opinion parliamentary committee draft, 15 January 2026
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF’), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities, repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/522, (EU) 2021/694, , (EU) 2021/697, (EU) 2021/783, and amending Regulations (EU) 2021/696, (EU) 2023/588, (EU)
Document AGRI-PA-782312 · (COM(2025)0555 – C100165/2025 – 2025/0555(COD))
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Carlo Fidanza
AI:In short
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal for a regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund. It wants food security and food sovereignty recognised as strategic Union priorities with dedicated resources. It seeks minimum funding of EUR 5 billion for water resilience in agriculture, EUR 10 billion for agricultural digitalisation and EUR 20 billion for stockpiling of agricultural products and critical inputs. It asks for binding earmarking of a guaranteed share for agriculture, food security and the agri-food value chain, and safeguards so rural and primary sectors are not disadvantaged. It proposes simplified procedures, capacity-building and higher co-financing rates so farmers, cooperatives, farmers' organisations and rural SMEs can access the Fund. It would rename the relevant policy window to include food, and add agriculture, food and bioeconomy to the Fund's objectives and governance.
Position. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal, asking for food security and food sovereignty as strategic priorities, dedicated minimum funding for water resilience, digitalisation and stockpiling in agriculture, binding earmarking and safeguards for farmers and rural SMEs.
Key points
- Food security and food sovereignty should be strategic Union priorities within the Competitiveness Fund, with dedicated and clearly identified resources.
- The Fund should finance projects of European interest for the resilience of the agri-food system, especially water resilience, water storage and sustainable water management.
- It should structurally support digitalisation of agriculture, precision farming, digital services, decision-support systems and data infrastructures.
- Dedicated resources should go to strategic storage capacities for agricultural products and essential raw materials to strengthen food security.
- The Fund should integrate food security, food sovereignty and competitiveness coherently, with inclusive governance and dedicated resources for agriculture and the agri-food sector.
- A guaranteed share of funding should be allocated to agriculture, food security and the agri-food value chain through binding earmarking.
- Minimum amounts should be reserved: EUR 5 billion for water resilience in agriculture, EUR 10 billion for agricultural digitalisation and EUR 20 billion for agricultural stockpiling.
- Formal safeguards should ensure visibility, prioritisation and adequate resourcing of rural and primary sectors, and funding for agriculture should remain proportionate to other sectors in 2028–2034.
- Farmers, cooperatives, farmers' organisations and rural SMEs should get capacity-building, simplified procedures, lump-sum grants, networking instruments and higher co-financing rates.
- Projects under the health, biotech, agriculture, food and bioeconomy window should use a balanced multi-actor approach with equitable participation of farmers and rural actors.
- The Fund's objectives should cover agri-food supply chains, strategic agricultural inputs, water and food logistics infrastructure, and skills for agriculture and agrifood.
- The policy window should be renamed Health, Biotech, Agriculture, Food and Bioeconomy, and the committee name changed accordingly.
Who is affected
- Farmers, cooperatives, farmers' organisations and rural SMEs, who would get simplified procedures, capacity-building and higher co-financing rates.
- The agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, forestry and rural and coastal sectors, whose competitiveness, resilience and food security role the Fund should support.
- The agri-food value chain, which should be included in critical value chains, strategic inputs and bio-based solutions.
- Rural and remote areas, which should benefit from digital connectivity, digitalisation and reduced structural digital divides.
- The Commission, which should provide support mechanisms, simplified procedures and coherence between Union and national implementation for agriculture and rural areas.
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 20 393 000 000 for the specific objectives in Article 3(2), point (b), of which a minimum of EUR 5 billion for water resilience in agriculture.
- EUR 51 493 000 000 for the specific objectives in Article 3(2), point (c), of which a minimum of EUR 10 billion for digitalisation in the agricultural sector.
- EUR 125 204 000 000 for the specific objectives in Article 3(2), point (d), of which a minimum of EUR 20 billion for stockpiling strategy in the agricultural sector.
- Union support may cover up to 100% of eligible costs for actions referred to in Article 44(1), point (c).
- In the programming period 2028–2034, funding for agriculture and food security under the second pillar should remain proportionate to other policy sectors.
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 25 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
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Short justification 399 paragraphs
Alongside income support provided through the earmarked budget chapter within the Single Fund and the flexibilities granted to Member States to strengthen the CAP budget, safeguarding the common nature of the Common Agricultural Policy requires a decisive strengthening of the European dimension of interventions. In this context, food security and food sovereignty must be recognised as strategic priorities for the Union and, as such, require a specific approach within the Competitiveness Fund of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), supported by dedicated and clearly identified resources.
The Competitiveness Fund represents the most appropriate instrument to finance projects of European interest that go beyond the intervention capacity of individual Member States and are essential to strengthening the overall resilience of the Union’s agri-food system. In particular, targeted investments in water resilience are needed, including actions aimed at increasing storage capacity and ensuring the sustainable management of water resources, improving the efficiency of irrigation systems, and guaranteeing the availability of sufficient quantities of water of adequate quality. Such investments are an indispensable condition for safeguarding agricultural production and European agri-food excellence in a context of growing climate pressures.
At the same time, the Competitiveness Fund should provide structural support for the digitalisation of the agricultural sector, as a key lever to enhance environmental sustainability, productive efficiency and the adaptive capacity of farms. European investments in precision agriculture, digital services, decision-support systems and data infrastructures would make it possible to reduce the use of production inputs, optimise natural resources and ensure equitable access to innovation across all EU territories, thereby avoiding new forms of fragmentation.
Finally, it is strategic to allocate, within the Competitiveness Fund, dedicated resources to the development of strategic storage capacities for agricultural products and essential raw materials. Such investments would concretely strengthen the Union’s food security, reduce dependence on external suppliers and increase the EU’s ability to respond to sudden crises. In an increasingly unstable geopolitical context, the availability and control of food resources constitute a central element of economic resilience and of the Union’s overall security and defence capacity.
In conclusion, integrating objectives and instruments dedicated to food security and food sovereignty within the Competitiveness Fund of the MFF is essential to preserve the common nature of the CAP, strengthen the Union’s strategic autonomy, and ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the European agri-food system.
AMENDMENT
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) The Union is facing a defining period for its future, from a political, economic, social, environmental, climate and security perspective, including increased risks of conventional military threats. The Draghi report on the future of European Competitiveness3 presented a new vision to reignite sustainable growth in Europe. The Letta report4 outlined that Europe must leverage its Single Market to achieve a leadership position in the global competition. The Commission communication on the Competitiveness Compass5 provided a roadmap for boosting competitiveness, building on the recommendations of these reports. The Commission communication on the Clean Industrial Deal6 outlined the need to accelerate decarbonisation, reindustrialisation and innovation, bringing together climate action and competitiveness under one overarching growth. Sectorial Industrial Action Plans, such as Automotive, Steel and Metals and Chemicals aim to ensure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the European industry. The State of the Digital decade 20257 highlights the urgent need to foster cooperation and increase public and private investments for strengthening Union’s digital leadership, sovereignty and inclusiveness. The Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness8 underlines the need to massively and rapidly reinvest in defence in support of Europe’s freedom of action. Moreover, the priorities of the Economic Security Strategy further underline the crucial need to secure the Union’s technological edge and de-risk economic relations including by enhancing the resilience of supply chains and thereby reducing dependencies on others. The European Ocean Pact outlines the need to enhance competitiveness and accelerate the strategic transition across the blue economy sectors, focussing especially on decarbonisation and scaling up innovation. As outlined in the Commission Communication on the Road to the next MFF,9 the next Union long-term budget needs to be more focused, simpler, more flexible, and predictable and better deliver on the Union priorities, including bolstering the Union competitiveness. | (2) The Union is facing a defining period for its future, from a political, economic, social, environmental, climate and security perspective, including increased risks of conventional military threats. The Draghi report on the future of European Competitiveness3 presented a new vision to reignite sustainable growth in Europe. The Letta report4 outlined that Europe must leverage its Single Market to achieve a leadership position in the global competition. The Commission communication on the Competitiveness Compass5 provided a roadmap for boosting competitiveness, building on the recommendations of these reports. The Commission communication on the Clean Industrial Deal6 outlined the need to accelerate decarbonisation, reindustrialisation and innovation, bringing together competitiveness under one overarching growth. Sectorial Industrial Action Plans, such as Automotive, Steel and Metals and Chemicals aim to ensure the long-term competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the European industry. The State of the Digital decade 20257 highlights the urgent need to foster cooperation and increase public and private investments for strengthening Union’s digital leadership, sovereignty and inclusiveness. The Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness8 underlines the need to massively and rapidly reinvest in defence in support of Europe’s freedom of action. Moreover, the priorities of the Economic Security Strategy further underline the crucial need to secure the Union’s technological edge and de-risk economic relations including by enhancing the resilience of supply chains and thereby reducing dependencies on others. The European Ocean Pact outlines the need to enhance competitiveness and accelerate the strategic transition across the blue economy sectors, focussing especially on decarbonisation and scaling up innovation. As outlined in the Commission Communication on the Road to the next MFF,9 the next Union long-term budget needs to be more focused, simpler, more flexible, and predictable and better deliver on the Union priorities, including bolstering the Union competitiveness. |
| 3 The future of European competitiveness: Report by Mario Draghi, September 2024, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en | 3 The future of European competitiveness: Report by Mario Draghi, September 2024, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/draghi-report_en |
| 4 Enrico Letta's Report on the Future of the Single Market, April 2024, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ny3j24sm/much-more-than-a-market-report-by-enrico-letta.pdf. | 4 Enrico Letta's Report on the Future of the Single Market, April 2024, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ny3j24sm/much-more-than-a-market-report-by-enrico-letta.pdf. |
