WRITTEN QUESTION E-0080/03

by Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 January 2003)

Subject: Agronomic research into tobacco growing

Council Regulation No 546/2002(1) has now modified the COM in tobacco (Regulation (EC) No 2075/92(2)), excluding agronomic research from the actions financed by the Tobacco Fund. The Cunha report (A5-0065/2002), adopted by Parliament on 14 March 2002, favoured stepping up agronomic research with a view to promoting the gearing of tobacco production towards varieties and cultivation and drying methods less harmful for human health, better adapted to market conditions and more environment-friendly, as well as the development of alternative uses for raw tobacco.

Given the importance of the research programmes aimed at gearing Community production towards the varieties and qualities of tobacco that damage human health the least, and also with the objective of continuing the work done so far and not losing the synergies that have been created, the Commission has recommended that the sectors affected by the change regarding the Tobacco Fund should seek the support of research policy, as administered by the Directorate-General for Research.

The recent presentation of the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development, on 11-13 November 2002, did not make it possible to identify the heading(s) under which research projects for tobacco cultivation could be financed.

Can the Commission identify the headings relating to the funding of agronomic research projects for tobacco under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development? Can it ensure that, in the selection procedures for agronomic research projects, those projects that concern tobacco will receive equitable treatment?

(1) OJ L 84, 28.3.2002, p. 4.

(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 70.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 2003)

Community Research project funding is exclusively based on multi-annual Framework Programmes co-decided by the Parliament and the Council. The 6th Research Framework Programme 2002-2006, which determines the research priorities for the next four years, is the result of a priority setting by the Parliament and the Council, on the basis of the Commission proposal

In the priority setting process, seven thematic priorities were defined. None of these priorities is the exclusive domain of a certain science sector. Agricultural Sciences are invited to contribute to all thematic priorities, where they can make a contribution, specifically, priorities five (Food Quality and Safety), six (Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems) and to Scientific Support to Policies. Interdisciplinary research will be essential to fulfil the requirements. Agronomic research on tobacco was not retained as a specific priority.

The scientific community was invited to further sharpen the priorities in an invitation to submit expressions of interest. By the deadline in July 2002, more than 10 000 expressions of interest have been received and have been evaluated with the assistance of eminent scientists from Europe and outside Europe. This process has helped to set-up the workprogrammes and the subsequent call for proposals, which was published on the 17 December 2002.

The Commission can reassure the Honourable Member that all received research project proposals, which fall within the research priorities of the 6th Framework Programme as decided by the Parliament and Council will receive equitable treatment.