BETA

3339 Amendments of Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Amendment 21 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reminds of the importance of a strict application of the financial rules of the EU in all programmes and on all beneficiaries, in order to avoid all forms of fraud, conflict of interests, corruption, double funding and money laundering; in this framework reminds of the key role played by the whole EU anti-fraud architecture and expresses some concerns about the refusal of some member states to cooperate with one of its elements, notably the EPPO;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls the importance of carrying out an ex-post evaluation of financial programmes created to respond to a crisis concerning their compliance, effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and Union added value;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls the importance of the RRF in facing the economic downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic, reminds that the RRF delivery model puts much, lighter requirements on the Commission, and reduces the control burden from the Commission towards the Member States; is concerned that the Court in its assessment of the RRF identified shortcomings in the Commission preliminary assessment and ex posts audits and considers that weaknesses remain in the member states’ reporting and control systems; is worried that such weaknesses have led to the establishment of ‘control milestones’ indicating that the relevant member state systems were not fully functional when the plans started to be implemented, thus posing a risk to the regularity of RRF expenditure and the protection of the EU’s financial interests;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Regrets that again the Court issued an adverse opinion on the legality and regularity of expenditure, and found that the control mechanisms of the Commission and Member States are simply not reliable enough; underlines the importance of reinforcing the control mechanisms of the Commission and Member States which are considered by the Court as not reliable therefore compromising the reliability of the AMPR; remind that the Commission should follow up in details on all Parliament’s observations, including all the political priorities;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 64 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. WelcomNotes the Court’s conclusion that the revenue is free from material error and that the systems for managing the revenue examined by the Court were generally effective; regrets the adverse opinion on the legality and regularity of the Union budget expenditure issued by the Court for the fourth year in a row;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. NotesIs worried that the Court estimates the level of error for the 2022 expenditure to be 4,2 % (3 % in 2021), which is far above the materiality threshold and which represents a net increase in comparison to 2021 when the error rate was 3%; notes the Commission’s confidence that the risk at payment is estimated at 1.9 % for 2022 (similar to 2020, 2021 and 2022), is representative of the level of error at the time of payment; notes that the Commission’s estimation of the risk at closure, after ex-post controls and corrections have been applied, is 0.9 %; notes the divergence between the Court’s overall error rate and the Commission’s risk at payment, which is observed for the overall Union budget expenditure in 2022, although not in all expenditure areas; but particularly evident in heading 1 and 2 as in the past, remarks the fact that the Commission’s estimates for risk at payment are consistently in the lower range or below the statistical estimations of the Court and is concerned that this represents a systematic underestimation of the existing error level by the Commission, which would not be able to effectively protect the financial interests of the union;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Reiterates the concerns about the Court observation that the Commission’s risk assessment is likely to underestimate the level of risk in several areas, revealing again weaknesses in the Commission’s ex-post audits in Heading 1 'Single market, innovation and digital', underestimation of errors in Heading 2 'Cohesion, resilience and values', and underestimations of risk and a high number of errors in Heading 6 'Neighbourhood and the world', among other issues; is also worried by recurrent weaknesses identified by the court on Member Stets’ ex post checks in heading 2, limiting the reliance that can be placed on their work , father questioning the existence of an effective managing control system which is indispensable to ensure the compliance but also the performance of operations;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Considers that both approaches serve different purposes and have their benefits, disadvantages, strengths, and weaknesses, and should be used to complement each other while understanding the differences and particularities, such as the different concepts of error and the risk categorisation used by each institution; commends the Commission’s approach for its sheer size and the resulting granularity in identifying where additional efforts are most beneficial and where improvements are needed;is worried that the great divergence in the rates provided by the Court and the Commission, in relation to the weaknesses identified on the Commission side, may indicate that the Commission is not taking its role in the protection of financial interests seriously considers the Court’s error rate to be an important indicator of compliance with legality and regularity of the implementation of the Union budget; welcomes in this regard the Court’s findings, observations and recommendations as a very useful contribution to the further improvement of the budget management and implementation under different management modes and by all relevant stakeholders;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 89 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Reiterates its support for the audit approach and methodology of the Court; invites again the Commission to rethink its methodology and cooperate with the Court with a view to increasing harmonisation and to providing for more comparable figures;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 97 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Notes with concern that the total outstanding commitments, which represent future debts if not decommitted, reached an all-time high of EUR 450 billion in 2022, caused by both increased commitments related to NGEU (with all National Recovery and Resilience Plans adopted in 2022) and the start of the implementation of the 2021-2027 programming period; notes that the Commission expects this amount to further increase in 2023, and foresees a decrease from 2024 to 2027 when committed amounts for both NGEU and the 2021- 2027 programming period should be paid out;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Underlines that the Commission projections for the reduction of the outstanding commitments is based on the fundamental assumption, namely that Member States effectively makes more efforts to accelerate the absorption of the 2021-2027 shared management funds and that automatic technical adjustments of payments ceiling are sufficient to cover the payments needs; is worried that these 2 assumptions may not be fulfilled hence creating a very dangerous situation for the EU budget;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Supports the Court recommendation for the Commission to act more proactively to ensure the tools available to mitigate the exposure risks have sufficient capacity;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)
33 b. Notes that in 2022 the Commission has changed the disclosure of contingent liability in its consolidated accounts, making the comparison of year by year extremely complex and long; invites the Commission to report more clearly on its annual account, in order to facilitate conclusions and analysis also in view of the discharge procedure;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 103 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the exposure of the Union budget to Ukraine increased in 2022 to EUR 15,6 billion, with related provisions; notes with concern that for the MFA+ support to Ukraine with a value of EUR 18,0 billion, agreed at the end of 2022 and disbursed throughout 2023, no provisions were required in the CPF to cover the risks of default, posing a serious risk to the EU budget as expressed in the Opinion 07/2022; draws attention that possible losses related to MFA+ will have to be covered by future Union budgets or by the budgetary ‘headroom’ between the MFF ceiling and the own resources ceiling; invites the Commission to provide additional measures to protect the EU budget from future losses related to the MFA+;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 104 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Notes that during 2022 consumer price inflation increased significantly, affecting the EU budget in several ways, by reducing the relative size of the EU budget and reducing the efficiency of the EU finds not able to achieve the objectives to the same extent as initially planned; considers that high inflation affects the proportion of revenue from different sources, with a net reduction of teh share of the GNI-based own resources; strongly supports the Court recommendation on the Commission to assess the impact on the EU budget of increasing inflation in order to proactively apply mitigating measures;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 115 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point iv
(iv) continue to support the administrative capacity of Member States’ authorities; also in view of accelerating the use of EU finds, and reducing the level of outstanding commitments;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 116 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point v
(v) report as part of its disclosure on contingent liabilities and what the annual exposure of the Union budget is, arising from budgetary guarantees and from financial assistance to third countries, making public its estimate of total annual exposure;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 117 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 – point v a (new)
(v a) provide sufficient measures to protect the EU budget from the different risks identified in particular the RAL, the increasing debt, the increased budget exposure including to Ukraine, the increasing inflation etc;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 133 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
54. Notes that the Court estimates that the level of error in spending on ‘Single Market, Innovation and Digital’ in 2022 was material at 2,7 % ; notes with satisfaction that this is a considerable decrease compared to 4,4 % in 2021; takes note of the Court’s observation that the research and innovation expenditure is most affected by error, particularly in the area of personnel costs; notesis worried that the Commission calculated an error rate of 1,5 % for this heading, which is in the lower half of the range of the Court estimation; is concerned that the Courts observation of the underestimation of the rate by the commission persist since many years in a row, with a specific weakness identified in the Commission’s ex post audits;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 151 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71 a. Is worried by the Courts persistent comments on the shortcoming identified in the way audit and managing authorities work (notably weaknesses in the ex post checks by the audit authorities and in controls by the managing authorities that do not always effectively prevent or detect irregularities in expenditure declared by beneficiaries) and the over-reliance of the Commission on the quality of programme authorities’ work; related to inherent limitations in the Commission’s desk reviews;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 220 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108
108. Notes that the Court examined a sample of 23 transactions that is not representative enough of the spending under MFF headings 4 and 5 and, therefore, cannot provide an estimate of the error rate; notesconsidering that the Court’s audit results show that the expenditure is affected by eligibility and procurement issues and that it is a high-risk area (11 out of 23 transactions audited, i.e. 48 %, were affected by errors) invites the Court to provide a clear estimation of the error rate for this chapter; notes that the Court quantified nine errors which had an impact on the amounts charged to the Union budget and that it also found four cases of non-compliance with legal and financial provisions, which had no impact on the Union budget; notes that the Commission concludes that the risk at payment is below 2% for the expenditure on migration and border management, as well as for security and defence;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 234 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119
119. Notes that the Court examined a sample of 72 transactions which is not representative enough of the spending under this MFF heading and, therefore, cannot provide an estimate of the error rate; notesconsidering that the Court’s audit results show that this is a high-risk area (34 out of 72 transactions audited, i.e. 47 %, were affected by errors) invites the Court to provide a clear estimation of the error rate for this chapter; notes that the Court found 25 errors that had a financial impact on the Union budget, relating to ineligible costs, absence of supporting documents, public procurement and expenditure not incurred;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 253 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 a (new)
127 a. Expresses deep concern over the recent announcement by some countries of suspension of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA); calls for increased and sustained funding in recognition of the agency's crucial role in the humanitarian response in Gaza, and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of vital services to a vulnerable population in the Middle East;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 298 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154 a (new)
154 a. Is worried that in its audit work the Court also identified weaknesses in Member States' reporting and control systems, leading the Commission to set up additional conditions for payments (control milestones); notes limitations in the Commission preliminary assessments and ex posts audits and problems with the reliability of the information provided in the management declarations by Member States, casting doubts on the possibility to relay on them when assessing milestones and targets before making payments;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 312 #