| 5 Competitiveness compass - European Commission | 5 Competitiveness compass - European Commission |
| 6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final, 26.2.2025. | 6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation, COM(2025) 85 final, 26.2.2025. |
| 7 COM(2025) 290 final State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future. | 7 COM(2025) 290 final State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future. |
| 8 Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’, JOIN(2023) 20 final, 20.6.2023. | 8 Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council and the Council on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’, JOIN(2023) 20 final, 20.6.2023. |
| 9 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The road to the next multiannual financial framework, COM(2025) 46 final, 11.2.2025. | 9 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The road to the next multiannual financial framework, COM(2025) 46 final, 11.2.2025. |
Or. en
Read the rest (387 paragraphs)
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3) To regain and reinforce its competitive edge, it is essential that the Union revives the innovation cycle by developing its disruptive innovation capacity and investing in emerging, cutting-edge and strategic technologies with significant economic potential. To ensure its autonomy in the global economy, the Union should guarantee its technological and industrial leadership in strategic sectors, starting with critical raw materials supply chains, to develop and manufacture strategic technologies in Europe, as well as mitigate risks affecting its security and resilience emanating from critical external dependencies. This can be done by addressing market failures and suboptimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner and without crowding out private funding, considering the high investment needs for delivering on Union priorities, including for decarbonisation and the digital transition. Greater emphasis should be put on leveraging private sector participation by improving the use of risk-sharing mechanisms between Union funds and private investors, to ensure an efficient use of public funding. This will build upon and further amplify the impact of the progress achieved on the Savings and Investment Union, which will provide the necessary regulatory landscape for private investments to thrive. The use of any additional national resources is without prejudice to the application of Articles 107 and 108 TFEU. | (3) To regain and reinforce its competitive edge, it is essential that the Union revives the innovation cycle by developing its disruptive innovation capacity and investing in emerging, cutting-edge and strategic technologies with significant economic potential. To ensure its autonomy in the global economy, the Union should guarantee its technological and industrial leadership in strategic sectors, starting with critical raw materials supply chains, including agri-food value chains, to develop and manufacture strategic technologies in Europe, as well as mitigate risks affecting its security and resilience emanating from critical external dependencies. This can be done by addressing market failures and suboptimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner and without crowding out private funding, considering the high investment needs for delivering on Union priorities, including for decarbonisation and the digital transition. Greater emphasis should be put on leveraging private sector participation by improving the use of risk-sharing mechanisms between Union funds and private investors, to ensure an efficient use of public funding. This will build upon and further amplify the impact of the progress achieved on the Savings and Investment Union, which will provide the necessary regulatory landscape for private investments to thrive. The use of any additional national resources is without prejudice to the application of Articles 107 and 108 TFEU. |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (6) Digital connectivity is crucial to foster collaboration within the ecosystem, accelerating innovation, enabling seamless and secure access to critical digital capacities and solutions across the Union, facilitating cross-border public-private partnerships, and fostering interoperability and cost-effectiveness. | (6) Digital connectivity is crucial to foster collaboration within the ecosystem, accelerating innovation, enabling seamless and secure access to critical digital capacities and solutions across the Union, facilitating cross-border public-private partnerships, and fostering interoperability and cost-effectiveness, including by addressing the persistent connectivity gaps affecting rural and agricultural areas, which limit competitiveness, innovation capacity and digital uptake of the agri-food sector. |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (8) In the EU, persistent disparities in competitiveness and innovation performance across regions continue to exist. After sustained efforts at both EU and national level to close the innovation gap, it is time to unlock the full potential of every region. By ensuring that less-developed regions are effectively connected to EU value chains, the Union as a whole will be better positioned to compete globally. | (8) In the EU, persistent disparities in competitiveness and innovation performance across regions, in particular in rural and agricultural areas, continue to exist. After sustained efforts at both EU and national level to close the innovation gap, it is time to unlock the full potential of every region. By ensuring that less-developed regions are effectively connected to EU value chains, the Union as a whole will be better positioned to compete globally. |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (9) The EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories represent unique and strategic assets that benefit the Union as a whole – including proximity to third countries, exceptional conditions for space and astrophysics research, abundant renewable energy potential, rich biodiversity, and extensive maritime zones. The ECF should leverage their potential as geostrategic outposts, particularly in support of the Union’s objectives on security, preparedness, regional value chains, and competitiveness. | (9) The EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories represent unique and strategic assets that benefit the Union as a whole – including for agricultural production, food supply and local, agri-food value chains, proximity to third countries, exceptional conditions for space and astrophysics research, abundant renewable energy potential, rich biodiversity, and extensive maritime zones. The ECF should leverage their potential as geostrategic outposts, particularly in support of the Union’s objectives on security, preparedness, regional value chains, and competitiveness. |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (10) The Commission should ensure tight coordination and synergies between all Union founding sources in the MFF. For this purpose, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will be tightly linked to the ECF: to ensure that the European industry leverages research results funded by the Union to further innovate and produce in Europe. In order to foster synergies, the work programmes adopted under this Regulation should integrate in a specific and dedicated part and ensure coherence with the ‘Competitiveness’ component, Part II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ of the Regulation (EU) [XXX]10 of the European Parliament and of the Council [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation]11 in accordance with the committee procedure set out in this Regulation. Besides, the ECF shall ensure coherence with the types of actions planned to be implemented under the Innovation Fund, notably when developing work programmes. | (10) The Commission should ensure tight coordination and synergies between all Union founding sources in the MFF, including the Common Agricultural Policy, ensuring complementarity while supporting agri-food investments beyond income support. For this purpose, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will be tightly linked to the ECF: to ensure that the European industry leverages research results funded by the Union to further innovate and produce in Europe. In order to foster synergies, the work programmes adopted under this Regulation should integrate in a specific and dedicated part and ensure coherence with the ‘Competitiveness’ component, Part II ‘Competitiveness and Society’ of the Regulation (EU) [XXX]10 of the European Parliament and of the Council [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation]11 in accordance with the committee procedure set out in this Regulation. Besides, the ECF shall ensure coherence with the types of actions planned to be implemented under the Innovation Fund, notably when developing work programmes. |
| 10 OJ L.., p | 10 OJ L.., p |
| 11 COM(2025) 543 | 11 COM(2025) 543 |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (11) In order to foster synergies between actions under the ECF and the Innovation Fund, the work programmes of the ECF should ensure coherence with the priorities and types of actions that could be funded under the Innovation Fund. Together, the ECF, Horizon Europe, and the Innovation Fund will provide coherent support to the Union competitiveness. | (11) In order to foster synergies between actions under the ECF and the Innovation Fund, the work programmes of the ECF should ensure coherence with the priorities and types of actions that could be funded under the Innovation Fund. Together, the ECF, Horizon Europe, and the Innovation Fund will provide coherent support to the Union competitiveness, including for technologies and projects supporting sustainable and competitive agri-food systems. |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (14) The ECF should use the whole toolbox of Union budget to unlock additional public and private investments, in particular from institutional investors throughout the whole investment journey. It should contribute to creating an “investment culture” by better leveraging public funds and the de-risking potential of the Union budget. It will maximise the added value of Union action and crowd-in private capital to secure a competitive innovation and industrial base, also by using innovative funding instruments including public-private co-investment with asymmetric risk returns. In this regard, the use of financial instruments that crowd in private investors should be the privileged option wherever possible. | (14) The ECF should use the whole toolbox of Union budget with instruments adapted to sectors such as agriculture characterised by fragmented structures and limited access to private capital, to unlock additional public and private investments, in particular from institutional investors throughout the whole investment journey. It should contribute to creating an “investment culture” by better leveraging public funds and the de-risking potential of the Union budget. It will maximise the added value of Union action and crowd-in private capital to secure a competitive innovation and industrial base, also by using innovative funding instruments including public-private co-investment with asymmetric risk returns. In this regard, the use of financial instruments that crowd in private investors should be the privileged option wherever possible. |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (16) In a fast-changing economic, social, security and geopolitical environment, recent experience has shown the need for a more flexible multiannual financial framework and its programmes. To that effect, and in line with the objectives of the ECF, the funding should take due account, in the budgetary procedure, of the evolving policy needs and Union’s priorities as identified in relevant documents published by the Commission while ensuring the necessary predictability for the implementation of investments. | (16) In a fast-changing economic, social, security and geopolitical environment, recent experience has shown the need for a more flexible multiannual financial framework and its programmes. To that effect, and in line with the objectives of the ECF, the funding should take due account, in the budgetary procedure, of the evolving policy needs and Union’s priorities as identified in relevant documents published by the Commission while ensuring the necessary predictability for the implementation of investments. In this regard, the sensitivities and specificities of sectors should be taken into account, including for investments in agriculture and agri-food systems exposed to market and climate volatility. |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (17) The ECF should facilitate access to funding from Union programmes through user-centric, fast, simpler and harmonised procedures and improve coherence among Union instruments and with Member States investments. The ECF should put beneficiaries of Union funding, and notably industry, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, including those established under the upcoming 28th regime, at the centre of the design of Union funding instruments. | (17) The ECF should facilitate access to funding from Union programmes through user-centric, fast, simpler and harmonised procedures and improve coherence among Union instruments and with Member States investments. The ECF should put beneficiaries of Union funding, and notably industry, SMEs, especially agricultural SMEs, cooperatives and producer organisations, start-ups and scale-ups, including those established under the upcoming 28th regime, at the centre of the design of Union funding instruments. |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18) The ECF should operate through four policy windows that mirror Union’s key policy priorities: Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation; Digital Leadership; Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy;Resilience and Security, Defence industry and Space. | (18) The ECF should operate through four policy windows that mirror Union’s key policy priorities: Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation; Digital Leadership; Health, Biotech, Agriculture, food and Bioeconomy;Resilience and Security, Defence industry and Space. |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18a) The European Competitiveness Fund shall integrate food security, food sovereignty and competitiveness in a coherent manner, ensuring inclusive governance and dedicated resources for agriculture and the agri-food sector, while fully preserving the common character of the Common Agricultural Policy. |
