Activities of Alda SOUSA related to 2012/2092(BUD)
Plenary speeches (1)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2013 - all sections (debate)
Amendments (27)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 2
Section 1 – paragraph 2
2. NoReiterates that climate action and environmental objectives are of a cross- cutting nature which must be translated into concrete actions to be implemented under the various programmes and policies to foster sustainable growth in Europe; welcomesis deeply concerned, however, that the precurrsent ecommitment by all EU institutions for a more sunomic, social and financial crisis has lead to dramatic budgetary constrainable, resource-efficient and ecological European economy; is worried, however, that the pts in some Member States; calls for improving solidarity and responsibility sharing between Member States, including through increasent economic and fiscal constraints in some Member States lead tod practical cooperation, either absolute or proportional financial responsibility sharing, to overcome the current negligence oftowards achieving climate action and environmental objectives; recalls the recurrent commitment by all EU institutions for a more sustainable, resource-efficient and ecological European economy;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that its priorities for the 2013 budget, as detailed in its above-mentioned resolution of 4 July 2012 on the mandate for the trilogue and especially taking into account the current social, economic and financial dramatic constraints lived in several Member States, consist in enhancing support for employment, growth, and competitiveness and employment, particularly for SMEs and youth; points out once again that the Commission's draft budget (DB) reflects Parliament's priorities as regards the programmes and initiatives to be reinforced towards these objectives;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 3
Section 1 – paragraph 3
3. Is aware that the main responsibility for Public Health measures lies with the Member Sates, underlines, however, the complementarity role of the Union's supported programs and actions, offering economies of scale; is convinced that the European Union has a fundamental role as a catalyst for action and reform within Member States in this policy area; considers, therefore, EU related actions in this regard as key factor in securing Europe's competitivenesssmart, sustainable and inclusive growth;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 4
Section 1 – paragraph 4
4. Is aware that the 2012 Draft Budget shows for Title 07 ‘Environment and Climate Action’ an overall amount for operational expenditure of EUR 418,5 million, an increase of 0.72 % in commitment appropriations (CA) in comparison to the voted 2012 budget; notedeeply regrets at the same time that the increase is below the inflation rate of 2% and de facto a decrease;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 5
Section 1 – paragraph 5
5. Takes note thatRegrets that only an overall level of EUR 366,591 million is suggested for the last year of implementation for LIFE+, the main financial instrument in support and implementation of Environment Policy and Climate Action; underlines the increase of 3.34% compared to 2012 budget level but is concerned that the level is slightly below the multi-annual financial programming for 2013; explores all provisions as stated in paragraph 37 of the Inter-Institutional Agreement;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 7
Section 1 – paragraph 7
7. Observes aDeeply regrets the decrease of EUR 61 million of operational appropriations proposed under Title 17 for Public Health actions compared to the 2012 voted amount of EUR 334 million; is alarmed that with the decreased resources foreseen for the Public Health Programme the number of activities in the Member States is limited; notunderlines therefore, that action at EU level needs to focus solely on real added value in those areas where Member States can not act on their own initiative, such as, cross-boarder health issues, the exchange of best practise and transfer of knowledge, data collection and measuring as well as pooling resources at EU level e.g. for rare diseases and orphan drugs;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points outUnderlines that the EU budget is to be seen instead as a complementary instrument of support for the Member States' economies, capable of concentrating initiatives and investments in areas strategic for growth and, creation of jobs and of bringing an actual added value in sectors overcoming national boundaries; highlights that such a role is legitimised by the same Member States, who, together with Parliament, are responsible for the decisions from which most of the EU law stems;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Section 1 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls that due to the economic and social crisis, severe cuts and constraints have been imposed to the health care sector in several Member States; calls, therefore, for an increase of appropriations to all programs and projects which have a complementary nature to the health systems, in particular, to the Member States facing economic difficulties;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 9