2023/2129(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 159
159. Notes that the Commission verified the adequacy of the control systems of Member States as a precondition for the positive assessment of the RRPs and, in some cases, specific M&Tsadditional specific reforms and milestones (so called ‘control milestones) on audit and control were added in the RRPs to ensure the full adequacy of the systems to protect the financial interests of the Union and to address the weaknesses identified in 16 member States reporting and control systems; support the Court evaluation that the fact control milestones were introduced means that Member states systems were not fully functional when the plans started to be implemented posing a serious risk to the regularity of the of the RRF expenditure and the to protection of financial interests; notes that the satisfactory fulfilment of audit and control M&Ts was, in turn, a precondition for the first payments and welcomes that the Court did not raise any issues related to their satisfactory fulfilment assessed during 2022; notes that afterwards, the Commission performed 16 system audits in 2022 and 11 in 2023, so all Member States’ control systems will have been audited at least once by the end of 2023;
2024/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that areas of social policy, environmental policy and development assistanceconsidering this role, NGOs require public support beyond private donations;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that volunteer and civil society organisations deserve the utmost respect and gratitude for the daily work they do in helping others in our society, particularly if they are supporting, for example,in all sectors including but not only social work, cultural engagement, sports education, emergency aidnd humanitarian aid, poverty eradication, human rights and gender equality; recognises the millions of hours of unpaid volunteer work done by thousands of volunteers across Europe as well as other civil society organisations on a daily basis and affirms that these volunteer NGOs deserve the highest praise and support;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Points out in particular the crucial role that aid agencies play in saving and improving lives on a daily basis, for example the work of the Red Cross, Search and rescue organisations, volunteer firefighter organisations, emergency management organisations, humanitarian aid organisations, social welfare organisations, and emphasises the importance of meeting the financial and other needs of these organisations;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that laws and the legislative process often neglect the voices of local, regional and national NGOs, while favouring the priorities of large NGOs, that the priorities and needs of smaller local and regional NGOs are often ignored orconsiders that often small and local NGOs do not have laccess attention paid to them, despite the fact that these smaller and regional groups often do the majority of the workto EU funds because of the already quite cumbersome administrative procedures and obligations imposed on them; emphasises that the work of small and regional organisations is to be paid the highest respect, as they represent the true diversity and variety of volunteer work performedan important element that reinforces diversity and variety across Europe;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Commends the crucial role of NGOs in the EU and elsewhere in defending the rule of law and promoting respect for human rights and democracy; reiterates that in countries with authoritarian or non-democratic regimes, NGOs often represent the last line of defence of democracy that authoritarian regimes worldwide try to silence also through fatally restrictive requirements and obligations; insists on the importance of adequate EU funding and protection for NGOs active in these fields;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Is convinced that public transparency is vital for NGOs to showcase their valuable work, be recognised and build their credibility; reminds that transparency and accountability should not be used to curtail the space for independent civil society and to silence critical voices, and that all requirements and obligations imposed should always comply with international and human rights law, in particular regarding the exercise of civic freedoms, remaining strictly necessary and proportionate to the specific aims pursued
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Is of the opinion that the alleged corruption case referred to as Qatargate and the role certain NGOs played in it could have been prevented through the consistent enforcement of existing transparency requirements and an obligation for NGOs to disclose their sources of funding and their internal structures; notes with concern that the relevant NGOs have profited from EU funding since 2015; considers it unacceptable that the use of funds and transfers to other organisations are not entirely traceable; warns of the danger that EU taxpayers’ money could ultimately be used within corrupt circles; emphasises the importance of ‘final beneficiary transparency’ for EU NGO funds;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 88 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Reiterates the fundamental significance of public trust and support for NGOs; acknowledges that the terms used to describe these organisations are subject to different legal and public interpretations; that hugely varies among Member states
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 91 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that the term NGO is a broad umbrella term embracing many different kinds of organisation: from large international organisations to small regional or local ones, from organisations run mostly by professionals to those consisting mostly of volunteers; highlights that the subject matter covered by NGOs and the covering very diverse subject matters and using different methods of implementation can also vary substantially, for instance, some NGOs may do work that is highly theoretical (for example the work of some think-tanks), or political (for example politically affiliated NGOs) whereas others may be very hands-on (for example the daily work that firefighting NGOs engage in across Europe); emphasises, therefore, that different types of NGOs should be differentiated when analysing levels of transparency and efficiency, and that a better definition of NGOs should be established at; understands that this diversity makes it difficult to have a common definition of NGOs within the EU level;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Reiterates the call for a common definition of an NGO made in the recommendations from the 2021 Commission discharge resolution13 ;Despite this complexity reiterates the calls for a common definition of an NGO at EU level, in particular for NGOs receiving EU funding; is of the opinion that this definition should provide minimum common conditions for defining an NGO; considers that such minimum conditions must include the form of an organisation, the objectives it pursues, its level of formal or institutional existenceNGOs that should provide minimum common conditions for defining an NGO such as the form of an organisation, the accountability of its structures to its members or donors, its level of independence from government, other public authorities, political parties or commercial organisations, and the commercial or professional objectives it pursues on behalf of its members; _________________ 13 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0137.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 106 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the advantages of establishing a common definition for EU engagement with NGOs, encompassing direct deliberative, political and financial interactions; acknowledges the advantage of enabling a common understanding of what these partners are in relation to the EU and its bodies in different contexts, beyond the question of financial support; believes that the added value of a common EU-wide definitionwhose added value lies in increased transparency, accountability and predictability for EU institutions, the Member States, NGOs and EU taxpayers;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 110 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that the spectrum of NGOs receiving EU funding covers a wide range of structures, ways of fuCommission uses the terms NGOs and NFPOs without a clear distinction ing, sources of financing and focus areas, which translate the FTS; regrets that this results into a variety of projects that are financed with taxpayers’ money; notes that the Commission uses the terms NGOs and NFPOs without a clear definition in the FTS; regrets that this results in a lack of public transparency in the allocationsort of confusion in the allocation and monitoring of EU funds; notes that the FTS FAQ provides a definition for NGOs whose non profit- status is an essential element and is subject to validation. regrets that the this non clear distinctions is possible because up to now no common definition of NGOs was applied and monitoring of EU funds and might lead to a lack of public trust;ly self classification of entities are used for the FTS which are based only on rules which may vary among Member States
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 115 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. In this context of complexity and diversity welcomes even more the Commission proposal to include a common definition of NGOs in the recast to the Financial Regulation, as well as the EP mandate which further clarifies the conditions for transparency and accountability;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 120 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is concerned about cases of fraud and irregularities, notably in situations where NGOs that are members of different international networks or platforms that receive EU funding are at risk of conflicts of interest, double funding, corruption or money laundering; is concerned about the lack of publicly available data on the fraud cases involving NGOs; calls on the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to compile and provide such data to Parliament and the ECA and to draw up a list of NGOs that have broken the lawConsiders that fraud, conflicts of interest, double funding, corruption or money laundering should be avoided in all situations and for all the recipeints irrespective of their nature;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 126 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Reminds that NGOs as all other entities applying to EU funding are subjects to quite strict rules; underlines that EDES is an important instrument to protect the Union’s financial interests, ensuring a multi level protection through the early detection of persons or entities representing risks threatening the Union's financial interests; the possible exclusion of persons or entities from participating in award procedures or from being selected for implementing Union funds; the imposition of a financial penalty and finally the publication, in the most severe cases, on the Commission's internet site of information related to the exclusion and where applicable the financial penalty, in order to reinforce their deterrent effect; highlights that the Commission proposal for the Financial Regulation recast included the extension of application of EDES to include incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 129 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Is concerned that public transparency requirements can be circumvented, especially wheHighlights that the FTS provides information monely is passed along a chain and used to fulfil the purposes of other donors; highlights that the FTS does not provide any information about how EU funding sub-granted under indirect and shared management is distributed among NGOs, on what basis or for what purpose; considers this highly problematic, as large amounts of funding aabout grants under direct management, but no details on how EU funding sub-granted under indirect and shared management is distributed; recalls that the EU, as the biggest donor to NGOs, imposes strict legal requirements to their financial re committed through indirect and shared management; calls on the Commission to verify the re-allocation of funds and their use by the final beneficiary by imposing appropriate reporting and publication requirements in line with annual reporting by the Member States and the Commission on the implementation of the European structural and investment fundsrds which sum up with the other donors requests for audited reports, as well as with the national financial accountabilities requirements creating a multi-layered system of reporting;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 137 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Considers that indirect managements is an important instrument to provide support to often small but important projects the Commission would not be able to handle directly; takes notes that the European Court of Auditors reported that the Commission generally reported data on humanitarian and development aid in accordance with international transparency standards
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 144 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Regrets that a lack of transparency makes it possible for powerful actors to establish, fund and/or co-opt EU-funded NGOs in multiple Member States to promote false narratives, including through disinformation, apparently in order to influence EU policy through different actors, as happened in Qatargate; underlines that the EU budget must not be used to lobby againstin Qatargate NGOs have been misused by corrupt actors to influence the decision making process within the EU; rejects all mystification of NGOs because of this misuse, and recalls that the vast majority of NGOs already work in view of achieving the EU’s democratic principles and values; reiterates that foreign influence on EU policymaking may be possible through NGOdifferent instruments; calls on the Commission to require NGOs inall receiptients of EU grants to publish details of any funding received from other sources in relation to projects co-financed by the EU over a five-year period14 ; _________________ 14 See: transparency and accountability study, recommendation 2.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 154 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for national lobby registry laws to also require the disclosure of donors and their international financial chains; for all lobby organisations regardless of their nature
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 157 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that certain organisations that engage in illegal activities and act against the EU’s values have been registered and are operating in Member States; believes that national administrations, which are closer to the ground, must assume responsibility for being the first effective layer that could stop organisations that are acting illegally and against EU rules;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 166 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on national authorities to take legal and administrative measures that facilitate action at EU level and make it easier and quicker for the Commission to include such organisations in the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES) and exclude them from EU funding; recalls for such a requirement for Member States to be included in the proposthat EDES rules are included into the Financial Regulation and only its provisions can determine decisions of exclusion, which should not be driven by any political for an NGO regulationuthoritarian reasoning;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 168 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Is of the opinion that no margins of appreciation should be left for Member States to subject NGOs to fatally restrictive requirements and obligations; recalls that that the Commission started an infringement procedure against Hungary when it introduced a foreign interference law in 2017 and that in its Judgement of 18 June 2020, European Commission v Hungary, the European Court of Justice stated that the right to freedom of association and thus EU law is violated if systematic obligations on Civil Society Organisations are rendering significantly more difficult the action and the operation of the organisations subject to them;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 173 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Regrets that public transparency is negatively impacted by the publication of data in the FTS with a delay of between 6 and 18 months; calls on the Commission to publish information about EU grants awarded to NGOs no later than 6 months after the date on which the grant was awarded15 , including funding received from other sources, such as foundations; while maintaining the principle of confidentiality in particular in case of NGOs or beneficiaries facing serious threats of reprisal; calls on the Commission to develop and integrate data validation tools so that the FTS data validation process is automatic and continuous, is quicker and consumes fewer resources16 ; _________________ 15 See: transparency and accountability study, recommendation 5. 16 See: transparency and accountability study, recommendation 7.