealing with the 
informatic, behavioural, cognitive and physiological aspects of neurobiology. 
- 16 -
Area 3. Ecology and population biology 
Ecological implications of Biotechnology 
The goal is to study the environmental implications of biotechnology and, in particular 
of the release by man of living organisms in the environment in connection with the 
industrial, agricultural and environmental policies of the Community. 
Particularly in the case of microorganisms, the systematic analysis of possible adverse 
effects will be carried out taking into consideration the need for a comprehensive 
understanding of the ecosystems involved. Research will include the analysis of 
representative examples of interactions between microbial populations and with their 
hosts; the study of the impact of the introduction of genetically modified 
microorganisms on natural microbial populations in different habitats; the 
determination of the behaviour and effects upon ecosystems of organisms modified by 
genetic engineering (including as a complement to ongoing research in BRIDGE, fishes 
and insects). 
Conservation of genetic resources 
The aim is to ascertain the real dimension of the problem of loss of genetic diversity. 
Knowledge of genetic erosion in plants, animals and microorganisms will be pursued, 
collected and circulated. 
Taxonomy will be revitalised with inputs from molecular biology, providing specific 
and target support to decentralised collections of biotic materials; a systematic 
assessment of the residual genetic variability of agricultural and industrial species of 
regional and traditional importance will be initiated. 
- 17 -
These activities will be carried out in cooperation with relevant international 
organisations and countries outside the European Community. 
Work in this area will link into Community research programmes dealing with 
environmental issues. ' 
- 18 -
Annex II 
INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES 
in %, for the period 1990-1994. 
Area 1. Molecular approaches 35 - 40 
Area 2. Cellular and organism approaches 45 - 55 
Area 3. Ecology and population biology 10-15 
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects 
could cover several areas. 
- 19 -
Annex 111 
Rules for Implementing the Programme 
and Activities for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results 
1. The Commission shall Implement the programme on the basis of the 
scientific and technical content described in Annex I. 
2. The rules for implementing the programme, referred to In Article 3, 
comprise research and technological development projects, 
accompanying measures and concerted actions. 
The projects shall be the subject of shared-cost research and 
technological development contracts. 
The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure 
proper technical execution, management and evaluation of the 
programme, as well as adequate dissemination and accessibility of 
the results, and coordination, training and consciousness-raising 
of the participants In the programme. 
The concerted actions are those defined In the Financial 
Régulât Ion. 
3. The participants In the projects must be natural or legal persons 
established in the Community, such as universities, research 
organizations and industrial firms, Including small and medium-
sized enterprises, or associations thereof, In particular European 
Economic Interest Groupings (EElGs). 
Natural or legal persons established In countries which have 
concluded agreements with the Community foreseeing scientific and 
technical research, may, based on the criterion of mutual 
advantage, take part In the projects undertaken in the context of 
this programme. The contracting parties under such arrangements 
shall not benefit from Community funding. They shall contribute to 
the general administrative costs. 
- ?0 -
4. The choice of projects shall be carried out according to the 
following order of priority, the first method being the rule, the 
second the exception: 
The participants in the projects shall be selected on the basis of 
the ordinary procedure of calls for proposals referred to In 
Article 6 (3) and published In the Official Journal of the European 
Commun(ties. 
The Commission may also accept proposals according to an 
exceptional procedure and under the conditions mentioned below, 
when they make a particularly promising and significant 
contribution as regards the originality of the theme proposed, the 
novelty of the scientific and technical approach and the 
methodology of execution, also taking into account the particular 
nature of the proposers. 
A favourable technical evaluation of such proposals shall not by 
itself be a sufficient justification for accepting a project; this 
exceptional procedure may only apply after verification that the 
nature of the project, as defined above, does not justify the use 
of the normal procedure for calls for proposals. 
The exceptional procedure must be completed before the ordinary 
procedure in such a way that the available amount for the 
Community's financial participation in projects retained by the 
ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The closing date 
for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the 
Official Journal. 
The amount of the financial participation of the Community for all 
the projects retained by the exceptional procedure will be decided 
each year, in relation to the projects selected according to 
particularly strict criteria of excellence. In any case, this 
amount may not exceed 15%; it may be revised each year In the light 
of exper ience. 
- 21 -
The Commission shall draw up a vade mecum setting out all the rules 
applicable to this exceptional procedure in order to guarantee full 
transparency. 
5. The projects must involve at least two mutually independent 
partners established in different Member States. 
6. The Commission may encourage the participants to form a European 
Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) or make other arrangements for 
carrying out projects, such as those on a large scale, permitting 
decentralized management adapted to the specific requirements of 
the project. 
7. The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be 
disseminated on the one hand within the specific programme and on 
the other hand by means of a centralized activity, pursuant to the 
decision referred to in the third paragraph of Article 4 in 
Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 

22> 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
1. BUDGET HEADING AND TITLE 
Part B of the general budget 
Subsection 6, Item 6221 
Specific programme of Community RTD activities in the field of 
Bioterfinolopv n99Q-1994l 
2.( LEGAL BASE 
Article 130 Q(2) of the Treaty. 
3. OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION 
See Annex I of the proposal. 
4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
/ ounts deemed necessary in MIOECU : 
Programme implementation 162.36 
Centralized action for dissemination and 
exploitation 1.64 
TOTAL 164.00 
The indicative operational breakdown of the 162.36 MIOECU for the programme implementation 
is given in Annex II of the proposal. 
