REPORT on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 - 2013)

17.10.2011 - (COM(2011)0072 – C7‑0077/2011 – 2011/0046(NLE)) - *

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Rapporteur: Jan Březina

Amendments

• 001-029 (PDF - 152 KB)
• 001-029 (DOC - 111 KB)
• 030-036 (PDF - 132 KB)
• 030-036 (DOC - 490 KB)
• 034-034/REV1 (DOC - 455 KB)

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 - 2013)

(COM(2011)0072 – C7‑0077/2011 – 2011/0046(NLE))

(Consultation)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2011)0072),

–   having regard to Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C7‑0077/2011),

–   having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A7-0360/2011),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Considers that the prime reference amount set in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling of Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007- 2013 (MFF); takes note of the Commission proposal[1] to revise the current MFF on the basis of points 21 to 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management[2] (IIA) in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen funding for ITER for the years 2012-2013; is willing to enter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary authority, on the basis of all the means provided in the IIA, with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the financing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011; recalls its opposition to any form of redeployment from the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013)[3] as proposed in the above-mentioned Commission proposal;

3.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty;

4.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5.  Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;

6.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.

Amendment  1 Proposal for a decision Recital 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(4a) The design and implementation of the Framework Programme (2012 - 2013) should be based on the principles of simplicity, stability, transparency, legal certainty, consistency, excellence and trust following the recommendations of the European Parliament in its Report on simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a decision Recital 5 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(5a) The improvement of nuclear safety and, where relevant, security aspects, should be prioritised given the possible cross-border impact of nuclear incidents.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a decision Recital 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(6a) The European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) has as its aim the deployment of Gen-IV Fast Neutron Reactors with closed fuel cycle between 2035 and 2040. It follows three lines of technological development and includes four major projects: the ASTRID prototype (sodium cooled), the ALLEGRO experimental model (gas cooled), the ALFRED demonstrator (lead cooled) and, as support infrastructure for the latter technology, the MYRRHA fast neutron irradiation facility (lead‑bismuth cooled).
Amendment  4 Proposal for a decision Recital 6 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(6b) Three major European cooperative initiatives in nuclear science and technology were launched under the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme (2007 to 2011). They are the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGDTP) and the Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI). Both SNETP and IGDTP correspond with SET-Plan objectives.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a decision Recital 6 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(6c) In view of the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan resulting from the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March 2011, additional research work in the field of nuclear fission safety is necessary in order to reassure Union citizens that the safety of nuclear facilities based in the Union continues to meet the highest international standards. Such additional work requires an increase in the budget allocation for nuclear fission.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a decision Recital 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(9a) An agreement on additional funding of ITER solely through transfers of unused 2011 margins of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and without redeployments from the Seventh EU Framework Programme (2007-2013) to the Framework Programme (2012-2013) would allow for swift adoption of the programme in 2011.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a decision Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) The Council Conclusions on the need for skills in the nuclear field, adopted at its meeting held on 1 and 2 December 2008, recognise that it is essential to maintain within the Community a high level of training in the nuclear field.	(11) The Council Conclusions on the need for skills in the nuclear field, adopted at its meeting held on 1 and 2 December 2008, recognise that it is essential to maintain within the Community a high level of training, and proper working conditions, in the nuclear field.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a decision Recital 14 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(14a) The Commission, the European Council, the Council and the Member States are to start a process to amend the Euratom Treaty, strengthening its provisions on the information and co-legislation rights of the European Parliament on Euratom research and environmental protection issues in order to facilitate, inter alia, future budgetary procedures.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a decision Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) This Decision should establish, for the entire duration of the Framework Programme (2012-2013), a financial envelope that constitutes the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management, for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure.	(16) This Decision should establish, for the entire duration of the Framework Programme (2012-2013), a financial envelope that constitutes the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (IIA), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. To accommodate the Framework Programme (2012-2013) in the MFF for the years 2012 and 2013, it will be necessary to amend the MFF by increasing the ceiling of Heading 1a. If no other 2011 MFF margins are available to be transferred in 2012 and 2013, the Flexibility Instrument, as provided for in point 27 of the IIA, should be mobilised.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a decision Recital 16 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16a) For the 2014-2020 MFF, the financial resources dedicated to the ITER project should be fixed for the whole programming period so that any over-running of the costs beyond the EU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER construction period, currently planned to be finalised in 2020, should be financed outside the MFF ceilings ('ring fencing').
