CELEX: 51990PC0160
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-28
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A SPECIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ( 1990-1994 )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                         C0MC90) 160 final - SYN 265
                                         Brussels, 28 May 1990
                             Proposal for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
      adopting a specific research and technological development
                programme in the field of Biotechnology
                               (1990-1994)
                     (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 1 -
                                CONTENTS
                                                    Page
Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a
specific research and technological development
programme in the field of Biotechnology (1990-1994)
ANNEX I
Scientific and technical objectives and content      11
ANNEX I I
Indicative breakdown of expenditures                 18
ANNEX I I I
Rules for Implementing the Programme and Activities
for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results    19
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 2-
                             Proposal for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
       adopting a specific research and technological development
                 programme in the field of Biotechnology
                                (1990-94)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having   regard  to   the Treaty   establishing  the  European  Economic
Community, and in particular Article 130q (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,^1)
In cooperation with the European Par I lament,<2)
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,(3>
(1) OJ No C
(2) OJ No C
(3) OJ No C
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 3 -
Whereas by    its Decision 90/221/Euratom, E E C ( 4 ) , the Council             adopted a
third   framework    programme     for   Community      activities     in the     field   of
research and technological development (1990-94), specifying Inter alia
the activities to be pursued for contributing to the development of the
European potential for understanding and exploiting the properties and
structures of     living matter; whereas this Decision should be taken in
the light of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision;
Whereas    Article    130k   of   the    Treaty     stipulates     that    the    framework
programme    Is to be     implemented      through specific programmes            developed
wi thin each act Ivlty;
Whereas an estimate should be made of the amount of Community financial
resources    needed    to carry     out    this   specific     programme;     whereas    the
definitive    amounts will      be fixed by       the budgetary      authority      in  line
with the financial perspectives covering the period 1988-1992                      included
 in the   Inter Inst itut ional Agreement        of 29 June      1988^ 5 ^   and with    any
future financial perspectives covering the period 1993-1994;
Whereas,     pursuant      to     Article       4    and     Annex     I    of     Decision
90/221/Euratom, EEC,        the    amount      deemed     necessary      for    the    whole
framework    programme     includes     an   amount    of   57 million      ecus   for   the
centralized dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided up
 in proportion    to the amount       envisaged      for each    activity; whereas         in
view of    the   importance    of    this specific       programme    within     the   "Life
Sciences    and   Technologies"        action     the    estimate    of    the    financial
resources needed by this programme               is to be reduced        by   1.64 mi I I ion
ecus, which amount      is to be allocated to the centralized activities, in
order   to comply with the second sentence of Article                   130p (2) of      the
Treaty;
(4) OJ No L 117, 8.5.1990, p.28.
 (5) OJ No L 185, 15.7.1988, p.33
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 4 -
Whereas this programme must be Implemented by the Commission; whereas
to help   accomplish      this,   the Member     States  are   bound,   pursuant   to
Article 5 of the Treaty, to facilitate the achievement                 of  its tasks
where necessary, notably within a committee;
Whereas this programme must be Implemented essentially by the selection
of research and development          projects to enable      them   to benefit   from
Community   participation-, whereas the Commission           should encourage     the
submission of such projects by the usual means of publishing calls for
proposals   in the Official Journal; whereas a special procedure should
also be devised so as to maintain a degree of flexibility enabling the
Commission,    in   the    face   of   the   continuous   evolution     and   gradual
acceleration of technological progress, also to take into consideration
spontaneous proposals consistent with the objectives of the programme;
Whereas   the projects       to be carried out under       the programme     must  be
selected with special attention to the principle of economic and social
cohesion in the Community, the transnational nature of the projects and
the support to be given to small and medium-sized enterprises;
Whereas it is only in the light of experience gathered in the course of
this programme     that    the Commission     will  be able    to propose and     the
Council   to adopt    supplementary     programmes by having        recourse   to the
means provided     for   in Articles 1301, 130m or 130o of the Treaty, if
they contribute to the achievement of the programme's objectives, in
accordance    with     the    option   made    available    by    Article   2(2)   of
Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC;
Whereas, in accordance with Article 130g of the Treaty, the Community's
activities    aimed   at    strengthening     the  scientific    and   technological
basis   of   European       industry   and    encouraging     it   to   become   more
competitive include promoting cooperation on research and technological
development    with     third   countries     and   International     organizations;
whereas   such   cooperation     may   prove   particularly    beneficial    for  the
development of this programme;
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 5 -
Whereas It is necessary, as Annex II to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC,
provides,  to   reinforce  biological  knowledge  as   the  common  and
integrated foundation needed for applications in agriculture, industry,
nutrition and the environment.
