European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (COM(2005)0119 - C6-0112/2005 - 2005/0044(CNS))
Date: 2006-06-15
Institutions: Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, nuclear research, research and development, research programme, vocational training

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P6_TA(2006)0266

Nuclear research and training activities (2007-2011) *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the
seventh framework programme of
for
(COM(2005)0119 — C6-0112/2005 —
nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011)
2005/0044(CNS))

the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0119) (1),

— having regard to Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C6-0112/2005),

— having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the opinions of the
Committee on Budgets and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
(A6-0203/2006),

1.

Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 119, second paragraph,

2.
of the Euratom Treaty;

3.

Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Calls for initiation of the conciliation procedure under the Joint Declaration of 4 March 1975 if the

4.
Council intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substan-

5.
tially;

6.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

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AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1
Recital 13

(13) The Joint Research Center should contribute to the attain-
ment of the objectives set out above by carrying out direct
activities and by providing customer-driven support for the
implementation of EU policies.

(13) The Joint Research Centre has the crucial role of provid-
ing customer-driven scientific and technological support for
the conception, development, implementation and monitoring
of EU policies. Continuous support should be given to the
Joint Research Centre to allow it to function as a reference
centre of science and technology for the EU, independent of
private and national interests.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.

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Amendment 2
Recital 16

(16) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent
irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken
to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in
accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/
95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European
Communities financial interests, (EC, Euratom) No 2185/96 of
11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspec-
tions carried out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities'
fraud and
other irregularities and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the
European Parliament and of
the Council concerning investi-
gations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

interests against

financial

(16) Appropriate measures should also be taken to prevent
irregularities and fraud and the necessary steps should be taken
to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used in
accordance with Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) No 2988/
95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European
Communities financial
interests, (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of
11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspec-
tions carried out by the Commission in order to protect the
European Communities'
fraud and
other irregularities and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 con-
cerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud
Office (OLAF). In any case, steps should be taken to ensure
that any funds recovered from frauds and irregularities
committed in breach of the abovementioned regulations are
returned to the seventh Framework Programme and ear-
marked essentially for the training of research staff and
scientific advisory activities.

interests against

financial

Amendment 3
Article 3, paragraph 1, introductory part

for the implementation of

The overall amount
the seventh
framework programme for the period 2007 to 2011 shall be
EUR 3 092 million. That amount shall be distributed as follows
(in million EUR):

The indicative overall amount for the implementation of the
seventh framework programme shall be EUR 2 751 million for
the period of 5 years starting on 1 January 2007. That amount
shall be distributed as follows (in million EUR):

Amendment 4
Article 3, paragraph 1, table

(a) Fusion energy research 2 159

(a) Fusion energy research 1 947

(b) Nuclear Fission and radiation protection 394

(b) Nuclear Fission and radiation protection 394

(c) Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre 539

(c) Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre 517

Amendment 5
Article 3, paragraph 1a (new)

1a. Within the amount foreseen for fusion energy research,
not less than EUR 900 million will be reserved to activities,
other than the realisation of the research infrastructure ITER,
listed in Annex I.

Amendment 6
Article 3, paragraph 2a (new)

2a.
The Commission shall provide prior information to the
budgetary authority whenever it intends to depart from the
breakdown of expenditure set out in the remarks and Annex
to the annual general budget of the European Union.

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Amendment 7

Article 5

All the research activities carried out under the seventh Frame-
work Programme shall be carried out in compliance with fun-
damental ethical principles.

All the research activities carried out under the seventh Frame-
work Programme shall be carried out in compliance with fun-
damental ethical principles, giving priority consideration to
safety aspects.

Amendment 8

Article 6, paragraph 2, subparagraph 2

The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof,
accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament,
the Council,
the European Economic and Social Committee
and the Committee of the Regions.

The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof,
accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament,
the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee,
the Committee of the Regions and the European Ombudsman.

Amendment 10
Annex I, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Rationale’, paragraph 2

Fusion has the potential to make a major contribution to the
realisation of a sustainable and secure supply for the EU in a
few decades from now. Its successful development would pro-
vide energy which is safe, sustainable and environmentally
friendly. The long-term goal of European fusion research,
embracing all the fusion activities in the Member States and
associated third countries,
is the joint creation of prototype
reactors for power stations which meet these requirements, and
are economically viable.

