Research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of competitiveness of agriculture and management of agricultural resources, 1989-1993
Part of the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1987-1991) under subactivity 4.3: "Competitiveness of agriculture", this fourth programme in the field will be implemented in close coordination with other activities in the Framework Programme, particularly the ECLAIR and FLAIR programmes.
The background to the programme is Council Regulation (EEC) No 1728/74 (Official Journal No L 182 of 5.7.1974) as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85 (Official Journal No L 362 of 31.12.1985) on the coordination of agricultural research.
To enhance the competitiveness of European agriculture and improve the management of agricultural resources by furthering adaptation to the consequences of over-production, maintaining farm incomes and encouraging structural reform, controlling output and reducing costs, assisting regions with weak agricultural structures, conserving natural resources, protecting the countryside and developing information services.
Four sectors:
- Conversion, diversification, including extensification of production, reduction of costs and protection of the rural environment:
. Introduction of new and improved varieties of crops, out of season products and by-products;
. Alternative livestock production systems;
. Examination of farm woodland production systems;
. Improved biological and integrated pest control as well as improved and reduced use of fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides;
. Development of alternative agricultural practices, especially organic farming;
. Support for development of the common agricultural structures policy;
. Identification of alternative uses for land no longer required for agriculture;
- Product quality, new uses for traditional products, and aspects of plant and animal health:
. Definition, measurement and determination of quality in agricultural products;
. Pre- and post-harvesting techniques;
. Effects of residues, toxins and other noxious substances occurring in agricultural products;
. Preparation and packaging of agricultural products;
. Detecting and controlling crop and animal diseases that threaten the Community;
. Developing alternative uses and improving the quality of traditional products;
- Socio-economic aspects and specific actions for all regions in the Community lagging behind in development:
. Assessment of the structural, social and economic consequences of applying the agricultural policies of the Community in these regions;
. Investigation of constraints to development in these regions and orientation of subsequent research and development actions;
. Specific regional problems arising from the conversion, diversification and extensification of crop and animal production;
. Specific regional problems arising from conversion to woodland and forest production;
. Specific regional actions to overcome problems posed by the poor composition of water and the excess or lack of it;
. Actions to improve agricultural mechanization in specific regions;
. Integrated rural development;
- Methods and services to disseminate agricultural research information:
. Integrating Community agricultural research information systems;
. Developing agricultural information technology;
. Applying computers and information modelling to agricultural production systems.
The Commission, assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission, is responsible for executing the programme by means of shared-cost research contracts, coordination actions and training and mobility grants.
The participants may be public or private bodies, such as research establishments and universities, industrial and agricultural enterprises, individuals, associations and cooperatives, or any combination thereof established in the Community. Contracts should, in general, be carried out by participants from more than one Member State.
Shared-cost contracts are awarded following a selection procedure based on a call for proposals. The Community normally bears up to 50% of total expenditure or, where universities and research institutes are involved, up to 100% of the marginal costs.
Meetings, seminars, workshops and grants are well publicized and results from all the actions are thoroughly promoted in the Community. The Commission ensures close coordination with other Community research activities, particularly the current programmes involving agriculture, biotechnology and the environment.
During the third year of implementation, the Commission will review the programme and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. It will subsequently submit a final evaluation of the results achieved.
The background to the programme is Council Regulation (EEC) No 1728/74 (Official Journal No L 182 of 5.7.1974) as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85 (Official Journal No L 362 of 31.12.1985) on the coordination of agricultural research.
To enhance the competitiveness of European agriculture and improve the management of agricultural resources by furthering adaptation to the consequences of over-production, maintaining farm incomes and encouraging structural reform, controlling output and reducing costs, assisting regions with weak agricultural structures, conserving natural resources, protecting the countryside and developing information services.
Four sectors:
- Conversion, diversification, including extensification of production, reduction of costs and protection of the rural environment:
. Introduction of new and improved varieties of crops, out of season products and by-products;
. Alternative livestock production systems;
. Examination of farm woodland production systems;
. Improved biological and integrated pest control as well as improved and reduced use of fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides and pesticides;
. Development of alternative agricultural practices, especially organic farming;
. Support for development of the common agricultural structures policy;
. Identification of alternative uses for land no longer required for agriculture;
- Product quality, new uses for traditional products, and aspects of plant and animal health:
. Definition, measurement and determination of quality in agricultural products;
. Pre- and post-harvesting techniques;
. Effects of residues, toxins and other noxious substances occurring in agricultural products;
. Preparation and packaging of agricultural products;
. Detecting and controlling crop and animal diseases that threaten the Community;
. Developing alternative uses and improving the quality of traditional products;
- Socio-economic aspects and specific actions for all regions in the Community lagging behind in development:
. Assessment of the structural, social and economic consequences of applying the agricultural policies of the Community in these regions;
. Investigation of constraints to development in these regions and orientation of subsequent research and development actions;
. Specific regional problems arising from the conversion, diversification and extensification of crop and animal production;
. Specific regional problems arising from conversion to woodland and forest production;
. Specific regional actions to overcome problems posed by the poor composition of water and the excess or lack of it;
. Actions to improve agricultural mechanization in specific regions;
. Integrated rural development;
- Methods and services to disseminate agricultural research information:
. Integrating Community agricultural research information systems;
. Developing agricultural information technology;
. Applying computers and information modelling to agricultural production systems.
The Commission, assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission, is responsible for executing the programme by means of shared-cost research contracts, coordination actions and training and mobility grants.
The participants may be public or private bodies, such as research establishments and universities, industrial and agricultural enterprises, individuals, associations and cooperatives, or any combination thereof established in the Community. Contracts should, in general, be carried out by participants from more than one Member State.
Shared-cost contracts are awarded following a selection procedure based on a call for proposals. The Community normally bears up to 50% of total expenditure or, where universities and research institutes are involved, up to 100% of the marginal costs.
Meetings, seminars, workshops and grants are well publicized and results from all the actions are thoroughly promoted in the Community. The Commission ensures close coordination with other Community research activities, particularly the current programmes involving agriculture, biotechnology and the environment.
During the third year of implementation, the Commission will review the programme and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. It will subsequently submit a final evaluation of the results achieved.