Whereas the Scientific and Technical    Research Committee  (CREST) has
been consulted,
 ---pagebreak---                                      - o -
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                   Art icle 1
A specific    research  and   technological   development   programme    for  the
European Economic Community      in the field of Biotechnology, as defined
in Annex   I,   is hereby   adopted   for  a period    of five   years   as  from
1 January 1990.
                                   Art icle 2
1.  The Community funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the
    programme under this Decision amount to 164 million ecus.            Of this
    amount 1.64 million ecus is drawn for the centralized dissemination
    and   exploitation     of    results.   The    amount   thus    reduced    to
    162.36 million ecus     includes staff costs which may not exceed 2%.
    An indicative breakdown of expenditure is set out in Annex          II.
2.  Should   the Council    take a decision     in  implementation of     Article
    1(4)   of   Decision   90/221/Euratom, EEC,      this  Decision    shall   be
    adapted to take account of the abovementioned decision.
3.  The   budgetary    authority    shall    decide   on   the   appropriations
    available for each financial year.
                                   Art icle 3
Rules for the implementation of the programme are set out          in Annex  III.
                                   Art icle 4
The rate of the Community financial contribution shall be laid down in
accordance with Annex    IV to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 7 -
                                Article 5
1. During 1992 the Commission shall review the programme and address a
   report on the results of the review to the Council and the European
   Parliament, together with proposals for any necessary changes.
2. At the end of the programme the Commission shall assess the results
   obtained.   It shall address a report thereon to the Council and the
   European Par I lament.
3. The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the objectives set
   out In Annex I to this Decision and in accordance with Article 2(4)
   of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
                                Article 6
1. The  Commission   shall  be  responsible   for  the  execution  of  the
   programme.   It  shall   be  assisted   by  a  committee,   hereinafter
   referred to as "the Committee", composed of representatives of the
   Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.
2. The contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights
   and  obligations    of  each  party,   including   the  procedures  for
   disseminating, protecting and exploiting the research results, in
   accordance with the arrangements adopted pursuant        to the second
   paragraph of Article 130k of the Treaty.
3. A work programme for each year shall be drawn up and updated where
   necessary.   It shall set out the detailed objectives and types of
   projects to be undertaken, and the financial        arrangements to be
   made for them.    The Commission shall make calls for proposals for
   projects on the basis of the annual work programmes.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 8 -
                                 Article 7
1. In    the   cases   envisaged     in   Article      8(1),    the   Commission
   representative    shall   submit   to   the   Committee    a   draft   of  the
   measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver             its opinion on
   the draft within a time limit which the chairman may set according
   to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by
   qualified majority as provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty
   in the case of decisions which the Council          is required to adopt on
   a proposal    from the Commission.      The votes of the Member States'
   representatives    within   the   Committee    shall   be  weighted     in the
   manner set out in that Article.       The chairman shall not vote.
2. The Commission shall adopt the measures envisaged where they are in
   accordance with the Committee's opinion.
3.  If  the   measures   envisaged     are   not    in   accordance    with   the
   Committee's opinion, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission
   shall forthwith submit to the Council a proposal             relating to the
   measures    to  be  taken.   The   Council    shall    act   by  a   qualified
   majority.
