FP5 Theme 1 - "Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources"

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Background Information

Important notice. This information is presented for general information only. Although based on EC documents, it is not official and should not be used for proposal preparation. The official version will be/is available in electronic and printed form from the date of the first call by contacting the Programme Information desk. or via the CORDIS web site (see above).

Neither the European Commission nor any person or organisation (including CPL Scientific Ltd) acting on behalf of the Commission can be held responsible for the use that might be made of the information contained herein.

Introduction In view of the complex, multifaceted and multidisciplinary nature of the problems presented in the Key Actions and generic activities of the LIFE programme and in view of the rapidity of scientific and technological developments in the life sciences: the primary focus is on a limited range of targeted, key problems, each having a number of clear objectives and measurable deliverables. Hence, the programme is built around six specific Key Actions:

1. Food, Nutrition and Health
2. Control of Infectious Diseases
3. The "Cell Factory"
4. Environment and Health
5. Sustainable Agriculture
6. The Ageing Population and Disabilities

Key actions are mission oriented and targeted towards more immediate policy objectives of improving the competitiveness of European industry and enhancing the quality of life of the EU citizen. The Key Actions focus on socio-economic and market needs in areas such as improving our food, controlling disease, harnessing the power of the biological cell, the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries, and a healthy and independent old age. A unique characteristic of key actions is an ability to respond to the common needs of cross-linked Community policy objectives such as those in agriculture and fisheries, industry, environment, and in the field of health.

The capacity of key actions to meet emerging socio-economic challenges must remain in sharp focus as the RTD projects progress. This capacity will depend on the extent to which, from the start of the programme, the synergistic effects of different projects pointing to solutions of these challenges can be recognised and promoted. Therefore, proposals will also be invited from appropriate disciplines in the social sciences to catalyse the links between the Life Sciences and society.

The Theme includes also generic activities that aim to build up the knowledge base in identified areas of strategic importance for the future in relation to genomes, the science of the brain, public health, chronic diseases, and socio-economic and ethical issues surrounding biosciences.

Supporting these actions and intrinsic to the programme are further activities covering infrastructures, dissemination and exploitation of results, and training, with an increased role for the involvement of small and medium enterprises, and the aspect of entrepreneurship.

Of relevance to NF-2000 activities. The following aspects of the six Key actions can be singled out as of particular relevance to the Non-Food area, with a continuation of previous (FAIR) objectives focused in Key action five, area 2.

Key action five covers: Sustainable Agriculture, fisheries and Forestry, and integrated development of rural areas including mountain areas. The objectives and deliverables are defined by the EC as follows:

"The aim is to improve the quality of life through the sustainable production and rational utilisation of natural resources, with a special emphasis on new technologies, including biotechnology. Research applicants should consider the European Challenges in their area and how their proposals directly address them and are capable of meeting them. A multidisciplinary approach is encouraged where possible, with the environmental, social and economic effects considered. The end users should as far as possible be involved and consideration given to the dissemination of results and information."

Key strands are:
Competitiveness with its direct implications for

• employment and conditions in rural and other relevant areas;

• reduction of the vulnerability of the relevant sectors through diversification;

• the response to societal demands for sound environmental practices and

• the sustainable production of renewable resources.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policies (CFP) Research will contribute to support the implementation of the evolving CAP and CFP, and their adaptation to the limited availability of natural resources, the evolving societal needs and demands, the evolving world trade situation and globalisation of markets and the EU enlargement. It will also support the implementation of international commitments and Community measures on the protection and sustainable management of forests and other living resources. The anticipated deliverables of this sector are:

• objective information in support of farming, fishing and forestry production systems, of integrated rural development, of policy orientations and Community measures;

• tools and methods to foster, assess, measure and monitor competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, improvements of products quality and employment prospective;

• tools and methods to anticipate the need for adaptation of policy instruments, to implement and monitor these instruments, to foster integrated rural development; and to reduce negative impacts on the environment or to enhance societal benefits of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors;

• the assessment of the effectiveness of these tools, methods and policy instruments.

Sustainable management and utilisation of biological resources: Research will integrate disciplines encompassing current and future market requirements, processes and production practices in order to realise to the fullest extend the economic, social and environmental benefits arising from the sustainable management and utilisation of biological resources. The anticipated deliverables of this section are:

• provision of integrated systems of sustainable production and clean and efficient process technologies which will lead to the delivery of new or improved products with high-value added and lower impact on the environment.
• expansion of the production and use base of biological raw materials where, by integrating raw materials production with industrial and market needs, will contribute to the realisation of diverse and versatile markets.

Farm based products and renewable materials complying with consumer well-being and quality requirements. Research will focus on factors affecting the delivery of high quality products considering all aspects of production and processing. Final product characteristics, safety aspects and market requirements will also be addressed. The anticipated deliverables are

• better the scientific and technological basis for the development of new or improved products
• detailed data on life cycle and recyclability
• cost analysis
• safety and product performance.

These objectives will be achieved through a programme in which this key action is divided into several areas of activity. These include:

See also:
Theme 1 Key action 5. - Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and integrated development for rural areas
Theme 1 Key action 5. Area 2 - biological materials for non-food uses
Theme 1 Key action 5. Area 3 - Forestry and the integrated forestry-wood chain
Theme 1 Key action 5. Area 1 - New and sustainable systems of production
Key Action 3 - The "Cell Factory"

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General Information

• Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Help Desk BELGIUM