Resaerch RTD, 5th framework-programme EC 1998-2002: research, technological development and demonstration activities

The Committee has adopted the report by Mrs Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL (D, EPP) on the Commission proposal concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002). From the total budget of ECU 16.7 billion, 15.4 billion will go to research under the framework programme, The fifth framework programme comprises four domains: 1) Life sciences and technologies, information and telecommunication technologies, transport-mobility-production and energy-environment-sustainable development; 2) the international role of Community research; 3) innovation and participation of the small and medium-sized enterprises and 4) improving human potential. The Commission had proposed three themes relating to the first activity, but the Committee adopted a compromise amendment aimed at four themes. These are: - life science and technologies: health, environment and food, fight against transmissible and rare diseases, cell factory, chemical and molecular bases and degenerative diseases with particular regard to age-related illnesses and disability; - information and telecommunication technologies: services for the citizen, new methods of work and electronic trading, multimedia content and essential technologies and infrastructures; - transport-mobility-production: land and marine transport and technologies, aeronautics and astronautics, mobility and intermodality and products, processes and organisation; - energy-environment-sustainable development: advanced energy systems and services in the energy sector including fossil fuels and renewable energies and, under the sub-paragraph environment, cultural heritage and sustainable development: rural and coastal areas and mountains, urban areas, global change and climate and water management and technologies. During the vote (more than 700 amendments had been tabled), the Committee also adopted the rapporteur's compromise proposals on the amounts and breakdown for the four activities over the period 1998-2002: First activity: 12275 million ECU (Commission: Ecu 11.775m); Second activity: 550 million ECU (Commission: 491); Third activity: 410 million ECU (Commission 350); Fourth activity: 1350 million ECU (Commission 1402). The Committee accepted the Commission's proposal to spent ECU 815m for the Community Joint Research Centre, where the rapporteur had proposed 790m. There was a difference of opinion between the rapporteur and Christoff TANNERT (D, PES), as to how money should be allocated within the first domaine (life sciences and technology).