1. 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)

2. 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

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

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

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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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