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 175 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Criticises those situations in which substantial co-funding is awarded from the EU budget to NGOs that are clearly and predominantly financed by non-EU states, networks or foundations and that deliver research that regularly negatively impacts European industry and transport providers; urges the Commission to trace the flow of funds from the first donor in order to prevent damage to the EU economy;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 183 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Is worried about any attempt about possible restrictions on NGOs that could further restrict the civic space and impose disproportionate burdens for NGOs, violating the Venice Commission/OSCE Guidelines on Freedom of Association, which establish that the right to freedom of association is based on the principle to seek, receive and use resources from different sources, to pursue their activities; reminds that any reporting or transparency obligations imposed on organisations, or any restrictions upon the right to seek resources, must be based on an assessment on whether the interference in the exercise of the right to freedom of association constitutes the least intrusive measure of all means that could have been adopted;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 184 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Recalls that transparency and accountability measures must serve only the purpose of ensuring legitimate public scrutiny; stresses that reporting and disclosure requirements must be accompanied by a specific analysis of a risk posed by certain organisations that would justify such a measure, aimed at clarifying whether such measures are necessary to avert a real, and not only a hypothetical danger;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 188 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Regrets that the Commission’s systems are not very transparent and that their data differ, making it difficult to reconcile information from different publicly accessible Commission portals and databases, because they use different conventions to identify beneficiaries of projects and grants; recommends that the Commission establish as much as possible harmonised rules and standardise the layout and functionalities of programme- specific databases taking into consideration the diverse environments and areas of actions in which NGOs operate and without creating additional unnecessary burden on NGOs, which should be able to work effectively and maximise their results on the grounds;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 190 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Takes note that the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in its Peer Review recommended the Commission to build on progress in simplifying procedures and responding faster by reducing the reporting burden through greater reliance on streamlined and/or shared assessment mechanisms, particularly in partnering with CSOs; increasing the budgetary authority of the delegations; encouraging and incentivising innovation to improve its administrative systems, working methods and development impact17a _________________ 17a https://www.oecd- ilibrary.org/docserver/9789264309494- en.pdf?expires=1699460190&id=id∾cna me=ocid194994✓sum=E73FC75FB89AC CCF2B506924CE765AC2
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 191 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Invites the Commission to assists NGOs in their reporting and monitoring obligations, by also reducing the administrative burden in particular on small NGOs; calls on the Commission to simplify the grant application and selection procedures and to increase the ceiling for administrative expenses in line with donors best practices;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 196 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to use a common unique entity, such as a unique participant identification code, and project identification keys across all portals and databases, including on beneficiaries’ websites, while maintaining the principle of confidentiality in particular in case of NGOs or beneficiaries facing serious threats of reprisal, in order to facilitate the reconciliation of publicly available information provided by different systems and websites; calls on the Commission to provide all NGO grant beneficiaries with code that extracts five years of funding data directly from the FTS and includes links to the corresponding project entries in the Commission’s programme databases17 ; _________________ 17 See: transparency and accountability study, recommendation 19.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 207 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Notes that, although the mainstreaming of the eGrants system as a common grants management tool and applicant registration system across Commission services has improved the quality and completeness of FTS data, more effort needs to be made to improve the reliability of such data; is concerned that there are still continuing shortcomings in terms of consistency in existing Commission transparency portals and systems; further calls for a more user- friendly FTS that is linked to the Transparency Register and compatible with specific programmes’ databases, and highlights that it should include final payments and a clear definition of NGOs, making it possible to identify beneficiaries by category; requests that the Commission prepare a proposal for further administrative action by 1 June 2024;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 214 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to set up, based on Article 36 of the Financial Regulation, a single, interoperable IT system for data mining and risk scoring to improve the efficiency of the internal control of budget implementation; underlines that this system must not only include recipients’ data, but also the data of beneficial owners in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/84919 ; and while maintaining the principle of confidentiality in particular in case of NGOs or beneficiaries facing serious threats of reprisal; calls for this system to include risk indicators based on data from the EDES under all management modes; _________________ 19 Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directive 2006/70/EC, OJ L 141, 5.6.2015, p. 73.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 218 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Demands that the guidelines for contracting external expertise, including by the political groups, better emphasise that only organisations that work based on verifiable facts aror entities whose goals are in line with the fundamental rights and values of the Union enshrined in the Treaties can be eligible for funding; demands that the recipients enter into a corresponding voluntary commitment prior to funding and that the Commission and the ECA carry out corresponding random checks; rejects any funding of organisations that have demonstrably spread false information and/or whose goals are directed against the fundamental values and recognised principles of the EU’s social market economy;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 219 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Acknowledges that the Commission provides administrative and financial support for the establishment of information platforms for MEPs and the public, but wonders, in the case of a platform on the Nature Restoration Law20 , whether the timing of the establishment and the lack of monitoring of the reliability of the information disseminated encouraged one-sided partisan political influence, thus giving the impression that the executive branch lobbies the legislative branch, which would constitute an improper use of taxpayers’ money; requests that the Commission disclose the timing and the amount of money flows in relation to that platform by 1 February 2024 and asks the ECA to review this case and determine what action should be taken; _________________ 20 ‘Business and Biodiversity’, European Commission, accessed 29 September 2023.deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 227 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Notes that there might be a conflict of interest in the EU institutions if the legislative branch were influenced by the executive branch; calls for the Commission, the EU agencies and other EU entities and institutions to be required to make their contracts, agreements and work programmes with NGOs available without delay to members of the Committee on Budgetary Control by 1 February 2024; regrets that multiple requests by the rapporteur for access to contracts between NGOs and European agencies have not been followed up and that a request must be made via the chairperson of the Committee on Budgetary Control; calls for access to contracts to be given to members of the Committee on Budgetary Control without delay;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 232 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that the coexistence of reporting obligations and accounting practices at the national and EU levels may lead to a disproportionate administrative burden for NGOs; calls on the Commission to ensure that reporting obligations at the EU and national levels are consistent in order to guarantee easier monitoring of the fulfilment of obligations, especially for smaller NGOs; calls on the Commission to develop a common and harmonised monitoring system toaimed at reducing the red tape, improving efficiency and identifying final beneficiaries, as is already the case in regional policy; recommends that such a system should be bwhile maintaining the principle of confidentiality in particular in cased on the monitoring principles under shared management that apply to EU Member States;f NGOs or beneficiaries facing serious threats of reprisal
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 242 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the Commission to ensure that all applicants or beneficiaries of EU funding, including NGOs, are required to publish annually the number of lobbying contacts they have, along with their nature and their monetary value; calls on the relevant EU institutions and bodies to provide the tools necessary for the publication of such meetings; reiterates in this context the need for a comprehensive financial pre-screening of these entities before they are listed in the EU transparency register; calls for a transparency officer to be placed in all committee secretariats and relevant administrative units; recalls that, according to the transparency register guidelines, changes in the data provided should be communicated as soon as they occur and, in any case, within three months; insists that any changes in the board or leadership of EU-funded NGOs should also be recorded in the transparency register;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 247 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Calls for strict enforcement of the rules for access to Parliament and for invitations to parliamentary committees, which are conditional on the registration of each organisation in the transparency register by the new transparency officer who will be placed in each committee secretariat;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 249 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Urges the Commission to develop a centralised certification system for NGOs wishing to apply for EU funding that are registered in the EU transparency register, based on existing best practices;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 260 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Recalls the recommendations from the 2021 Parliament discharge resolution22 calling for a revision of the EU transparency register and its guidelines to require the disclosure of details on all funding sources from registered organisations, including the shares held in other companies, and to allow EU funds to be traced from the direct recipient to the final beneficiary when funds are passed along a chain, including when funds from one NGO or stakeholder are transferred to another; while maintaining the principle of confidentiality in particular in case of NGOs or beneficiaries facing serious threats of reprisal; _________________ 22 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0138, paragraph 74.
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 263 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Calls for all EU-funded NGOs to publish online all meetings with MEPs, MEPs’ assistants or representatives of other EU institutions, bodies or agencies whenever such meetings relate to ongoing EU legislative affairs or to the EU financing that NGOs receive or apply for, in line with similar obligations for MEPs; calls on the relevant EU institutions and bodies to provide the tools necessary for the publication of such meetings;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 268 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Consider the adoption of an NGO regulation as a discriminatory measure that targets NGOs but not all other EU recipients; is of the opinion that issues such as revolving doors, transparency in financing and donations, the fight against money laundering, limiting foreign interference , independence from political and economic influence, whistleblowing are of importance for all entities receiving EU funds, and should not be used to limit the space of action of the NGOs;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 269 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
NGO regulationdeleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 272 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Reiterates its call made in the 2021 Commission discharge resolution23 to adopt an NGO regulation by 1 June 2024 that includes harmonised minimum requirements for NGOs across all EU entities and a clear definition and categorisation of the fields of activity and size of NGOs and that provides for the necessary conditions for NGOs to receive EU funds; insists that there should be a clear distinction between regular NGOs and ‘public utility NGOs’; calls on the Commission to establish simplified procedures for small NGOs; _________________ 23 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0137, paragraph 20.deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 278 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to ensure that, when preparing its proposal for the NGO regulation, important questions on issues relating to, but not limited to, clear definitions, revolving doors, transparency in financing and donations, the fight against money laundering, limiting foreign interference, independence from political and economic influence, whistleblowing, and transparency in actual leadership and ownership are dealt with in a sufficiently transparent manner;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 285 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Reiterates its call in the 2021 Commission discharge resolution24 for the creation of a public blacklist of NGOs that have engaged in activities such as hate speech, incitement to terrorism, religious extremism, supporting or glorifying violence or spreading unfounded scientific statements or that have misused or misappropriated EU funds and are listed in the EDES database in order to ensure that they are blocked from access to EU institutions and EU funding programmes; expects a proposal on this to be put forward by the Commission no later than 1 July 2024; _________________ 24 Texts adopted, P9_TA(2023)0137, paragraph 19.deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 292 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42 a. Expresses concerns about threats and attacks on NGOs, including in the form of the creation of public black list of NGOs, when the EDES system is already a valuable instrument of early detection and exclusion, and which scope has been broadened with the Commission proposals on the Financial Regulation to include incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 297 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the ECA to draw up a special report following up on its 2018 findings with a view to investigating the internal democratic structures of NGOs, the direct and indirect inflows and outflows of EU and other funds and to the extent to which these are in line with democratic and human rights and EU values, calls on the ECA to additionally conduct a comprehensive analysis of the visibility- and transparency-related provisions of the current legal framework for the EU transparency register and the Financial Regulation and to make further recommendations to and analyse the final beneficiary and first financial sponsor transparency and further recommendations to enhance it; expects the ECA to deliver this report by 1 December 2024 and calls on it to adapt its existing work plan if necessary;special report
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 301 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the Commission and the ECA to systematically submit to Parliament, as the discharge authority, the information from the risk-based on-site reviews of NGOs that it conducts; calls on the Commission to go beyond the minimum requirements and increase the number of NGOprojects it subjects to reviews; insists that such information be made publicly available;, while still maintaining the principle of confidentiality in case of risk of reprisal
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 303 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Regrets the fact that it is not possible for OLAF to obtain information on the financial misconduct of individual NGOs; calls on the Commission to enhance OLAF’s access status; expects that the development of the monitoring system will make it easier to identify organisations guilty of misconduct, to name and investigate them and to impose appropriate sanctions;deleted
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 308 #