Notwithstanding the efforts which the EU is making and
should continue to make in the field of research into renew-
able energies, fusion has the potential to make a major contribu-
tion to the realisation of a sustainable and secure energy supply
for the EU approximately fifty or sixty years from now, after
the market penetration of commercial fusion reactors. A ‘fast
track’ to fusion energy will therefore be pursued in order to
reduce as much as possible the time taken to develop an actual
fusion power plant. Its successful development would provide
energy which is safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The long-term goal of European fusion research, embracing all
the fusion activities in the Member States and associated third
countries,
in approximately thirty to
thirty-five years, of prototype reactors for power stations
which meet these requirements, and are economically viable.

is the joint creation,

Amendment 11
Annex I, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 1

This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER (as an
international research infrastructure), in particular for site pre-
paration, establishing the ITER Organisation and the European
Joint Undertaking for ITER, management and staffing, general
technical and administrative support, construction of equipment
and installations and support to the project during construction.

This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER (as an
international research infrastructure), in particular for site pre-
paration, establishing the ITER Organisation and the European
Joint Undertaking for ITER, management and staffing, general
technical and administrative support, construction of equipment
and installations and support to the project during construction.
The European Joint Undertaking for ITER will be responsible
for managing and administering the European contribution to
ITER, discharging the obligations deriving from the inter-
national agreements on ITER. The rest of the fusion pro-
gramme, aiming at
improving scientific and technological
knowledge for the fast realisation of fusion energy, will be
implemented under the direct responsibility of the Commis-
sion, assisted by a consultative committee as specified in

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BY PARLIAMENT

Regulation (EC) No … of the European Parliament and of the
Council laying down the rules for the participation of under-
takings, research centres and universities in actions under the
seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of
research results (2007-2013) (1) (‘the rules for participation’).

(1) OJ L …

Amendment 12
Annex I, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 2

A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the
facilities and resources in the fusion programme, including JET.
It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER
project choices, and prepare for ITER operation through experi-
mental and theoretical activities.

A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the
facilities and resources in the fusion programme, i.e. JET and the
magnetic confinement devices already existing or under con-
struction in all Member States (tokamaks, stellarators, RFPs).
It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER
project choices, and prepare for ITER operation through experi-
mental and theoretical activities.

Amendment 13
Annex I, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 4

The activities will include further development of improved con-
cepts for magnetic confinement schemes with potential advan-
tages for Fusion power stations (focused on the completion of
the construction of the W7-X stellarator device), theory and
modelling aimed at a comprehensive understanding of
the
behaviour of fusion plasmas and coordination, in the context
of a keep-in-touch activity, of Member States' civil research
activities on inertial confinement.

The activities will include further development of improved con-
cepts for magnetic confinement schemes with potential advan-
tages for Fusion power stations (focused on the completion of
the construction of the W7-X stellarator device), theory and
modelling aimed at a comprehensive understanding of
the
behaviour of fusion plasmas.

Amendment 14
Annex 1, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 5

In view of the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and
for the further development of fusion, initiatives aimed at ensur-
ing that adequate human resources will be available, in terms of
numbers, range of skills and high level training and experience
will be pursued.

In view of the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and
for the further development of fusion, initiatives aimed at ensur-
ing that adequate human resources will be available, in terms of
numbers, range of skills and high level training and experience
will be pursued, including by means of a European PhD in
Physics and Engineering of Fusion.

Amendment 15
Annex I, subtitle ‘Fusion Energy Research’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 6a (new)

Technology transfer processes

ITER will require new and more flexible organisational struc-
tures to enable the process of innovation and technological
progress which it creates to be swiftly transferred to industry,
so that challenges can be met enabling European industry to
become highly competitive.

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Amendment 16
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection’, subtitle ‘Rationale’, paragraph 2

There are, however,
important concerns that affect the con-
tinued use of this energy source in the EU. The key issues are
operational reactor safety and management of long-lived waste,
both of which are being addressed through continued work at
the technical level, though allied political and societal inputs are
also required. In all uses of radiation, throughout industry and
medicine alike, the overriding principle is the protection of man
and the environment. All thematic domains to be addressed
here are characterised by an overriding concern to ensure high
levels of safety. Similarly there are clearly identifiable needs
throughout nuclear science and engineering relating to availabil-
ity of research infrastructures and expertise.
In addition, the
individual technical areas are linked by key cross-cutting topics
such as the nuclear fuel cycle, actinide chemistry, risk analysis
and safety assessment and even societal and governance issues.

inputs are also required.

