European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (COM(2005)0439 - C6-0380/2005 - 2005/0184(CNS))
Date: 2006-11-30
Institutions: Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, Joint Research Centre, research and development, research programme, technological change

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P6_TA(2006)0522

Specific programme to be implemented through direct actions by the Joint
Research Centre (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the
Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre
under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological
(COM(2005)0439 — C6-0380/2005 —
development and demonstration activities (2007-2013)
2005/0184(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0439) (1),

— having regard to Article 166 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C6-0380/2005),

— 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 opinion of the

Committee on Budgets (A6-0335/2006),

1.

Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.
Considers that the indicative financial reference amount indicated in the legislative proposal must be
compatible with the ceiling of heading 1a of the new multiannual financial framework and points out that
the annual amount will be decided within the annual budgetary procedure in accordance with the provi-
sions of point 38 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management of 17 May 2006 (2);

3.

4.

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

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

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

5.
stantially;

6.

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

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AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1
Recital 1a (new)

(1a) Publicly funded research should be directed primarily
towards public needs and priorities and seek complementarity
with privately funded research. Work undertaken by the Joint
Research Centre should be coordinated with research carried
out under the thematic priorities to avoid overlap with and
duplication of national research programmes.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.
(2) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 2

Recital 3

(3)
In implementing its mission, the JRC should provide cus-
tomer driven scientific and technical support to the EU policy
making process, ensuring support to the implementation and
monitoring of existing policies and responding to new policy
demands. In order to achieve its mission the JRC carries out
high quality research.

(3)
In implementing its mission, the JRC should provide cus-
tomer driven scientific and technical support to the EU policy
making process, ensuring support to the implementation and
monitoring of existing policies and responding to new policy
demands. In order to achieve its mission the JRC carries out
research of the highest quality, which is comparable through-
out the EU.

Amendment 3

Recital 4

(4) The direct actions conducted by the Joint Research Centre
(JRC) should be implemented by the present Specific Pro-
gramme. In implementing this Specific Programme in accor-
dance with its mission, the JRC should place particular emphasis
on areas of key concern for the Union: prosperity in a knowl-
edge-intensive society, solidarity and responsible management of
resources, security and freedom, and Europe as world partner.

(4) The direct actions conducted by the JRC should be imple-
mented by the present Specific Programme. In implementing
this Specific Programme in accordance with its mission, the
JRC should place particular emphasis on areas of key concern
for the Union: prosperity and social wellbeing in a knowledge-
intensive society, solidarity, sustainability, and responsible man-
agement of resources, security and freedom, and Europe as
world partner.

Amendment 4

Recital 10

(10) The JRC should continue to generate additional resources
through competitive activities; these include participation to the
indirect actions of the Framework Programme, third party work
and to a lesser extent the exploitation of intellectual property.

(10) The JRC should continue to generate additional resources
through competitive activities; these include participation to the
indirect actions of the Framework Programme, third party work
(subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions relating in par-
ticular to the protection of intellectual property rights) and to
a lesser extent the exploitation of intellectual property.

Amendment 5

Recital 13

(13) The Commission should in due course arrange for an
independent assessment to be conducted concerning the activ-
ities carried out in the fields covered by this programme.

(13) The Commission should in due course arrange for an
independent assessment to be conducted concerning the activ-
ities carried out in the fields covered by this programme, which
would include environmental, social, health and animal wel-
fare criteria, which in the future will lead to further systema-
tic measuring and assessing of both direct and indirect actions
under the Framework Programme.

Amendment 6

Article 3, paragraph 1a (new)

The Commission shall take all necessary steps to verify that
the actions financed are carried out effectively and in compli-
ance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002.

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Amendment 7

Article 3, paragraph 1b (new)

The overall administrative expenditure of the Specific Pro-
gramme, including internal and management expenditure for
the Joint Research Centre should be proportional to the tasks
undertaken under the Specific Programme and is subject to
the decision of the budgetary and legislative authorities.

Amendment 8

Article 3, paragraph 1c (new)

Budget appropriations shall be used in accordance with the
principle of sound financial management, namely in accor-
dance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effective-
ness, as well as the principle of proportionality.

Amendment 9

Article 4, paragraph 2, first indent

— research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive

— research activity aiming at human cloning,

purposes,

Amendment 10

Article 5a (new)

Article 5a

The Commission shall provide prior information to the bud-
getary authority whenever it intends to depart from the break-
down of expenditure stated in the remarks and annex to the
general budget of the European Union.

