WRITTEN QUESTION E-2709/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Fisheries research in the Six Framework Research Programme.
Date: 2002-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, aquaculture, budget, common fisheries policy, environmental protection, fishery management, fishery resources, food safety, research policy

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/93

(cid:1) Regarding checks on composition, the Community provisions concerning official tests relating to the
detection of foreign fats in milkfat appear in the annex to Commission Regulation (EC) No 454/95 (3)
and have since been inserted in Annex XXV to Commission Regulation (EC) No 213/2001 laying
down detailed rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards methods for the
analysis and quality evaluation of milk and milk products (4).

(cid:1) The new legislative framework established by the ‘General Food Law’ adopted on 21 January 2002
reinforces the Commission’s capability to act on microbiological and chemical contamination on food
products of any origin. Under these provisions, the Commission can adopt emergency measures
covering the whole food chain ‘where it is evident that food or feed originating in the Community or
imported from a third country is likely to constitute a serious risk to human health and that such risk
cannot be contained satisfactorily by means of measures taken by the Member State(s) concerned’
(Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002
laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food
Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (5)). In addition, this legislative
framework insists on the importance of the traceability of food products in order to target the
appropriate part of the food chain.

(1) OJ L 248, 5.9.1991.
(2) OJ L 155, 14.6.2002.
(3) Commission Regulation (EC) No 454/95 of 28 February 1995 laying down detailed rules for intervention on the

market in butter and cream, OJ L 46, 1.3.1995.

(4) OJ L 37, 7.2.2001.
(5) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.

(2003/C 110 E/094)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2709/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(26 September 2002)

Subject: Fisheries research in the Six Framework Research Programme

I am surprised that in its ‘Guide’ to the reform of the common fisheries policy the Commission claims that
both the Commission and Sixth Framework Programme provide ongoing support for fisheries research.

Is there any specific heading or chapter dedicated to fisheries or maritime research? Do these subjects
appear amongst the seven priorities of the Framework programme?

How does the Commission view the massive budgetary cut (by two thirds) in CFP support research as
against the Fifth Framework Programme? How does it justify this cutback? Does this not in fact contradict
the Commission’s claims about ongoing support for fisheries research?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2002)

Under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP), research in fisheries and aquaculture are covered by Thematic
Priority 5 ‘Food quality and safety’, Priority 6 ‘Global change and ecosystems’, and in particular Priority 8,
‘Scientific support to policy’, where a budget has been identified and earmarked. Under priorities 5 and 6,
issues such as overfishing and overexploitation of marine resources can be taken into consideration under
an ecosystem approach, as well as issues related to the quality and safety of seafood either caught or
farmed. Furthermore, individual objectives of policy-oriented research under Priority 8 are being defined to
be very specific and will allow the support to the Community Framework Programme (CFP) to cover a
very wide spectrum of issues as effectively as in FP5. In this context,
it is, nevertheless, worthwhile
mentioning that
the available budgets under priority 8 were substantively reduced from the initial
Commission’s proposal.

C 110 E/94

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.5.2003

The underlying reason for the reduction of the overall fisheries research budget is the need, recognised by
all Community Institutions, to concentrate Community resources on seven key priorities; this inevitably
means less resources for other areas. Although the budget available for fisheries research has been
decreased overall, compared with that of the Fifth Framework Programme, the Commission considers that
the above three areas provide an adequate and well-balanced set of activities on fisheries research in FP6.

(2003/C 110 E/095)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2719/02

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

(20 September 2002)

Subject: Delay in establishing the European Leader+ observatory

According to the Commission’s notice to the Member States of 14 April 2000 laying down guidelines for
the Community initiative for rural development (Leader+) (1), Title 3, paras 23, and 40, the Commission is
to establish a European Observatory of rural areas. In most Member States the Leader+ projects have
already been set up.

Why is it then that, 9 months after the end of the tendering deadline for appointments to the European
Leader+ observatory, and two and a half years after the beginning of the programme, no official decision
has yet been taken and thus no networking is taking place at European level?

Could the Commission please inform us what stage the procedure has reached and of the results of the
steps taken in that procedure so far?

What does the Commission propose to do to ensure that the Observatory is established as soon as
possible?

(1) OJ C 139, 18.5.2000, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 October 2002)

follow-up to the statement

By way of
(in the notice to Member States of 14 April 2000) that a
Commission-led ‘Observatory of rural areas’ would be responsible for organising the network at
Community level the Commission published a call for tenders (2001/S 226-155371) dated 23 November
2001 (1), under which the contract was split into four lots and a maximum budget indicated for each.

Tenders, some for more than one lot, were then received from four bidders.

the Commission concluded that

After the committee set up to examine the bids had applied the rules on exclusion from consideration and
assignment
this open procedure had contrary to expectations not
generated enough competition for contracts to be awarded taking full account of the principles of sound
financial management, and accordingly decided not to award contracts for any of the four lots. Given the
need for a European Observatory of rural areas throughout the Leader+ period it is at present looking into
alternative ways of setting one up.

(1) OJ S 226, 23.11.2001.