Amendment  11 Proposal for a decision Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18) The international and global dimension of European research activities is important with a view to obtain mutual benefits. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should be open to the participation of countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this effect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific cooperation.	(18) The international and global dimension of European research activities is important with a view to obtain mutual benefits. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should therefore on the one hand be open to the participation of countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this effect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific cooperation. On the other hand, this also means that, particularly with regard to the ITER project, the international partners should fully respect their financial obligations.
Amendment  12 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall pursue the general objectives set out in Article 1 and Article 2(a) of the Treaty, while contributing towards the creation of the Innovation Union and building on the European Research Area.	1. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall pursue the general objectives set out in Article 1 and Article 2(a) of the Treaty, placing particular emphasis on nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, while contributing towards the creation of the Innovation Union and building on the European Research Area.
Amendment  13 Proposal for a decision Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	2a. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall contribute to implementing the SET-plan. Its actions should take into account the Strategic Research Agenda of the three existing European technology platforms on nuclear energy: SNETP, IGDTP and MELODI.
Justification
More emphasis could be put on the need for coherence between the research and training activities to be pursued in 2012-2013 and the strategic research agendas of three major European cooperative initiatives which have been launched under the 7th Euratom framework program: the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative under SET-Plan (encompassing the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform – SNETP - and the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform - IGDTP) and the Multidisciplinary European Low-Dose Initiative (MELODI).
Amendment  14 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The maximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 560 270 000. This amount shall be distributed as follows (in EUR):	The maximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2 100 270 000. This amount shall be distributed as follows (in EUR):
Amendment  15 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– fusion energy research 2 208 809 000;	– fusion energy research 1 748 809 000;
Amendment  16 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– nuclear fission and radiation protection 118 245 000;	– nuclear fission, especially safety, improving the management of nuclear waste and radiation protection 118 245 000;
Amendment  17 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– nuclear activities of the JRC 233 216 000.	– nuclear activities of the JRC relating to nuclear safety, environmental protection and decommissioning 233 216 000
Amendment  18 Proposal for a decision Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Special attention shall be paid to the development of contractual arrangements that reduce the risk of failure to perform as well as the reallocation of risks and costs over time.
Amendment  19 Proposal for a decision Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	1a. Special attention shall be paid to initiatives ancillary to core nuclear research, in particular as regards investment in human capital and adequate working conditions and actions aimed at addressing the risk of skills shortages in the coming years.
Amendment  20 Proposal for a decision Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	2a. The Member States and the Commission shall establish a review of professional qualifications, training and skills in the nuclear field in the Union, which gives an overall picture of the current situation and enable appropriate solutions to be identified and implemented.
Amendment  21 Proposal for a decision Annex I – part I.A – point 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the Joint European Torus (JET) and other ITER-relevant magnetic confinement devices. It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER project choices, and prepare for ITER operation.	A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the Joint European Torus (JET) and other ITER-relevant magnetic confinement devices (including, potentially, via new experiments to be implemented and run in parallel with ITER). It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER project choices, and prepare for ITER operation.
Amendment  22 Proposal for a decision Annex I – part I.B – Objective
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Establishing a sound scientific and technical basis in order to accelerate practical developments for the safer management of long-lived radioactive waste, enhancing in particular the safety, resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy and ensuring a robust and socially acceptable system of protection of man and the environment against the effects of ionising radiation.	Establishing a sound scientific and technical basis in order to accelerate practical developments for the safer management of long-lived radioactive waste, enhancing in particular the safety, resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy and ensuring a robust and socially acceptable system of protection of man and the environment against the effects of ionising radiation. Special attention should be given to long-lived nuclear waste when decommissioning outdated systems.