Amendment 11

Article 7, paragraph 1a (new)

The assessment shall contain an assessment of the soundness
of financial management and an evaluation of the efficiency
and regularity of the budgetary and economic management of
the Specific Programme.

Amendment 12

Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 1

— flexibly responding to the developing needs and require-

ments of the EU policy makers;

— flexibly responding to the developing needs and require-
including at Member

the EU policy makers,

ments of
State level;

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Amendment 13
Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 2

— focusing attention on issues which are important in terms
of societal concern, which have a research component and
which have a dominant community dimension;

— focusing attention on issues which are important in terms
of societal concern, which have a research component and
which have a dominant community dimension, or which
are of significance to a substantial proportion of the
Community;

Amendment 14
Annex, section 2, indent 3a (new)

— intensifying its cooperation with other European institu-

tions, in particular the European Parliament;

Amendment 15
Annex, section 2, paragraph 1, indent 5a (new)

— increasing transparency when setting its research priori-
ties by making the criteria for these priorities publicly
available and by informing the European Parliament and
the Council of
the reasons justifying the choice of
research priorities.

Amendment 16
Annex, section 2, paragraph 3

Dissemination of knowledge among the various stakeholders
the
involved in this process will represent a key feature of
approach. Activities will also be aimed at the support to the
implementation and monitoring of legislation and at the disse-
mination of best practises in the context of EU-25, Candidate
and Neighbouring Countries.

The dissemination of knowledge among the various stake-
holders involved in this process will represent a key feature of
the approach and efforts should also be made to improve the
access of SMEs to research results. This will encourage dialo-
gue between science and society. Activities will also be aimed at
the support to the implementation and monitoring of legisla-
tion and at the dissemination of best practises in the context
of EU-25, Candidate and Neighbouring Countries.

Amendment 17
Annex, section 2, paragraph 8

When requested in the context of its support to thematic poli-
cies the JRC will engage into specific exercises leading to a better
exploitation of relevant EU-wide research results. In doing so it
will enhance the benefits of knowledge society.

When requested in the context of its support to thematic poli-
cies the JRC will engage into specific exercises leading to a better
dissemination and exploitation of relevant EU-wide research
results. In doing so it will enhance the benefits of knowledge
society.

Amendment 18
Annex, section 3, point 3.1.1, paragraph 6

The Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs will be supported by
direct quantitative socioeconomic analysis — also in relation to
the ‘better regulation’ principle — in a number of policy areas
like macroeconomic stability and growth,
financial services,
aspects of competitiveness,
lifelong learning and the human
capital dimension of the Lisbon strategy, agriculture, climate

The Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs will be supported by
direct quantitative socioeconomic analysis — also in relation to
the ‘better regulation’ principle — in a number of policy areas
like macroeconomic stability and growth,
financial services,
aspects of competitiveness,
lifelong learning and the human
capital dimension of the Lisbon strategy, agriculture, climate

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change, sustainable energy and transport systems. The JRC will
contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between
education provision and the needs of the knowledge society, of
factors affecting equity in education and how efficient use of
educational resources can be achieved.

change, sustainable energy and transport systems. The JRC will
contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between
education provision and the needs of the knowledge society, of
the dissemination of knowledge, of factors affecting equity in
education and how efficient use of educational resources can
be achieved, inter alia, with reference to open-source software.

Amendment 19

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 1, indent 1

— to provide a sustainable energy reference system feeding the
EU policy needs with S&T expertise on technological inno-
vation and evolution (all energy sources);

— to provide a sustainable energy reference system feeding the
EU policy needs with S&T expertise on technological inno-
vation and evolution (all energy sources and energy end-
use efficiency);

Amendment 20

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 1, indent 3

— to provide information on reliability of energy supply for

Europe.

— to provide information on reliability of energy supply for
renewable energy

Europe and on the availability of
resources.

Amendment 21

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.3, paragraph 2, indent 3

— the social dimension, with activities including spatial plan-
ning, impacts on health and awareness raising. Efforts will
also be devoted to aspects of safety and security of air, land
and maritime transport.

— the social dimension, with activities including spatial, archi-
tectural and urban planning, impacts on health and aware-
ness raising. Efforts will also be devoted to aspects of sus-
land and maritime
tainability, safety and security of air,
transport.