Or. en
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (19) Infrastructure is an essential enabler for European competitiveness. Investments in infrastructure are a necessary condition for the proper functioning of the EU's single market, the green and digital transition and for increasing the Union’s resilience and security. For example, the trans-European transport network fosters sustainable forms of transport, promotes improved multimodal and interoperable digital and transport solutions, thereby contributing to a smooth functioning of the internal market. The trans-European networks for energy are key for a genuine Energy Union to enable the Union’s energy and climate objectives by connecting Union countries’ electricity and clean energy networks to ensure our energy independence and competitiveness. For this, the development of cross-border interconnectors, domestic transmission and distribution grids is essential. The ECF support will work in coherence and complementarity with the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is essential for Europe’s competitiveness to provide for synergies between the development of trans-European networks in energy and transport with strong cross-border impact supported by CEF, and investment support for the decarbonisation, modernisation and expansion of transport, energy and digital infrastructure under ECF. | (19) Infrastructure is an essential enabler for European competitiveness. Investments in infrastructure are a necessary condition for the proper functioning of the EU's single market, the green and digital transition and for increasing the Union’s resilience and security. For example, the trans-European transport network fosters sustainable forms of transport, promotes improved multimodal and interoperable digital and transport solutions, thereby contributing to a smooth functioning of the internal market. The trans-European networks for energy are key for a genuine Energy Union to enable the Union’s energy objectives by connecting Union countries’ electricity and clean energy networks to ensure our energy independence and competitiveness. For this, the development of cross-border interconnectors, domestic transmission and distribution grids is essential. The ECF support will work in coherence and complementarity with the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is essential for Europe’s competitiveness to provide for synergies between the development of trans-European networks in energy and transport with strong cross-border impact supported by CEF, and investment support for the decarbonisation, modernisation and expansion of transport, energy and digital infrastructure under ECF. |
Or. en
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (21) The competitive strength of the Union lies in its people. The Competitiveness Compass identifies promoting skills and quality jobs as a horizontal enabler. The European Council Conclusions highlight that “following the Commission communication of 5 March 2025 on a Union of Skills, further efforts should be made to enhance the acquisition, recognition and retention of skills across the EU, from the building of basic skills to engaging in life-long learning, reskilling and upskilling, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan”. A strong dialogue is part of this. Human capital is key to the prosperity of the Union, its economic resilience and unique social market economy. It is essential to foster prosperity, including high quality jobs, by boosting productivity growth, making Union industries more competitive and innovative, attracting additional investments, and supporting a dynamic single market and enhanced economic security. The ECF should contribute to the Union of Skills12 by supporting the development of a skilled workforce equipped with the specific skills needed in the strategic investment areas of the Fund, through life-long learning, education, training projects and apprenticeships, and the creation of attractive quality jobs accessible to all and by accompanying ECF investments with skills investment to alleviate skills shortages in the given strategic sector of the ECF and indicate when it is included. This includes a Skills Guarantee that should enable workers in sectors undergoing restructuring to upskill and reskill, in line with relevant national, regional and/or sectoral transition strategies. The ECF should support skills intelligence, upskilling and reskilling, and foster public-private partnerships between universities, VET providers, businesses, in particular SMEs, social partners and applied research institutes. The ECF could also support activities of University Alliances, also in cooperation with employers, to improve their delivery on innovation and the development of skills and talent. | (21) The competitive strength of the Union lies in its people. The Competitiveness Compass identifies promoting skills and quality jobs as a horizontal enabler. The European Council Conclusions highlight that “following the Commission communication of 5 March 2025 on a Union of Skills, further efforts should be made to enhance the acquisition, recognition and retention of skills across the EU, from the building of basic skills to engaging in life-long learning, reskilling and upskilling, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan”. A strong dialogue is part of this. Human capital is key to the prosperity of the Union, its economic resilience and unique social market economy. It is essential to foster prosperity, including high quality jobs, by boosting productivity growth, making Union industries more competitive and innovative, attracting additional investments, and supporting a dynamic single market and enhanced economic security. The ECF should contribute to the Union of Skills12 by supporting the development of a skilled workforce equipped with the specific skills needed in the strategic investment areas of the Fund, including digital skills for strategic sectors included agriculture and agrifood, through life-long learning, education, training projects and apprenticeships, and the creation of attractive quality jobs accessible to all and by accompanying ECF investments with skills investment to alleviate skills shortages in the given strategic sector of the ECF and indicate when it is included. This includes a Skills Guarantee that should enable workers in sectors undergoing restructuring to upskill and reskill, in line with relevant national, regional and/or sectoral transition strategies. The ECF should support skills intelligence, upskilling and reskilling, and foster public-private partnerships between universities, VET providers, businesses, in particular SMEs, social partners and applied research institutes. The ECF could also support activities of University Alliances, also in cooperation with employers, to improve their delivery on innovation and the development of skills and talent. |
| 12 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Union of Skills, COM(2025) 90 final, 5.3.2025. | 12 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, The Union of Skills, COM(2025) 90 final, 5.3.2025. |
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (22) The ECF should contribute to the objectives of decarbonising the European industry by promoting the development and deployment of clean technologies. The ECF will support the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, turning the clean transition and decarbonisation into a driver of growth and competitiveness for European industries. To this end, the ECF will support decarbonisation with a technology neutral approach, while recognising a contribution of different technologies to grid balancing and sector coupling, to align in particular with the investment needs of energy intensive sectors. Furthermore, it should advance the implementation of the Affordable Energy Action plan, ensuring secure, affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans. The ECF will contribute to the shift towards a decarbonised, circular, resource-efficient, climate-neutral, water resilient and bio-based economy. It will also support sustainable, nature-positive and resilient industrial production in energy-intensive industries in the Union, in line with the objectives of the forthcoming proposal for the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. It should also support the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/172413 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Net-Zero Industry Act), boosting the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and the ramp up of production capacities and investing in related infrastructure. To decarbonise the transport sector, amongst others the ECF will also invest in sustainable fuels, the related infrastructure and mobile assets as well as in the modernisation and digitisation of transport. | (22) The ECF should contribute to the objectives of decarbonising the European industry by promoting the development and deployment of clean technologies. The ECF will support the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal, turning the clean transition and decarbonisation into a driver of growth and competitiveness for European industries. To this end, the ECF will support decarbonisation with a technology neutral approach, while recognising a contribution of different technologies to grid balancing and sector coupling, to align in particular with the investment needs of energy intensive sectors. Furthermore, it should advance the implementation of the Affordable Energy Action plan, ensuring secure, affordable, efficient and clean energy for all Europeans. The ECF will contribute to the shift towards a decarbonised, circular, resource-efficient, water resilient and bio-based economy. In that context, the ECF should also contribute to the competitiveness and resilience of agriculture and agri-food value chains, by supporting investments that reduce energy and water intensity and strengthen on-farm and territorial sustainability. Such support should in particular include: (i) water efficiency and water resilience including water storage investments relevant for agricultural production; (ii) the production and use of renewable and low-carbon energy solutions in agriculture and agri-food processing, including biomethane, advanced biofuels and other bioenergy solutions from sustainable biomass and agricultural residues, such as digestate, as well as the related infrastructure; (iii) the uptake of climate-smart and resource-efficient technologies enabling emissions reductions while maintaining productivity and food supply; (iv) the strengthening of customs controls and risk-based inspection systems for food and agri-food products entering the Union from third countries, including those with which the Union has trade agreements, in order to ensure compliance with Union standards; and (v) the development and deployment of effective anti-counterfeiting and traceability tools to protect European geographical indications (GIs) against fraud and misuse on both internal and international markets. It will also support sustainable, nature-positive and resilient industrial production in energy-intensive industries in the Union, in line with the objectives of the forthcoming proposal for the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. It should also support the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/172413 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Net-Zero Industry Act), boosting the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and the ramp up of production capacities and investing in related infrastructure. To decarbonise the transport sector, amongst others the ECF will also invest in sustainable fuels, the related infrastructure and mobile assets as well as in the modernisation and digitisation of transport. |