2023/2122(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45 a (new)
45 a. Reminds that NGOS are submitted to the same level of control and investigations like any other EU recipients funds covering all expenditure side, within the respective mandate of both OLAF and EPPO;
2023/11/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that POs have a key role in helping to achieve the objectives of the CFP, which is why they need to be further supported; notes that more must be doneconsiders that concrete and binding measures are needed to promote the set-up, consolidation and financing of POs across the EU, particularly in Member States where primary production has largely remained fragmented (aquaculture, small- scale fisheries); considers that strong PO presence is crucial for enhancing the prosperity of coastal and island communities and strengthening the position of fishers in the supply chain;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 27 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes the Commission’s recognition that PMPs are key in helping to achieve the objectives assigned to the CMO by Article 35 of the CFP Regulation and that a strong presence of well- functioning POs is a decisive factor in the survival and prosperity of coastal and island communities and in strengthening the weight of primary producers in relation to the processing industry or retailers; notes, however, that the inconsistent financial support across national authorities for the implementation of PMPs by POs of small scale coastal fishers creates ongoing challenges to the proper functioning of POs of small scale coastal fishers and to ensuring a level playing field and does not deliver on the Commission’s commitment that the corollary of POs’ obligations with regard to implementing the CFP objectives is privileged access to financial support;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 28 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Is of the opinion that, while the Commission’s approach to facilitate dialogue and understanding among parties helps facilitate the recognition process of POs of small scale coastal and island fishers, this approach does not help facilitate the day-to-day functioning and financial viability of POs of small scale coastal and island fishers, in particular in relation to the implementation of PMPs;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 29 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Considers that the Commission’s approach of raising awareness of the many reasons why proper financing is important is not sufficient to reduce disparities across national authorities in financing the implementation of PMPs and the day-to-day functioning of POs of small scale coastal and island communities and that this creates an inequitable PO system which undermines the survival and prosperity of coastal and island communities;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 30 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. Calls for an updated and strengthened Commission staff guidance document which reflects the importance, and diversity and specific characteristics of the small scale fishery sector; notes that measures ensuring the accessibility of financial support for POs of small scale coastal and island fishers in relation to the implementation of their PMPs and the day-to day functioning of their POs are essential to achieve the objectives of the CMO and of the CFP and for the survival and prosperity of coastal and island communities.
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 31 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 e (new)
4e. Calls for concrete measures to ensure fair access to markets and sustainable food systems for small scale coastal and island fishers and gender and youth inclusive policies for present and future fishing communities.
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 32 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Concludes that properly functioning POs generally have successful measures and actions, but observes that there is still a lack of POs organising small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers in particular; notes also that there are significant financial impediments to the day-to-day functioning of the POs of small scale coastal and island communities; notes that the aquaculture POs currently in operation have been particularly successful in their promotion and communication activities;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 35 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for Member States and the European Commission to work proactively to remove barriers to PO recognition for small scale producers, through concrete measures such as the provision of legal structure and administrative templates, domain expert mentoring, organisational capacity building, access to adequate advance and operational financing and, achievable PO recognition criteria suited to the specific characteristics of the small scale sector;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 37 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls for Member States and the European Commission to recognise that economic activity should not be the primary criterion for PO recognition given the social and cultural importance of small-scale low impact fisheries;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 38 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Notes that, since financial support to PMPs is not mandatory under the EMFAF Regulation, and since there is currently inconsistent financial support across national authorities for the implementation of production and marketing plans, this raises increased concern around level-playing-field issues for POs that must abide by the same CMO rules.
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 118 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for the Commission to initiate more effective measures to eliminate barriers for POs to fully deliver on their missions by addressing the difficulties for small scale coastal and island fisheries POs regarding differential treatment by national administrations, be it in terms of PO recognition, day-to-day financing, administrative support or eligibility of measures.
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 121 #

2023/2049(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Welcomes the Commission’s recognition that the funding and creation of structures to share the and organise the financial support of transnational professional organisations is a key issue; notes that this is particularly pertinent to the diverse small scale coastal fisheries sector which constitutes the majority of the EU fleet;
2023/09/05
Committee: PECH
Amendment 39 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Reiterates its concerns about the lack of transparency around the EGF which may result in the almost impossibility to assess whether the fund has actually benefitted the European economy;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Reiterates its calls for the EIB to carry out due diligence in the preparation phase of all the projects in order to include careful consideration and respect for human rights and indigenous communities and to develop a clear human rights strategy which includes human rights risk and impact assessments;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Is concerned by the decision taken by the EIB in October 2022 to roll back its climate commitments, by loosening the climate criteria companies have to meet to qualify for support and cancelling the PATH Framework for all renewable energy projects and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure inside the EU until 2027; invites the EIB to reconsider this position and to be consistent with it Climate Roadmap;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Reiterates its request for EIB Global to be centred around an equitable and sustainable agenda in recipients countries, while demonstrating clear development additionally;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 80 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the establishment, announced in 2021, of a new system for following up and reporting on recommendations and opinions issued by the investigative division of the EIB Group; reiterates its request that the financial impacts of the cases it investigates be indicated in the 2022 annual report and that it go beyond a mere narrative description of the case studies in order to provide valuable insights enabling the extent to which financial interests are safeguarded to be assessed; reminds the importance of ensuring a clear EIB’s evaluation of the financial, operational and reputational risks when deciding on whether an investigation is appropriate to that end;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Is particularly worried by the reported case of failure on fraud and corruption by EIB in a EUR 38 million investment it made in a private equity fund, refusing to take any action and closing the investigation without any explanations in 2020; regrets that despite fresh evidence emerged earlier in 2023 and the EIB’s Complaints Mechanism recognising evidence suggesting illegal activity, EIB is still refusing to reopen the case2a; _________________ 2a https://www.ft.com/content/cdda4973- 3957-45c2-b3ff-dc80218323de
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 84 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. WelcomesTakes note of the updated codes of conduct of the Management Committee and the EIB Board of Directors of August 2021; welcomes the introduction of a longer cooling-off period for the members of the Management Committee (24 months instead of 12) and for the members of the Board of Directors (12 months instead of six); regrets, however, that there is no provision excluding vice-presidents from overseeing and taking decisions on operations in their countries of origin, and insists that this be addressed in the next revision;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 87 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Reiterates its call on the EIB to ensure that the complaints mechanism is accessible, effective and independent in order to detect and redress any possible human rights violations in EIB-related projects;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 94 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Reiterates the need for more transparency when projects are implemented through financial intermediaries; reminds the importance of transparency also on the internal decision making procedures and on the environmental and human rights impact of the project including through their full implementation;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 95 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41b. Takes note of the inquiry opened by the European Ombudsman in March 2023 on the transparency, timely publication of information and public participation in the EIB’s environmental and social decision-making; reminds that Ombudsman already issued clear recommendations to adopt a more ambitious disclosure policy in April 2022 which still remain without a follow up;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 96 #

2023/2046(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 – point b a (new)
(ba) a new measures to strengthen transparency and human right due diligence;
2023/04/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Appreciates the improved overall coherence of the anti-fraud legislation across the EU, following the actions undertaken to transpose the EU rules into national systems correctly; observeexpresses concerns that, in some respects, the situation is still sub- optimal, in particular as regards the detection and reporting of suspected fraud and irregularities and their follow-up, for which the differences between Member States are still very notable;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. INotes also awarewith concern that the overall occurrence of cases of conflicts of interest is higher than reported in the IMS, as indicated by the additional information received by the Commission’s Directorates-General for Regional and Urban Policy and for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion about conflict of interest cases and related recoveries in public procurement in the European Social Fund, Cohesion Fund and European Regional Development Fund, reported directly from the Member States via the EU’s fund management system (known as the SFC, which in 2014-2020 presented 31 additional cases related to 16 programmes in 11 Member States with an impact of EUR 3.4 million);
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 66 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Is aware that the implementation of the RRF is reaching its peak and that the regulation governing its deployment requires Member States to put in place effective and efficient control systems, with a view to protecting the Union’s financial interests and ensuring compliance with EU and national rules; realises the inherent characteristics of the RRF spending model, the difficulty of the assessment of an error rate comparable (to other EU spending areas) and the limitations posed by the Commission’s payment suspension methodology1a; points out that, in particular, the countering of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest (defined as ‘serious irregularities’) and double funding should receive appropriate resources and attention; _________________ 1a ECA, 2022 EU audit in brief, p. 57.
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Expresses concerns that the European Court of Auditors identified weaknesses in the Member States’ reporting and control systems, leading to the definition of “control milestones” and imposing them to certain MS to address the weakness identified; is also worried that the simple fact that the Commission introduced control milestones, means that the relevant MS systems were not fully functional when the plans started to be implemented, posing a risk to the regularity of RRF expenditure and the protection of the EU’s financial interests2a; _________________ 2a ECA, 2022 Annual report, par. 11.47 - 11.55.
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 90 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. Notes that among the available options, Arachne was by far the most widely-used IT system (by 21 Member States), in support of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and the RRF; observes with concern that many Member States used their own dedicated anti-fraud IT tools, often in conjunction with EU tools, although those toolswhich were rarely interoperable;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 108 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Calls on the Commission to engage in a constructive dialogue with the EPPO, with a view to strengthening the Office’s capacity to tackle the constantly increasing challenges in the anti-fraud landscape; and at the same time ensuring the fundamental principle and rules laid out in the EPPO Regulation, that the office shall be independent including decision making on budgetary matters, in order to act in the interest of the Union as a whole and in line with the Conditionality Regulation;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 116 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 67
67. Remarks that the NAFS need to be adopted or updated by as many Member States as possible, and reiterates that the need for such revisions stems from the new anti-fraud landscape, with the EPPO now fully operational, and from the opportunity to reflectdisclose new significant risks in the increasingly complex fraud landscape;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 117 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
68. Reiterates its appreciation for the Commission’s encouragement to Member States to adopt NAFS, which has so far resulted in an increase in the number of NAFS adopted, namely, 15 Member States had adopted NAFS by the end of 2022, nine of which being cross-cutting covering the EU’s financial interests fully;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 120 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
69. NotesIs worried that, by the end of 2022, only three Member States (Finland, Ireland and Poland) indicated that they had not adopted any strategy for protecting the EU’s financial interests and five (Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Romania) indicated that they were in the process of establishing one, while the other Member States have alternative strategies at national, regional or sectoral level or, in some cases, combine them;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 131 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 77
77. Believes that funds under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) for assistance in non-EU countries and the resources allocated for Europe’s response to the war in Ukraine are not adequately monitored and controlled thus calling for more thorough checks;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 132 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75 a (new)
75a. Reiterates that though the EU currently stands as an observer within GRECO, it is strongly advised that it became a full-operating member, thus i) participating in the monitoring of the implementation of widely-recognised international law and standards ii) horizontally communicating with other GRECO members anti-fraud policies and tools iii) sharing experience on an international level for the recognition of potential deficiencies of EU internal mechanisms to identify corruption, iv) optimally combatting fraud issues by timely activating prevention and detection measures; request the Council to provide a clear position on the EU joining GRECO, clarifying if there is any specific opposition and by which Member State;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 136 #

2023/2045(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
79. Reaffirms its strong belief that only by strengthening the EU anti-fraud architecture can the protection of the EU’s financial interests be effectively and efficiently pursued and enhanced, overcomingby encouraging interoperability and adjustment to a unified anti-fraud strategy framework for the Member States within the EU opting for more inflows in terms of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, so as to overcome the inherent limits of the national systems which are not sufficient to counter the increasingly transnational attacks against the Union’s financial interests;
2023/10/19
Committee: CONT
Amendment 490 #

2023/2015(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recognises the relevance of hemp as alternative sustainable protein crop and the need to establish harmonized rules at the EU level facilitating its farming and transformation into food and feed products;
2023/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the EU-Chile Association Agreement, which has been in force since 2003, has significantly expanded bilateral trade, including in the agri-food sector, and now needs to be modernised; whereas Chile’s high dependence on global markets in the agri-food sector has nevertheless primarily benefited large scale, commercial farmers who employ locals on a precarious seasonal basis; whereas for the fruit sector in particular, despite the increase in profits for monoculture farming agribusinesses, this growth might result in a destruction of traditional agriculture based on local livelihoods and negative impacts on biodiversity;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the recent global crises and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have emphasised the fragile nature of the globalized food chain; stresses the need to ensure food sovereignty and self- sufficiency at EU and Member State level; highlights the need for diverse trading partners and reliable value chains; whereas one way to meet this need is to strengthen tradeeconomic and political relations with like- minded partners and to reduce dependence on imports that are beyond our control and might entail negative social and economic impacts;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 11 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas trade policy should contribute to raising environmental and animal welfare standards and ensure respect for human rights, particularly indigenous rights, thereby guaranteeing high standards and a level playing fieldhe Strategic Impact Assessment (SIA) warned that an increase in agriculture production as a result of the modernised agreement could negatively impact on the right to water because the growing sectors are relatively water intensive, and water management is already a challenge in Chile; whereas this could have an impact on the environment due to enhanced emissions as a result of increase in agriculture production (e.g. vegetables, fruits, nuts, as well as oilseeds and vegetable oils); whereas indigenous peoples rights could be affected as local communities will be deprived of drinking and sanitation water;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 16 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas the expansion of production of the export-oriented agricultural sector to fulfil overseas demand of counter-seasonal products, in addition to the unsustainable use of water in the growing mining sector, has exacerbated Chile’s water crisis; whereas Chile is experiencing its longest drought in its history and more than half of Chile’s 19 million population are living in areas with ‘severe water scarcity; furthermore, the increased use of fertilisers and pesticides in Chile endangers soil and water and induces large agricultural runoff, resulting in nutrient contamination and eutrophication of coastal lakes, wetlands and estuaries;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the huge diversity of plant species and varieties used in agriculture was initially created by local and indigenous communities and farmers over hundreds and thousands of years; whereas the diversity of plants for agricultural use as well as the agrobiodiversity in broader terms is the backbone of sustainable agriculture and plays a crucial role in protecting against plant diseases and adapting to climate change;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the modernisation of trade relations between the EU and Chile through the inclusion of new sustainability provisions in the trade and sustainable development chapter of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement, plus a review clause to account for changing environmental and social standards; noteregrets, however, that the trade and sustainable development chapter lacks new provisions integrated in the TSD and gender chapters, such as commitments on climate and on the Paris agreement, on core ILO labour conventions and the decent work agenda, on gender equality, biological diversity, deforestation, overfishing and responsible business conduct, are largely cooperation-based and thus non-sanctionsable;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 31 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets that, while the Agreement requires both parties to implement Nationally Determined Contributions, neither the Paris Agreement nor the ILO conventions fall under the main dispute settlement chapter; regrets that the trade and sustainable development chapter is not in line wiht the TSD review adopted by the Commission; calls for a review of the TSD chapter within two years of its entry into force and a joint development of clear milestones and implementation roadmaps by both the EU and Chile involving the NDCs; believes that the improvements made in the trade and sustainable development chapter are not sufficient to balance the social and environmental risks posed by the proposed agreed trade liberalisation;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 36 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges the elimination of tariffs on EU exports, leaving 99.9 % of exports tariff-free; regrets that market opening is not linked to compliance with stricter environmental standards, which risks to lock-in harmful production methods, particularly in agriculture and industry;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 41 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses that, in line with the objective of the Green Deal, the EU's long-term growth strategy aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050; stresses that the energy mix used in the maritime sector relies currently almost entirely on fossil fuels; notes that in order to achieve climate neutrality, the EU must reduce transport emissions, including those from maritime transport, by 90% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels); is concerned that the greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport of products from Chile are incompatible with EU's climate commitments;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 43 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Rejects the inclusion of Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) in the revised trade deal (Article 25.48); stresses that UPOV-91 is inconsistent with international environmental obligations such as those outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP);
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 52 #

