31. 12. %94 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 361/25 COUNCIL DECISION of 15 December 1994 adopting a specific programme of research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of biotechnology (1994 to 1998) (94/912/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130 i (4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Parliament (2), European Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas by Decision No 1110/94 EC (4), the European Parliament and the Council adopted a fourth framework programme for Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) for the period 1994 to 1998 specifying inter alia the activities to be carried out in the field of biotechnology; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; Whereas Article 130i (3) of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity under the framework programme and that each specific programme shall define the detailed rules for its implementation, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary; Whereas the amount deemed necessary for carrying out this programme is ECU 522 million; whereas the appropriations for each financial year shall be laid down by the budgetary authority, subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of Decision No 1110/94/EC; . Whereas research in biotechnology may lead to improvements in agricultural and industrial efficiency and viability, to more protection ‘of the environment and health and a better quality of consumer products; (1) OJ No C 228, 17. 8. 1994, p. 107. (2) O] No C 341, 5. 12. 1994. (3) Opinion delivered on 14 September 1994 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) OJ No L 126, 18. 5. 1994, p. 1. Whereas agriculture should benefit from biotechnology spin-offs to maintain its productivity levels, whilst preferring technical solutions in order to diversify products, reduce environmental impacts, and favour partnerships with European enterprises; Whereas this programme may make a significant contribution to the stimulation of sustainable growth, to the strengthening of competitiveness and to the development of employment in the Community, as indicated in the White Paper on ‘Growth, competitiveness and employment’; Whereas the content of the fourth framework programme for Community RTD activities was established in accordance with the subsidiarity principle; whereas this specific programme specifies the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of biotechnology; Whereas Decision No 1110/94/EC lays down that a Community action is justified if, inter alia, Tesearch contributes to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and the promotion of its overall harmonious development, -while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives; Whereas the Community should only support RTD activities of high quality; whereas the implementation of this programme should be directed towards strategic and, where possible, measurable aims with a view to facilitating coordination with programmes in the Member States and evaluation of the present programme; Whereas basic research in biotechnology must be encouraged throughout the Community because it provides a source of innovation offering a large range of scientific opportunities to meet the real needs of society; Whereas the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres (including the Joint Research Centre (JRC)) and universities and the rules governing the dissemination of research results specified in the measures provided for in Article 130j of the Treaty apply to this specific programme;