Amendment 22

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.4, paragraph 1

The JRC will support the formulation of Information Society
Technology policies and instruments contributing to a competi-
tive European knowledge society by generating prospective ana-
lyses and strategies related to the knowledge society. Growth,
inclusion and sustainability will be points of atten-
solidarity,
tion. The JRC will also contribute to the implementation of the
EU policies closely linked with or strongly benefiting from
Information Society Technology developments. This covers
applications in e-business, e-health, personal security, e-learning,
e-governance, and environment as well as the determination of
the potential for new developments in the pursuit of the overall
European strategies on growth, inclusion and quality of life.

The JRC will support the formulation of Information Society
Technology policies and instruments contributing to a competi-
tive European knowledge society by generating prospective ana-
lyses and strategies related to the knowledge society, with a
focus on free and open-source Software. Growth, solidarity,
inclusion and sustainability will be points of attention. The JRC
will also contribute to the implementation of the EU policies
closely linked with or strongly benefiting from Information
Society Technology developments. This covers applications in
e-business, e-health, personal security, e-learning, e-governance,
and environment as well as the determination of the potential
for new developments in the pursuit of the overall European
strategies on growth,
life. The JRC
will seek to improve the access of disabled people to the
knowledge-based society.

inclusion and quality of

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AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 23

Annex, section 3, point 3.1.5, paragraph 1

Life sciences and biotechnology are pertinent to many policy
areas where they can significantly contribute to the Lisbon
objectives. This potential is broadly recognised in health, agri-
culture, food, environment and other sectors where applications
are being rapidly developed. The provision of reference materi-
als and validated methods requires access to and control of a
broad range of advanced biotechnological instruments. The JRC
will further develop its competencies in this area in view of the
legislative and regulatory context.

Life sciences and biotechnology are pertinent to many policy
areas where they can significantly contribute to the EU's objec-
tives. This potential is broadly recognised in health, agriculture,
food, environment and other sectors where applications are
being rapidly developed. The provision of reference materials
and validated methods requires access to and control of a
broad range of advanced biotechnological instruments. The JRC
will further develop its competencies in this area in view of the
legislative and regulatory context.

Amendment 24

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 1, indent 2

conditions

and environmental

— Environmental aspects: Assessing implications of good agri-
and studying
cultural
impacts and effectiveness of agri-environmental measures
on soil and water conditions, biodiversity and European
landscapes. Analysing links between agricultural,
rural
development and regional policies and their impacts on
European land use changes through the development of
indicators and spatial models. Supporting the development
of targeted territorial strategies for the implementation of
rural development programmes. Assessing the impact of
climate change on agriculture in view of adaptation mea-
sures. Contribution to mitigation of GHG (greenhouse gas)
emissions by dedicated energy crops and by energy recov-
ery from agri-wastes.

conditions

and environmental

— Environmental aspects: Assessing implications of good agri-
and studying
cultural
impacts and effectiveness of agri-environmental measures
on soil and water conditions, biodiversity and European
landscapes. Analysing links between agricultural,
rural
development and regional policies and their impacts on
European land use changes through the development of
indicators and spatial models. Evaluating promotion mea-
sures for low input and organic agriculture and soil ferti-
lity. Supporting the development of targeted territorial stra-
rural development
tegies
programmes. Assessing the impact of climate change on
agriculture in view of adaptation measures. Contribution
to mitigation of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by dedi-
cated energy crops and by energy recovery from agri-
wastes.

implementation of

the

for

Amendment 25

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 1, indent 3

— Producer/consumer aspects: Strategic policy analyses in
areas such as: impact of the CAP reform on the sustainabil-
farming systems; responsiveness of agriculture to
ity of
food characterisation and control,
consumer demands:
impact of quality assurance (QA) and certification schemes
managed within supply chains, and responsiveness to envir-
onmental and European agricultural commodities in terms
of production, world market, prices, income and consumer
welfare; impact of changes in trade policy and world com-
modity markets; agricultural policies in rural development
in conjunction with other policies. Specific attention will be
given to the impact of CAP Reform in the new Member
States and Candidate countries.

— Producer/consumer aspects: Strategic policy analyses in
areas such as: impact of the CAP reform on the sustainabil-
farming systems; responsiveness of agriculture to
ity of
food characterisation and control,
consumer demands:
impact of quality assurance (QA) and certification schemes
managed within supply chains, and responsiveness to envir-
onmental and European agricultural commodities in terms
of production, world market, prices, income and consumer
welfare; impact of changes in trade policy and world com-
modity markets; agricultural policies in rural development
in conjunction with other policies. Specific attention will be
given to the impact of CAP Reform in the new Member
States and Candidate countries and multi-functional rural
development programmes and their efficacy.