| 13 Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj). | 13 Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (OJ L, 2024/1735, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1735/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (23) The ECF will also contribute to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment, including water, coast, sea and soil, to reduce pollution, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and tackle the degradation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, while enhancing climate and water resilience. The ECF Clean Transition and Decarbonisation window should finance projects that contribute to these objectives. | (23) The ECF will also contribute to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment, including water, coast, sea and soil, to reduce pollution, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and tackle the degradation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, while enhancing extreme weather events and water resilience soil health and a sustainable agricultural production . The ECF Clean Transition and Decarbonisation window should finance projects that contribute to these objectives. |
Or. en
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (24) Projects and activities under the Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation window shall promote energy efficiency, integrated renewable energy, new energies, energy renovations, and innovative heating and cooling solutions. | (24) Projects and activities under the Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation window shall promote energy efficiency, integrated renewable energy, including projects supporting energy efficiency and renewables in agri-food production and processing, new energies, energy renovations, and innovative heating and cooling solutions. |
Or. en
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (25) Union manufacturing productivity also depends on resource efficiency, with materials input representing a signification portion of production costs. Circular approaches to products and manufacturing boost resource productivity, whilst value retention activities such as remanufacturing, refurbishment and repair provide significant job opportunities. The ECF should contribute to the bioeconomy, circular economy and access to materials including biomaterials. | (25) Union manufacturing productivity also depends on resource efficiency, with materials input representing a signification portion of production costs. Circular approaches to products and manufacturing boost resource productivity, whilst value retention activities such as remanufacturing, refurbishment and repair provide significant job opportunities. The ECF should contribute to the bioeconomy, circular economy and access to materials including biomaterials, including circular and bio-based solutions in agri-food value chains, like the use of digestate in agriculture. |
Or. en
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (28) While Europe’s digital transformation is accelerating, the many critical dependencies on non-Union suppliers (from raw materials, advanced semiconductors, and AI chips to systems, infrastructures and services) require European alternatives that anchor the digital transformation in Europe’s economy, with our shared values as the essential differentiator, including by leveraging the power of open-source technologies. Support for digital leadership is driven by regulatory and non-regulatory Union policy initiatives in the digital area such as the AI Act, AI Continent and AI Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Data Union Strategy, the Digital Networks Act, the EU Quantum Strategy and the Quantum Act, the Cyber-Solidarity Act, the Cyber-Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act, the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness 2030, and the revision of the EU Chips Act, and by future policy initiatives. The digital areas to invest in include a number of critical frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-powered digital twins, robotics, semiconductors, autonomous or quantum technologies. They also include key infrastructures such as digital identity, cloud, high performance and quantum computing, communication, advanced underwater observation infrastructure, and sensing infrastructures, digital connectivity networks, including submarine cables, as well as cybersecurity, defence or space capacities. Fostering their uptake across private and public sectors makes our entire economy more competitive, secure, sovereign, and sustainable, fortifying societal resilience and preparedness. Moreover, interoperable digital technologies are driving the modernisation of the public sector, serving for the integration of the single market, which is our most valuable stepping stone for European digital start-ups to become globally competitive. Technological progress and innovation in every economic sector, and thus their productivity and competitiveness, are essentially driven by the integration of sector-specific digital developments and use of digital solutions that should be supported across the ECF. | (28) While Europe’s digital transformation is accelerating, the many critical dependencies on non-Union suppliers (from raw materials, advanced semiconductors, and AI chips to systems, infrastructures and services) require European alternatives that anchor the digital transformation in Europe’s economy, with our shared values as the essential differentiator, including by leveraging the power of open-source technologies. Support for digital leadership is driven by regulatory and non-regulatory Union policy initiatives in the digital area such as the AI Act, AI Continent and AI Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy, the Cloud and AI Development Act, the Data Union Strategy, the Digital Networks Act, the EU Quantum Strategy and the Quantum Act, the Cyber-Solidarity Act, the Cyber-Resilience Act and the Cybersecurity Act, the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness 2030, and the revision of the EU Chips Act, and by future policy initiatives. The digital areas to invest in include a number of critical frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-powered digital twins, robotics, semiconductors, autonomous or quantum technologies. They also include key infrastructures such as digital identity, cloud, high performance and quantum computing, communication, advanced underwater observation infrastructure, and sensing infrastructures, digital connectivity networks, including submarine cables, as well as cybersecurity, defence or space capacities as well as data-driven and sensor-based digital solutions, Earth observation and Space-enabled services, interoperable data platforms, secure cloud and edge computing, and high-quality connectivity infrastructures accessible across the Union, including in rural, remote and low-density areas. Fostering their uptake across private and public sectors makes our entire economy more competitive, secure, sovereign, and sustainable, fortifying societal resilience and preparedness. Moreover, interoperable digital technologies are driving the modernisation of the public sector, serving for the integration of the single market, which is our most valuable stepping stone for European digital start-ups to become globally competitive. Technological progress and innovation in every economic sector, and thus their productivity and competitiveness, are essentially driven by the integration of sector-specific digital developments and use of digital solutions that should be supported across the ECF. |
Or. en
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (32) To improve public health and strengthen the competitiveness of the Union, it is crucial to tackle the rise of communicable and non-communicable diseases through targeted health promotion and disease prevention strategies and continued investments, including into the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors. Such action, coupled with fostering effective, accessible, and resilient health systems, can significantly boost workforce productivity by improving population health and alleviating labour shortages, while also supporting health systems that drive innovation. Leveraging health data is essential in those efforts, enabling informed decision-making. Moreover, fostering innovation by solidifying the evidence-based path from medical breakthroughs to marketable solutions is key to enhancing Union competitiveness and also beneficial to reinforcing supply security. | (32) To improve public health and strengthen the competitiveness of the Union, it is crucial to tackle the rise of communicable and non-communicable diseases through targeted health promotion and disease prevention strategies and continued investments, including into the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors, as well as through a One-Health approach that also includes zoonotic risks affecting food safety and agricultural production. Such action, coupled with fostering effective, accessible, and resilient health systems, can significantly boost workforce productivity by improving population health and alleviating labour shortages, while also supporting health systems that drive innovation. Leveraging health data is essential in those efforts, enabling informed decision-making. Moreover, fostering innovation by solidifying the evidence-based path from medical breakthroughs to marketable solutions is key to enhancing Union competitiveness and also beneficial to reinforcing supply security. |
Or. en
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (33) The bioeconomy is a growth engine that allows Europe to make a success of the green transition, strengthen its competitiveness and strategic autonomy. Although Europe’s bioeconomy is already reshaping industrial ecosystems, reinforcing strategic autonomy, and unlocking value across strategic sectors, it is crucial to strengthen investments, initiatives and strategies at Union and Member State level to bring it from niche to norm across Union sectors and regions to realise its potential, and in particular for key industries. There is a need to foster the competitiveness, sustainability, resilience and fairness of the agricultural, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry sectors, of rural and coastal areas and to contribute to long-term food security in the Union. | (33) The bioeconomy is a growth engine that allows Europe to make a success of the green transition, strengthen its competitiveness and strategic autonomy. Although Europe’s bioeconomy is already reshaping industrial ecosystems, reinforcing strategic autonomy, and unlocking value across strategic sectors, it is crucial to strengthen investments, initiatives and strategies at Union and Member State level to bring it from niche to norm across Union sectors and regions to realise its potential, and in particular for key industries. There is a need to foster the competitiveness, sustainability, resilience and fairness of the agrifood, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry sectors, of rural and coastal areas and to contribute to long-term food security in the Union. |
Or. en
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (33a) Agriculture, food security and the bioeconomy constitute structural components of the Union’s competitiveness, strategic autonomy and long-term resilience, and should therefore be mainstreamed across all Union policies related to competitiveness, industrial strategy and innovation, in accordance with the principle of “agriculture in all policies”. |
Or. en
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (33b) Competitiveness is not solely driven by innovation, but also by productivity, organisational adaptation and human capital. Targeted support for digital skills, innovation management, technology transfer and transnational cooperation is essential to ensure that rural communities remain active participants in European innovation ecosystems. |
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (34a) There is a need to strengthen the competitiveness, productivity and resilience of primary production systems and land-based value chains across the Union, including farming, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and forestry and bioeconomy, as well as rural and coastal areas. Maintaining and upgrading the Union’s production capacity is essential to ensure long-term food security, strategic autonomy and economic stability, particularly in a context of climate pressure, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty. Investments should support the innovation of production systems, through the necessary support for the uptake of technology, including digital and data-driven technologies, that can support agricultural production while reducing production costs and increase resource efficiency, including water resilience. Attention should be given to solutions that enhance farm viability, strengthen risk management and reduce exposure to external shocks. Measures should also aim to improve value distribution along the supply chain, reinforcing the position of farmers in agrifood value chains. Ensuring fair remuneration, stable production and rural cohesion is indispensable to preserve food production, employment and the economic viability of rural areas across the Union. |