2023/0260R(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that citizens' expectations are evolving and leading to significant changes in the food market, with a consequent increase in demand for locally produced food; stresses the importance of locally produced food, its value to our farmers and the significant positive contribution it can make to our environment; therefore encourages the Commission and the Member States to actively promote the development of local food strategies and to launch initiatives in favour of short supply chains;
2023/10/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) PRM constitutes the starting material for plant production in the Union. Therefore, it is critical for the production of raw material for food and feed purposes and for the efficient use of plant resources. It contributes to environmental protection and the quality of the food chain and food supply in the Union as a whole. In this regard, the availability, high quality and diversity of PRMe sources PRM including locally adapted varieties that can have the benefit of having a higher tolerance to local environmental conditions appears to be of outmost importance to achieve the transition to sustainable food systems called for in the Farm to Fork Strategy36 , agriculture, horticulture, environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food and feed security, and the economy in general. _________________ 36 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system (COM(2020) 381 final).
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 73 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) This Regulation should not cover PRM sold or transferred in any other way, whether free of charge or not, between any persons for their own private use and outside their traduse. It would be disproportionate to set out rules for such use of PRM, as this kind of transfer is usually limited to relativerly small amounts, and has no commercial purposes and is restricted to private activities.;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 84 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) Control plot tests should be conducted to verify the varietal identity and purity of individual seed lots. Specific rules should be set out concerning those tests on pre-basic, basic, and certified and standard seed, on the basis of the applicable international standards and the experience gained by the application of the PRM marketing Directives.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 87 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) In view of those special characteristics of the conservation varieties, and by way of derogation from the established requirements for production and marketing, the production and marketing of PRM belonging to them should be allowed under less stringent requirements. That objective is in line with the principles of the European Green Deal, and in particular, with the principle of protection of the biodiversity, and because such categories of PRM do not have particular harmonised identity and do not compromise the identity and quality of other PRM marketed in the Union. It is thus appropriate to allow for that material to comply with the requirements for standard material for the species concerned. That PRM belonging to conservation varieties should therefore be labelled with the indication ‘Conservation varieties’. Those varieties should also be registered, to enable their control by the competent authorities and guarantee the informed choices for their users and the effectiveness of official controls.;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 90 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) Many gene banks, organisations and networks operate in the Union with an objective to conserve plant genetic resources. In order to facilitate their activityis important activity, which is not attractive to commercial operaters as it is not economically significant, it is appropriate to allow that PRM which is marketed to them, or among them, derogates from the established production and marketing requirements, and that instead it complies with less stringent rules.;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 95 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
(36) Farmers habitually exchange in kindfor monetary compensation and in kind, relatively small quantities of PRM including seeds in order to carry out dynamic management of their own seed. It is thus appropriate that a derogation from the established requirements is provided for the exchanges of smallthese quantities of seeds between farmers. Such derogation could apply if those seeds do not belong to a variety for which plant variety rights have been granted in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2100/94(41 ). Member States should be allowed to define those smallese quantities for specific species per year, in order to ensure that there is no misuse of such derogation impacting the marketing of seeds. while ensuring no misuse of this power that curtails the right of farmers to exchange PRM including seeds as they have done for thousands of years. _________________ 41 Council Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 of 27 July 1994 on Community plant variety rights (OJ L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1).
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 97 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) Union production and marketing of PRM needs to comply with the highest possible standards. Therefore, the import of PRM from third countries should only be allowed if an assessment of their applicable identity and quality standards and certification system establishes that such PRM fulfils requirements equivalent to those applicable to PRM produced and marketed in the Union. Such assessment should be based on a thorough examination of the information provided by the third country and its relevant legislation. It should also be based on the satisfactory outcome of an audit carried out by the Commission in the respective third country, where that audit is considered necessary by the Commission, however the implementation of this regulation should not preculde the importation of small quantities of PRM from third countries for conservation purposed where due to the non commercial nature of the stock the tests to establish the required equivalance in not being carried out.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 115 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
(64) Regulation (EU) 2018/848 should be amended to align the definitions of ‘plant reproductive material’ and ‘heterogeneous material’ with the definitions provided for by this Regulation. Moreover, the empowerment for the Commission to adopt specific provisions for the marketing of PRM of organic heterogeneous material should be excluded from Regulation (EU) 2018/848, as all rules concerning the production and marketing of PRM should be set out in this Regulation for reasons of legal clarity.deleted
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 133 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) to ensure a equalproportionate conditions for the competition of the professional operators across the Union and the functioning of the internal market in PRM that recognizes the differences in scale of operaters in the market palce;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 138 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(f a) to ensure adquate competation in the internal market so that PRM is available to farmers and other final users at a reasonable cost;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 154 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) PRM sold or transferred in any way, whether free of charge or not, between final users for their own private use and outside their commercial activities;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 161 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) PRM used solelysold or transferred in any way, whether free of charge or not, for official testing, breeding, inspections, exhibitions or scientific purposes., including on-farm research;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 168 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point e a (new)
(e a) PRM accessed, sold or transferred in any way, whether free of charge or not, for the purpose of the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources and agro-biodiversity;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 170 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point e b (new)
(e b) where it would restrict rights that are defined by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) or the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Living in Rural Areas (UNDROP).
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 177 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part
(2) ‘professional operator’ means any natural or legal person, involved professionally in one or more of the following activities in the Union concerning PRM:, aimed at the commercial exploitation of the PRM by the professional operator;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 191 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
(c) maintenance of varieties;deleted
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 195 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point d
(d) provision of services for identity and quality;deleted
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 207 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘marketing’ means the following actions conducted by a professional operator: sale, holding, transfer for free, or offering for sale or any other way of transferring or distribution of PRM within, or import into, the Union aimed at the commercial exploitation of the PRM;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 239 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 27 – point d a (new)
(d a) does not consist of a GMO or a category 1 NGT plant as defined in Article 3(7) of Regulation (EU) or of a category 2 NGT plant as defined in Article 3(8) of Regulation (EU) …/… (Office of Publications, please insert reference to NGT Regulation ...).
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 241 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 28
(28) ‘final user’ means any person acquiring, transferring and using PRM for purposes which are outside that person’s principle professional activities;
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 268 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 35 a (new)
(35 a) ‘conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources and agro- biodiversity’ means the preservation of the genetic diversity within and between cultivated plant species, and includes both the in situ dynamic conservation, whether on farm or in garden, the ex situ conservation outside of their natural habitat, and the sustainable use of plant genetic resources and agro-biodiversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 320 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Before adopting or supplementing a delegated act under paragraph 4, the Commission shall assess the implementation of the requirements, considering the outcome of their application by competent authorities and small-scale professional operators and their impact on seed production and availability.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 322 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The Commission may adopt implementing acts specifying the production and marketing requirements referred to in Part A and Part B of Annex III for certain genera or species of standard seed or material. Those requirements shall concern one or more of the following elements: (a) specific uses of the genera, species or the types of the PRM concerned; (b) production methods of PRM, including sexual and asexual reproduction and in vitro propagation; (c) conditions for sowing or planting; (d) field cultivation; (e) harvesting and post-harvesting; (f) germination rates, purity and content of other PRM, moisture, vigour, presence of earth or extraneous matter; (g) the application of bio-molecular or other technical methods, as well as their approval and use, and the listing of approved methods in the Union; (h) the conditions for rootstocks and other parts of plants of genera or species other than those listed in Annex I, or their hybrids, if propagating material of the genus or species listed in Annex I or their hybrids is grafted onto them; (i) conditions for the production of seeds from fruit plants or vine; (j) conditions for the production of fruit plants, vine or seed potatoes from seeds.deleted
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 398 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. PRM belonging to the genera or species as listed in Annex IV may only be produced and marketed as pre-basic, basic or certified seeds or material, except for PRM marketed in accordance with Articles 26 or 27.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 400 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
The delegated act referred to in the first subparagraph shall remove a genus or a species from Annex IV, if one of the conditions set out in the second subparagraph, point (b), points (i) and (ii), is no longer fulfilled, at the request of a Member State, the Commission may authorise the addition or removal of a genus or species listed in Annex IV for the marketing of PRM on its territory. This request shall be based on an assessment including the conditions described in the second paragraph.
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 418 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25
Article 25 Control plot tests for standard seeds 1. After the marketing of standard seeds, the competent authorities shall carry out control plot tests to check whether the seeds comply with the respective varietal identity and varietal purity requirements, and with other requirements, as appropriate. 2. The proportion of the control plot tests shall be determined on the basis of a risk analysis concerning possible non- compliance of the respective seeds with those requirements. 3. Based on the risk analysis of non- compliance with the respective rules, the control plot tests referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out anually, by using samples taken by the competent authority from homogeneous seed lots. Those tests shall assess identity and varietal purity of the seed concerned, and its germination rate and analitical purity. 4. In the case of control of varietal identity and purity, the use of bio- molecular techniques may be use as a supplementary tool where the results of the conrol plot tests referred to in paragraph 1 are non conclusive.deleted
2023/12/05
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 446 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) to bear an operator’s label with the denomination of the PRM and the indication ‘Plant reproductive material for final users – not officially certified’ or, in the case of seeds, ‘Seeds for final users – not officially certified’;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 451 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
A professional operator who uses this derogation shall annually notify this activity to the competent authority, with regard to the species and quantities concerndeleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 454 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, adopt rules concerning the size, form, sealing and handling requirements concerning the small packages referred to in paragraph 1 point (d)Small packages means packages containing seed up to a maximum net weight of: (i) 30 kg for cereals, seed potatoes; (ii) 10 kg for fodder plants, beet, oil and fibre plants; (iii) 5 kg for legumes; (iv) 500 g for onions, chervil, asparagus, spinach beet or chard, red beet or beetrood, turnips, water melon, gourd, marrows, carrots, radishes, scorzonera or black salsify, spinach, corn-salad or lamb's lettuce; (v) 100 g for all other species of vegetable.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 455 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 76(2).deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 459 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – title
Article 29 PRM marketed toby, to, within and between gene banks, organisations and networks;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 462 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
BWithout prejudice to the transfer of PRM for the purpose of the conservation of plant genetic resources and agro- biodiversity and by way of derogation from Articles 5 to 25, PRM may be marketed toby, to, within, or between, gene banks, organisations and networks, with a statutory objective, or an objective officially notified to the competent authority, to conserve plant genetic resources, whereby any of the activities are carried out for non-profit purposes.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 466 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
It can be marketed as well from those gene banks, organisations and networks to persons who carry out conservation of that PRM as final consumers, for non- profit purposes.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 470 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 – introductory part
In the cases provided for in the first and the second subparagraphs, PRM shall fulfil the following requirementsPRM marketed according to paragraph 1 shall:
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 474 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 – point b
(b) be conserved by those gene banks, organisations and networks, and samples of that PRM be made available by them to the competent authorities upon request; andeleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 479 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 – point c
(c) be practically free from quality pests and any defects likely to impair its quality as a reproductive material, and have satisfactory vigour and dimensions in respect of its usefulness as PRM, and, in the case of seeds, have satisfactory germination capacity.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 481 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. The gene banks, organisations and networks shall notify the competent authority of the use of the derogation referred to in paragraph 1 and the species concerned.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 486 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – title
SeedPRM exchanged in kind between farmers
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 492 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. By way of derogation from Articles 5 - 25, farmers may exchange seedsPRM in kind or for monetary compensation, if such seedsPRM fulfill all of the following conditions:
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 496 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) in the case of seeds, are derived from the respective farmer’s own harvest;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 500 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) in the case of seeds, are not subject to a service contract conducted by the respective farmer with a professional operator performing seed production; and
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 504 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) in the case of seeds, the seed is used for dynamic management of farmer’s own seed for the purpose of contributing to agro-diversity.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 510 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Such seedsPRM shall fulfil all of the following requirements:
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 517 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) to be limited to small quantities, defined by the competent authorities for specific species per year and per farmer, wWithout using commercial intermediaries or public offer of marketing; and, and;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 523 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to be practically free from quality pests and any defects likely to impact their quality as seeds, and shall have satisfactory germination capacityPRM.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 525 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall annually notify to the Commission and the other Member States the amounts per species defined in accordance with paragraph 2, point (b).deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 559 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
However, no such import shall be allowed, and no such equivalence shall be recognised pursuant to paragraph 2, for the preservation mixtures such as those referred to in Article 22, and for PRM such as that subject to the derogations of Articles 26 - 30.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 564 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Professional operators, which produce PRM, excluding the categories referred to in Article 5 (point a-h) shall:
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 570 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 1
1. Professional operators shall ensure that PRM, excluding the categories referred to in Article 5 (point a-h) is traceable at all stages of production and marketing.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 677 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1
1. By way of derogation from Articles 54 to 67, the competent authorities shall immediately register in their national variety registers all varieties officially accepted or registered before … [the date of the entry into force of this Regulation], in the catalogues, lists or registers established by their Member States pursuant to Article 5 of Directive 68/193/EEC, Article 3 of Directive 2002/53/EC, Article 3(2) of Directive 2002/55/EC and varieties with an official description pursuant to Article 7(4) of Directive 2008/90/EC, without applying the registration procedure set out by those Articles.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 679 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from Article 53, varieties accepted in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 2008/62/EC, Article 3(1) and Article 321(1) of Directive 2009/145/EC and varieties with an officially recognised description pursuant to the Article 7 of Directive 2008/90/EC before… [OJ, please, insert the date of the entry into force of this Regulation] shall be immediately registered in the national variety registers as conservation varieties provided with an officially recognised description without applying the registration procedure set out by that Article.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 689 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. By way of derogation to paragraphs 1-7, conservation varieties shall be maintained by the applicant or by any other person notified by the applicant to the competent authority, without subsequent authorisation. Conservation variety maintenance may only take place in EU Member States with pedo-climatic conditions similar to those included in the officially recognised description of the variety.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 702 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 81 – paragraph 1
Regulation (EU) 2018/848
Article 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is amended as follows: (1) Article 3 is amended as follows: (a) point (17) is replaced by the following: ‘(17) ‘plant reproductive material’ means plant reproductive material as defined in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parlament and Council(*)+;’; ____________ (*) Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council …. (OJ …, p…). [footnote that will be in that regulation goes here] [+ OJ: Please insert in the text the number of this Regulation and insert the number, date, title and OJ reference of this Regulation in the footnote.]’ ‘(18) ‘organic heterogeneous material’ means heterogeneous material as defined in Article 3(27) of Regulation (EU) …/…(*)++ , produced in accordance with this Regulation;’ ____________ (*) Regulation (EU) …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council …. (OJ …, p…). [footnote that will be in that regulation goes here] [++ OJ: Please insert in the text the number of this Regulation.]’ (3) The second paragaph of Point 1.8.4. of Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is replaced by the following: “ All multiplication practices, except plant tissue cultures, cell cultures, germplasm, meristems, chimaeric clones, micro- propagated material, shall be carried out under certified organic management”.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 733 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part A – point d
(d) The quality of soil, substrates, mother plants and the immediate environment shall be inspected by the professional operator to avoid presence of pests or their vectors, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 735 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part A – point f
(f) Where appropriate, the production of seeds shall take place separately fromparticular attention should be put on the production of seeds in parallel with the cultivation of seeds belonging to the same genera or species intended for the production of food or feed, to ensurseparating the plots when it is necessary to do so to maintain the health of the material concerned.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 737 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part B – point a – paragraph 1
It shall be ensured that off-types, in the field, are absent, except for PRM belonging to conservation varieties. Where this is not possible due to the characteristics of the species concerned, they shall be present up to the lowest possible level.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 739 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part B – point d
(d) The mother plants, where applicable, shall be maintained in all phases of production, under conditions to enable the production of seeds, and permitting their identification and verification of compliance with the official description of their variety.
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 741 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part C – point a
(a) The seed shall be harvested in bulk or as individual plants, as appropriate, to ensure its identity, purity and traceability.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 742 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 1 – Part C – point b
(b) A sample of seed shall be taken from each lot and tested in a laboratory to ensure the fulfilment of the quality requirements for the respective species, including germination. Testing shall include, where appropriate, retesting of germination rate after a certain period appropriate to the species concerned.deleted
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 745 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) have at least a minimum purity, to secure the highessufficient level of varietal identity;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 746 #