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Amendment 26

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.1, paragraph 2

Common Fisheries Policy objectives will be addressed by
improving the quality and timeliness of scientific data and by
developing processes for the assessment of the economic and
social impact of management options. New technologies, includ-
ing fish origin identification based on DNA analysis, will be
used to identify non-compliance. Attention will be paid to tech-
niques which favour stakeholder involvement. In line with the
EU's emerging maritime policy, the feasibility of services devel-
oped for fisheries — such as vessel monitoring by remote sen-
sing and electronic reporting, will be extended to merchant ves-
sel
identification. The impact of a growing aquaculture sector
will be assessed.

Common Fisheries Policy objectives will be addressed by
improving the quality and timeliness of scientific data and by
developing processes for the assessment of the economic and
social impact of management options. New technologies, includ-
ing fish origin identification based on DNA analysis, will be
used to identify non-compliance. Attention will be paid to tech-
niques which favour stakeholder involvement. In line with the
EU's emerging maritime policy, the feasibility of services devel-
oped for fisheries — such as vessel monitoring by remote sen-
sing and electronic reporting, will be extended to merchant ves-
sel identification. The impact of a growing aquaculture sector,
including in environmental, social and health terms, will be
assessed.

Amendment 27

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 1a (new)

— development and validation of advanced methods for
refining, reducing and replacing animal tests for biotech-
nological pharmaceuticals, and for predicting the toxicity
of chemicals by means of in vitro cell cultures, high
throughput techniques and toxicogenomics;

Amendment 28

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 2

— assessment of health effects through experimental work,
computational

analyses,

biomonitoring,
toxicogenomic
techniques and analytical tools;

— assessment of health effects through experimental work,
biomonitoring, toxicogenomic and epidemiologic analyses,
computational techniques and analytical tools;

Amendment 29

Annex, section 3, point 3.2.3, indent 3a (new)

— conducting health analyses based on three factors: (i) syn-
dromes and chronic exposures, (ii) interaction with toxic
substances and mixes of substances, and (iii) analysis of
genetic polymorphisms and immunology tests, including
tests of transformation and lymphocytary activation.

Amendment 30

Annex, section 3, point 3.3.3, paragraph 2, indent 6a (new)

— development and validation of advanced methods for
refining, reducing and replacing animal tests for biotech-
nological pharmaceuticals, and for the prediction of the
toxicity of chemicals by means of in vitro cell cultures,
high throughput techniques and toxicogenomics.

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AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 31
Annex, section 3, point 3.4, paragraph 1

The JRC will support EU decision-making in the framework of
external relations instruments (development cooperation, trade
and instruments responding to crises including the instruments
for Stability and Humanitarian Aid.

The JRC will support EU decision-making in the framework of
external relations instruments (development cooperation, trade,
instruments responding to crises and peaceful conflict resolu-
tion, including the instruments for Stability and Humanitarian
Aid.

Amendment 32
Annex, section 3, point 3.4.2, paragraph 4

Cooperation with major actors (FAO, EUMETSAT, WFP, ESA
GMES-GMFS) will be reinforced.

Cooperation with major actors (UNEP, FAO, EUMETSAT, WFP,
ESA GMES-GMFS) will be reinforced.

Amendment 33
Annex, section 3, point 3.4, subtitle ‘Ethical aspects’, paragraph 1

During the implementation of this specific programme and in
the research activities arising from it, fundamental ethical prin-
ciples are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles
reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of
the EU,
including the following: protection of human dignity and
human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as
animals and the environment in accordance with Community
law and the latest versions of relevant international conventions
and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Conven-
tion of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedi-
cine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional Pro-
tocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the
Universal Declaration on the human genome and human rights
adopted by Unesco, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons Conven-
tion (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture, and the relevant World Health Orga-
nisation (WHO) resolutions.

During the implementation of this specific programme and in
the research activities arising from it, fundamental ethical prin-
ciples are to be respected and taken into account. These
include, inter alia, the principles reflected in the Charter of Fun-
damental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection
of human dignity and human life, protection of personal data
and privacy, as well as animals and the environment in accor-
dance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant
international conventions and codes of conduct, e.g. the Hel-
sinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of Europe on
Human Rights and Biomedicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April
1997 and its Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human
genome and human rights adopted by Unesco, UN Biological
and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), International Treaty
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the
relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions.