Recycling must be included in FP6, says paper industry
A project manager from CEPI, the Confederation of European paper industries, has expressed his concern about a lack of provisions in the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) for recycling technologies. Paul-Antoine Lacour told CORDIS News that 'there is a real paradox here; whereas sustainable development is clearly identified as a priority thematic area, 'technologies for sustainable developments' only focuses on energy and transportation issues, but does not address technologies using renewable and recyclable materials like paper.' CEPI's concern relates to three issues which it believes have been neglected in the proposals for FP6; recyclability, renewability and the interface between paper and the electronic media. Mr Lacour was however pleased to hear that the Parliament has voted for 334 amendments, which he regards as 'relatively satisfactory'. The confederation has written to the European Commission on several occasions, following the publication of the communications on the European research area (ERA), FP6 and the specific programmes. CEPI expressed concern to Achilleas Mitsos, Director General of the Research DG about the 'vague wording' of the proposals, and asked for research into recyclability and renewability to be 'clearly emphasised, with special attention to processes and materials'. The Commission has responded by saying that these issues will fall under the thematic priority 'sustainable development and global change', but CEPI would like to see this made clear in the proposals. Mr Lacour would also like to see more attention to the link between paper and electronic media, which is prioritised under the proposed 'information society technologies' programme. He explained to CORDIS News that whilst funding is to be allocated to developing electronic media, the interface between electronic media and paper, 'how human beings live and learn' is not mentioned in the proposals. CEPI would also like to see the inclusion of paper research in another proposed thematic area, that of 'food safety and health risks'. Whilst acknowledging that research into foodstuffs is highly important, Mr Lacour stressed the importance of research into packaging to protect foodstuffs, including intelligent packaging materials, which can inform the consumer on the condition of the food contained inside. None of this is mentioned in the Commission proposals, says Mr Lacour.