4.  If the Council has not acted within one month of submission of the
   proposal, the proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission.
                                  Article 8
1. The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to:
        the preparation and updating of the work programmes referred to
        in Article 6(3);
        evaluation of the projects referred to in point 2 of Annex III,
        as well as the estimated amount of the Community's              financial
        contribution   when   these   projects    are   submitted    through  the
        ordinary procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III and the
        abovementioned amount is more than 5 million ecus;
 ---pagebreak---          evaluation of all projects submitted through the exceptional
         procedure referred to In point 4 of Annex III, as well as the
         estimated amount of the Community's financial contribution;
         measures for evaluating     the programme.
2.   The Commission may consult      the Committee on any matter    falling
     within the scope of the programme.
3.   The Commission shall inform the Committee with regard to;
         the progress of the programme;
         planned calls for proposals, referred to in Article 6 (3);
         projects,   referred   to   In  point 2  of  Annex III,  submitted
         through   the   ordinary   procedure,   for  which  the  Community
         contribution   is less than 5 million ecus, and the results of
         their evaluation;
         accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of Annex ill;
         concerted actions, referred to in point 2 of Annex III.
                                   Article 9
In   implementing  this programme, supplementary     programmes within  the
meaning of Article 1301, participation within the meaning of Article
130m and Joint undertakings or any other structures within the meaning
of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be decided on as the need
ar ises.
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 10 -
                               Article 10
Where cooperation with third countries and international organisations
aiming at achieving the objectives of this programme requires      legal
undertakings between the Community and the third parties concerned, the
Commission shall be authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article
130n of the Treaty, International agreements laying down the terms of
such cooperation.
Decisions on the conclusion of such agreements shall     be adopted   In
accordance with the procedure referred to In Article 130q (2) of the
Treaty.
                               Article 11
This Decision Is addressed to the Member States.
Done at           ,                     For the Counc11,
                                        The President
 ---pagebreak---                                           11
                                                                               Annex 1
             SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT
This specific programme fully reflects the approach embodied in the Third Framework
Programme in terms of the scientific and technical goals and the underlying aims
which it pursues.
Paragraph 4A of Annex II of the Framework Programme forms an integral part of the
present specific programme.
Pre-normative research will be carried out in each of the areas described below, with
emphasis on the safety assessment of new techniques and novel products.
The ethical and social implications of biotechnology will be monitored and studied.
A multidisciplinary approach involving representatives from the various sciences,
professions and activities concerned will be pursued. Special attention will obviously
be given to the areas of biotechnology covered by Community research. For all
projects conducted in this framework, contractors will be requested to provide, when
applicable, information necessary for the detailed evaluation of the social, ethical and
ecological impact of their studies, and, where necessary, approval from the responsible
authorities.
Information technology will be used throughout the programme for collecting, pooling,
analyzing, distributing or simulating data.
Research will be carried out at the level of molecules, cells, organisms and
populations. Integration between levels will be assured.
The following presents an analytical description of the content of the programme,
based on and taking account of the above elements.
 ---pagebreak---                                         -  12 -
Area 1. Molecular approaches
Protein structure and function
Research under this theme is aimed at two goals. First, to understand and control
biological functions carried out by proteins (enzymes, hormones, antibodies, receptors,
body structures, etc.). Second, to produce tailor-made proteins adapted to the specific
requirements of man (new drugs, industrial enzymes, artificial organs, etc.).
Target areas will include enzymes and proteins associated with biological membranes
participating in energy transduction (chemi-osmotic enzymes); immunoglobulins and
their interactions with antigens, protein messengers and receptors. The latter work is
connected with research described below on biological communication systems.
A specific objective of the programme will be the analysis of structure-function
relationships for a number of membrane proteins.
Structure and function of genes
The ultimate goal is to provide the knowledge necessary for a rational use of
biological species important in agriculture, industry and the diagnosis of genetic
disorders. The study of the genetic message in representative species will be pursued
at two levels: precise ordering of the genes within chromosomes (gene mapping) and
detailed determination of the chemical composition of genes (gene sequencing).
Efforts will be undertaken to complete the sequencing work of the entire genome of
yeast, which displays a genetic structure and organisation (genome) comparable to
that of plants and animals, and to initiate a Community effort for sequencing genes
in a model plant species (Arabidopsis) and physical mapping in Drosophila. This work
will complete research under the BRIDGE programme on mapping the genes in
Arabidopsis and on sequencing certain chromosomes in yeast.
 ---pagebreak---                                            - 13 -
A specific objective will be the sequencing of more than 10 million nucleotides in the
organisms studied.
Close liaison will be maintained with research under the Human Genome Analysis
programme to ensure that developments in methodology, mapping and sequencing
techniques are shared with mutual benefit.
Expression of genes
In order to make full use of the above information on gene structure, the processes
through which the information stored as DNA in the genes is expressed in the form
of active proteins will be studied in some models of practical importance. Transcription
factors, RNA polymerases, their interactions with signals, ligands and DNA will be
examined. A specific objective is the analysis of a number of DNA polymerases and
transcription factors in yeast, plants and mammalian cells.
 ---pagebreak---                                            -  14 -
Area 2. Cellular and organism approaches
Cellular regeneration, reproduction and development of living organisms
In order to provide basic knowledge required by biotechnology, comparative studies
of reproductive events (meiotic pairing, gamete packaging, gamete recognition and
fertilization), cell-cell interaction and cell replication in animals and plants will be
undertaken. Research will be centred on the control of development, cell commitment
and cell totipotency in higher organisms starting with the simplest levels of
organisation, namely gametes, eggs, proliferating lines and their reorganisation into
organs and embryos.
At the same time, with regard to pre-normative research, in vitro test systems will be
elaborated which take into account the high specificity of modern drugs and their
potential toxic effects during cell differentiation and organogenesis.
Metabolism of animals, plants and microbes; essential physiological tracts
The objective is to provide industrial and agricultural operators with the basic
knowledge required for a more rational exploitation of resources in production,
processing and animal husbandry. New animal models, more representative of human
material, will be developed for biological analysis, including the use, where necessary,
of transgenic animals relevant to the study of human health and its protection.
Research will concern the regulatory mechanisms governing some of the biological
functions or metabolic activities in species which are important to man (e.g., as
specific objectives, production and secretion in microorganisms, metabolic pathways
under extreme environments, nitrate assimilation in plants, food utilisation and
metabolic control in animals, etc.).
 ---pagebreak---                                           - 15 -
Communication systems within living matter
The goal is to provide industrial biotechnologists, agricultural and medical operators
with a new approach to dealing with the complexity of living systems. This emerging
subject will be studied at the cellular and systemic level.
Research will be focused on the immune and the nervous systems. Immunological
studies will concern the complex interaction between the three main types of cells
(antigen presenting cells, T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes) responsible for the
reaction of the animal body to foreign substances (antigens). Concerning pre-
normative objectives, pharmacological and toxicological test systems will be developed,
with special attention to immune reactions in "drug targeting" and immunotoxicoiogy
as such. Synergism with protein engineering will be assured.
In neurobiology, attention will be given to the basic unit of the brain, the neuron. The
production, release and specific reception of chemical messengers used by neurons to
communicate among themselves and to transmit messages to target cells such as
muscles and glands will be a priority. The biochemical, pharmacological and genetic
characterisation of newly discovered neuroreceptors systems will constitute a specific
objective of the programme in view of possible applications to the diagnosis and
treatment of pathological behaviour. The interaction between neurons and the
development of neural networks will also be studied. This research will complement
projects undertaken in the ESPRIT and SCIENCE programmes, dealing with the
informatic, behavioural, cognitive and physiological aspects of neurobiology.
