WRITTEN QUESTION E-1061/01 by Gianfranco Dell'Alba (TDI) to the Commission. Reduction in JRC research staff under the proposal for the Sixth framework programme.
Date: 2001-04-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, Joint Research Centre, administration of the Institutions, personnel administration

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the undertaking, it is FIFA(cid:146)s responsibility to implement inter alia a system of training compensation in
case of players aged under 23 that encourages and rewards the training efforts of clubs, in particular, small
and amateur clubs without limiting freedom of movement of players in a disproportionate way. FIFA will
also implement solidarity mechanisms that would redistribute a significant proportion of income to clubs
involved in the training and education of a player, including amateur clubs.

The Commission has always been supportive of the principle of a solidarity fund to be used to promote
training of young players and to reduce the gap between big and small clubs or between amateur and
professional football.

At this stage, no detailed figures or estimates have been provided to the Commission.

As regards merchandising, according to the general principles of FIFA(cid:146)s undertaking to change its rules, the
loss of merchandising income is not a criterion that can be considered in calculating a training fee. As far
as compensation for unilateral breach of a contract is concerned the question is primarily to be answered
on the basis of the national law applicable.

FIFA has undertaken that after two seasons experience there will be a general review of the new
arrangements.

(2001/C 340 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1056/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Common fisheries policy (cid:129) Sea angling

Sea angling is not only a sport, it also provides employment and makes a significant contribution to
regional economies. Could the Commission state what plans it has to give greater recognition and support
to this sector of the fishing industry within the context of the common fisheries policy?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2001)

The Commission has at present no plans directed specifically at sea angling.

However, the Commission is at present in the process of formulating recovery plans for hake and cod in
Community waters. These plans should also be of consequent benefit to other major fish stocks including
haddock, whiting and saithe. If successful, the ensuing increased abundance of these fish stocks will offer
increased opportunities for sea angling.

The Commission is also awaiting a report from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on
the state of stocks of bass in Community waters and suggestions on means to solve existing problems. The
Commission will act as required on this report.

(2001/C 340 E/180)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1061/01

by Gianfranco Dell(cid:146)Alba (TDI) to the Commission

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Reduction in JRC research staff under the proposal for the Sixth framework programme

Given that:

(cid:129) The Joint Research Centre (JRC) takes the form of a Directorate-General within the Commission and is

made up of eight specialised institutes located in five EU Member States.

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(cid:129) Under the Fifth R & TD framework programme (Fifth FP), the JRC(cid:146)s role has been focused more closely
on its activities as an independent scientific and technical body working to further EU policies.

(cid:129) Following this reorganisation, during the Fifth FP the results of the JRC(cid:146)s work have been extremely
encouraging and are of direct use in Community policies, including as they do the tests now used
throughout Europe for BSE, methods to detect genetically modified organisms in food, the migration
of phthalates in toys, the characterisation of pollutant emissions, the development of standards for
mine-clearance technology and the extension of nuclear safety codes to the applicant countries.

(cid:129) In the Commission proposal for the Sixth FP (2002-2006), despite an increase in the overall budgetary
package with respect to the Fifth FP, the appropriations allocated to the JRC are down in real terms.
There is a an even more marked reduction (cid:129) both in percentage terms and as an overall figure (cid:129) in
appropriations for non-nuclear activities, which would fall from € 725 million to € 719 million.

(cid:129) Under the Fifth FP the JRC has an establishment plan of 2 080 staff, to which must be added its non-

permanent staff (visiting scientists, experts and trainees).

Given the above, would the Commission:

(cid:129) provide details of the implications which the above reduction would have for the JRC staff, and of the
number of Commission research posts which would be converted into posts for officials responsible
for managing research contracts;

(cid:129) explain why the Commission has decided to penalise its own research activities in comparison to

outside research, thus reducing the EU(cid:146)s capacity to carry out independent research work?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2001)

The mission of the Joint Reseach Centre (JRC), adopted by Council and Parliament in 1999 (1), is to provide
customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and
monitoring of Community policies. It serves the common interest of the Member States while being
independent of particular private or national interests.