ÙM 
Indicative multiannual schedule (in MIOECU) : 
Commitments 
Payments 1990 1991 
30 
8 1992 
39.30 
22.10 1993 
59 
38 1994 ') 
34.06 
94.26 TOTA 
162.36 
162.36 
The definitive yearly amounts will be determined by the budgetary authority in accordance with 
the financial perspectives for the period 1990 -1992 (annexed to the Interinstitutional Agreement 
of 29 June 1984) and with subsequent financial perspectives which may be adopted for 1993 and 
H4. 
5. STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE 
In addition to the principal means of action which are contracts (annex III), the above amounts 
include programme-related staff and administrative expenditure estimated at no more that 7 
MIOECU. 
The expenditure on staff will not exceed 2% of the amount deemed necessary for the programme 
implementation. This implies a maximum of 30 statutory posts (A,B and/or C) at any given time 
during the life of the programme. The infrastructure costs related to statutory staff will be borne 
uy Part A of the budget. 
') for the payment appropriations: 1994 and beyond 
^5 
6. IMPLICATIONS FOR REVENUE 
The contributions by third country contractors towards the cost of administration of the 
programme will be reused pursuant to articles 27.2 and 96 of the Financial Regulation2). 
7. TYPES OF CONTROL 
Control will be exercised by: 
the Programme Management Committee (scientific control) 
the services of the DG responsible for the execution of the programme, possibly 
assisted by independent experts 
the Commission's Financial Controller. 
In accordance with Article 2 of the Financial Regulation 2), the use of appropriations will be 
subject to analyses of cost-effectiveness and the realization of quantified objectives will be 
monitored. 
External audit may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the Treaty. 
:) Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as last amended by Regulation 
610/90 of March 1990. 
ze 
FICHE D'IMPACT SUR 17V COMPETITIVITE ET L'EMPLOI 
I - Justification en faveur de la proposition 
Le programme de recherche et de développement technologique proposé a 
pour objectif primordial de contribuer, à moyen et à long terme, à la 
promotion de la compétitivité industrielle, des innovations agricoles et de la 
croissance économique dans la Communauté. 
En l'absence d'un tel programme, le champ des nouvelles technologies 
auxquelles donne régulièrement naissance la biologie moderne, sera moins 
vite exploité par l'industrie et l'agriculture européennes. 
2. Caractéristiques des entreprises concernées 
A long terme, les agriculteurs, les fournisseurs de l'agriculture, les industries 
de transformation des produits agricoles, les industries de la santé, les 
secteurs chimique et pharmaceutique sont directement concernés par la 
proposition. 
A court et moyen terme, cependant, les secteurs immédiatement concernés 
par les résultats du programme sont ceux du diagnostic et du traitement des 
troubles immunologiques et neurobiologiques et, dans une moindre mesure, 
de la microbiologie industrielle. L'accroissement des efforts communautaires 
en faveur du génie des protéines et du séquençage des génomes devrait 
promouvoir encore davantage les innovations dans le domaine de la bic-
inf^rmatiau? ei de l'instrumentation. 
2^ 
3. Obligations que le programme impose aux entreprises 
Il s'agit des mêmes obligations qui sont imposées à tous les laboratoires 
participant au programme, à savoir 
conformité de la recherche proposée à l'annexe technique du 
programme 
partage des frais (en règle générale à 50%) 
coopération transnationale 
libre accès des sites aux agents de la Commission 
participation à des séminaires et à des réunions de contractants 
organisés par la Cbrnrnission 
rapports annuels d'activités et de résultats. 
4. Obligations indirectes susceptibles d'être imposées aux entreprises par les 
autorités nationales, régionales ou locales 
Obligation de suivre les normes et règlements nationaux qui concernent 
certaines recherches en génie génétique et l'exploitation des résultats de cène 
recherche. 
5. Dispositions relatives aux PME 
L'action de recherche du présent programme ne prend aucune disposition 
spécifique à l'égard des PME qui devraient pourtant en être largement 
bénéficiaires. Souvent incapables d'effectuer à elles seules de longues et 
difficiles recherches, ces entreprises dépendent des résultats de la recherche-
développement financée par des fonds publics. Leur participation aux projets 
sera examinée d'un oeil favorable lors de la sélection des propositions. 
2« 
La dissemination de l'information relative aux résultats de la recherche, et 
tout particulièrement à l'intention des PME, sera mise au premier rang des 
priorités. 
Les conditions de participation privilégient les PME en ce sens que tous les 
participants à un projet BIOTECH seront traités sur un pied d'égalité. 
6. Incidence probable : 
a) sur la compétitivité des entreprises 
BIOTECH ne devrait avoir aucun effet immédiat sur la compétitivité des 
entreprises. Toutefois, il pourrait avoir divers effets à court et moyen termes 
et de nombreux effets à long terme - voir point 1. 
b) sur l'emploi 
Les effets du programme sur l'emploi sont difficiles à évaluer. Toutefois, une 
meilleure compétitivité internationale de la biotechnologie européenne 
pourrait contribuer à réduire le déclin à long terme de l'agriculture et devrait 
avoir des conséquences favorables sur l'emploi dans divers secteurs 
industriels, en particulier dans les firmes à fort potentiel de croissance dans 
des créneaux spécialisés du marché à haute valeur ajoutée. 
7. Consultations des organisations représentatives 
La liste des organisations industrielles consultées durant la phase préparatoire 
du piogranmie inclut, notamment, le groupe de travail "biotcchnologie" du 
comité consultatif de la recherche et du développement industriel de la 
Commission des Communautés européennes (IRDAC). 

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