2023/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) have sufficient vigour, defined dimension and specific grading, to ensure appropriateness of the material and sufficient homogeneity of the lot for sowing or planting;
2023/12/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 42 #

2023/0135(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Member States shall adopt comprehensive and up-to-date measures to prevent corruption in both the public and private sectors, adapted to the specific risks of an area of activity. Such measures shall at least include actions to identify and fight against organised crime or other serious crime and to strengthen integrity and to prevent opportunities for corruption among:
2023/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2023/0135(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Member States should take all necessary measures to promote media pluralism and media freedom and guarantee an enabling space for journalists;
2023/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the significant support provided by the EIB via the EGF, which complements other actions taken at EU level to tackle the pandemic and post- pandemic crises; appreciates that this support acts as an incentive for financial intermediaries to lend more to companies and under better conditions, thereby helping businesses to access advantageous financing rapidly in order to overcome pandemic-related issues; expresses concerns about the lack of transparency around the EGF which may result in the almost impossibility to assess whether the fund has actually benefit the European economy;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Regrets the decision taken by the EIB in October 2022 to roll back its climate commitments, by loosening the climate criteria companies have to meet to qualify for support;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. WelcomesTakes notes of the updated codes of conduct of the Management Committee and the EIB Board of Directors of August 2021; welcomes the introduction of a longer cooling-off period for members of the Management Committee (24 months instead of 12) and for members of the Board of Directors (12 months instead of 6); regrets, however, that there is no provision excluding vice-presidents from overseeing operations in their countries of origin and insists that this be addressed in the next revision;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Takes note of the approval on 2February 2022 of a new Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF) which defines the bank’s environmental and social policy; while welcoming the better protection of biodiversity, regrets that the new safeguarding policies do not include significant improvements in term of human rights with no clear system of human rights due diligence and no explicit request for the EIB’s clients to conduct human right impact assessments; reiterates the need for more transparency when projects are implemented through financial intermediaries;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. WelcomesExpresses concerns that the adoption of the EIB Group’s revised transparency policy on 17 November 2021 following an extensive public consultation does not respond to the European Parliament’s and Civil society organisations’s demands to step up its transparency policy in line with the best practices and standards employed by other financial institutions; notes that this policy does not lays down provisions for the proactive publication of information and documents and their disclosure upon requeston the projects it finances, before a final decision is taken; reminds the importance of transparency on intermediaries, on the internal decision making procedures and on the environmental and human rights impact of the project including through their full implementation;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43 a. Urges the EIB to quickly respond to the Ombudsman’s requests to take several transparency steps to enable the public to more easily see the potential environmental impact of the projects it finances, as part of her decision taken in April 2022 on 3 different cases of complaints about transparency;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2022/2153(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Reiterates its call for more transparency and accountability to Parliament; reiterates in particular the importance of greater Parliament scrutiny over decision of the EIB board of directors with better transparency from the Commission on the positions it takes in the EIB board of directors; in this regards invites to considers the possibility for the Parliament to have an observer status in the board’s meetings;
2022/11/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Expresses some concerns about the quite late publication of the Annual Report on the Protection of the financial interests for year n which is only published in Sept of year n+1; understands that the reason for this is mainly related to the fact Member States send their information quite late; invites the Commission to be more proactive in requesting earlier data from Member States so that its annual report can be advanced which would allow an early adoption of the Parliament resolution ideally within the year n+1;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. underlines the need for a strict application of the new social conditionality included into the new CAP reform, linking subsides to work and employment standards; reminds the extremely importance of this new condition in the framework of the protection of financial interests, requesting for adequate measures to be put in place both at Member States and Commission level;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Reminds that transparency has a key role in the management of public funds, both as deterrent factor, but also by improving trust of citizens; invites the Commission and the Member States to do bigger efforts in strengthening the transparency in the use of funds, including concerning the information on final beneficiaries;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2022/2152(INI)

39 a. Praises the EPPO for having created a new climate of trust for citizens and invites the Commission and Members States to increase their cooperation in order to make the EPPO mandate fully implemented; in this regards reminds that from one side the detection rates by Member States should be enhanced, and counts on special cooperation of OLAF in the EU anti-fraud structures; reminds also the different critical shortcomings identified in the EPPO regulation that need to be addressed as soon as possible; invites the Commissions to urgently react on the requests made by the EPPO on its budgetary implementation, to make it as a completely effective and independent prosecution office;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 84 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Reiterates its request for a mechanism to be put in place by OLAF to grant access to its investigations reports and recommendations, which have often a very high public interest, which would respect the confidentiality of its investigations but would grant greater transparency;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 110 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
57. Observes that not allRegrets that despite some improvements compared to 2020, still 6 Member States have not yet adopted a NAF; believes that even in the Member States where such strategies have been already adopted, the new anti-fraud landscape has created the need for a revision as the European Prosecutor’s Office has been operational since June 2021 and the RRF Regulation was adopted in February 2021, and there is the opportunity to reflect significant new risks, such as those associated with the COVID- 19 pandemic and the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 120 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)
65 a. Highlights the detrimental effects of corruption on the rights of the citizens; reiterates once against its recommendation that the EU should become a member of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), since no legal obstacles exists to its full Membership; therefore invites the Commission to recommend the Council to conclude an international agreement with GRECO to set down its membership; request the Council to provide a clear position on the EU Joining GRECO, clarifying if there is any specific opposition and by which Member State;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 122 #

2022/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 b (new)
65 b. Reminds that in order to effectively protect the EU’s financial interests more coherent and systematic rules on transparency, incompatibilities, conflict of interests, illegal lobbying and revolving doors should be put in place; calls on the Commission to strengthen its internal control mechanisms, including the setting up of an internal corruption mechanism for the EU institutions;
2022/11/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2022/2083(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the Court of Justice of the European Union in its judgement De Capitani v Council, dated 23 January 2023 underlined that a clearer legislative transparency would be needed by the Council with access to legislative documents simply corresponding to the Council’s obligation of public scrutiny and accountability of the co-legislators as basis of any democratic legitimacy;
2023/09/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2022/2083(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Takes note of the workshop CONT held on 27 June 2023 about the sponsorship of the EU Presidencies and supports its conclusion about the need to avoid any corporate sponsorship in order to eliminate any possible reputational risk on the EU;
2023/09/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Recalls that any form of conflict of interests and corruption has to be seriously tackled at all level, both in the Member States and within the Union institutions, through effective and efficient preventive and deterrent measure, including clear sanctions;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Underlines the increasing need to ensure the transparency of NGOs and of their funding, as they are importantall actors in the implementation of theing Union budget, especi in ally in the area of external action; demands the Commission to re- evaluate its identification of entities as NGOs,mplementing mode , including, but not only, NGOs ; calls on the Commission to reinforce the Transparency Register to make it really mandatory, to improvinge the reliability of information (making sure to have them registered as lobbyists, having clearly established whether they stand for the topics they claim they represent, and having insight into their financing); demands the disclosure of their financing be it private (e.g. NGOs financed by the industrial actors) or public, and to provide a deeper insight into the financing of all entities registered, which should be the condition to approach all Union Institutions, bodies and agencies ); recalls that as regards public funding, the Union basic acts regulate how transparency and visibility in this regard need to be handled, therefore reminds the Commission about the responsibility it has to check the compliance with rules and procedures, especiallyincluding rules and procedures on sub- granting to NGOs; moreover, demands that the Commission provides the discharge authority with clear information about the total amount of Union funds implemented by third parties, including NGOs;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is concerned by the findings of the Court in its first annual assessment of the RRF; considers that the nature itself of the RRF is such that implementation of the RRF takes place under time pressure, with however a much mor in order to provide a timely support to recover from COVID crisis; considers that the straight forward delivery model that puts much, lighter requirements on the Commission, and reduces the control burden from the Commission towards the Member States, in particular in comparison with the cohesion policy; is therefore concerned by the types of findings of the Court which fundamentally calls into question whether the Commission can handle even this reduced control burden; calls on the Commission not to apply the performance based delivery model as used in the implementation of the RRF for other policies until the advantages and disadvantages are more clear, followinghighlights that any fast delivery model is to be accompanied by a robust control system of which Commission has to be in charge; await the evaluation of the implementation of the RRF by 20 February 2024;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 60 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes the successful efforts of the Commission to raise funds on the financial markets to provide the financial means for the RRF as an important instrument to provide support in a time of extreme crisis; nevertheless expresses some concerns about; is concerned by the resulting debts, the rising interest rates and the resulting uncertain capacity to repay the loans and the risk this poses for the Union budget and Union policies;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Is worried that despite the decrease of the EU budget’s outstanding commitments, together with the part stemming from the NGEU, total outstanding commitments reached a new record amount; reiterates its concerns that such an amount creates a risk for the smooth operation of the budget in the future, which would be put under serious pressure, and could possibly create a serious risk to the liquidity of the Union budget;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Regrets that again the Court issued an adverse opinion on the legality and regularity of expenditure; and found that the control mechanisms of the Commission and Member States are simply not reliable enough; Underlines the importance of reinforcing the control mechanisms of the Commission and Member States which are considered by the Court as not reliable therefore compromising the reliability of the AMPR; remind that the Commission should follow up in details on all Parliament’s observations, including all the political priorities;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 81 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Invites the Commission to rethink its methodology to make sure that its figures can be more comparable to those of the Court; call on the Court to qualify the impact of correctives measures on the overall level of error;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 94 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Takes note that still not absorbed 2014-2020 ESIF funds represent the biggest part of the EU’s budget outstanding commitments; calls on the Commission to closely analyses the differences among Member States in absorbing the funds in order to provide with effective tools to help improve the situation and finally reduce the outstanding commitments;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 97 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Notes with concern that at the end of 2021, total outstanding commitments reached a record high of EUR 341,6 billion (combining EU budget and NGEU outstanding commitments); highlights that outstanding commitments are likely to exceed EUR 460 billion in 2023 but that they will then fall as NGEU draws to a close;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Takes note that the EU budget’s outstanding commitments decreased from a historic high at the end of 2020 and that Commissions forecasts that the increase expected in 2027 will increase by a small amount, mainly due to the smaller gap between commitment and payments appropriation; reflects that Court has in several occasions pointed out that they can only be reduced if budgeted payment appropriations exceed commitment appropriations and are used; invite the Commission to consistently follows up on this recommendation, which is consistent with the requirement to maintain an orderly ratio between appropriations for commitments and payments;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Is worried about the related risks identified by the Court in its 2020 report and reiterated for 2021 financial year, namely that the level of administrative resources needed to manage different budgetary instruments in parallel may not be available and that, the introduction of flexibility in the system to cope with COVID effects, may lead to a weakening of established control systems;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 129 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
65. Notes with concern that the Court found that the estimated level of error in spending on ‘Single Market, Innovation and Digital’ was material, reaching 4,4 %, compared to 3.9 % in the previous year; is worried that the estimated risk at payment calculated by the Commission is 1.3 %, which is below both materiality and the range of estimated level of error of the Court; notesis particularly concerned about the Court’s observation that, despite the measures already taken by the Commission, its error rate remains understated, because of persistent weaknesses in the Commission’s ex post audits;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 152 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 89 a (new)
89a. Recalls the importance of a fair CAP allocation, which from one side should avoid any misuse of funds in particular by political prominent wealthy individuals, elites and big conglomerates, and on the other concentrate on active farmers, fully engaged in agricultural activity;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 157 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
92. WelcomesTakes notes of the creation of MFF 92. heading 4 ‘Migration and Border Management’ for the 2021-2027 programming period as this underlines the importance of the related issues for the Union as a whole and the Union budget in particular; notes that this heading in 2021 concerned EUR 2,5 billion in payments, from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (EUR 1,2 billion), the Internal Security Fund - Borders and Visas(EUR 0,4 billion) and the European Union Asylum Agency, Frontex and eu- LISA (EUR 0,9 billion); notes that this expenditure mainly concerns the completion of projects and schemes outstanding from the 2014-2020 programming period;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 158 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 a (new)
93a. Regrets that the Court did not estimate the error rate for this chapter and reiterate its call for a clear estimation;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 160 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94
94. Notes with concerns that, of the 28 transactions the Court examined, nine (32 %) were affected by errors, that the Court quantified six errors which had an impact on the amounts charged to the Union budget, and that the Court also found six cases of non- compliance with legal and financial provisions, with no impact on the Union budget;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 171 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105 a (new)
105a. Calls on the Commission to take more seriously its role as Member of the EIB’s Board of Directors, and act accordingly to reopen the investigation into EIB failing to act on evidence of fraudulent use of funds in its investment in ECP Africa 1a ; requests that the Commission raise with the EIB the need to reinforce its internal mechanisms to fight fraud and corruption and its internal control over intermediated operations; _________________ 1a 1a Article by Financial Times “NGOs accuse EU’s lending arm of due diligence failings” 15 February 2023 https://www.ft.com/content/cdda4973- 3957-45c2-b3ff-dc80218323de
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 174 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105 b (new)
105b. Recalls that development and cooperation policy are meant to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality and that funds should reach only their intended beneficiaries;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 179 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108
108. Notes that MFF Heading 7 108. ‘European Public Administration’ accounts for 5,9 % or EUR 10.7 billion of the Union budget, which comprises expenditure on human resources and pensions, which accounted in 2021 for about 68 % of the total, and on buildings, equipment, energy, communications and information technology; of this total amount, EUR 6.3 billion (58.5 %) is spent by the European Commission; and the rest by other Union institutions and bodies; notes that the Court reports separately on the Union agencies, other entities and the European Schools; highlighregrets that the Court’s mandate does not cover the financial audit of the European Central Bank;
2023/03/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 188 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 a (new)
116 a. take all necessary steps to continue building a more diverse and inclusive work environment and culture by taking actions in favour of people with disabilities, including improvements in the access to building;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 189 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 b (new)
116 b. implement a more transparent appointment procedure for all posts, with particular reference to the management ones;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 190 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 c (new)
116 c. set clear rules on revolving doors in particular for Commissioners and former officials engaging in new post- office activities;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 191 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 d (new)
116 d. provide an analysis on the effects of employing an increasing number of contract agents, on which the Parliament has constantly expressed concerns;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 196 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119 a (new)
119 a. Expresses concerns about the follows up of the Commission on the Parliament recommendation in its 2020 discharge resolution about the implementation of the Ombudsman’s recommendation on the Commission’s refusal to allow access to text messages exchanged between the Commission President and the CEO of a pharmaceutical company on the purchase of a COVID19 vaccine (case 1316/2021/MIG);
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 214 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 124 a (new)
124 a. Underlines that Court audit based its assessment on the condition for the only payment made in 2021, namely whether the Commission has gathered sufficient and appropriate evidence to support its assessment of satisfactory fulfilment of the milestones included in the payment request;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 220 #