There are, however,
important concerns that affect the con-
tinued use of this energy source in the EU. Efforts are never-
theless required to consolidate and improve existing safety
levels and ensure that improving protection against radiation
continues to be one of the priorities for Community action.
The key issues are operational reactor safety and management
of long-lived waste, both of which are being addressed through
continued work at the technical level, though allied political and
societal
radiation,
throughout industry and medicine alike, the overriding principle
is the protection of man and the environment. All thematic
domains to be addressed here are characterised by an overriding
concern to ensure high levels of safety. Similarly there are
clearly identifiable needs throughout nuclear science and engin-
eering relating to availability of research infrastructures and
expertise. In addition, the individual technical areas are linked
by key cross-cutting topics such as the nuclear fuel cycle, acti-
nide chemistry, risk analysis and safety assessment and even
societal and governance issues.

In all uses of

Amendment 17
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 1

Implementation oriented research and development activities on
deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive
waste and, as appropriate, demonstration on the technologies
and safety, and to underpin the development of a common
European view on the main issues related to the management
and disposal of waste. Research on partitioning and trans-
mutation and/or other concepts aimed at reducing the amount
and/or hazard of the waste for disposal.

Implementation oriented research and development activities on
deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive
waste and, as appropriate, demonstration on the technologies
and safety, and to underpin the development of a common
European view on the main issues related to the management
and disposal of waste. Specific activities connected with the
characterisation and behaviour of this type of waste under
conditions of extended temporary storage. Research on parti-
tioning and transmutation and/or other concepts aimed at
reducing the amount and/or hazard of the waste for disposal.

Amendment 18
Annex1, subtitle ‘Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 2

Research to underpin the continued safe operation of existing
reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities),
taking into
account new challenges such as life-time extension and devel-
opment of new advanced safety assessment methodologies
(both the technical and human element), and to assess the
potential and safety aspects of future reactor systems in the
short and medium term, thereby maintaining the high safety
standards already achieved within the EU.

Research that continues to underpin the continued safe oper-
ation of existing reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities)
and new-generation reactors and to minimize the risk of
human and organisational error, taking into account new chal-
lenges such as life-time extension and development of new
advanced safety assessment methodologies (both the technical
and human element), and to assess the potential and safety
aspects of
future reactor systems in the short and medium
term,
thereby further improving the high safety standards
already achieved within the EU.

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With this in mind, emphasis will be placed in particular on
the researching and implementation of methodologies capable
of preventing human or organisational error (individual or
collective). An appropriate ‘safety culture’ will also be encour-
aged in all undertakings, thereby ensuring that both the body
owning the plant and its workers have safety as a fundamen-
tal priority objective.

Research in the areas of reactor safety and severe accidents in
respect of both Western and Russian types of reactor.

Amendment 19
Annex 1, subtitle ‘Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 4

To support the availability of research infrastructures such as
material test reactors, underground research laboratories and
radiobiology facilities and tissue banks, necessary to maintain
high standards of technical achievement, innovation and safety
in the European nuclear sector.

To support the availability of research infrastructures such as
material
test reactors and training reactors, research labor-
atories and radiobiology facilities and tissue banks, necessary to
maintain high standards of technical achievement,
innovation
and safety in the European nuclear sector.

Amendment 20
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection’, subtitle ‘Activities’, bullet 5, title and paragraph

Human resources and training

Human resources, mobility, education and training

To support the retention and further development of scientific
competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the avail-
ability of suitably qualified researchers and employees in the
nuclear sector over the longer term.

To support the retention and further development of scientific
competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the avail-
ability of suitably qualified researchers, engineers, physicists,
and
specialising in organisational
psychologists
employees in the nuclear sector as quickly as possible, in par-
ticular by maintaining educational efforts in universities with
an emphasis on organising joint post-graduate studies in the
fields of nuclear engineering and radiation protection; and to
promote safety as a priority.

systems,

Amendment 21
Annex 1, subtitle ‘Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre’, subtitle ‘Rationale’, paragraph 1

In supporting the objectives of the EU,
Centre shall have specific tasks related to:

the Joint Research

The Joint Research Centre supports the objectives of the Euro-
pean strategy for energy supply, particularly to help matching
the Kyoto objectives. The EU has recognised competence in
many aspects of nuclear technology, and this is built on a
solid basis of past successes in the domain. The usefulness of
the JRC in its support to EU policies and in its contribution to
the new trends in nuclear research are based on its scientific
expertise and its integration in the international scientific
community. On the one hand, the JRC has competent staff
and state-of-the-art facilities to carry out recognized scientific/
technical work; and on the other hand it supports the policy of
the EU to maintain basic competencies and expertise for the
future by training young scientists and fostering their mobility.
New demand has emerged in particular in the external relations
and security related policies. In these cases, in-house and secure
information/analyses/systems are needed which cannot always
be obtained on the market.