Amendment  23 Proposal for a decision Annex I – part I.B – section 3 - point 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Support for the retention and further development of scientific competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers, engineers and employees in the nuclear sector over the longer term.	Continued support for the retention and development of qualified personnel required to maintain the nuclear independence of the Union and consistently ensure, and improve the level of, nuclear safety. It is crucial to keep nuclear expertise in the Union, as regards radioprotection and the dismantling of nuclear facilities, as nuclear energy will play a key role in the Union's energy mix, including decommissioning and long-life waste-management activities.
Amendment  24 Proposal for a decision Annex I – part II – section 2 - paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
To fulfil this goal, there is a clear need for developing knowledge, skills and competence to provide the required scientific state of the art independent and reliable expertise in support to the Union's policies in the domains of nuclear reactor and fuel cycles safety, nuclear safeguards and security. The customer driven support to the Union's policy underlined in the JRC's mission will be complemented with a proactive role within the European Research Area in undertaking high quality research activities in close contact with industry and other bodies and developing networks with public and private institutions in the Member States	To fulfil this goal, there is a clear need for developing knowledge, skills and competence to provide the required scientific state of the art independent and reliable expertise in support to the Union's policies in the domains of nuclear safeguards and security. The JRC's mission will be complemented with a proactive role within the European Research Area in undertaking high quality research activities in close contact with industry and other bodies and developing networks with public and private institutions in the Member States. Its role as the supplier of information to the public will be enhanced.
Amendment  25 Proposal for a decision Annex I – part II – section 3 – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Nuclear security, will further support the accomplishment of Community commitments, in particular development of methods for the control of the fuel cycle facilities, the implementation of the additional protocol including environmental sampling and integrated safeguards, and the prevention of the diversion of nuclear and radioactive materials associated with illicit trafficking of such materials including the nuclear forensics.	3. Nuclear security, will further support the accomplishment of Community commitments, in particular development of methods for the control of the fuel cycle facilities, the implementation of the additional protocol including environmental sampling and integrated safeguards, and the prevention of the diversion of nuclear and radioactive materials associated with illicit trafficking of such materials including the nuclear forensics. It is necessary to make use of optimal monitoring instruments of all civilian nuclear activities including transportation operations or storage location of any radioactive materials.
Amendment  26 Proposal for a decision Annex II – point 2 – point a – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Collaborative projects	1. Collaborative projects
Support for research projects carried out by consortia with participants from different countries, aiming to develop new knowledge, new technology, products or common resources for research. The size, scope and internal organisation of projects can vary from field to field and from topic to topic. Projects can range from small or medium-scale focused research actions to larger integrating projects that mobilise a significant volume of resources for achieving a defined objective. Support for the training and career development of researchers will be included in project work plans.	Support for research projects carried out by consortia with participants from different countries, aiming to develop new knowledge, new technology, products or common resources for research. The size, scope and internal organisation of projects can vary from field to field and from topic to topic. Projects can range from small or medium-scale focused research actions to larger integrating projects that mobilise a significant volume of resources for achieving a defined objective. Support for the training and career development of researchers will be included in project work plans. Standardisation activities will be included in project work programme.
Amendment  27 Proposal for a decision Annex II – point 2– point a – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3.Coordination and support actions	3. Coordination and support actions
Support for activities to coordinate coordinating or supporting research (networking, exchanges, trans-national access to research infrastructures, studies, conferences, contributions during construction of new infrastructure, etc.) or to promote the development of human resources (e.g. networking and setting up training schemes). These actions may also be implemented by means other than calls for proposals.	Support for activities to coordinate coordinating or supporting research (networking, exchanges, trans-national access to research infrastructures, studies, conferences, participation in standardisation bodies, contributions during construction of new infrastructure, etc.) or to promote the development of human resources (e.g. networking and setting up training schemes). These actions may also be implemented by means other than calls for proposals.
Amendment  28 Proposal for a decision Annex II – introduction – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	The management of European research funding should be more trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants at all stages of the projects, while ensuring accountability, with flexible Union rules to improve alignment, where possible, with existing different national regulations and recognised accounting practices.
Amendment  29 Proposal for a decision Annex II – introduction – paragraph 1 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	It is necessary to strike a balance between trust and control – between risk taking and the dangers that risk involves – in ensuring the sound financial management of Union research funds.

