WRITTEN QUESTION E-0744/04 by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Encouraging the participation of SMEs in innovative and R & D projects.
Date: 2004-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, Spain, innovation, research and development, research project, small and medium-sized enterprises

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/527

For a large number of regional governments, investment programmes are in part co-financed by the EU
Structural Funds. Their current mid-term evaluation provides an opportunity for reorientation and quality
improvement. Better targeting would be further ensured by the future reform of the structural funds,
including the European Social Fund, aimed at reinforcing the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas by focusing
on competitiveness, sustainable development and employment, as proposed by the Commission in its
Communication ‘Building our common future: policy challenges and budgetary means of an enlarged
Union 2007-2013’ (2) and in the third Cohesion report.

(1) COM(2003) 690 final.
(2) COM(2004) 101 final.

(2004/C 88 E/0540)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0744/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Encouraging the participation of SMEs in innovative and R & D projects

Does the Commission hold any information concerning the number of, and the level of funding for,
projects involving European SMEs in innovative and R & D policies which have been undertaken since the
sixth R & D Framework Programme was launched?

What percentage of the total is constituted by projects involving Spanish SMEs?

In the Commission’s opinion, what would be the most suitable policy to be applied in Europe in order to
encourage European SMEs to take part in innovative and research projects, thereby reducing the gap
between them and companies in the USA?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

Under the 6th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration 2002-
2006 (FP6) the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged mainly
in the following two ways: in addition to the horizontal activities for SMEs (a budget of EUR 430 million),
at least 15 % of the budget relating to the seven thematic priorities (about EUR 1 700 million) is to be
allocated to SMEs. Realizing that SMEs are vital for Europe to make breakthrough progress in science and
technology, but also in transforming research results
the
participation of SMEs, with universities and larger corporations, is very much encouraged throughout the
Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’, whether through Integrated Projects or the
other research instruments.

into successful products and services,

Based on the first calls for proposals (deadlines before 24 June 2003) of the seven thematic priorities of
the Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’ of FP6, implemented through four main
instruments (Integrated Projects, Specific Support Actions, Co-ordination Actions and Specific Targeted
Research Projects), the following indicative information is available:

(cid:1) 21,0 % of the participants in submitted proposals were SMEs (12 503 SMEs) and these SMEs have

requested 17,4 % (EUR 3 122 million) of the overall requested funding.

(cid:1) 19,0 % of the participants in the main-listed proposals (proposals selected for funding) were SMEs
(2 158 SMEs) and these SMEs have requested 14,4 % (EUR 449 million) of the overall requested
funding. For clarity, this figure becomes 13 % when the other instrument Networks of Excellence are
taken into account.

C 88 E/528

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(cid:1) 7,4 % of the participants in submitted proposals are from Spain (3 754 Spanish participants) of which
24,5 % are SMEs. These 919 Spanish SMEs participants have requested 19,5 % (EUR 232,8 million) of
the total contribution requested by Spanish participants.

(cid:1) 6,2 % of the participants in main-listed proposals are from Spain (577 Spanish participants) of which
18,2 % are SMEs. These 105 Spanish SMEs participants have requested 13,4 % (EUR 26,3 million) of
the total contribution requested by Spanish participants.

Please note that these figures are only provisional based on submission of proposals. More definitive data
will become available after the conclusion of the negotiation of the contracts of the successful proposals.

The Economic and Technological Intelligence scheme is used to promote innovation by SMEs and to
facilitate their participation in FP6. Under certain thematic priorities Integrated Projects specifically devoted
to SMEs have been organised. Finally, encouraging the participation of SMEs with limited research capacity
is actively done through the horizontal programmes including Cooperative and Collective Research.

(2004/C 88 E/0541)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0747/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Safeguard clause relating to satsuma imports

(11 March 2004)

In November 2003 the EU introduced a temporary safeguard clause for the purpose of restricting imports
of tinned mandarin oranges from third countries (in particular China) in response to the huge increase in
imports which has occurred over the last
few years and which is seriously affecting Community
production.

The EU set a quota of 11 389 tonnes for tinned produce from China and 906 tonnes for imports from
other countries.

Any exports to the Community market which exceed the above quantities are subject to additional
customs duties which are, however, proving insufficient, since the volume of produce sent has already
significantly exceeded the quotas laid down. Furthermore, the safeguard clause will expire on 10 April
2004.

Is the Commission intending to extend the clause beyond that date and to make the necessary changes in
order to convert it into an effective mechanism for protecting the Community market?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

On 7 April 2004, after consultation with Member States, the Commission has adopted a proposal to
impose definitive safeguard measures in respect of imports of canned satsumas to the Community. The
provisional safeguard measures come to an end on 10 April 2004, and in order to avoid a gap in the
protection afforded to the Community producers, the definitive measures will enter into force on 11 April
2004 and remain in force until 8 November 2007, thereby providing the Community industry with the
necessary breathing space to implement restructuring.

Given the continuing high level of imports in the final months of 2003 and the evidence of stockpiling by
importers before the imposition of provisional measures as well as the exchange rate fluctuations, the level
of duty (EUR 301/tonne) under the definitive measures is substantially higher than that applicable under
the provisional measures (EUR 155/tonne).