Section 1 – paragraph 9
9. Is generally concerned on theDeeply regrets the proposed level of payment appropriations; points out that the slow start of 2007-2013 programmes resulted in a low level of payment needs during the first half of the programming period; stresses that commitments made in the past need to be paid in the final year of the current financial period; reminds Member States in this context on their political and budgetary commitment which needs to be converted into payment appropriations for the successful implementation of programmes and measures in the area of environment, public health and food safety;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 11
Section 1 – paragraph 11
11. Stresses that the successful implementation and monitoring of legislation needs sufficient and skilled administrative support; reminds that the Public Health Programme is implemented by the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC); is concerned that theregrets the proposed freeze or even reduction of administrative expenditure and underlines that it will have a negative impact on the quality of Commission's activities;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 12
Section 1 – paragraph 12
12. Recalls that decentralised agencies deliver diverse tasks, inter alia adopting individual decisions which are legally binding to third parties, providing direct assistance to the Commission and, where necessary, to Member States and gathering and analysing objective, reliable information and data; reiterates that decentralised agencies need adequate funding and staffing in order to fulfil their existing and newly assigned tasks; is concerned in general about thedeeply regrets the proposed reduction of more than 1% in real terms of expenditure for EU agencies , despite the extension of tasks and some ongoing start- up phases;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. DStrongly deplores, therefore, the decision of the Council to proceed again this year with the usual approach of horizontal cuts to the DB, aimed at artificially reducing the level of the EU resources for 2013 all in all by EUR 1 155 million (-0,8%) in commitment appropriations (CA) and by EUR 5 228 million (- 3,8%) in payment appropriations (PA) as compared to the DB, leading thereby to a clearly insufficient and very modest increase compared to the 2012 budget both in commitments (+1,27% vs. 2% of the DB) and in payments (+2,79% vs. 6,8% of the DB);
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 14
Section 1 – paragraph 14
14. Is not convinced that financial statements accompanying legislative proposals by the Commission will not meet the budgetary and staff requirements after the completion of the legislative procedure defining new tasks for agencies such ECHA for handling biocides and the PIC regime and EMA to implement the pharmacovigilance legislation; calls on the Commission to adapt timely the financial statements after the adoption by the legislator and to inform Parliament accordingly;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is surprised that, in this exercise, the Council hasinsists on not takening into account the latest Commission's forecasts for programmes' implementation, based on estimates of the same Member States, which on the one hand clearly highlight areas of over- performances where reinforcements are needed already in 2012 and on the other hand warn about the severe risk of shortages of payments, in particular under Headings 1a, 1b and 2; recalls in this context the letter that President Barroso addressed to the 27 Member States in July 2012 expressing his concern about the cuts made to the DB by the Council's reading, as a result of which there is a risk that sufficient funds are not made available to enable the EU to honour its debts;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 15
Section 1 – paragraph 15
15. NoteRegrets that the Draft Budget foresees a reduction of the ECDC establishment plan by two and for the EFSA by four posts; recognises at the same time that the EEA receives two additional posts which need to be budgetary neutral achieved by a reduction of two national experts and two contract agents; is aware that 36 additional posts are foreseen for ECHA of which 16 posts will be financed from additional fees as well as 21 posts for EMA; is in this context concerned that the recruitment of staff needs towill be postponed when the fee income is lower than estimated for 2013; will not accept unjustified deletion of AD grades in any establishment plan.
