Activities of Nicola CAPUTO related to 2014/0100(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Organic production and labelling of organic products (debate) IT
Amendments (29)
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) As a matter of principle, the general production rules of this Regulation should include a prohibition on the use of ionising radiation and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products produced from or by GMOs and animal cloning. Since consumers are more and more concerned about environmental impacts of food processing and transportation, organic operators other than farmers and operators producing seaweed or aquaculture animals should be required to manage their environmental performance according to a harmonised system. With the objective of minimising the regulatory burden of micro- enterprises as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC27 involved in organic production, it is appropriate to exempt them from this requirement. In order to ensure the correct application of the general production rules, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing the criteria to which the environmental management system is to correspond. __________________ 27 Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (OJ L 124, of 20.05.2003, p. 36).
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The risk of non-compliance with the organic production rules is considered higher in agricultural holdings which include units not managed under organic production rules. Therefore, after an appropriate conversion period, all agricultural holdings in the Union which aim to become organic should be entirely managed in compliance with the requirements applicable to organic production. However, mixed farms should be authorised, provided that land, animals and products are kept separate. For the purposes of aquaculture, identical species bred using conventional methods and methods under conversion may be kept on the same fish farm. Organic agricultural holdings should undergo the same conversion period in all Member States, irrespective of whether they have previously adhered to agri-environmental measures supported by Union funds. However, no conversion period is necessary in the case of fallow land. In order to ensure quality, traceability and compliance with this Regulation and adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing rules supplementing the general conversion rules or supplementing and amending the specific conversion rules.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Livestock should be fed on feed materials produced in accordance with the rules of organic production, and preferably coming from the own holding, taking their physiological needs into account. In addition, in order to provide for the basic nutritional requirements of livestock, certain minerals, trace elements and vitamins may need to be used under well- defined conditions. Furthermore, the Commission should, for this purpose, include a positive list of non-organic feed where supplies of organic feed are insufficient, ensuring a reasonable time for the sector to adjust to market development.
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77 a (new)
Recital 77 a (new)
(77a) It is essential to set European standards for the registration of organic farming varieties, using criteria that take account of organic farming conditions (agronomic criteria, resistance to diseases, weeds, etc.) under the Regulation on the production and making available on the market of plant reproductive material (COM(2013)262).1a This legal and financial framework must also be revised and adjusted to allow innovation and the provision of seeds and bedding plants adapted to changeable demand in the organic farming sector. ___ 1a Regulation (EU) No XX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of [...] concerning the production and making available on the market of plant reproductive material (plant reproductive material law (OJ L...). __________________
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77 b (new)
Recital 77 b (new)
(77b) It is also necessary to facilitate the creation of interprofessional organisations in the seeds sector, using suitable criteria under the single CMO, to encourage partnership arrangements between seed growers, breeders and all those involved in organic farming, so as to achieve a progressive and concerted increase in the production and availability of organic seed in each country.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77 c (new)
Recital 77 c (new)
(77c) The Commission proposes to entrust the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) with the task of increasing the use of organic seed and developing a new system for the functional and sustainable use of organic seed, providing an incentive for organic seed growers and breeders. This should be one of the priorities in implementing the organic farming action plan.
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77 d (new)
Recital 77 d (new)
(77d) The Commission will include a positive list of non-organic seeds where organic seeds are in insufficient supply, ensuring a reasonable time for the sector to adjust to market .
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the entire agricultural holding or aquaculture operation shall be managed in compliance with the requirements applicable to organic production with the exception of holdings that are: (i) mixed farms with separation of land, animals and products or (ii) fish farms on which identical species are bred using methods under conversion and conventional methods;
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. GMOs and products produced from or by GMOs shall not be used in food or feed or as food, feed, processing aids, plant protection products, fertilisers, soil conditioners, plant reproductive material, including seeds, micro-organisms and animals in organic production.
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States may exempt from the application of this Article retailers with verification systems who sell packaged products directly to the final consumer.
Amendment 286 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The provisions relating to Commission supervision in third countries shall be strengthened. It is also important to strengthen supervision and controls in equivalence agreements with third countries.
Amendment 287 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. It would be advisable to check the provisions already set out in the Union legislation currently in force concerning imports of organic products from third countries (Regulation No 1235/2008)1a , currently being revised, in order to establish an effective link and ensure overall consistency. ____________________________ 1a Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 of 8 December 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries (OJ L 334, 12.12.2008, p. 25-52).
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 36 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. It is considered appropriate to restrict the use of such acts where the provisions concern technical aspects and specific rules relating to production in individual sectors, which could have a significant and negative impact on the agricultural, agri-food and distribution systems of individual countries, which may have complex structures.
Amendment 306 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part I – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point 2
Annex II – part I – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point 2
Plant reproductive material not obtained from organic production may be used only if the organic material is insufficient, when it comes from a production unit in conversion to organic production or where it is justified for use in research, or for testing in small-scale field trials or for genetic resources conservation purposes agreed by the competent authority of the Member State.
Amendment 364 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Furthermore, organic production is a system that contributes to the integration of environmental protection requirements into the CAP, and promotes sustainable agricultural production. That is why, measures financially supporting organic production have been introduced under the CAP, most recently under Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council14 , and in particular strengthened in the recent reform of the legal framework for rural development policy as established by Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council15 However, in the next revision of the CAP, better incentives and increased financial resources are needed for farmers committed to organic production in order to increase the area dedicated to organic farming in the Union. __________________ 14 Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608); 15 Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487).