Or. en
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (35) Fostering the resilience of the European industry is essential for the Union to remain competitive even in times of crisis and is essential for Union’s security. To ensure its resilience, the ECF should support actions aimed to reduce dependencies and diversify supply in strategic sectors such as the raw materials sector, thus reinforcing the Union capacities for a secure supply of sustainable critical raw materials along the whole value chain in line with the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Critical Raw Materials Act)15 and the chemicals industry, underpinning almost all industry sectors. Pursuing an ambitious and mutually beneficial trade agenda is essential for the Union’s ability to diversify its supply chains and effectively reduce dependencies. | (35) Fostering the resilience of the European industry is essential for the Union to remain competitive even in times of crisis and is essential for Union’s security. To ensure its resilience, the ECF should support actions aimed to reduce dependencies and diversify supply in strategic sectors such as the raw materials sector, thus reinforcing the Union capacities for a secure supply of sustainable critical raw materials along the whole value chain in line with the objectives of the Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Critical Raw Materials Act)15 and the chemicals industry, underpinning almost all industry sectors including strategic agri-food inputs and food-supply chains (fertilisers, feed, seeds) affecting food security and farm viability. Pursuing an ambitious and mutually beneficial trade agenda is essential for the Union’s ability to diversify its supply chains and effectively reduce dependencies. |
| 15 Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1252/oj | 15 Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L, 2024/1252, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1252/oj |
Or. en
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (39) The ECF should also support the policy goals of a safer, more secure Europe that is better prepared against security threats, in particular by enhancing European industry competitiveness and strategic autonomy, including maritime and customs security, critical energy and transport infrastructure and civil preparedness. To address increasing security and hybrid threats like terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, climate disasters and attacks on critical infrastructure, the ECF should support Europe’s efforts to increase its threat awareness, build resilience and boost security investments, and promote preparedness by design across relevant sectors. | (39) The ECF should also support the policy goals of a safer, more secure Europe that is better prepared against security threats, in particular by enhancing European industry competitiveness and strategic autonomy, including maritime and customs security, critical energy and transport infrastructure and civil preparedness, including the security of food supplies. To address increasing security and hybrid threats like terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, extreme weather events and attacks on critical infrastructure, the ECF should support Europe’s efforts to increase its threat awareness, build resilience and boost security investments, and promote preparedness by design across relevant sectors. |
Or. en
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (48) Union support should focus on the achievement of policy objectives. In all cases, ECF funding should be provided in the form best able to achieve its objectives, while limiting administrative burden for recipients to the absolute minimum. When implementing the budget, the ECF should provide the full toolbox of Union support and ensure synergies between its supported policies, in particular by allowing for simplified common award procedures to pursue objectives of more than one policy. As such, the elimination of burdensome financial reporting through the widest possible use of financing not linked to cost should be pursued as a major simplification measure. | (48) Union support should focus on the achievement of policy objectives. In all cases, ECF funding should be provided in the form best able to achieve its objectives, while limiting administrative burden for recipients to the absolute minimum, a measure particularly important for microenterprises and SMEs. When implementing the budget, the ECF should provide the full toolbox of Union support and ensure synergies between its supported policies, in particular by allowing for simplified common award procedures to pursue objectives of more than one policy. As such, the elimination of burdensome financial reporting through the widest possible use of financing not linked to cost, for example through lump sums grants, should be pursued as a major simplification measure. |
Or. en
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (49) The ECF should support a diverse set of policies contributing to competitiveness, while providing a harmonised baseline set of eligibility criteria to provide policy steer and ensuring a sufficient level of protection of economic and security interests by focusing Union support on recipients in the Member States, including Overseas Countries and Territories. Where necessary, the ECF should establish specific eligibility conditions for strategic sectors and technologies, including underlying value chains, critical Union infrastructures and specific capabilities. | (49) The ECF should support a diverse set of policies contributing to competitiveness, while providing a harmonised baseline set of eligibility criteria to provide policy steer and ensuring a sufficient level of protection of economic and security interests by focusing Union support on recipients in the Member States, including Overseas Countries and Territories. Where necessary, the ECF should establish specific eligibility conditions for strategic sectors and technologies, including underlying value chains, critical Union infrastructures and specific capabilities ensuring balanced access between large operators and smaller entities. |
Or. en
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (56) A horizontal, cross-cutting funding toolbox should be set at the service of all policy windows, offering every form of support allowed by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2059, such as financial instruments, including support provided in the form of equity. The choice of the specific funding instrument and in particular whether support will be repayable or not, shall depend on the nature of the actions to be funded (for example underlying market failures, the specific need, the nature of the industry, the stage of development or type of the beneficiary). Union support should derisk projects to the degree necessary for the private sector to invest and for the project to be successfully delivered. Co-financing rates should be as low as possible and as high as needed to realise the supported project. A mix of funding tools could be used, including blending operations and combination of funding. The ECF should also provide each policy area with advice on the most appropriate funding tool to be used for its specific actions, depending on, inter alia, the development stage, the specific industry needs and underlying market failures. | (56) A horizontal, cross-cutting funding toolbox should be set at the service of all policy windows, offering every form of support allowed by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2059, such as financial instruments, including support provided in the form of equity. The choice of the specific funding instrument and in particular whether support will be repayable or not, shall depend on the nature of the actions to be funded (for example underlying market failures, the specific need, the nature of the industry, the stage of development or type of the beneficiary). Union support should derisk projects to the degree necessary for the private sector to invest and for the project to be successfully delivered. Co-financing rates should be as low as possible and as high as needed to realise the supported project considering both the type of action and the nature of potential applicants. A mix of funding tools could be used, including blending operations and combination of funding. The ECF should also provide each policy area with advice on the most appropriate funding tool to be used for its specific actions, depending on, inter alia, the development stage, the specific industry needs and underlying market failures. |
Or. en
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (87) Although work programmes and other acts implementing this Regulation concern specific budget implementation tasks which do not require a conferral of implementing powers and which should not normally fall within the scope of implementing acts referred to in Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, the advisory procedure should be used for the adoption of certain acts as defined in this Regulation, including work programmes implementing activities for clean transition, health, biotech, agriculture and bioeconomy, and digital leadership, resilience and security, defence industry and space, given that those acts should be fully supported and create synergies with national and shared management activities conducted by the Member States. Due the sensitivity and particular importance of synergies and full coordination with Member States in the area of resilience and security, defence industry support and space, the examination procedure should be used for the adoption of work programmes in these areas. | (87) Although work programmes and other acts implementing this Regulation concern specific budget implementation tasks which do not require a conferral of implementing powers and which should not normally fall within the scope of implementing acts referred to in Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, the advisory procedure should be used for the adoption of certain acts as defined in this Regulation, including work programmes implementing activities for clean transition, health, biotech, agriculture, food and bioeconomy, and digital leadership, resilience and security, defence industry and space, given that those acts should be fully supported and create synergies with national and shared management activities conducted by the Member States. Due the sensitivity and particular importance of synergies and full coordination with Member States in the area of resilience and security, defence industry support and space, the examination procedure should be used for the adoption of work programmes in these areas. |
Or. en
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (87a) There is an absence of explicit governance safeguards, funding for agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry risks being structurally disadvantaged compared to sectors with stronger financial and organisational capacities, such as biotechnology and health. It is therefore necessary to establish formal safeguards ensuring the visibility, prioritisation and adequate resourcing of rural and primary sectors. |
Or. en
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (87b) In the programming period 2028–2034, funding allocated to agriculture and food security under the second pillar should remain proportionate to funding allocated to other policy sectors, in order to avoid the progressive marginalisation of rural priorities and to preserve the common character of the Common Agricultural Policy. |
Or. en
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (87c) Farmers, cooperatives, farmers’ organisations and rural SMEs face structural disadvantages in accessing highly competitive Union funding instruments. Targeted support measures, simplified procedures and dedicated capacity-building mechanisms are necessary to ensure fair participation and territorial cohesion. |
Or. en
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) reducing or preventing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and reinforcing the Union’s resilience, and economic security, including through diversifying sources and markets, support to ramp up of European production of strategic technologies and creating, strengthening and protecting critical Union value chains and infrastructure; | (b) reducing or preventing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and reinforcing the Union’s resilience, and economic security, including through diversifying sources and markets, support to ramp up of European production of strategic technologies and creating, strengthening and protecting critical Union value chains and infrastructure including agri-food supply chains and strategic agricultural inputs for food security; |