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. RDeeply regrets that the Council departed substantially (all in all by EUR 2,15 billion), as regards commitments, from the financial programming figures, which result from a joint decision with Parliament at the beginning of the programming period, as well as that Council completely disregarded Parliament's priorities, as expressed in Parliament's mandate for the trilogue; recalls that Parliament's reading is based instead upon, and coherent with, these benchmarks;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is of the opinionUnderlines that the answer to the crisis must be more Europe and not less Europe, in order to restart investments, boost the creation of jobs and help rebuild confidence in the economy; having already criticised the proposed freezing in commitment appropriations at the level of the expected inflation rate in the DB, cannot accept Council's decision to reduce them further down to 1,27% compared to budget 2012; recalls that commitments reflect EU political priorities and should be set having in mind a long term perspective where the economic downturn might be over; therefore takes the view that, as a general principle, commitments should be restored at the DB level; intends, however, to increase commitment appropriations above the DB on a selected number of budget lines directly related to the delivery of the Europe 2020 prioritiesU objectives for growth and the creation of jobs, in line with the "decent employment programme" of the International Labour Organization and in line with traditional Parliament's priorities;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Deplores that, although this is the key heading for the delivery of the Europe 2020U objectives for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth, Heading 1a bears practically the totality of the Council's cuts in commitments (-2,9% compared to DB) in Heading 1 and is the most affected as regards decreases in payments (-EUR 1,9 billion or -14% compared to DB); decides to undo almost all cuts by Council and to reinforce above DB in commitment and payments only a selected number of lines directly linked to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy and characterised by high levels of implementation and strong absorption capacity;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. In particular, highlights that the strong cuts affecting Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) programmes are in clear contradiction with the recent European Council's decision to create a «Compact for growth and employment» supporting, among others, research and development, innovation and employment; recallunderlines the very good performances of these programmes, for which Commission reports accelerated implementation in 2012 compared to last year;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. DStrongly deplores the substantial cuts in payments (-EUR 1,6 billion or -3,3 % as compared to DB) by the Council affecting the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective (-12,9%), the European Territorial Cooperation objective (-18,7%) and the Cohesion Fund (-4,7%); notes instead that the Convergence objective is left practically untouched;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Recalls the doubts expressed in its mandate for the trilogue as to whether the level of payments proposed in the DB will be sufficient to reimburse the totality of the expected payment claims in the absence of an amending budget this year; recallunderlines that the same Commission's proposal is based on the assumption that all payment needs from previous years up to 2012 are covered;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. RStrongly rejects the cuts introduced by the Council on Heading 1b, which would lead to a much more serious shortage in payments than already expected and, would idefinitely hampeder the correct execution of projects during the last year of the programming period, with dramatic consequences specially for the Member States which are already under social, economical and financial constraints; points out again that this heading is responsible for two thirds of the current outstanding commitments and that cutting the level of payments for 2013 would also lead to a strong increase in the level of RAL by the end of next year;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Confirms its commitment to act in preventing and responding to crises in the fruit and vegetable sector, and therefore supports a commensurate level for producer groups for preliminary recognition; advocates a sufficient increase of the Union's contribution to the crisis fund within operational funds for producer organisations, especially those representing small and medium producers;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. RStrongly rejects the cuts performed by the Council in payment appropriations in the following areas: European Return Fund (- EUR 18 million), European Refugee Fund (-EUR 1,8 million), European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals (- EUR 3,2 million) and Fundamental Rights and Citizenship (- EUR 1 million); decides, therefore, to restore the level of the DB on the corresponding lines;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Rejects the Council's unilateral decision to change the legal basis of the proposal on the «Schengen evaluation mechanism» from ordinary legislative procedure to Article 70 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; supports the Conference of Presidents' decision to block cooperation with the Council on the 2013 budget as regards internal security aspects; endorses, therefore, the position taken by its Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to put into the reserve some budgetary lines in Title 18 which relate to internal security (in commitment and payment appropriations) until a satisfactory outcome is achieved on the Schengen governance package; is of the opinion that this reserve should not be applied to the agencies working under Heading 3a in order not to jeopardise their work;
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Stresses that measures aimed at combating gender violence must be sufficientadequately funded; emphasises the important role that the programme for preventing and combating all forms of violence (DAPHNE) has playeds in eliminating violence against women and girls in the ,EU, especially in the current context of social, economic and financial crisis and therefore increases its payment appropriations above the level of the DB;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Introduces separate budget lines for all CFSP missions and EU Special Representatives in the different geographical areas, as proposed in the reform of the Financial Regulation, which will provide and enable a more transparent and complete overview of missions conducted under this policy; underlines its commitment to a strictly peaceful resolution of conflicts, to eradicate poverty, to the promotion of cooperation and solidarity towards a social and sustainable development;