The Austrian Minister and current chairman of the Agriculture Council, Josef Proell, has asked European member states and the Commission for a “clear mandate” to define a new common strategy for research in the sector. The definition of this strategy will be assigned to the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research . “The lack of cooperation and coordination in the sector of research and development must now be recognized – said Proell – and this gives rise to the need for a common approach to the matter”. During an informal meeting of the Council in early June, European Ministers agreed on a principle that ought to represent the foundation for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2013 onwards: investments in European rural zones ought to be equivalent to those for research, development, training and consultancy in the sector. As regards more specifically innovation of the methods of cultivation, production and marketing, the Council unanimously expressed itself in favour of a system of evaluation of the performances of innovative projects. For further information, consult the website: a target=’_blanck’ href=http://www.eu2006.athttp://www.eu2006.at
