ESC opinion: COST concerted action projects in biotechnology (BRIDGE)
Meeting on 27 November 1991, the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) adopted an opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of a Multilateral Cooperation Agreement "Community -European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST)" on five concerted action projects in the field of research in biotechnology (BRIDGE programme) between the European Economic Community and COST third States (COM(91) 290 of 25.7.1991). The five concerted actions of the cooperation agreement covered by the proposal are explicitly provided for in the Council Decision establishing the BRIDGE programme (1990-1994). They concern: Aquatic primary biomass; in vitro cultures for the purification and propagation of plants; methods for early detection and identification of plant diseases; vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae; vaccines against coccidiosis. The Committee opinion of 26 April 1989 on the BRIDGE programme (OJ No C 159 of 26.6.1989) endorsed the five COST actions and the extension of the programme, as then proposed, to other European countries. The Committee reiterates its endorsement of the actions covered by the Agreement, but urges the Commission to take all possible steps to provide maximum information on COST actions and their results. The advantages of this type of cooperation are "widely unknown". The Committee also urges that, in connection with each of the concerted action, an evaluation be made of the social, ethical and environmental impact of research by the participant countries.