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 16 -
Area 3. Ecology and population biology
Ecological implications of Biotechnology
The goal is to study the environmental implications of biotechnology and, in particular
of the release by man of living organisms in the environment in connection with the
industrial, agricultural and environmental policies of the Community.
Particularly in the case of microorganisms, the systematic analysis of possible adverse
effects will be carried out taking into consideration the need for a comprehensive
understanding of the ecosystems involved. Research will include the analysis of
representative examples of interactions between microbial populations and with their
hosts; the study of the impact of the introduction of genetically modified
microorganisms on natural microbial populations in different habitats; the
determination of the behaviour and effects upon ecosystems of organisms modified by
genetic engineering (including as a complement to ongoing research in BRIDGE, fishes
and insects).
Conservation of genetic resources
The aim is to ascertain the real dimension of the problem of loss of genetic diversity.
Knowledge of genetic erosion in plants, animals and microorganisms will be pursued,
collected and circulated.
Taxonomy will be revitalised with inputs from molecular biology, providing specific
and target support to decentralised collections of biotic materials; a systematic
assessment of the residual genetic variability of agricultural and industrial species of
regional and traditional importance will be initiated.
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 17 -
These activities will be carried out in cooperation with relevant international
organisations and countries outside the European Community.
Work in this area will link into Community research programmes dealing with
environmental issues. '
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 18 -
                                                                           Annex II
                  INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES
in %, for the period 1990-1994.
Area 1. Molecular approaches                                     35 - 40
Area 2. Cellular and organism approaches                         45 - 55
Area 3. Ecology and population biology                            10-15
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects
could cover several areas.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 19 -
                                    Annex 111
                    Rules for Implementing the Programme
   and Activities for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results
1. The Commission shall        Implement the programme on the basis of the
    scientific and technical content described in Annex I.
2.  The rules for implementing the programme, referred to In Article 3,
    comprise   research       and    technological        development      projects,
    accompanying measures and concerted actions.
    The projects     shall    be  the subject     of   shared-cost    research   and
    technological development contracts.
    The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure
    proper   technical     execution,    management      and   evaluation    of  the
    programme, as well as adequate dissemination and accessibility of
    the results, and coordination, training and consciousness-raising
    of the participants In the programme.
    The   concerted     actions    are    those    defined      In  the    Financial
    Régulât Ion.
3.  The participants In the projects must be natural or legal persons
    established    in   the    Community,    such    as   universities,     research
   organizations and       industrial    firms,    Including small     and   medium-
    sized enterprises, or associations thereof, In particular European
    Economic Interest Groupings (EElGs).
   Natural    or   legal    persons   established      In countries     which   have
   concluded agreements with the Community foreseeing scientific and
    technical    research,     may,   based    on    the    criterion    of   mutual
   advantage, take part In the projects undertaken in the context of
    this programme.      The contracting parties under such            arrangements
   shall not benefit from Community funding.            They shall contribute to
   the general administrative costs.
 ---pagebreak---                                          - ?0 -
4. The   choice   of    projects     shall    be   carried    out   according    to    the
   following order of priority, the first method being the rule, the
   second the exception:
   The participants       in the projects shall be selected on the basis of
   the   ordinary     procedure      of  calls     for    proposals   referred     to   In
   Article 6 (3) and published In the Official Journal of the European
   Commun(ties.
   The    Commission       may    also    accept     proposals     according      to    an
   exceptional    procedure       and   under    the   conditions    mentioned     below,
   when    they     make      a    particularly        promising     and    significant
   contribution as regards the originality of the theme proposed, the
   novelty    of     the     scientific      and    technical     approach     and     the
   methodology of execution, also taking                into account    the particular
   nature of the proposers.
   A favourable     technical      evaluation of such proposals shall             not by
    itself be a sufficient         justification for accepting a project; this
   exceptional    procedure may only apply after               verification    that    the
   nature of the project, as defined above, does not justify the use
   of the normal procedure for calls for proposals.
