Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) and multiannual technical guidelines: advisory groups and technical groups

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Jerzy BUZEK (EPP, PL) on the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision 2008/376/EC on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme.

It recommended that Parliament adopt the following amendments to the Commission proposal:

Research projects: those research projects to which preference will be given include the following: projects on: (a) the impact on the employment of workers and the local community of operations for mining; (b) the impact on the health and safety of workers and of the local community of operations for mining.

Tasks of the Advisory Groups: the report stated that the Advisory Groups will advise the Commission on tasks that include assessment of finalised projects, including further support measures to ensure their continuity and the long-term viability of coal and steel production in the areas concerned. Advisory Groups shall act individually and shall not represent an individual stakeholder. They shall be active in the field concerned and be aware of the industrial and sectoral priorities.

Appointment of independent and highly qualified experts: for the appointment of independent and highly qualified experts, the provisions set out in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council shall apply by analogy together with, for expert groups as a whole, the Commission Decision of 30 May 2016 on establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups and a forthcoming European Parliament resolution on Control of the Register and composition of the Commission’s expert groups.