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (f) developing Union cross-border and critical infrastructure key to the Union’s competitiveness, and strategic independence in particular energy and transport, digital and security, defence and space infrastructure as well as social infrastructure and related data and services; | (f) developing Union cross-border and critical infrastructure key to the Union’s competitiveness, and strategic independence in particular energy and transport, digital and security, infrastructures including for defence space infrastructure, water, food logistics as well as social infrastructure and related data and services; |
Or. en
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (h) addressing shortages of skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in strategic sectors for EU competitiveness, through both horizontal and specific skills investment, contributing to the availability of skills in future emerging technologies, and by pursuing to accompany investments with skills investment and indicate when it is included; | (h) addressing shortages of skills critical to all kinds of quality jobs in strategic sectors, including agriculture and agrifood, for EU competitiveness, through both horizontal and specific skills investment, contributing to the availability of skills in future emerging technologies, and by pursuing to accompany investments with skills investment and indicate when it is included; |
Or. en
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (k) ensuring a just transition to a sustainable, decarbonised and digital economy that is fair and supporting workers and communities. | (k) ensuring a just transition to a sustainable, decarbonised and digital economy that is fair and supporting workers and communities, both in urban and in rural areas. |
Or. en
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) For support to Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation, the specific objectives of support to decarbonisation of European industry, including SMEs and energy intensive industries, clean tech manufacturing and its supply chains, and contributing to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-, water- and resource-efficient, climate-neutral and resilient economy. This includes the uptake by industries of decarbonisation technologies and other solutions for their industrial processes and activities, as well as the decarbonisation of energy supply, promotion of energy efficiency, the uptake of renewable and clean energy solutions, the development of energy system flexibility, the uptake of lead markets for clean products , the development, resilience, integration and digitalisation of the energy and transport infrastructures and systems, boosting smart mobility and sustainable alternative fuels, as well as boosting the sustainable blue economy, the development of innovative nature-based business models and demand side solutions for clean and decarbonised buildings, transport and industry, and production ramp up contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy. | (a) For support to Clean Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation, the specific objectives of support to decarbonisation of European industry, including SMEs and energy intensive industries, clean tech manufacturing and its supply chains, and contributing to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-, water- and resource-efficient and resilient economy. This includes the uptake by industries of decarbonisation technologies and other solutions for their industrial processes and activities, as well as the decarbonisation of energy supply, promotion of energy efficiency, the uptake of renewable and clean energy solutions, the development of energy system flexibility, the uptake of lead markets for clean products , the development, resilience, integration and digitalisation of the energy and transport infrastructures and systems, boosting smart mobility and sustainable alternative fuels, as well as boosting the sustainable blue economy, the development of innovative nature-based business models and bio-based solutions for clean and decarbonised buildings, transport and industry, and production ramp up contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy, including resilience to extreme weather events and decarbonisation of agri-food systems while maintaining productivity and food supply. |
Or. en
Justification
Bioeconomy plays a crucial role in the European Union’s ambition to transform its economy and make it more sustainable, circular, and carbon neutral, while reducing its dependency on imported fossil fuels. Farmers have a central position within the value chain and constitutes a first step in reducing Europe’s dependence on biomass imports from third countries, which often entail unfair competition for domestic producers.
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) For support to Health, Biotechnology, Agriculture and Bioeconomy: | (b) For support to Health, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Food and Bioeconomy: |
Or. en
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) For support to health, the specific objectives of fostering innovation and competitiveness of the health sector while ensuring supply security and the industrial capacity and capability to manage future serious cross-border threats to health; improving and protecting public and population health, by prioritising health promotion and disease prevention across the life span through a health-in-all and One Health policies approach, and by strengthening innovation and resilience of health systems. | (1) For support to health, the specific objectives of fostering innovation and competitiveness of the health sector while ensuring supply security and the industrial capacity and capability to manage future serious cross-border threats to health; improving and protecting public and population health, by prioritising health promotion and disease prevention across the life span through a health-in-all and One Health policies approach, that also includes zoonotic risks affecting food safety and agricultural production, and by strengthening innovation and resilience of health systems. |
Or. en
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (4) For support to the agriculture and food security, the specific objective of fostering the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and rural and coastal areas and their role in the transition to a climate-neutral climate-resilient, water-smart, nature-positive economy and the protection of natural resources biodiversity while contributing to long term food security in the Union. | (4) For support to the agriculture and food security, the specific objective of fostering the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, livestock, forestry and rural and coastal areas and their role in the transition to a water-resilient economy and the protection of natural resources biodiversity while contributing to long term food security in the Union. Investments should support the modernisation of production systems through innovation, digital tools and the uptake of efficient technologies that improve yields, reduce production costs and increase resource efficiency, including water use. Priority should be given to solutions that enhance farm viability, support high standards of animal health and welfare, strengthen risk management and reduce exposure to external shocks. Measures should also aim to improve value distribution along the supply chain, reinforce the position of primary producers, support collective and cooperative structures and facilitate generational renewal. Ensuring fair remuneration, stable production and territorial cohesion is indispensable to preserve food production, employment and the economic fabric of rural areas across the Union. |
Or. en
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) For support to Digital Leadership policy, the specific objectives of fostering innovation and competitiveness of digital sector for a competitive and secure Union and bringing its benefits to citizens and society, public administrations and businesses across the Union. This shall include, but not be limited to, supporting the entire digital value- and supply-chains and activities including support to start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, in particular along the following dimensions: Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies, including through technology transfer and innovation, and through cutting-edge infrastructures such as AI-powered digital twins; Achieving technological sovereignty by building resilient digital ecosystems and ensuring a high-level of cybersecurity in the Union; Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying advanced digital applications and services, infrastructures, capacities and capabilities and by reinforcing interoperability across the Union, Including support to digitalisation of companies, including SMEs, small mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups; Supporting the digital transformation and interoperability of public and private sectors through the rapid uptake of AI, the wallet technologies, such as EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and the forthcoming European Business Wallets and other digital innovative solutions. Support to cultural and creative industries, complementing the AgoraEU programme. | (c) For support to Digital Leadership policy, the specific objectives of fostering innovation and competitiveness of digital sector for a competitive and secure Union and bringing its benefits to citizens and society, public administrations and businesses across the Union including rural and remote areas. This shall include, but not be limited to, supporting the entire digital value- and supply-chains and activities including support to start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, in particular along the following dimensions: Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies, including through technology transfer and innovation, and through cutting-edge infrastructures such as AI-powered digital twins; Achieving technological sovereignty by building resilient digital ecosystems and ensuring a high-level of cybersecurity in the Union; Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying advanced digital applications and services, infrastructures, capacities and capabilities and by reinforcing interoperability across the Union, Including support to digitalisation of companies, including SMEs, small mid-cap companies, start-ups and scale-ups; Supporting the digital transformation and interoperability of public and private sectors through the rapid uptake of AI, the wallet technologies, such as EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and the forthcoming European Business Wallets and other digital innovative solutions. Support to cultural and creative industries, complementing the AgoraEU programme. |
Or. en
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) For support to resilience of supply chains, the specific objectives of reinforcing Europe’s resilience by strengthening the Union capacity in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling of raw materials and diversifying supply sources and markets, and improving the timely availability of such products, including through the reduction of their delivery lead time, reservation of manufacturing slots or stockpiling of products, intermediate products or raw materials. | (1) For support to resilience of supply chains, the specific objectives of reinforcing Europe’s resilience by strengthening the Union capacity in exploration, extraction, processing and recycling of raw materials and diversifying supply sources and markets, and improving the timely availability of such products, including through the reduction of their delivery lead time, reservation of manufacturing slots or stockpiling of products, intermediate products or raw materials, including strategic reserves of key agricultural commodities, food products and critical inputs. |
Or. en
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3) For the implementation of EU space systems and space policy, the specific objectives of developing, maintaining and operating space systems, providing cutting-edge space-based information, data and services supporting Union policies, notably in the area of security, defence, sustainable growth, environment protection and climate resilience, global engagement and strategic independence; Maximising the socio-economic benefits of space-based activities, in particular by fostering the development of an innovative and competitive Union space economy and supporting the development of a genuine Single Market for space activities, including collaborative research and innovation for space products and technologies and support to SMEs; Enhancing the safety, security and sustainability of all outer space activities; Promoting the role of the Union as a global actor in the space sector. | (3) For the implementation of EU space systems and space policy, the specific objectives of developing, maintaining and operating space systems, providing cutting-edge space-based information, data and services supporting Union policies, notably in the area of security, defence, sustainable growth, environment protection and extreme weather events resilience, global engagement and strategic independence; Maximising the socio-economic benefits of space-based activities, in particular by fostering the development of an innovative and competitive Union space economy and supporting the development of a genuine Single Market for space activities, including collaborative research and innovation for space products and technologies and support to SMEs; Enhancing the safety, security and sustainability of all outer space activities; Promoting the role of the Union as a global actor in the space sector. |