• [1]               COM (2011)0226.
• [2]               OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
• [3]               OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

On 7^th March 2011, the Commission released the legislative package of proposals for continuing the Euratom nuclear research and training activities during the years 2012 and 2013.

The legislative package consists of the draft Council Decisions for the Framework Programme, specific Programmes for direct and indirect actions, and rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the framework programme and for the dissemination of research results.

1. The Rapporteur welcomes and supports the general scheme of the proposal:

The legislative package aims to continue supporting R&D actions in the nuclear field carried out under the 7th Euratom Framework Programme (2007-2011). The proposals will only cover two years (2012-13), in accordance with the current financial perspectives (2007-2013) and in line with the timeframe of the EU 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013). 

Research co-funded by Euratom plays an important role in enhancing the safety, resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear fission and other uses of radiation in industry and medicine, and some of the research project are playing a key initiating role in the recently launched European Sustainable Nuclear  Industrial Initiative (ESNII), one of the six European industrial initiatives launched under the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-plan) in 2010. 

The proposals for the Euratom Framework Programme are clearly linked to the objectives of the Europe 2020 and Energy 2020 strategies. The programme will contribute to the Innovation Union flagship by supporting pre-commercial research and facilitating technology transfer process between academia and industry and to the Resource efficient Europe flagship by greatly increasing the overall sustainability of nuclear energy. By putting emphasis on training in all its activities, boosting competitiveness in the current nuclear industry and creating a new sector of high-tech industry for fusion energy in particular, the Euratom programme will lead to growth and new jobs in a wide range of disciplines.

2. The Rapporteur would like to emphasize here the following outlines figuring his main priorities:

Ø Fukushima aftermath

The Rapporteur is of the opinion that in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster Europe needs more nuclear research and development (R&D) not less. Regardless of the fact that some Member states have decided to phase-out the use of nuclear energy, it is important to continue the nuclear R&D on European level in order to enhance the safety of nuclear fission, to operate existing facilities, waste management, dismantling and decommissioning processes and other uses of radiation in industry and medicine, as well as to enhance nuclear security (nuclear safeguards, non-proliferation, combating illicit trafficking and nuclear forensics).

The joint European nuclear research and training are essential to foster the European competitiveness, economic growth and scientific excellence. Proper coordination and knowledge sharing could demonstrate the efficient implementation of R&D results in the nuclear power plants following a better understanding of the accidents’ phenomenology. Therefore, the EURATOM programme with emphasis on safety could be an asset for nuclear programmes in Europe, Russia and USA combined with continued rapid developments in the emerging economies (particular in Asia). This could eventually create a huge market for nuclear industries, where the European nuclear industry will benefit from the support by EURATOM activities and programmes to recover credibility in the level of the safety in the installations.

Ø Fission research

Nuclear energy has a significant role to play in realization of the objectives set out in the European Strategic Energy Plan (SET-Plan), i.e. reduced carbon emissions, increased security of supply, decreased dependence on delivery of energy sources from unstable world regions, and increased industrial competitiveness. Nuclear fission is currently supplying almost one third of Europe’s electricity.

