Atividade Parlamentar Maria da Graça Carvalho appointed rapporteur of the opinion for the Copernicus programme
In her capacity of member of the Budget Committee of the European Parliament, Maria da Graça Carvalho was appointed rapporteur of the opinion on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Copernicus Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 911/2010.
Copernicus is proposed to be the successor of the European Earth Observation Programme GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). Its main purpose is to provide data and information stemming from space-borne and in-situ observations which contribute to the protection of the environment, to civil protection and to security - and ultimately to economic growth.
Once the MFF is approved by the institutions, the Copernicus programme will have a dedicated budget with an amount of EUR 4,291 million for 2014-2020. The MFF agreement would also provide guarantees as regards the 'ring-fencing' of this amount in the EU budget.
Ms Carvalho seeks to assure "further guarantees for the budgetary authority without hindering the swift take-off of the programme". The proposed amendments aim at providing "more transparency in the funding model of Copernicus and more information and involvement of the European Parliament", notably as regards the breakdown of the Copernicus envelope, the evolution of its costs, and the use of delegation agreements, grants and public procurement as forms of Union funding.
Ms Carvalho also proposes to formalise the involvement of users and stakeholders by building on the 'User Forum' established under the GMES Regulation.
Finally, given the "particular exposure of Copernicus satellites to the risk of collision", Ms Carvalho insists on the "financial contribution which Copernicus should provide to the Space Surveillance and Tracking Support Programme".
Deadline for tabling amendments is set for 24th October at 12:00.
The vote in BUDG committee is scheduled for 14th November.
More information here.