The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP-ED, ES) on implementing the Community Lisbon Programme. Pointing out that Europe is still lagging behind the USA and Japan on growth, research and productivity, the report proposed ways to change this, including promoting entrepreneurship, providing adequate research funding and pooling existing knowledge. Other demands made by the committee included: stronger support for European researchers, especially at the start of their careers, the creation of a single market for scientists, improved employment conditions for scientists, measures to stem the brain drain and to foster a culture which celebrates innovation, European prizes for innovation, regional zones of innovation and networking of zones in different regions and countries. MEPs also called for sweeping reform of the EU's state aid rules, shifting subsidies from big, ailing companies to small and innovative businesses. Lastly, they proposed the implementation of a tax credit system to encourage the service sector to take an interest in research findings and their utilisation.