The Rapporteur stresses the importance of the nuclear activities of the Joint Research center (JRC) in the fields of safeguards and non-proliferation, waste management, safety of nuclear installations and fuel cycle, radioactivity in the environment and radiation protection. To fulfil this goal, knowledge, skills and competence need to be continuously updated, in order to provide the required scientific state of the art expertise in the domains of nuclear reactor safety and nuclear security. All the activities foreseen for the JRC must be kept at the highest level.

In line with European Sustainable Nuclear Industry Initiative (ESNII) the Rapporteur deems essential the development of new technologies such as Generation -IV Fast Neutron Reactor technologies. Present day nuclear systems use less than 1% of the potential energy of the uranium resources. With Generation IV systems, aiming at higher safety and efficiency, the use of the uranium resources will be about 50 times more efficient and sufficient for thousands of years thus reducing the amount of radioactive waste, and sustaining the long-term contribution of nuclear power to a low-carbon economy.

Ø Fusion research

The Rapporteur considers that ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is a project with a clear European added-value and with important spill-over perspectives in terms of research and innovation. ITER research project is valuable as one of the possible future safe, sustainable, environmentally responsible, and economically viable energy sources for Europe and its financing should not be discontinued.

It’s important that financial reassurance is provided for ITER and its accompanying R&D programmes, including the JET facility, currently the largest world’s Tokamak situated in Culham Science Centre in United Kingdom. JET is integral to ensuring ITER is a success and ensuring ITER is delivered in a cost effective way (many of the materials and components for ITER are being tested in JET). The current contract for JET expires at the end of this year and a new one cannot be put in place until the Euratom FP 2012-2013 is adopted. With that in mind, it’s clearly important to ensure that funding will be forthcoming for JET in 2012 and to signal this as early as possible.

Ø Fusion/fission balance

The Rapporteur considers that however the case for continuing the research into fusion energy production is clear, the date by which it might reach the stage of commercial exploitation is not to be earlier than at the end of this century. In contrast nuclear fission energy systems are have already proven to perform reliably at commercial scale and new systems such as GEN IV promise safer, more resource efficient and less waste producing ways to meet the energy needs in the timeframe to 2050 and then to 2100.

The fission community can provide important inputs to fusion in several fields and vice versa the development of Generation IV fission systems assumes mastering technological challenges similar to those of ITER or of a fusion power plant. Bearing that in mind the synergies between fission and fusion research should continue to be pursued and appropriate schemes to detect and encourage joint research by the fission and fusion communities needs to be set up in the future framework programmes.

OPINION of the Committee on Budgets (22.9.2011)

for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 - 2013)
(COM(2011)0072 – C7‑0077/2011 – 2011/0046(NLE))

Rapporteur: Carl Haglund

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

The Rapporteur of the Committee on Budgets

- Takes the view that the ITER research project is valuable as one of the possible future energy sources for Europe and that its financing should not be discontinued;

- Considers that ITER is a project with a clear European added-value and that its European component should continue to be Community based, with important spill-over perspectives in terms of research and innovation;

- Observes that the project is now under way; welcomes the significant changes of the governance, control and audit structures of ITER and F4E over the last 12 months; expects the commitments of the ITER and F4E management vis-à-vis the Parliament to be implemented in due time; expects continued review of all processes with a view to creating a stable decision making environment of a cost effective management;

- Recommends that, on the basis of the overall cost of the EUR 6,6 billion ITER baseline for the construction phase, the funding should be ring fenced in order to guarantee the funding for ITER without jeopardising other EU priorities like the Framework programme for Research;

- Recommends that the funding should be released once the following criteria are met:

•   regular information to the Parliament and strong guarantees of transparency,

•   a clear roadmap of the project, including objectives and milestones, including ex-ante assessment and ex-post conformity checks,

•   regular reports on the project's financial needs, especially in the light of design modifications, raw material costs increases, changes to the ITER timeline due to the earthquake in Japan and its consequences for certain Japanese installation linked to the ITER project and difficulties encountered by the other ITER Parties,

