Research RTD, 6th EC Framework-programme 2002-2006: strengthening the European Research Area

The committee adopted the report by W. G. van VELZEN (EPP-ED, NL) approving the programme under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments. The report incorporated the amendments proposed by the EP at 2nd reading in connection with the Sixth Framework Programme (see factsheet COD010053) and proposed some other amendments aimed at clarifying the thematic priorities, i.e.: - 'Life sciences, genomics and biotehcnology for health': here the committee proposed a number of detailed adjustments. On cancer research it stressed that the research strategy must be patient-oriented, from research into preventing the disease to diagnosis to treatment; - 'Information Society technologies': the committee advocated developing mobile, wireless, optical and broadband communication infrastructures and computing technologies that are reliable, pervasive and can be adapted to accommodate new applications and services. It argued that these would lead to the next generation Internet and would have to support the exchange of increasingly large amounts of information; - 'Nanotechnologies': the committee stressed the need to support research into the integration of biological and non-biological entities, opening new horizons in many applications, such as for processing and for medical, environmental and food analysis systems; - 'Aeronautics and space': in addition to the basic objective to enable the aeronautics industry to increase its competitiveness, the committee said the competitiveness of European commercial aircraft should also be improved. Moreover, emphasis should be placed on space science and study of the solar system, including research on the sun and the climate and geology of the earth; - 'Food quality and safety': the committee said a strong boost was needed for research into the safety of foodstuffs, including the effectiveness of controls and harmonisation of procedures; - 'Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems': this chapter should also include research into the impact of climate change on fish stocks and into the effects of fishing activities; - 'Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society': the priority should be to understand Europe·s history, its peoples and its cultural heritage, the evolution of European social and political thought and institutions, the unity and diversity of European culture and the European contributions to world civilisation.