Brussels, 01/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - An independent audit should be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of public spending in research and innovation in the EU. That is the wish expressed by Jean-Pierre Audy (EPP, France), a member of the European Parliament (EP) research and energy committee (ITRE), on Wednesday 31 August. “I have suggested that an independent audit be carried out by the European Court of Auditors working with national audit commissions into the effectiveness of public expenditure on research by member states, the European Union and local authorities”, Audy said. This call follows on from the adoption by the ITRE committee of the draft report by Marisa Matias (GUE, Portugal) on the European Commission Green Paper, From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding. The draft report was hailed by Audy as a “strong initial sign” to the Commission that a more coherent common strategic framework for research and innovation funding will have to be put in place, rather than the multitude of funds and schemes which exist at present. (J.K./transl.rt)