•   alignment of F4E financial regulation with the position of the European Parliament expressed in the discharge report and the recommendations of the Court of Auditors, expressed in its opinion No 4/2008,

•   full transparency and access for the European Parliament to internal audit documentation;

- Reiterates its concerns about the non-transparent procedures employed in the re-calculation of the cost of the ITER project which involved the Commission, the Council and the member states, all represented at the ITER Council, while not consulting the European Parliament, whose participation, being one arm of the budgetary authority, is necessary for any decision-making processes concerning the funding of ITER;

- Urges the Commission, the European Council, the Council and the member states to start a process to amend the Euratom Treaty strengthening the treaty provisions on the information and co-legislation rights of the Parliament also on Euratom research issues to facilitate, inter alia, future budgetary procedures;

- Reminds that the Commission on 20 April 2011 presented a proposal based on points 21 to 23 of the current Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (IIA) which will serve as the basis for negotiations; affirms that an agreement on the funding of ITER through additional transfers to Heading 1a of the MFF would allow for swift adoption of the Euratom research programme in 2011;

- Is strongly of the opinion that the additional financing of ITER cannot be solved through re-deployments within Heading 1a by cutting FP7 funding by EUR 100 million in 2012 and by EUR 360 million in 2013, as this would significantly reduce the contributions of FP7 for achieving the headline goals and implementing the flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy;

- Strives to make visible the determination to protect the FP7 funding; sees no other solution for this than provisionally cutting the ITER funding by EUR 460 million in 2012 and 2013 in order to clearly set the position of the Parliament and, thus, to foster inter-institutional negotiations to come to an mutually acceptable agreement on the full financing of ITER in 2012 and 2013 as soon as possible;

- Indicates its readiness to negotiate with the Commission and the Council on a supplementary amendment of the MFF for the years 2012 and 2013 increasing the ceiling of Heading 1a in 2012 and 2013 for the financing of ITER on the basis of the Commission proposal of 20 April 2011 based of Points 21 to 23 of the current IIA;

- Stresses the specific importance of avoiding any conflict of interests of persons involved in the management structures of ITER and F4E with contractors of the project;

- Expresses its disagreement with the Commission position of waiving an impact assessment also in a situation in which the overall annual funding of the programme is proposed to double in comparison to the 2007-2011 programme which must be seen as a substantial change;

- Stresses the need for a strengthening of the aspects of nuclear safety and radiation protection, thus demanding an re-deployment of appropriations to nuclear safety and radiation protection while respecting the overall ceiling of the programme proposed by the Commission;

- Affirms the importance also of the international partners of the ITER project to fully contribute financially and in kind to the ITER project in respect of their obligations under the international ITER agreement;

