Activities of Richard HOWITT related to 2013/2092(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
EU space industrial policy (short presentation)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on EU Space Industrial Policy, releasing the Potential for Growth in the Space Sector
Amendments (6)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication by the Commission on EU Space Industrial Policy; is convinced that only a more cost- efficient and consolidated European space industry can be internationally competitivethe European space industry can be internationally competitive within the context of the agreed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); stresses that European space industrial policy must be developed in coordination with the European Space Agency to ensure complementarity;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the need to clarify first the EU's level of ambition especially with regard to its strategic and geopolitical objectives; notes the fact that the Communication does not define the relationship between EU space industrial policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); calls on the Commission, the Member States and the HR/VP clearly to define the potential contribution of this sector to CSDP, the nature and degree of civil-military synergiesbelieves that EU space policy should be seen as an asset to the CSDP, providing a better synergy between space civilian means and space military means mirroring the CSDP's own dual civilian and military role calls on the Commission, the Member States and the HR/VP clearly to define the potential contribution of this sector to CSDP, the nature and degree of civil-military synergies, the role for such technologies in the effective deployment of humanitarian aid operations and for predicting migration flows and patterns following conflicts or natural disasters, and the relevance for CSDP operations and other EU actions and missions in the field of conflict prevention, arms control, the non-proliferation of WMD technologies, counter-terrorism, migration and border control;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the fact mentioned in the Communication that 60 % of electronics on board European satellites are currently imported from the US; calls for an initiative on how to protect sensitive or personal data in this context; also u and also to use the current public procurement process to ensure wherever possible that the purchase of space infrastructure from Member States is used as a further driver of growth in the sector, which in the UK alone has seen 7.5% annual average growth since 2008; Recognises that workers within the space sector are of the highest educational and technologically skilled calibre. Two thirds of the direct workforce holds at least one degree. However, the sector continues to suffer from a shortage of key specific skills, which range from engineering disciplines to physics degrees which must be addressed in order to maintain European leadership in this area; Urges the Commission, ESA, EDA and the Member States to identify critical technologies in the context of the joint European non- dependence process; recalls the risk that the US might, in the event of disagreement, close down or block European space infrastructure;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Supports the point made by the Commission that many components of space systems are of dual-use or military nature and are hence subject to the Directive on intra-Community transfers, the dual-use export regulation or the Common Position on arms exports; welcomes the proposal within the Communication to have a formal report to the Parliament on the dual-use export control system before the end of 2013.
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Supports the focus on supporting space research and innovation under FP7 and Horizon 2020 which must be a prerequisite to future development of this area, and the provision of €3786 million within the MFF for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security "Copernicus" programme which will provide reliable, timely and accurate services to manage the global environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change and help respond to crises;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is deeply concerned at the ongoing militarisation and possible future weaponisation of space, e.g. the emergence of anti-satellite, laser and other kinetic weapons which pose a threat to European space infrastructure and thus to the security and safety of EU citizens; is alsoNotes with concerned with the increasing use of space assets by the military which might reduce and limit civilian use and possible future civilian applications; calls on the Member States and the HR/VP to initiate a review of the outdated 1967 Outer Space Treaty or to initiate a new regulatory framework which takes into account technological progress since the 1960s and effectively prevents; welcomes the EU sponsored multilateral initiative towards an International Code of Conduct for Space Activities as a way of introducing norms of behaviour in space; believes any new framework must take into account the views of all Member States and be a strategically devised framework looking at the long term future of the industry, effectively preventing an arms race in outer space and ensuresing the prohibition of harmful interference with space objects.