WRITTEN QUESTION E-1340/03 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Funding of research into prion diseases in the 6th Research Framework Programme.
Date: 2003-04-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: financing, infectious disease, medical research, research budget, research programme, research project

C 78 E/714

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0762)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1340/03

by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(9 April 2003)

Subject: Funding of research into prion diseases in the 6th Research Framework Programme

Prion diseases, otherwise known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) represent a wholly
new type of infectious agents. They have become an issue in the EU particularly as a result of the
emergence of the BSE infection in cattle and of its variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

There is still much uncertainty about how infection with TSEs occurs, and about their distribution, and it
is therefore essential that wide-ranging research into them be carried out in the interests of public health.
The principle underlying the action of prions, and the diseases they cause, may be much more widespread
in nature than has hitherto been realised. At present, for example, it is not known whether BSE has already
moved to sheep, and if so, to what extent. The incidence of BSE in the various EU countries and its
infection route is also quite unclear.

As a result of the BSE crisis, many Member States have supported the funding of research into prion
diseases on a temporary basis. However, there were no guarantees that these projects could be continued,
and so the funding of research into TSE diseases rests firmly with the EU.

It is of extreme importance that attention be given to research into prions and TSE diseases in the Sixth
Framework Programme on Research at this time. The continuation of sufficiently high-quality research
cannot be guaranteed if research into prion diseases has to compete for funding alongside other
degenerative diseases of the nervous system (such as Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s chorea). In view
of the importance of this subject, funding of the ‘European Network of Excellence’ type is not sufficient for
financing research into TSEs, and these diseases must have their own integrated project in the Sixth
Framework Programme on Research.

What measures does the Commission propose to take to ensure that sufficient funding is given to research
on TSEs? Does the Commission propose to give prion research its own integrated project in the 6th
Framework Programme?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2003)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE)
Framework Programme in a number of ways.

research may be supported by the Union’s Sixth

According to the workprogrammes for 2003 and 2004 of Thematic Priorities I and V (Life Sciences,
Genomics and Biotechnology for Health and Food Quality and Safety respectively), proposals are sought to
address the following topics:

(cid:1) Thematic Priority V: T19; Prevention, control and management of prion diseases. To be supported by

a Network of Excellence or an Integrated Project (NoE preferred);

(cid:1) Thematic Priority I: LSH-2002-2.1.3-3; Role and mechanisms of protein aggregation in neurodegener-

ative diseases. To be supported by an Integrated Project;

(cid:1) Thematic Priority I; LSH-2002-1.2.2-3; New diagnostic tools for prion associated diseases. To be

supported by a Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP).

The selection of these topics took account of the portfolio of TSE work already funded by the Community
and in Member States, and also of the views of the research community, via the Expressions of Interest
exercise.

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/715

In 2001, the Commission launched a specific call for TSE research with the objective of filling gaps in the
European TSE research effort. The contents of the call were based on an analysis of all of the research
ongoing in TSEs in Europe at that time. This analysis was performed by the Commission with the help of
independent expert scientists from all Member States. The vast majority of gaps are now being addressed
by projects funded under this call. These include projects investigating the various aspects relating to
bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in small ruminants.

The areas which were not well addressed in the call related to the relative lack of co-ordination in the
European TSE research effort. This lack of co-ordination can be best addressed by a successful Network of
Excellence, hence a Network is the favoured instrument in Priority V. Nevertheless, the opportunity
remains for an Integrated Project, dedicated to TSE research, to be funded by this Priority, should it be
highly rated by the independent experts who will evaluate all proposals.

Finally, it should also be noted that regarding ‘the incidence of BSE in the various Member States’, the
following website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/bse/index_en.html) gives details on the BSE testing
programmes in Member States as provided by Directorate General Health and Consumer Protection (DG
SANCO). The Union is testing all adult bovine animals (above 30 months, with the exception of certain
animals destroyed under the over-thirty-months-scheme (OTMS) in the United Kingdom) at slaughter or
death and the testing programme ensures that all clinical cases are detected and reported. It should,
however, also be noted that if an infected animal dies or is slaughtered before reaching the clinical phase it
may not be detected, due to the limited capacity of the tests to detect pre-clinical cases.

(2004/C 78 E/0763)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1441/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Tyres: application of the Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC

(24 April 2003)

The Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC (1) introduces a ban on whole used tyres in landfill starting from July
2003, with a ban on shredded used tyres in landfill starting in July 2006.

1.
In 2001, 74 % of used tyres in Spain were still going to landfill. Can the Commission give an
assurance that it will pursue the Spanish authorities if they fail to meet their obligation under this directive
by the due dates, with particular reference to the July 2003 deadline? What action has the Commission
taken to emphasise to the Spanish Government the importance of meeting the deadline?

In 2001, 69 % of used tyres in Poland went to landfill. Can the Commission state whether the Polish
2.
Government has negotiated a derogation from the relevant part of the directive, or will the deadlines apply
unaltered from the date of accession to the EU?

(1) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 2003)

Pursuant to Article 5(3)(d) of Directive 1999/31/EC whole used tyres will be banned from landfills as of
16 July 2003 and shredded used tyres as of 16 July 2006.

The Commission is aware that for some Member States the implementation of the ban is a significant
challenge. Most Member States have set up or are setting up systems for the collection of tyres, in order to
divert them from landfills.