Horizon 2020 — SABANA project

4.9.2018

Question for written answer P-004481-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Carlos Iturgaiz (PPE)

The European Commission is providing EUR 1 499 500 in funding for the SABANA Project in Almería (Spain) under Section 3.2.5 of the Horizon 2020 programme: ‘Cross-cutting marine and maritime research’. The planned demonstration facility employs a three-phase model:

• 1)The production of microalgae;
• 2)Harvesting and processing and;
• 3)Bio-refinery.

The budget heading of the programme used to finance this project is meant for projects on the marine environment and its resources; this clearly excludes agricultural projects. The production of microalgae should, therefore, be considered aquaculture.

Given that the permits and authorisation required for projects vary depending on whether the activity is classed as agriculture or aquaculture, can the Commission confirm that none of these three phases of production amounts to agricultural activity?