Amendment 388 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The risk of non-compliance with the organic production rules is considered higher in agricultural holdings which include units not managed under organic production rules. Therefore, after an appropriate conversion period, all agricultural holdings in the Union which aim to become organic should be entirely managed in compliance with the requirements applicable to organic production. However, mixed farms, including units not managed under organic production rules and units managed under such rules are to be allowed in cases where conventional farming activities are clearly differentiated from the organic farming activities, where conventional farming activities are taking place geographically far from the organic farming activities in order to avoid contamination by non- authorised products, or where the agricultural holding or aquaculture operation is in the course of conversion. Organic agricultural holdings should undergo the same conversion period in all Member States, irrespective of whether they have previously adhered to agri- environmental measures supported by Union funds. However, no conversion period is necessary in the case of fallow land. In order to ensure quality, traceability and compliance with this Regulation and adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing rules supplementing the general conversion rules or supplementing and amending the specific conversion rules.
Amendment 411 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Livestock should be fed on feed materials produced in accordance with the rules of organic production, and preferably coming from the own holding, taking their physiological needs into account. In addition, in order to provide for the basic nutritional requirements of livestock, certain minerals, trace elements and vitamins may need to be used under well- defined conditions. Furthermore, the Commission should, for this purpose, include a positive list of non-organic feed where supplies of organic feed are insufficient, ensuring a reasonable time for the sector to adjust to market development.
Amendment 445 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) Organic production is based on the general principle of restriction of the use of external inputs. Farmers are required to take measures to prevent the risk of contamination by non-authorised products or substances. Despite such measures, there may be instances where farmers are prevented from marketing their agricultural products as organic due to the unintentional presence of non-authorised products or substances. It is therefore appropriate to provide for the possibility whereby Member States may, in accordance with Article 42 of the Treaty, be authorised by the Commission to grant national payments to compensate for the losses incurred in such instances. Member States may also use the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy to cover totally or partially such losses. However, in cases where operators with a high risk of contamination are established next to an organic farm and where the origin of contamination can be traced, Member States are to apply the polluter-pays principle or reserve budgetary resources to compensate for the losses incurred by organic farmers.
Amendment 460 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58 a (new)
Recital 58 a (new)
(58a) Producers of organic products for import into the Union should set up self- checking systems for the purpose of inspecting and verifying processes and products to ensure that they meet relevant quality standards. Such independent control systems should be audited by an independent auditor established as an authorised representative within the Union. The auditor should be held financially liable in the event of non- compliance. The Commission should take the preparatory and legislative action required in order for this self-checking and external auditing system to be in place by the end of 2020.
Amendment 598 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) exclusion of genetic engineering, animal cloningincluding genetically modified organisms and products derived from them, animal cloning, including the use of descendants derived from it, artificially induced polyploidy and ionising radiation from the whole organic food chain;
Amendment 617 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the entire agricultural holding or aquaculture operation shall be managed in compliance with the requirements applicable to organic production, with the exception of: (i) mixed agricultural holdings with separation of land, animals and products; and (ii) mixed fish farms on which the same species are reared under conversion and conventional arrangements;
Amendment 668 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. GMOs and products produced from or by GMOs shall not be used in food or feed or as food, feed, additives, processing aids, plant protection products, fertilisers, soil conditioners, plant reproductive material, micro-organisms and animals in organic production.
Amendment 669 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, with regard to GMOs or products produced from or by GMOs for food and feed, operators may rely on the labels of a product Any reference to or use of the term ‘or gany other accompanying document, affixed or provided pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC, Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council48 or Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council49. __________________ 49 Regulation (EC) 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 24).ic’ or ‘bio’ on contaminated food shall also be prohibited, even if such contamination was due to the adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified material and occurred during seed production, cultivation, harvest, transport or processing. __________________
Amendment 672 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Amendment 803 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. By way of derogation from Article 211(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, and subject to an authorization by the Commission adopted without applying the procedure referred to in Article 37(2) or (3) of this Regulation, Member States mayshall grant national payments to compensate farmers for the losses they have incurred due to the contamination of their agricultural products by non-authorised products or substances which prevents them from marketing those products as organic provided that the farmers have taken all appropriate measures to prevent the risk of such contamination. Member States may also use the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy to cover totally or partially such losses. In cases where operators with a high risk of contamination are established next to an organic farm and where the origin of contamination can be traced, Member States shall apply the polluter-pays principle or reserve budgetary resources to compensate for the losses incurred by organic farmers.
Amendment 851 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 a (new)
Article 23 a (new)
Article 23a Annual physical inspection requirement 1. The control authority or control body shall carry out at least once a year a physical inspection of all operators. Member States may exempt from the implementation of this article only those operators which do not produce, prepare or preserve in connection with the sales outlet, or who import such products from a third country, or who have not contracted out such activities to a third party.
Amendment 852 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 a (new)
Article 23 a (new)
Amendment 863 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States may exempt from the application of this Article operators who sell products directly to the final consumer or user provided they do not produce, prepare, store other than in connection with the point of sale or import such products from a third country or have not contracted out such activities to a third party.
Amendment 1024 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part I – point 1.4.2 – paragraph 1
Annex II – part I – point 1.4.2 – paragraph 1
Plant reproductive material not obtained from organic production may be used only if the organic material is insufficient, when it comes from a production unit in conversion to organic production or where it is justified for use in research, or test in small-scale field trials or for genetic resources conservation purposes agreed by the competent authority of the Member State.