Therefore, the JRC is a research establishment not dedicated to research policy but acting as a European
scientific and technical reference centre for other Community policies (environment, agriculture, transport,
energy, nuclear).

In the context of its mission, the Commission has been seeking to ensure that the JRC should not duplicate
or compete with national research bodies, but rather that it should concentrate on issues where there are
real needs in the European policy-making processes and which require action at European level. These are
issues examined by the High Level Panel presided by Viscount Davignon, whose report was published in
May 2000.

In the light of the Davignon report, and as part of the Commission(cid:146)s policy to achieve a better balance
between its resources and core tasks, the JRC was asked to analyse a possible reduction of activities and
further concentration on key priorities. The Commission has proposed to the Budgetary Authority
a reduction of 175 posts in the JRC staff table from 2002. As a consequence a number of projects will be
stopped and staff will be re-deployed. The new staff table will constitute the basis for the proposed
activities for the JRC in the next framework programme.

To respond more efficiently to policy needs, via a broader knowledge base, the JRC will also seek to
network more effectively with national research centres in the spirit of the European Research Area.

The objective of increasing efficiency, working on a broader framework of co-operation with national
entities, and keeping close links with all actors in the decision-making process, including the Parliament,
are designed to allow the JRC to be fully involved in the European Research Area and to continue to fulfil
its mission on a long term basis.

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In pursuing its mission, the JRC will concentrate its activities on a limited number of key issues related to
the safety and security of
the European citizen where it has specific competence and can offer
a strengthened user-orientation. The JRC(cid:146)s budget proposed for the next framework programme for
support for Community policies is € 715 million and the budget for the Euratom activities is € 330
million.

(1) COM(2000) 366 final.

(2001/C 340 E/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1064/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(5 April 2001)

Subject: Coordination of the Sensus project

Coordination of the Sensus project is in the hands of a certain Stephan Bodenkamp. Officially he is
employed by the Amt f(cid:252)r Auslandsfragen in Munich. A ruling from a Munich court (20 December 2000)
shows that Bodenkamp(cid:146)s real name is Christoph Kionowski and that he is an agent of the German state
security service, the Bundesnachrichtendienst, although apparently he has now been suspended.

1.
Is the Council aware that coordination of the Sensus project is in the hands of Stephan Bodenkamp/
Christoph Kionowski, an agent of the German state security service, the Bundesnachrichtendienst? If so,
does the Council support this choice of coordinator of the Sensus project?

2. Will
the Council ask the Commission to relieve Stephan Bodenkamp/Christoph Kionowski of
coordination of the Sensus project since he is an agent of the Bundesnachrichtendienst? If not, why does
the Council continue to support the Commission(cid:146)s decision to entrust him with coordination of the
project?

3. Will
the Council ask the Commission to relieve Stephan Bodenkamp/Christoph Kionowski of
coordination of the Sensus project in view of his sentencing by a Munich court for forging a contract with
a German technology firm in the context of the Sensus project? If not, why does the Council support the
Commission(cid:146)s decision to nevertheless entrust him with coordination of the project?

4. Will
the Council ask the Commission to relieve Stephan Bodenkamp/Christoph Kionowski of
coordination of the Sensus project in view of his suspension by the Bundesnachrichtendienst? If not, why
does the Council continue to support
the Commission(cid:146)s decision to nevertheless entrust him with
coordination of the project?

(2001/C 340 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1081/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(9 April 2001)

Subject: Blurring of interests and distortion of competition with the Sensus project

The Sensus project, the successor to Aventinus, seeks to develop an information exchange programme for
the European police and intelligence services. The search for interesting language technology is an
important part of
this project. Sensus is subsidised by the Commission. The reply to Question
P-0009/01 (1) shows that Sensus and Aventinus I and II have been financed from budget line B6-6121 113
of the telematics applications programme (1994-1998). A maximum contribution of € 2 500 000 was
approved for Aventinus I, and of this € 2 341 190 was applied for and paid. A maximum contribution
of € 550 000 was approved for Aventinus II, of which his € 513 777 was applied for and paid. A
maximum contribution of € 2 250 000 was approved for Sensus, of which € 478 753 was paid on
31 December 2000.