Or. en
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) EUR 20 393 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (b); | (c) EUR 20 393 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (b), of which: |
Or. en
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c – point i (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) a minimum of EUR 5 billion for investments on water resilience in the agricultural sector referred to in Article 3(2), point (b)(4); |
Or. en
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d) EUR 51 493 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (c); | (d) EUR 51 493 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (c), of which: |
Or. en
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) a minimum of EUR 10 billion for digitalisation in the agricultural sector; |
Or. en
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (e) EUR 125 204 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (d); | (e) EUR 125 204 000 000 for the specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), point (d), of which: |
Or. en
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point e – point i (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (i) a minimum of EUR 20 billion for stockpiling strategy in the agricultural sector referred to in Article 3(2), point (d) (1); |
Or. en
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The Commission and Member States shall, in a manner commensurate to their respective responsibilities, facilitate coordination and coherence between European Competitiveness Fund and national and regional partnership plans on common competitiveness priorities in selected key areas and projects deemed of strategic importance and of common European interest. | 2. The Commission and Member States shall, in a manner commensurate to their respective responsibilities, facilitate coordination and coherence between European Competitiveness Fund and national and regional partnership plans and financial tools on common competitiveness priorities in selected key areas and projects deemed of strategic importance and of common European interest. |
Or. en
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The Commission shall in particular develop a Scale-up facility in cooperation with the EIB Group, other international financial institutions and National Promotional Banks. The facility shall provide in a coordinated and consistent manner, a comprehensive set of financing tools tailored to the unique needs of scale-ups, including indirect and direct equity and quasi-equity, venture debt, loans, guarantees and blended finance, with a view to attract private investors in supporting scale up financing and facilitate exit options. The facility shall target SMEs and small mid-cap companies and Mid-cap companies. | 2. The Commission shall in particular develop a Scale-up facility in cooperation with the EIB Group, other international financial institutions and National Promotional Banks. The facility shall provide in a coordinated and consistent manner, a comprehensive set of financing tools tailored to the unique needs of scale-ups, including indirect and direct equity and quasi-equity, blended finance, tenders, bonuses, lump sums, venture debt, loans, and guarantees, with a view to attract private investors in supporting scale up financing and facilitate exit options. The facility shall target SMEs and small mid-cap companies and Mid-cap companies. |
Or. en
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The ECF shall finance activities in support of skills development, in particular in the strategic sectors, building strong links between higher education, vocational education and training providers, applied research and businesses for an agile, innovative and competitive economy. This shall include support for a European Skills Guarantee to support value chain transitions in favour of strategic growth sectors or occupations across the labour market through upskilling and reskilling of the workforce and Vocational Education and Training (VET) partnerships to strengthen cooperation between VET providers and businesses, especially SMEs and connecting them with regional industrial ecosystems. | 1. The ECF shall finance activities in support of skills development, in particular in the strategic sectors and key areas such as digitalisation, building strong links between higher education, vocational education and training providers, applied research and businesses for an agile, innovative and competitive economy. This shall include support for a European Skills Guarantee to support value chain transitions in favour of strategic growth sectors or occupations across the labour market through upskilling and reskilling of the workforce and Vocational Education and Training (VET) partnerships to strengthen cooperation between VET providers and businesses, especially SMEs and connecting them with regional industrial ecosystems. |
Or. en
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) ”LIFE activities”: providing support to bottom-up projects for the demonstration, testing and market uptake of innovative solutions and best practices in clean transition and industrial decarbonisation and awareness raising on climate and environment to relevant governance levels. | (a) ”LIFE activities”: providing support to bottom-up projects for the demonstration, testing and market uptake of innovative solutions and best practices in clean transition and industrial decarbonisation. |
Or. en
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point j
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (j) Climate and water resilience. | (j) Water resilience, including through water storage. |
Or. en
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Chapter V – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| SUPPORT FOR HEALTH, BIOTECH, AGRICULTURE AND BIOECONOMY | SUPPORT FOR HEALTH, BIOTECH, AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND BIOECONOMY |
Or. en
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Specific provisions for support to health, biotech, agriculture and bioeconomy policies | Specific provisions for support to health, biotech, agriculture, food and bioeconomy policies |
Or. en
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| A guaranteed share of funding shall be allocated to agriculture, food security and the agri-food value chain. That share shall be clearly identifiable through binding earmarking, ensuring strategic visibility and predictability of Union support for the agricultural and agri-food sectors. |
Or. en
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2a. The allocation referred to in paragraph 1 shall take into account the strategic role of food security and agricultural resilience for the Union. |
Or. en
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) Improving and protecting health, including cross-border health, by prioritising health promotion and disease prevention across the life course through a health-in-all and One Health policies approach, with a special emphasis on communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental health, degenerative health, autism, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, including those related to pollution, sexual and reproductive health and enhancing international health initiatives and cooperation. | (a) Improving and protecting health, including cross-border health, by prioritising health promotion and disease prevention across the life course through a health-in-all and One Health policies approach including tackling animal disease risks and prevention, with a special emphasis on communicable and non-communicable diseases. |
Or. en
Amendment 61
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d) Supporting the discovery, development, derisking, demonstration, piloting and use, and scaling-up of biotechnology innovations, accelerating the market introduction and market uptake of biotechnology solutions, strengthening emerging value chains and providing access to finance and other support for SMEs, startups, scale ups and innovators. | (d) Supporting the discovery, development, derisking, demonstration, piloting and use, and scaling-up of biotechnology innovations, excluding for food and feed applications for which human safety must come first ensuring strict safety evaluations, including rigorous pre-clinical and clinical trials, accelerating the market introduction and market uptake of biotechnology solutions, strengthening emerging value chains and providing access to finance and other support for SMEs, startups, scale ups and innovators. |
Or. en
Amendment 62
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point f
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (f) Fostering an innovative and competitive bioeconomy sector in the Union, including in the areas of health biotech, biobased materials and products, valorising farm and forest residues, carbon negative products, biomanufacturing and biochemicals, in particular by supporting the discovery, development, derisking, demonstration, piloting, and scaling-up of bioeconomy innovations; by accelerating the market introduction and market uptake of bio-based materials from agriculture and forestry and bioeconomy solutions; by strengthening emerging value chains; by building a skilled workforce, by providing access to finance and other support for SMEs, startups, scale ups and innovators. | (f) Fostering an innovative and competitive bioeconomy sector in the Union, including in the areas of health biotech, biobased materials and products, biomanufacturing and biochemicals, in particular by supporting the discovery, development, derisking, demonstration, piloting, and scaling-up of bioeconomy innovations; by accelerating the market introduction and market uptake of bio-based materials from agriculture and forestry and bioeconomy solutions, such as digestate as bio-fertiliser; by strengthening emerging value chains; by building a skilled workforce, by providing access to finance and other support for SMEs, startups, scale ups and innovators. |
Or. en
Amendment 63
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point g
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (g) Fostering the competitiveness, the sustainability, the resilience and fairness of agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry sectors and rural and coastal areas, and contribute to long term food security in the Union. | (g) Fostering the competitiveness, the sustainability, the resilience and fairness of agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry sectors and rural and coastal areas, and contribute to long term food security and sovereignty in the Union. |
Or. en
Amendment 64
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1a. Support for Health, Biotech, Agriculture, Food and Bioeconomy policy shall be designed and implemented in a manner that ensures effective access for farmers, cooperatives, farmers’ organisations and rural SMEs. To that end, the Commission shall provide : | |
| (a) dedicated support mechanisms for capacity-building and project development; | |
| (b) simplified administrative procedures, including lump-sum grants and scalable participation mechanisms; | |
| (c) networking and matchmaking instruments facilitating participation in transnational consortia; | |
| (d) differentiated and, where appropriate, increased co-financing rates, including the possibility of higher Union contribution for projects led by or primarily benefiting farmers, cooperatives, farmers’ organisations, rural SMEs or non-profit entities, in order to reflect their limited access to capital and to ensure effective participation. |
Or. en
Amendment 65
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1b. Projects funded under the windows covering health, biotechnology, agriculture, food and the bioeconomy shall apply a balanced multi-actor approach, ensuring equitable participation of farmers and farmers’ organisations, advisory services and chambers of agriculture, community-based and rural organisations alongside research bodies and industrial actors. Public-private partnerships shall play a complementary role, without substituting the strategic involvement of primary producers and rural actors. |
Or. en
Amendment 66
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1c. The Commission shall ensure coherence between Union-level objectives and national-level implementation, with particular regard to agriculture and rural areas. |
Or. en
Amendment 67