   The   exceptional      procedure must       be completed      before   the   ordinary
   procedure     in    such    a   way    that    the    available    amount    for    the
   Community's     financial      participation       in projects     retained    by   the
   ordinary   procedure can be determined              precisely. The closing         date
   for the exceptional         procedure shall be published each year              in the
   Official Journal.
   The amount of the financial participation of the Community                    for all
   the projects retained by the exceptional procedure will be decided
   each   year,    in    relation     to   the   projects     selected    according     to
   particularly      strict     criteria    of    excellence.     In any    case,     this
   amount may not exceed 15%; it may be revised each year In the light
   of exper ience.
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 21 -
   The Commission shall draw up a vade mecum setting out all the rules
   applicable to this exceptional procedure in order to guarantee full
   transparency.
5. The  projects   must  involve   at   least   two  mutually   independent
   partners established in different Member States.
6. The Commission may encourage the participants to form a European
   Economic  Interest Grouping (EEIG) or make other arrangements for
   carrying out projects, such as those on a large scale, permitting
   decentralized management adapted to the specific requirements of
   the project.
7. The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be
   disseminated on the one hand within the specific programme and on
   the other hand by means of a centralized activity, pursuant to the
   decision  referred   to  in  the   third   paragraph  of   Article 4   in
   Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC.
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                              22>
                                   FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1.      BUDGET HEADING AND TITLE
Part B of the general budget
Subsection 6, Item 6221
Specific programme of Community RTD activities in the field of
Bioterfinolopv n99Q-1994l
2.(     LEGAL BASE
Article 130 Q(2) of the Treaty.
3.      OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION
See Annex I of the proposal.
4.      FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
/   ounts deemed necessary in MIOECU :
        Programme implementation                           162.36
        Centralized action for dissemination and
        exploitation                                         1.64
        TOTAL                                              164.00
The indicative operational breakdown of the 162.36 MIOECU for the programme implementation
is given in Annex II of the proposal.
 ---pagebreak---                                                   ÙM
       Indicative multiannual schedule (in MIOECU) :
                             1990 1991            1992         1993          1994 ')         TOTA
       Commitments                  30           39.30         59            34.06           162.36
       Payments                      8           22.10         38            94.26           162.36
The definitive yearly amounts will be determined by the budgetary authority in accordance with
the financial perspectives for the period 1990 -1992 (annexed to the Interinstitutional Agreement
of 29 June 1984) and with subsequent financial perspectives which may be adopted for 1993 and
H4.
5.     STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE
In addition to the principal means of action which are contracts (annex III), the above amounts
include programme-related staff and administrative expenditure estimated at no more that 7
MIOECU.
The expenditure on staff will not exceed 2% of the amount deemed necessary for the programme
implementation. This implies a maximum of 30 statutory posts (A,B and/or C) at any given time
during the life of the programme. The infrastructure costs related to statutory staff will be borne
uy Part A of the budget.
             ') for the payment appropriations: 1994 and beyond
 ---pagebreak---                                                   ^5
6.     IMPLICATIONS FOR REVENUE
The contributions by third country contractors towards the cost of administration of the
programme will be reused pursuant to articles 27.2 and 96 of the Financial Regulation2).
7.     TYPES OF CONTROL
Control will be exercised by:
                the Programme Management Committee (scientific control)
                the services of the DG responsible for the execution of the programme, possibly
                assisted by independent experts
                the Commission's Financial Controller.
In accordance with Article 2 of the Financial Regulation 2), the use of appropriations will be
subject to analyses of cost-effectiveness and the realization of quantified objectives will be
monitored.
External audit may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the Treaty.
            :
              ) Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as last amended by Regulation
                610/90 of March 1990.
