Cooperation in agriculture-related research: Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 20 February

Brussels, 21 February 2006

08th Council Meeting - Agriculture and Fisheries. Brussels, 20 February 2006
Provisional version

Commissioner Fischer-Boel informed the Council on progress resulting from the SCAR (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research) activities. The Netherlands delegation thanked the Commissioner for the information provided and welcomed the comprehensive report drawn up by the SCAR.

The Presidency recalled the delegations that the informal meeting of the Agriculture Ministers (Krems, 28 to 30 May 2006) under the Austrian Presidency, would examine some aspects of agriculture and research (transfer of know-how, etc.).

During the Netherlands Presidency a report was drawn up that emphasized the need for increased coordination of agriculture research activities at European level and that this coordination should be implemented through a high level platform, e.g. the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research (SCAR).

The work has advanced in realising a common research agenda, mapping agricultural research capacities and the creation of a website.

In the context of the 7th Framework Programme the SCAR has prepared a working paper on research infrastructures for the agricultural sector.