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 d (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1d. Decision-makers at Union and national level shall be involved not only in dissemination activities but also in the co-design and implementation of funded actions, in order to ensure that research and innovation outcomes effectively inform future policies. |
Or. en
Amendment 68
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 e (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1e. Food security and food sovereignty shall be recognised as strategic priorities of the Union within the European Competitiveness Fund. |
Or. en
Amendment 69
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 f (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1f. Dedicated and clearly identifiable resources shall support projects of European interest contributing to the following activities: | |
| (a) water resilience including through water storage and sustainable water management for agriculture; | |
| (b) digitalisation of agriculture and precision farming; (c) animal health, vaccination systems and prevention of epizootic diseases; | |
| (d) strategic storage capacities for agricultural products and essential raw materials. | |
| (e) Uptake of AI and data-driven technologies; | |
| (f) risk management tools and prevention measures to address climate, market and sanitary risks affecting farmers and actors in the agri-food value chain. |
Or. en
Amendment 70
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Work programmes adopted in accordance with the rules of this Regulation under this chapter shall integrate in a specific dedicated part and ensure coherence with [Competitiveness and Society activities supported under the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation | 2. Work programmes adopted in accordance with the rules of this Regulation under this chapter shall integrate in a specific dedicated part and ensure coherence with [Competitiveness and Society activities supported under the Regulation (EU) [XXX] [Horizon Europe Framework programme for Research and Innovation. Work programmes shall reflect the specificities of potential beneficiaries under this policy window, taking due account of the prevalence of micro and small entities in certain parts of the value chain. Where appropriate, this may be reflected through the use of proportionate co-financing rates, a priority for simplified forms of funding, including lump sums and financing not linked to costs, and by ensuring a balanced approach between the participation of large industrial actors and that of smaller businesses, cooperatives and other organisations, in line with the objectives of this Regulation. |
Or. en
Amendment 71
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Support for digital leadership shall address, in a comprehensive and coherent manner, the entire scope of the digital sector, such as Artificial Intelligence, (including AI Factories and Gigafactories), high performance computing, quantum technologies, semiconductors and photonics, robotics, large data technologies, telco-edge and cloud technologies, 6G and other wireless technologies, communication networks, advanced connectivity, including 6G and other wireless technologies, sensing technologies, cybersecurity and network resilience, software engineering, augmented reality and virtual worlds, digital twins, Union digital identity and business wallets, trust technologies, new and emerging digital technologies as well as cross-sectoral digital technologies and applications, including those with dual-use potential, support for data technologies and data spaces. | 1. Support for digital leadership shall address, in a comprehensive and coherent manner, the entire scope of the digital sector, while ensuring that digital solutions and infrastructures are deployable across diverse economic sectors and territories, such as Artificial Intelligence, (including AI Factories and Gigafactories), high performance computing, quantum technologies, semiconductors and photonics, robotics, large data technologies, telco-edge and cloud technologies, 6G and other wireless technologies, communication networks, advanced connectivity, including 6G and other wireless technologies, sensing technologies, cybersecurity and network resilience, software engineering, augmented reality and virtual worlds, digital twins, Union digital identity and business wallets, trust technologies, new and emerging digital technologies as well as cross-sectoral digital technologies and applications, including those with dual-use potential, support for data technologies and data spaces. |
Or. en
Amendment 72
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies through research and innovation, applied research, technology transfer, industrial deployment, and market uptake. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, developing and shaping sustainable core digital technologies that reflect Union values, safeguard the Union’s security and foster its competitiveness globally. | (a) Achieving leadership in digital and AI technologies through research and innovation, applied research, technology transfer, industrial deployment, and market uptake. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, developing and shaping sustainable core digital technologies that reflect Union values, and support their uptake throughout economic sectors, safeguard the Union’s security and foster its competitiveness globally. |
Or. en
Amendment 73
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying state-of-the-art and sustainable digital applications, infrastructures and services across the Union. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, actions to research and innovate, develop, produce, manufacture, or deploy advanced digital infrastructures at scale across the Union (e.g. high-performance computing, telco-cloud-edge, AI Factories and Gigafactories, data and data spaces, testing and experimentation facilities, semiconductor, photonics and quantum chips pilot lines, quantum computing, communication and sensing infrastructures, cybersecurity hubs, the EU for Business Network, European Digital Innovation Hubs, advanced connectivity infrastructures including submarine cables and non-terrestrial networks), the EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services as well as the European Business Wallets and services, secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure, to act as a key enabler of the digital transformation and in support of societal resilience and preparedness, bringing clear added-value to businesses, public services and citizens. Where relevant, these actions shall be coordinated with national investments and shall otherwise exploit untapped potential to create a domestic market for advanced digital technologies ‘made in Europe’. Such actions may be provided under the framework of Multi-Country Projects established in accordance with Decision (EU) 2022/2481, including notably those implemented through the European Digital Infrastructure Consortia or Joint Undertakings. | (c) Enabling the power of digital for businesses and citizens by deploying state-of-the-art and sustainable digital applications, infrastructures and services across the Union, while reducing structural digital divides linked to geography, including in rural and remote areas, and to sectoral specificities such as those of agriculture and agri-food. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, actions to research and innovate, develop, produce, manufacture, or deploy advanced digital infrastructures at scale across the Union (e.g. high-performance computing, telco-cloud-edge, AI Factories and Gigafactories, data and data spaces, testing and experimentation facilities, semiconductor, photonics and quantum chips pilot lines, quantum computing, communication and sensing infrastructures, cybersecurity hubs, the EU for Business Network, European Digital Innovation Hubs, advanced connectivity infrastructures including submarine cables and non-terrestrial networks), the EU Digital Identity Wallets and trust services as well as the European Business Wallets and services, secure and interoperable digital public infrastructure, to act as a key enabler of the digital transformation and in support of societal resilience and preparedness, bringing clear added-value to businesses, public services and citizens. Where relevant, these actions shall be coordinated with national investments and shall otherwise exploit untapped potential to create a domestic market for advanced digital technologies ‘made in Europe’. Such actions may be provided under the framework of Multi-Country Projects established in accordance with Decision (EU) 2022/2481, including notably those implemented through the European Digital Infrastructure Consortia or Joint Undertakings. |
Or. en
Amendment 74
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (d) Supporting the Union’s digital transformation of public and private sectors, including to support the development and the circulation of digital skills. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, providing the necessary support to accelerating and deepening the uptake and deployment of digital solutions across economic sectors, through research, innovation and deployment, to boost their productivity and competitiveness, with a focus on more complex technologies, as well as to achieve societal benefits. Support to public sector applications as well as the broader digitalisation of the public sector shall aim at ensuring a cohesive Union-wide interoperable digital public services landscape, support technological sovereignty, maximising their efficiency for businesses and citizens. The digital transformation of economic and public sectors shall also be supported by the other sectoral windows of the ECF. | (d) Supporting the Union’s digital transformation of public and private sectors, including to support the development and the circulation of digital skills. The implementation shall include, but not be limited to, providing the necessary support to accelerating and deepening the uptake and deployment of digital solutions across economic sectors, through research, innovation and deployment, to boost their productivity and competitiveness, with a focus but not limited on more complex technologies, as well as to achieve societal benefits. Support to public sector applications as well as the broader digitalisation of the public sector shall aim at ensuring a cohesive Union-wide interoperable digital public services landscape, support technological sovereignty, maximising their efficiency for businesses and citizens. The digital transformation of economic and public sectors shall also be supported by the other sectoral windows of the ECF. |
Or. en
Amendment 75
Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (fa) investing in stockpiling of key agricultural commodities, food products and critical inputs. |
Or. en
Amendment 76
Proposal for a regulation
Article 52 – paragraph 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4. For actions referred to in Article 44(1), point (c), the Union support may cover up to 50% of the eligible costs. | 4. For actions referred to in Article 44(1), point (c), the Union support may cover up to 100% of the eligible costs. |
Or. en
Amendment 77
Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Copernicus shall also support the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Union’s and its Member States’ policies in particular in the fields of environment, climate change, marine, maritime, atmosphere, agriculture and rural development, preservation of cultural heritage, civil protection, infrastructure monitoring, safety and security, as well as digital economy, under the Digital Leadership window, which shall be aligned with the objective of Copernicus. | 2. Copernicus shall also support the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the Union’s and its Member States’ policies in particular in the fields of environment, resilience to extreme weather events, marine, maritime, atmosphere, agriculture and rural development, preservation of cultural heritage, civil protection, infrastructure monitoring, safety and security, as well as digital economy, under the Digital Leadership window, which shall be aligned with the objective of Copernicus. |
Or. en
Amendment 78
Proposal for a regulation
Article 83 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy Committee for matters concerning specific objectives set out in Article 3(2), point (b); | (c) Health, Biotech, Agriculture, Food and Bioeconomy Committee for matters concerning specific objectives set out in Article 3(2), point (b); |
Or. en
Annex: declaration of input 4 paragraphs
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he included in his draft opinion input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the draft opinion, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:
| 1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register |
| Copa-Cogeca |
| Farm Europe |
| Eat Europe |
| Federalimentare |
| Farm Europe |
| 2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies |
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for opinion.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for opinion declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.