WG2B Activity Sheet Information exchange and research needs What issues are deriving from the Article 5 activities and which topics need further research Leaders: Spain (Manuel Menendez) The Netherlands (Gerard Broseliske, Marc de Rooy)

Basic ideas The Article 5 activities as a sound basis for identifying key issues that need further elaboration in the WFD process Identification of issues with relevance for EU-level and prioritisation Identification of knowledge gaps that need further research Clarity on process, deadlines and deliverables

Schematic: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 All issues Issues with EU relevance (policy issues and research needs) Research needs June 2005 December 2005

Step 1: collection of topics January-March 2005 Via questionnaire Check during 2 days workshop in April

Step 2: EU-relevance and prioritisation “pyramid-check” Be as specific as the level needs or as general as the level can be

Step 3: - Key issues to be endorsed - Identification of knowledge gaps List of issues to SCG and WD (June 2005) 2 days workshop with research community for identification of knowledge gaps and research needs (organisation with HarmoniCA) Further discussion during 2nd half of 2005 Results (& advice for future steps to SCG and WD (December 2005)

Role of PRBs PRBs may pick up a subject identified as a key issue and contribute to prepare a EU wide reference (information papers, information exchange activities including workshops, etc). A reference product can be tested by PRBs according their specific characteristics/interests

Key comments by WG2B Make clear distinction between policy issues and research needs Be clear on how the research needs should be worked out Be more clear on the role of PRBs Not only information gaps, also data gaps => use it to design your monitoring network