WRITTEN QUESTION P-3074/02

by Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(22 October 2002)

Subject: Towards sustainable agriculture for developing countries conference to be held by the Commission's Research D-G, 30-31 January 2003

As announced on its Research D-G's Internet pages, the Commission intends to hold a conference with the title: Towards sustainable agriculture for developing countries: options from life sciences and biotechnologies, on 30 and 31 January 2003.

On what legal basis (programme, budget line) is this conference being held, and at what overall cost?

What preparations have been made in terms, in particular, of European Parliament participation, content selection and substantive inclusion of risk analyses?

How, and by what criteria, were contributors, contributions and participants selected?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(19 November 2002)

The conference Towards Sustainable Agriculture for Developing Countries: Options from life Sciences and Biotechnologies is organised as a Life Sciences Discussion Platform, to allow an open and inclusive debate on the potential for life sciences to provide new insights into persistent problems that affect our modern society.

The budgetary line to support this conference is the one of the Quality of Life Programme, under the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD). The cost to be borne by the Commission is estimated to amount to EUR 600 000, within the same range as the cost incurred by earlier similar events. The Commission, through Directorate General (DG) Research and several associated DGs, is therefore taking responsibility for the overall organisation. The programme has been designed by the European group of Life Sciences (EGLS).

The EGLS, a group of eminent scientists established by the Member of the Commission responsible for Research in 2000(1), has been asked to meet the need for high level advice on prospects from life sciences and technologies and their policy relevance. One of the objectives of the group is to contribute to the organisation and animation of a Life Sciences Discussion Platform, enabling researchers to engage in debate with the various stakeholders. This effort is to ensure that sensitive issues attached to the responsible use of new knowledge are not the prerogative of the sole experts, but also addressed openly in the context of a public debate ensuring pluralist representation.

The EGLS established the programme of this future event, based on selected case histories to illustrate from local experience how certain scientific and technological applications may have responded to specific challenges facing Developing Countries. The benefit/risk analysis is part of each case history. Speakers have been sought from developing countries as far as possible, and from competent international organisations. Finally, a small panel (non-governmental organisations, international organisations, members of the Parliament, etc.) has been created to nourish the core debate, itself conducted by a journalist.

Participants will cover a broad public audience, including representatives from civil society, the farming community, industry, policy makers, the youth, both from Europe and developing countries. Registrations are received from all over the world.

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/life-sciences/egls/index_en.html.