 ---pagebreak---                                         ze
            FICHE D'IMPACT SUR 17V COMPETITIVITE ET L'EMPLOI
I - Justification en faveur de la proposition
    Le programme de recherche et de développement technologique proposé a
    pour objectif primordial de contribuer, à moyen et à long terme, à la
    promotion de la compétitivité industrielle, des innovations agricoles et de la
    croissance économique dans la Communauté.
    En l'absence d'un      tel programme, le champ des nouvelles technologies
    auxquelles donne régulièrement naissance la biologie moderne, sera moins
    vite exploité par l'industrie et l'agriculture européennes.
2.  Caractéristiques des entreprises concernées
    A long terme, les agriculteurs, les fournisseurs de l'agriculture, les industries
     de transformation des produits agricoles, les industries de la santé, les
     secteurs chimique et pharmaceutique sont directement concernés par la
     proposition.
     A court et moyen terme, cependant, les secteurs immédiatement concernés
     par les résultats du programme sont ceux du diagnostic et du traitement des
     troubles immunologiques et neurobiologiques et, dans une moindre mesure,
     de la microbiologie industrielle. L'accroissement des efforts communautaires
     en faveur du génie des protéines et du séquençage des génomes devrait
     promouvoir encore davantage les innovations dans le domaine de la bic-
     inf^rmatiau? ei de l'instrumentation.
 ---pagebreak---                                          2^
3.  Obligations que le programme impose aux entreprises
    Il s'agit des mêmes obligations qui sont imposées à tous les laboratoires
    participant au programme, à savoir
             conformité de la recherche proposée à l'annexe technique du
             programme
             partage des frais (en règle générale à 50%)
             coopération transnationale
             libre accès des sites aux agents de la Commission
             participation à des séminaires et à des réunions de contractants
             organisés par la Cbrnrnission
             rapports annuels d'activités et de résultats.
4.   Obligations indirectes susceptibles d'être imposées aux entreprises par les
     autorités nationales, régionales ou locales
     Obligation de suivre les normes et règlements nationaux qui concernent
     certaines recherches en génie génétique et l'exploitation des résultats de cène
     recherche.
 5.  Dispositions relatives aux PME
     L'action de recherche du présent programme ne prend aucune disposition
     spécifique à l'égard des PME qui devraient pourtant en être largement
     bénéficiaires. Souvent incapables d'effectuer à elles seules de longues et
     difficiles recherches, ces entreprises dépendent des résultats de la recherche-
     développement financée par des fonds publics. Leur participation aux projets
     sera examinée d'un oeil favorable lors de la sélection des propositions.
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   La dissemination de l'information relative aux résultats de la recherche, et
   tout particulièrement à l'intention des PME, sera mise au premier rang des
   priorités.
   Les conditions de participation privilégient les PME en ce sens que tous les
   participants à un projet BIOTECH seront traités sur un pied d'égalité.
6. Incidence probable :
   a)      sur la compétitivité des entreprises
   BIOTECH ne devrait avoir aucun effet immédiat sur la compétitivité des
   entreprises. Toutefois, il pourrait avoir divers effets à court et moyen termes
   et de nombreux effets à long terme - voir point 1.
   b)      sur l'emploi
    Les effets du programme sur l'emploi sont difficiles à évaluer. Toutefois, une
    meilleure compétitivité internationale de la biotechnologie européenne
    pourrait contribuer à réduire le déclin à long terme de l'agriculture et devrait
    avoir des conséquences favorables sur l'emploi dans divers secteurs
    industriels, en particulier dans les firmes à fort potentiel de croissance dans
    des créneaux spécialisés du marché à haute valeur ajoutée.
7.  Consultations des organisations représentatives
    La liste des organisations industrielles consultées durant la phase préparatoire
    du piogranmie inclut, notamment, le groupe de travail "biotcchnologie" du
    comité consultatif de la recherche et du développement industriel de la
    Commission des Communautés européennes (IRDAC).
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                                                                 COM(90) 160 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                                         16
                                   Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-243-EN-C
                                                               ISBN 92-77-60745-9
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