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— global security, particularly through its participation in
developing techniques and methods for efficient safe-
guards,
trafficking and for nuclear
forensic matters;

to combat

illegal

— enlargement of the EU, because this has involved (and
involve) new types of reactors and other nuclear

will
installations;

— energy supply, by contributing to new techniques for a
nuclear fuel cycle in line with the principles of sustain-
able development.

The Joint Research Centre has competent staff and facilities to
carry out recognized scientific/technical work. It shall ensure
the quality and the appropriate renewal of its infrastructures
to keep European research at the forefront of its field.

The Joint Research Centre supports the policy of the EU to
maintain basic competencies and expertise for the future by
giving access to its infrastructures to other researchers and
by training young scientists and fostering their mobility and
thus sustaining nuclear know-how in Europe. New demand
has emerged in particular in the external relations and security
related policies. In these cases, in-house and secure information/
analyses/systems are needed which cannot always be obtained
on the market.

Amendment 22
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre’, subtitle ‘Activities’ paragraph 1

Nuclear Waste Management and Environmental Impact aiming
to understand the nuclear fuel processes from production of
energy to waste storage and to develop effective solutions for
the management of high level nuclear waste following the two
major options (direct storage or partitioning and transmutation);

Nuclear Waste Management and Environmental Impact aiming
to understand the nuclear fuel processes from production of
energy to waste storage and to develop effective solutions for
the management of high level nuclear waste following the two
major options (direct storage or partitioning and transmutation).
In particular, activities will be developed to enhance knowl-
edge and improve the processing or conditioning of long-lived
waste and basic research into actinides;

Amendment 23
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre’, subtitle Activities, paragraph 2

Nuclear Safety, in implementing research on existing as well as
on new fuel cycles and on reactor safety of both Western and
Russian reactor types as well as on new reactor design. In addi-
tion the JRC will contribute and coordinate the European con-
tribution to the Generation IV International Forum R&D initi-
ative, in which the best research organisations in the world are
involved;

Nuclear Safety,
in research on existing fuel cycles, on reactor
safety of both Western and Russian reactor types and to a
greater extent, research on new fuel cycles as well as on new
reactor design. In addition the JRC will contribute and coor-
dinate the European contribution to the Generation IV Inter-
national Forum R&D initiative,
in which the best research
organisations in the world are involved; the JRC shall be the
integrator of the European research in this area and ensure
both in quality and size the significance of the European con-
tribution to GIF.

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BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 24
Annex I, subtitle ‘Nuclear Activities of the Joint Research Centre’, subtitle ‘Activities’, paragraphs 3a and 3b (new)

Campaigning to make politicians and the public understand
nuclear energy now that most scientists, politicians and
citizens are convinced that global warming is real and caused
by fossil-fuel carbon emissions, and that nuclear power is an
essential component of the energy mix available to meet the
world's energy needs with zero CO2 emissions.

Disseminating information about nuclear power to citizens
and their representatives through the launching of multi-
annual information campaigns on nuclear power to encourage
debate and facilitate decision-making, thereby enabling them
to have an objective debate based on facts and take informed
decisions. To ensure that they are as effective as possible, these
campaigns should be drawn up using methodology derived
from the social sciences. Furthermore, and bearing in mind
that comparisons with other energy sources are essential in
order to grasp the implications of the use of nuclear power,
any information campaigns which are promoted or encouraged
will also mention and explain the efforts being made by the
EU at other levels to promote other energy sources, with par-
ticular regard to renewable sources of energy.

P6_TA(2006)0267

Common rules in the field of civil aviation security ***I

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parlia-
ment and of the Council on common rules in the field of civil aviation security (COM(2005)0429
— C6-0290/2005 — 2005/0191(COD))

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2005)

0429) (1),

— having regard to Article 251(2) and Article 80(2) of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission

submitted the proposal to Parliament (C6-0290/2005),

— having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the opinion of the Com-

mittee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A6-0194/2006),

(1) Not yet published in OJ.