Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

6.3.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 58 E/91

The aim is to double the percentage of renewable energy in gross energy consumption, increasing the
current level from 6 % to 15 % by the year 2010.

Will the Commission say how Community aid can be secured for the setting up of the abovementioned
energy agency in connection with the multiannual programme (2003-2006) to promote renewable sources
of energy and what standard requirements the Malaga project must meet in order to be eligible for such
aid?

**Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission**

_(25 June 2003)_

The Intelligent Energy for Europe programme provides for aid for creating new energy agencies
(Horizontal Key Action 2: ‘Think globally, act locally’).

The Intelligent Energy for Europe work programme must be discussed with the programme committee.
Provided that the Commission proposal is not amended, the maximum level of aid will be 40-50 % of the
eligible costs. The main standard requirements will be the commitment of the local or regional authorities
to managing and financing the agency, as well as the assurance that the agency’s activities will continue for
at least five years after the Community aid has ended (which is given for three years).

When a proposal is accepted, technical assistance activities for the new agencies are provided for, in
particular compulsory training for the agency’s staff, participation in European activities, access to
information on the activities of other agencies, exchanges of experience, participation in meetings with
contractors, etc. The Commission will evaluate the activities of the new agencies periodically and make
recommendations for improving their performance. The first call for proposals for the creation of agencies
is planned for the end of the summer, which means that the contracts could be signed in 2004.

(2004/C 58 E/107) **WRITTEN QUESTION E-1741/03**

**by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission**

_(26 May 2003)_

_Subject:_ White Paper on agricultural research in the European Union

The development of agricultural research is of particular importance to all Member States, since the quality
of their agricultural produce is directly linked to the results of research in this sector of vital importance to
the Community economy.

However, there is widespread ignorance as to what research is being conducted in the various countries,
and research centres in some Member States may even be investigating the same areas.

In the light of the above, will the Commission promote the drawing up of a White Paper on agricultural
research, so as to shed light on the exact state of research at national level across the Community as a
whole with a view to streamlining the sector to prevent unnecessary duplication?

**Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission**

_(15 July 2003)_

European agricultural research is based on a broad diversity of research centres and universities on national
and regional level. They face the same challenges (food safety, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform
etc.). But cultural, economic, ecological and social conditions differ. Therefore, a research structure close to
the clients (farmers and consumers) has advantages.

C 58 E/92 Official Journal of the European Union EN 6.3.2004

European co-ordination of this diverse agricultural research landscape is essential to strengthen the
research capacity and to avoid duplication. This is a starting point of the Communication ‘Towards a
European Research Area’ ( [1] ) and a guiding principle of FP 6 ( [2] ). Specifically the new instruments in
Thematic Priority 5 ‘Food quality and safety’, will have a structuring effect on European research. In
addition, the ERA-NET scheme is targeting co-ordination of national or regional research programmes
while policy oriented research on CAP reform is part of the ‘Scientific Support to Policies’ activity.

The Commission is also supporting co-ordination activities ( [3] ) in the ‘Standing Committee of Agricultural
Research’, in collaboration with Euragri ( [4] ) or targeting developing country needs in the EFARD ( [5] ).
Numerous Community funded concerted actions co-ordinate subject specific research.

Time is more than ripe, at the eve of the adhesion of new Member States which can only reinforce the
overall strength and potentials of agricultural research in Europe, to carry out a mapping exercise of
relevant research investments and prospects, and to lay down the basis for a reinforced co-ordination.
The Commission is already co-operating closely with the main national actors. In the favourable context
resulting from the conjunction of the European Research Area and the new Common Agricultural Policy,
both in progress, a Europe-wide stock taking activity would gain political desirability. In light of these
recent developments, the Commission will investigate the opportunity of a new political initiative for
European agricultural research in the future.

( [1] ) COM(2000) 6 final.
( [2] ) FP 6 �6th Research Framework Programme (2002-2006).
( [3] ) Full overview at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/agriculture/index_en.html.
( [4] ) Euragri �European agricultural research initiative.
( [5] ) EFARD �European Forum for Agricultural Research for Development.

(2004/C 58 E/108) **WRITTEN QUESTION E-1745/03**

**by Toine Manders (ELDR)**
**and Herman Vermeer (ELDR) to the Commission**

_(26 May 2003)_

_Subject:_ European Cycling Day

To promote recreation and physical exercise, a National Cycling Day is organised annually in the
Netherlands by Dutch tourist offices (VVVs) and the Netherlands Tourist Board (Toerisme Recreatie
Nederland) on the second Saturday in May. On 10 May of this year, some 22 000 people took part in the
event.

Lack of physical exercise is one of the causes of obesity, which can be a factor in cardiovascular disease.
This is a worrying situation, bearing in mind that the consequences of so-called Western diseases go
beyond the implications for the health of European citizens. The high healthcare costs associated with such
diseases stifle economic growth and prevent the higher labour market participation rates considered
necessary to achieve further growth. These trends consequently have the potential to frustrate the Lisbon
Process.

As well as encouraging people to take exercise, events of this kind also promote cycling as a mode of
transport, helping to reduce car use, and therefore traffic congestion, including commuter traffic.

Finally, the event promotes tourism and recreation, which can also lead to the setting up of a transnational
network of cycle paths and cycling routes.

Given that Commission policy views the fight against obesity, as well as transport and tourism/recreation,
as being of paramount importance, it makes sense to investigate the prospects of creating a European
equivalent of the Dutch National Cycling Day, and/or to initiate, encourage, and provide financial support
for such an event.