Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 91998E2421

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2421/98 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Parkinson's disease and the EU's Fifth R&D Framework Programme** 
  
*Official Journal C 135 , 14/05/1999 P. 0055*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2421/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Parkinson's disease and the EU's Fifth R& D Framework Programme

In Europe, 650 000 families are currently affected by Parkinson's disease, a figure which could rise to 1,2 million by the year 2008. These alarming figures merely illustrate the increasing need for extra resources to finance scientific research programmes into Parkinson's disease.

Could the Commission say what specific headings will be provided within the fifth R& D framework programme for the benefit of organisations involved in treating Parkinson's disease? How much funding will be made available for those headings? Is the Commission planning to launch any specific initiative outside the fifth R& D framework programme which will concentrate on scientific research into Parkinson's disease?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(5 October 1998)

In preparing for the fifth framework programme for research and technological development (RTD) (FP5)(1), the Commission has proposed to give priority to several research items that would enable direct support for clinical and epidemiological research on Parkinson's disease. As such, the Commission's proposal for a specific programme for RTD(2) on "Quality of life and management of living resources" addresses Parkinson's disease, its prevention and novel treatment by promoting, under the key action "Ageing population", research into age-related illnesses and health problems with high morbidity.

Efforts for improved understanding of Parkinson's disease will also benefit from the RTD activities of generic nature, where chronic diseases are addressed in general, and emphasis is laid on neurosciences and neurological disorders.

For the specific programme on "Quality of life and management of living resources", the Commission has proposed ECU 2 635 million, with an indicative percentage breakdown including 7,6 % for the key action "Ageing population" and 20,6 % for the RTD activities of a generic nature. In view of the divergent positions of Council and the Parliament on the overall funding and the breakdown of FP5, the conciliation procedure will have to determine the level of funding. The Commission will support all efforts to arrive at a satisfactory compromise.

No Community funded scientific research into Parkinson's disease is foreseen outside the fifth framework programme.

(1) COM(97) 142 final.

(2) OJ C 260, 18.8.1998.

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