- Emphasizes that any decision of the legislative authority in favour of the Euratom Framework Programme shall be without prejudice of the decisions of the budgetary authority in the context of the annual budgetary procedure.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	1a. Considers that the prime reference amount set in the legislative proposal is not compatible with the ceiling of Heading 1a of the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007-13 (MFF); takes note of the proposal of the Commission of 20.04.2011 (COM (2011)0226) to revise the current MFF on the basis of points 21 to 23 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (IIA) in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen funding for ITER for the years 2012-2013; is willing to enter into negotiations with the other arm of the budgetary authority, on the basis of all the means provided in the IIA, with a view to reaching a swift agreement on the financing of the Euratom research programme by the end of 2011; recalls its opposition to any form of redeployment from the Seventh Framework Programme for research as proposed in the above-mentioned Commission proposal;
Amendment  2 Proposal for a decision Recital 14 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(14a) The Commission, the European Council, the Council and the Member States are to start a process to amend the Euratom Treaty, strengthening its provisions on the information and co-legislation rights of the European Parliament on Euratom research issues in order to facilitate, inter alia, future budgetary procedures.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a decision Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) This Decision should establish, for the entire duration of the Framework Programme (2012-2013), a financial envelope that constitutes the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management, for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure;	(16) This Decision should establish, for the entire duration of the Framework Programme (2012-2013), a financial envelope that constitutes the prime reference, within the meaning of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (IIA), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure. On 20 April 2011, the Commission tabled a proposal (COM (2011)0206) to revise the current MFF 2007-13 on the basis of points 21 to 23 of the IIA, in order to accommodate the additional unforeseen additional funding needs for ITER for the years 2012-2013 by raising the ceiling of Heading 1a. That proposal should serve as a basis for an agreement between the two arms of the budgetary authority which should be concluded with recourse to all the means provided in the IIA and without deployments from the Seventh Framework Programme for Research to the Euratom Framework Programme;
Amendment  4 Proposal for a decision Recital 16 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16a) For the 2014-2020 MFF, the financial resources dedicated to the ITER project should be fixed for the whole programming period so that any over-running of the costs beyond the EU share of EUR 6.6 billion for the ITER construction period, currently planned to be finalised in 2020, should be financed outside the MFF ceilings (‘ring fencing’);
Amendment  5 Proposal for a decision Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18) The international and global dimension of European research activities is important with a view to obtain mutual benefits. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should be open to the participation of countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this effect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific cooperation.	(18) The international and global dimension of European research activities is important with a view to obtain mutual benefits. The Framework Programme (2012-2013) should therefore on the one hand be open to the participation of countries that have concluded the necessary agreements to this effect, and should also be open, at project level and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific cooperation. On the other hand, this also means that, particularly with regard to the ITER project, the international partners must fully respect their financial obligations.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The maximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2.560.270.000. This amount shall be distributed as follows (in EUR):	The maximum amount for the implementation of the Framework Programme (2012-2013) shall be EUR 2.100.270.000. This amount shall be distributed as follows (in EUR):
Amendment  7 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– fusion energy research 2.208.809.000;	– fusion energy research 1.748.809.000; these figures include the necessary funds for the continuation of the JET programme in Culham;
Amendment  8 Proposal for a decision Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
– nuclear fission and radiation protection 118.245.000;	– nuclear fission, especially safety, improving the management of nuclear waste and radiation protection 118.245.000;

RESULT OF FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE

Date adopted	22.9.2011
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	19 0 1
Members present for the final vote	Francesca Balzani, Reimer Böge, James Elles, Göran Färm, Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, Ivars Godmanis, Carl Haglund, Lucas Hartong, Jutta Haug, Monika Hohlmeier, Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska, Anne E. Jensen, Sergej Kozlík, Jan Kozłowski, Giovanni La Via, Vladimír Maňka, Barbara Matera, Angelika Werthmann
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Jan Mulder
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Kinga Gál

RESULT OF FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE

Date adopted	6.10.2011
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	41 6 0
Members present for the final vote	Jean-Pierre Audy, Ivo Belet, Bendt Bendtsen, Jan Březina, Maria Da Graça Carvalho, Giles Chichester, Christian Ehler, Ioan Enciu, Vicky Ford, Gaston Franco, Adam Gierek, Norbert Glante, Fiona Hall, Jacky Hénin, Edit Herczog, Romana Jordan Cizelj, Krišjānis Kariņš, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Béla Kovács, Bogdan Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Marisa Matias, Judith A. Merkies, Jaroslav Paška, Miloslav Ransdorf, Herbert Reul, Jens Rohde, Paul Rübig, Amalia Sartori, Francisco Sosa Wagner, Konrad Szymański, Michael Theurer, Evžen Tošenovský, Ioannis A. Tsoukalas, Claude Turmes, Niki Tzavela, Marita Ulvskog, Vladimir Urutchev, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Henri Weber
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Antonio Cancian, Jolanta Emilia Hibner, Yannick Jadot, Werner Langen, Vladko Todorov Panayotov, Mario Pirillo, Catherine Trautmann
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Werner Schulz