WRITTEN QUESTION E-1197/00 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission. The Consultative Group on International Research.
6. 3. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 72 E/27 creating the proper training tools and mechanisms (pilot projects) for setting-up training schemes. These may help enhance aptitudes and skills and facilitate a successful reintegration of workers into working life. (1) OJ L 193, 31. 7. 1993. (2001/C 72 E/029) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1197/00 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission Subject: The Consultative Group on International Research (12 April 2000) The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), established in 1971, is an informal association of fifty-eight public and private sector members that supports a network of sixteen international agricultural research centres. CGIARís mission is to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research, partnership, capacity building, and policy support. The CGIAR promotes sustainable agricultural development based on the environmentally sound manage- ment of natural resources. The European Commission has been an important long-term provider of financial support to the CGIAR but that funding was suspended in 1999 and the Commission is at present engaged in a review of its future funding support for the CGIAR. Taking into account this review: 1. Does the Commission recognise the valuable contributions that the international research centres, supported by the Consultative Group on International Research, have made to averting famine and improving rural livelihoods in less developed countries? 2. 3. 4. 5. Is the Commission aware of a recent review of the CGIAR by a distinguished international panel, under the chairmanship of the President of the Earth Council, Maurice Strong, that concluded that the CGIAR represented the ábest investment in development assistance bar noneí? Is the Commission aware that CGIAR is in the process of redefining its programmes to focus more directly on the agricultural and natural resource research needs of the poorest of the poor? Is the Commission aware that the on-the-ground presence of CGIAR scientists in developing countries working in partnership with local scientists gives the CGIAR a unique capacity to provide research support to national research systems and the farmers who depend upon them? Is the Commission aware of the increased commitment of the CGIAR to work on fisheries, livestock, forestry and agroforestry, all of which are areas with great potential benefits for poor people and their environments? If the Commission is aware of all these facts is the Commission willing to: 6. 7. 8. Fully recognise the unique and invaluable role of the CGIAR in addressing EU development assistance priorities of poverty reduction, better food security and environmental protection in developing countries? Inform the European Parliament when and by what means funding of CGIAR Centres will be resumed? Examine the possibility of increasing the level of this support and ensuring that commitments are made on a multi-year basis? Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission (3 July 2000) The Commission is a long-standing partner and donor of the Consultative group on international agricultural research (CGIAR) and is actively involved in the development of the system. It is therefore naturally aware of both the CGIARís contribution to agricultural research and the recent developments to which the Honourable Member refers. C 72 E/28 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 6. 3. 2001 Due to its outstanding contribution in support of the basic development objectives (poverty alleviation, food security and sustainable natural resources management), the Commission considers investment in the CGIAR as highly profitable. While the Commission recognises the important contribution of the CGIAR system in addressing key development objectives, it nevertheless would wish the CGIAR to make progress in the formulation of the systemís broad vision for the period 2005-2010 and the design of structural changes and new partnerships to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The Commission, meanwhile, is in the process of defining a coherent strategy in support of agricultural research, taking into account the comparative advantages of the various players, including the CGIAR. A financing proposal for a three year programme in support of the CGIAR is currently under appraisal. The financial envelope for the first year (2000) amounts to € 20 million. There is no intention, at this stage, to increase the present funding level. In fact, the Commission plans to maintain the current focus on the CGIAR system with regard to the global level. At the same time the Commission puts a lot of emphasis at the regional and sub-regional levels (where it will continue to assist the national research systems and their regional bodies through regional collaborative research pro- grammes. This second focus proves to be very effective in forging partnerships between the CGIAR and regions. (2001/C 72 E/030) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1199/00 by Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: Medicines administered to children Statistics published by the authoritative British Medical Journal show that 67 % of children in general paediatric wards are given at least one prescription for drugs which does not meet the criteria for which the drug was licensed. According to the Mario Negrií pharmacological research centre, this percentage can be as high as 86 % in Italy. In view of this, can the Commission say what steps it intends to take or might envisage to tackle this serious problem affecting children? Can it also say whether any research is planned to improve scientific knowledge, so as to ensure efficiency and safety and a more rational use of drugs administered to children? Finally, can the Commission say whether it is possible to promote and defend the right of children to be treated with drugs in accordance with áevidence-based medicineí? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (29 June 2000) The Commission is well aware of the matters the Honourable Member has raised. This is indeed a serious problem, concerning not only children but the whole population. It is true that in the vast majority of cases, and in most areas of therapy, the medicines administered to children do not exist in a specially adapted pharmaceutical form and have not been the subject of clinical studies geared towards that category of patients. Nor do marketing authorisations make specific mention of administration to children. Yet the fact is that the criteria of efficacy and safety of medicinal products, and their rational use, must also apply to medicines administered to children. As for the Community research effort, two activities under the Quality of life and management of living resourcesí specific programme of the therapeutic arsenal is used to maximum effect in health care. the Fifth Framework Programme are intended to ensure that