WRITTEN QUESTION P-0786/01

by Jonas Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 March 2001)

Subject: Research programme and the Agricultural Fund

Agriculture is vital to the survival of rural areas in northern Sweden, in terms of employment, the social environment and the landscape. The most northerly agriculture in the world is conducted in northern Scandinavia, under unique climatic conditions, and the need for regionally adapted R & D is correspondingly great. This R & D should be directed towards exploiting the opportunities offered by the climate while minimising the disadvantages. It should also seek to husband local resources used in current production to make it more sustainable, while at the same time developing alternative foodstuff and non-foodstuff production. This R & D will be an important regional policy instrument.

A comprehensive R & D programme to achieve this has been developed to cover all Objective 1 areas of northern Sweden. It includes applied research and a strategy for disseminating results. Three out of four county administrative boards have promised funding while the fourth is awaiting a decision in respect of Objective 1. The agricultural sector has decided to fund 20 % of the cost. The Objective 1 administrative authorities are questioning the admissibility of support for such a programme under the rules governing the Agricultural and Regional Funds, maintaining that the Agricultural Fund is not allowed to support research. Does the Commission share the view put forward by the Objective 1 administrative authorities?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 2001)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999(1) lays down the general provisions applicable to the operation of structural funds programmes, like the two Objective 1 programmes in Sweden. Four funds contribute to the Objective 1 programmes in Sweden: the European agriculture guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF), the European regional development fund (ERDF), the European social fund (ESF) and the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG). Regarding the EAGGF, Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(2) governs support for rural development. Its article 37(3), second indent, excludes support for research projects from the scope of the Regulation. It is furthermore underlined (in Article 37(2)) the need to ensure the consistency with other Community policies. Consequently support to agriculture research projects as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 Article 37(3) should not be searched for under EAGGFGuidance section but rather under the Community research and technological development policy.

In particular, research on employment, social environment and landscape in rural areas are addressed within the section on new tools and models for the integrated and sustainable development of rural areas of key action 5 Sustainable Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry of the Quality of Life Programme of the Fifth framework programme (1998-2002).

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.