2022/2081(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125
125. Is worried byTakes note of the Court’s serious finding that for the payment made to Spain in 2021, - out of 52 milestones associated to the payment - one milestone was not satisfactorily fulfilled; regrets to note that the Court was not able to quantify this error because of the absence of a methodology to quantify the impact of (partially) not achieving a milestone or target; notes the Commission’s Internal Auditor also observed the absence of this methodology; considers it grave negligence of the Commission to not have this methodology in place before making payments, as this calls into question the Commission’s sincerity of assessing the satisfactory fulfilment of milestones and targets;
2023/02/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2022/2051(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to ensure agricultural self- sufficiency, by promoting technical progress and ensuring the rational development of agricultural production and the sustainable utilisation of the factors of production; and contribute to achieving the following general objectives in the economic, environmental and social spheres,
2022/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 54 #

2022/2051(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) to foster a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring long-term food security;
2022/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 56 #

2022/2051(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) to support and strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity, and climate action and to contribute to achieving the environmental and climate-related objectives of the Union;
2022/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 58 #

2022/2051(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
(a c) to strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
2022/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Article 1277 of the Financial Regulation defines the concept of ‘cross-reliance on audits’ for all interventions financed by EU funds; highlights that this article sets out a basis for auditors to rely on previous audit work when this has been conducted in compliance with the EU rules, applicable international standards and by an independent auditor; without prejudice to existing possibilities for carrying out further audits; underlines, that the Single Audit principle aims to prevent a duplication of audit work, reducing the overall costs of audit activities and decreasing the administrative burden on auditees; but reminds that in shared management the Commission should rely on the audit work provided by Member States’ auditors only if their audit work is reliable and robust; _________________ 7 Article 127: ‘Cross-reliance on audits. Without prejudice to existing possibilities for carrying out further audits, where an audit based on internationally accepted audit standards providing reasonable assurance has been conducted by an independent auditor on the financial statements and reports setting out the use of a Union contribution, that audit shall form the basis of the overall assurance, as further specified, where appropriate, in sector-specific rules, provided that there is sufficient evidence of the independence and competence of the auditor. To that end, the report of the independent auditor and the related audit documentation shall be made available on request to the European Parliament, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the audit authorities of Member States’.
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the observations of the discharge authority as regards the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the involvement of regional and local authorities and other stakeholders who were not sufficiently involved in the setting-up of national programmes; reminds that in certain cases these situations stem from the constitutional set-up of the Member States, but reminds the importance of a grassroots involvement of local partners in the setting up of all programmes;
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that errors and irregularities should be detected and corrected by the managing authorities and paying agencies in the first instance; recalls that the European Court of Auditors (ECA) found that in the implementation of the cohesion policy9 , managing authorities’ verifications are still partly ineffective in preventing or detecting irregularities in the expenditure declared by beneficiaries; _________________ 9 Annual report on the implementation of the EU budget for the 2021 financial year, p. 160.
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Insists that the audit bodies in Member States have to comply with internationally accepted standards on audits; states that failing to comply with them might undermine the reliability and quality of the audit work and thus pose a threat to the Single Audit approach; notes, in this regard, that the ECA hasrepeatedly identified shortcomings in the scope, quality, documentation and reporting of certain national audit authorities’ work10 ; considers that the weaknesses found in the work of several audit authorities covered by the ECA’s sample currently limit the reliance that can be placed on that work; stresses the importance for Member States to have a basic framework with clear and detailed responsibilities for ensuring the quality of audits, in order to avoid misinterpretation of EU rules; insists that if the audit authorities are working in an effective, independent and transparent way and deploying international standards, double audits should be avoided to reduce the bureaucratic burden and to make efficient use of audit capacities; _________________ 10 Annual report on the implementation of the EU budget for the 2021 financial year, pp. 163-168.
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that independent audit bodies and other bodies managing funds in Member States are a key requirement for the reliability and quality of the audit results; recalls with concern that in some Member States, state bodies with supervisory functions have seen arbitrary appointments leading to questions with regard to their impartiality in detecting and reporting corruption; highlights that deficient independent oversight mechanisms and illegal interconnections between political and oligarchical structures in the economic and societal spheres are conducive to corruption12 ; _________________ 12 https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/ 2022- 07/40_1_193993_coun_chap_hungary_en. pdf.
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Underlines that concerns over the transparency and independence of the audit bodies are not acceptable and that Single Audit approach can only be applied when all of these factors are in place: clear separation of powers between programme competent authorities; no pressure whisper is made possible; complete and unlimited oversight of the audit work;
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its concern regarding the difference between the ECA’s and the Commission’s method for calculating errors, which creates confusion and reduces the sense of urgency needed to tackle the root causes of errors; highlights that these divergences do not occur in all areas of expenditure; but was particularly evident in 2021 financial year for the heading 1 “Single Market” where the Commission risk at payment was below the ECA’s range for error but also in heading 2 covering Cohesion where the Commission’s estimate is in the lower half of ECA’s range; reminds that ECA has reported in ex posts checks affecting risk at payments and in particular these weakness concerned ex post audits by the Commission’s Common Audit Service (in “Single Market”) and checks by Members States’ audit Authorities (for “Cohesion”)13a Annual report on the implementation of the EU budget for the 2021 financial year, p. 41 emphasises that adequate audit coverage is needed for a statistical representative sample that reflects the high degree of confidence needed for audit work to lead to reliable conclusions; calls on the Commission to improve its methodology and cooperate with the ECA with a view to increasing harmonisation in order to provide more comparable figures and to continue with areinforce the risk- based approach ifto make sure that in case severe deficiencies appear in certain Member States or sectors; reliability of controls can be ensured; _________________ 13a Annual report on the implementation of the EU budget for the 2021 financial year, p. 41
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Invites the Commission to encourage the exchange of best practices among Member States in term of implementing and auditing methodologies
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to enhance cooperation with the Member States, in particular, on avoiding mistranslation issues that may hinder the uniform interpretation of EU law as well as impose a further administrative burden on national authorities when interpreting and applying the relevant provisions, so that they are not compelled to resort to versions existing in other official languages13 ; stresses that the Commission should ensure a horizontal application of audit standards in all Member States in order to avoid different levels of scrutiny and application; suggests that the Commission should develop a light audit methodology for authorities that consistently perform well and follow all Commission recommendationsto reinforce its control system in particular for Member States and sectors where deficiencies appear; considers necessary that a stronger control and audit system is put in place in these situations without reducing the attention on Member States or sectors that perform well; _________________ 13 Judgement of the General Court of 12 March 2019, Italy v Commission, T‑135/15, ECLI:EU:T:2019:155.
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, when implementing EU programmes, always to take account of the needs and experience of the regional and local authorities and communities that are involved in the implementation of the funds, both as regards their administrative capacity and the suitability of the operational and audit procedures that they have to implement;
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. As for CAP invites the Commission to reduce administrative burden for farmer which is often the reason for unintentional mistakes which should be clearly separated from deliberate frauds, hence ensuring the more efficient deployment of CAP funds; recommeds that the audit reports continue to give a clear breakdown of error rates for each pillar of the CAP, identifying areas in which simplification is most needed; insists that a marginally higher error rate for agri-environmental measures should not discourage the Member States from making them available to farmers in rural communities;
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2022/2020(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. supports the use of simplified cost options to allow authorities reduce complexity and ensuring that farmers are not left out of pocket concerning payments compensating ‘additional costs incurred and income foregone’, for example in regard to Natura 2000, groundwater protection zones under the Water Framework Directive , or other second-pillar payments linked to statutory obligations; notes that ensuring high, or at least remunerative, payments for public goods provided by the protection of such areas will, if applied correctly by the Member States and the Commission, go a long way to easing tensions and diminishing the resentment among some farmers in relation to protection obligations;
2023/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 147 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The UN Sustainable Development Goals47 , in particular goals 14.2, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, and 15.3,4 refer to the need to ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands. In addition SDG 15a calls for a significant increase in financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems. _________________ 47 United Nations Sustainable Development – 17 Goals to Transform Our World.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 150 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to ensure that Europe’s biodiversity will be put on the path to recovery by 2030 for the benefits of people, the planet, the climate, food sovereignty, and our economy. It sets out an ambitious EU nature restoration plan with a number of key commitments, including a commitment to put forward a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets to restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the most potential to capture and store carbonacross all land types to achieve the greatest synergistic benefits, and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 155 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) In its resolution of 9 June 202149 , the European Parliament strongly welcomed the commitment to draw up a legislative proposal with binding nature restoration targets, and furthermore considered that in addition to an overall restoration target, ecosystem-, habitat- and species-specific restoration targets should be included, covering forests, agrassicultural lands, wetlands, peatlands, pollinators, free- flowing rivers, coastal areas and marine ecosystems. _________________ 49 European Parliament resolution of 9 June 2021 on the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (2020/2273(INI)).
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 167 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) The Commission’s State of Nature Report from 202053 noted that the Union has not yet managed to stem the decline of protected habitat types and species whose conservation is of concern to the Union. That decline is caused mostly by abandonment of extensive agriculture, and intensifying management practices, the modification of hydrological regimes, urbanisation and pollution as well as unsustainable forestry activities and species exploitation. Furthermore, invasive alien species and climate change represent major and growing threats to native Union flora and fauna. . Member States should in the preparation of their next National Nitrates Action Programmes (NAP) phase out the derogation to the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) over the lifetime of the next programming period. In addition the modification of hydrological regimes, urbanisation and pollution as well as unsustainable forestry activities and species exploitation has exacerbated biodiversity decline. Furthermore nature managed by extensive farming practices outside of protected areas is under increasing pressure across the Union, as is the knowledge of how to manage it. Some climate change mitigation programmes have had negative impacts on traditional farming practices and local communities through top down implementation and conflicting policy targets. The negative impacts of all these pressures include continued loss of subsistence and traditional livelihoods, the transmission of local knowledge, and the ability of farmers and local communities to conserve and sustainably manage, wild and domesticated biodiversity that are also relevant to broader society. _________________ 53 Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee “The state of nature in the European Union Report on the status and trends in 2013 - 2018 of species and habitat types protected by the Birds and Habitats Directives”, COM/2020/635 final.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 179 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Securing biodiverse ecosystems and tackling climate change are intrinsically linked. Nature and nature-based solutions, including natural carbon stocks and sinks, are fundamental for fighting the climate crisis. At the same time, the climate crisis is already a driver of terrestrial and marine ecosystem change, and the Union must prepare for the increasing intensity, frequency and pervasiveness of its effects. The Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)55 on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C pointed out that some impacts may be long-lasting or irreversible. The Sixth IPCC Assessment Report56 states that restoring ecosystems will be fundamental in helping to combat climate change and also in reducing risks to food security. The Intergovernmental Science- Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) in its 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services57 considered climate change a key driver of change in nature, and it expected its impacts to increase over the coming decades, in some cases surpassing the impact of other drivers of ecosystem change such as changed land and sea ushanges in land and sea use, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and invasion of alien species to be the five biggest drivers biodiversity loss. Land-use change has had the largest relative negative impact on nature since 1970, followed by the direct overexploitation, of animals, plants and other organisms, mainly via harvesting, logging, hunting and fishing. Agricultural expansion is the most widespread form of land-use change, with over one third of the terrestrial land surface being used for cropping or animal husbandry. This expansion, alongside a doubling of urban area since 1992 and an unprecedented expansion of infrastructure linked to growing population and consumption, has come mostly at the expense of forests (largely old-growth tropical forests), wetlands and grasslands. In freshwater ecosystems, a series of combined threats that include water extraction, exploitation, pollution, climate change and invasive species, are prevalent. Human activities have had a large and widespread impact on the world’s oceans. These include direct overexploitation, of fish, shellfish and other organisms, land and sea-based pollution, including from river networks, and land-/sea-use change, including coastal development for infrastructure and aquaculture. _________________ 55 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty [Masson- Delmotte, V., P. Zhai, H.-O. Pörtner, D. Roberts, J. Skea, P.R. Shukla, A. Pirani, W. Moufouma-Okia, C. Péan, R. Pidcock, S. Connors, J.B.R. Matthews, Y. Chen, X. Zhou, M.I. Gomis, E. Lonnoy, T. Maycock, M. Tignor, and T. Waterfield (eds.)] https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ 56 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability | Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability (ipcc.ch). 57 IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. E. S. Brondizio, J. Settele, S. Díaz, and H. T. Ngo (editors). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, Germany. 1148 pages. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3831673.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 181 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council58 sets out a binding objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 and negative emissions thereafter, and to prioritise swift and predictable emission reductions and, at the same time, enhance removals by natural sinks. The restoration of ecosystems can make an important contribution to maintaining, managing and enhancing natural sinks and to increasing biodiversity while fighting climate change. Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 also requires relevant Union institutions and the Member States to ensure continuous progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. It also requires that Member States integrate adaptation in all policy areas and promote nature-based solutions59 and ecosystem-based adaptation. Agroforestry has potential to be a carbon sequestration strategy across mineral soil types and all agricultural enterprises. Proper design and management of agroforestry systems can make them effective carbon sinks, although this potential not been even adequately recognized, let alone exploit. The tree and shrub components of agroforestry practices contribute to carbon sequestration by using carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and storing carbon above ground in tree trunks and branches, as well as below ground in roots and the soil; an indirect benefit of agroforestry is combatting soil erosion, which can enhance carbon storage in soils. In order to exploit this vastly unrealized potential of C sequestration through agroforestry in both subsistence and commercial enterprises, innovative policies, based on rigorous research, must be put in place. _________________ 58 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1). 59 Nature-based solutions are solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, that are cost-effective, and that simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions. Nature-based solutions must therefore benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 183 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Union climate policy is being revised in order to follow the pathway proposed in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 to reduce net emissions by at least 55 % by 2030 compared to 1990. In particular, the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2018/841 and (EU) 2018/199961 aims to strengthen the contribution of the land sector to the overall climate ambition for 2030 and aligns the objectives as regards accounting of emissions and removals from the land use, land use change and forestry (‘LULUCF’) sector with related policy initiatives on biodiversity. That proposal emphasises the need for the protection and enhancement of nature-based carbon removals, for the improvement of the resilience of ecosystems to climate change, for the restoration of degraded land and ecosystems, and for rewetting peatlands. It further aims to improve the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals of land subject to protection and restoration. In this context, it is important that ecosystems in all land categories, including forests, grasslands, croplands and wetlands, are in good condition in order to be able to effectively capture and store carbon. It is nevertheless important that gains made in the LULUCF sector cannot be used as an offset to lower the ambition in other sectors. It is critical to understand the relativity-limited emissions from the LULUCF sector in relation to the emissions from other sectors. Data from the European Environmental Agency show that total emission attributed to wetland, grassland and croplands in the LULUCF sector amount to approximately 40 MT CO2e, whereas the Agri sector and the transport sector emit some 385 & 840 MT CO2e respectively. _________________ 61 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2018/841 as regards the scope, simplifying the compliance rules, setting out the targets of the Member States for 2030 and committing to the collective achievement of climate neutrality by 2035 in the land use, forestry and agriculture sector, and (EU) 2018/1999 as regards improvement in monitoring, reporting, tracking of progress and review (COM/2021/554 final).
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 190 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) Geo-political developments have further underlined the need to safeguard the resilience of food systems.62 Evidence shows that restoring agro-ecosystems has positive impactdemonstrate the need for actions oin food productivity in the long-term, and that the restoration of nature acts as an insurance policy to ensure the EU’s long-term sustainability and resilience. _________________ 62 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European, Economic and Social Committee and the Committeeorder to promote sustainable farming, reduce the use of and risks associated with pesticides, protect and restore soil ecosystems, and increase landscape features on farmland that support the recovery of species and habitats protected under the nature directives, including pollinators and their habitats. Agricultural productivity and resilience is dependent ofn the Regions, Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems, COM (2022) 133 finalsustainable management of natural resources to guarantee the long-term sustainability of our food systems.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 205 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) Building on Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC and in order to support the achievement of the objectives set out in those Directives, Member States should put in place restoration measures to ensure the recovery of protected habitats and species, including wild birds, across Union areas, also in areas that fall outside Natura 2000all agricultural, afforested and urban areas of the Union in order to achieve the highest synergistic outcomes.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 216 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) Deadlines should therefore be established for putting in place restoration measures within and beyond Natura 2000 sites, in order to gradually improve the condition of protected habitat types across the Union as well as to re-establish them until the favourable reference area needed to achieve favourable conservation status of those habitat types in the Union is reached.; In advance of setting arbitrary deadlines to meet targets and to ensure legal certainty for those affected Member States shall; Conduct an initial comprehensive ecological assessment to establish accurate baselines; Propose a suite of measures that have been shown to achieve the desired results; Mobilise adequate resource so that sufficient funds are in place to support measures that are proposed; Set realistic timelines for achieving results; Allow sufficient flexibility and adaptability in implementation; in order to give the necessary flexibility to Member States to put in place large scale restoration efforts, it is appropriate to group habitat types according to the ecosystem to which they belong and set the time-bound and quantified area-based targets for groups of habitat types. This will allow Member States to choose which habitats to restore first within the group.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 226 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 a (new)
(29a) It is critical for the success of any restoration program that sufficient funds are mobilised to underpin the economic viability of the landowners and communities affected in advance of any implementation; In light of the Commissions own estimation that for every €1 invested in nature restoration there is an economic return of €8 to €38, there is a legitimate expectation that those delivering the essential public goods will be adequately and fully remunerated for the services that they are providing for the benefit of wider society.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 227 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 b (new)
(29b) Stresses that in order to get public “buy in” to new measures, the food sovereignty of local and regional areas is not undermined by the implementation of this regulation; reaffirms the fundamental human right of people to food, and the right of populations who in the past, provided for themselves and their region to continue to do so into the future.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 228 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29 c (new)
(29c) It will be necessary when calculating the remuneration due for the services provided, that the methodology goes beyond the narrow lens of “costs incurred and income forgone” by the farmer, as the socio-economic losses to the wider community can be much greater with the loss of both upstream and downstream economic activity in the local area.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 292 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
(52) High-diversity lLandscape features on agricultural land, including buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedgerows, individual or groups of trees, tree rows, field margins, patches, ditches, streams, small wetlands, terraces, cairns, stonewalls, small ponds and cultural features, provide space for wild plants and animals, including pollinators, prevent soil erosion and depletion, filter air and water, support climate change mitigation and adaptation and agricultural productivity of pollination- dependent crops. Productive trees that are part of arable land pastoral agroforestry systems and productive elements in non- productive hedges can also be considered as high biodiversity landscape features provided that they do not receive fertilizers or pesticide treatment and if harvest takes place only at moments where it would not compromise high biodiversity levels. Therefore, a requirement to ensure an increasing trend for the share of agricultural land with high- diversity landscape features should be set out. Such a requirement would enable the Union to achieve one of the other key commitments of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, namely, to cover at least 10 % of agricultural area with high- diversity landscape features. Increasing trends should also be achieved for other existing indicators, such as the grassland butterfly index and the stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral soils.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 298 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
(53) The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims to support and strengthen environmental protection, including biodiversity. The policy has among its specific objectives to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes. The new CAP conditionality standard Nr. 8 on Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC 8)77 , requires beneficiaries of area related payments to have at least 4% of arable land at farm level devoted to non- productive areas and features, including land lying fallow and to retain existing landscape features. The 4% share to be attributed to compliance with that GAEC standard can be reduced to 3 % if certain pre-requisites are met78 . That obligation will contribute to Member States reaching a positive trend in high-diversity landscape features on agricultural land. In addition, under the CAP, Member States have the possibility to set up eco-schemes for agricultural practices carried out by farmers on agricultural areas that may include maintenance and creation of landscape features or non-productive areas. Similarly, in their CAP strategic plans, Member States can also include agri- environment- climate commitments including the enhanced management of landscape features going beyond conditionality GAEC 8 and/or eco- schemes. LIFE nature and biodiversity projects will also help to put Europe's biodiversity on agricultural land on a path to recovery by 2030, by supporting the implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC as well as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. _________________ 77 Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013, OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1, 78 Where a farmer commits to devote at least 7% of his/her arable land to non- productive areas or features, including land lying fallow, under an enhanced eco- scheme or if there is a minimum share of at least 7 % of arable land at farm level that includes also catch crops or nitrogen fixing crops, cultivated without the use of plant protection products.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 300 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
(54) Restoration and rewetting79 of organic soils80 in agricultural use (i.e. under grassland and cropland use) constituting drained peatlands may help achieve significant biodiversity benefits, an important reduction of green-house gas emissions and other environmental benefits, while at the same time contributing to a diverse agricultural landscape if implemented correctly, however it can have a negative effect on biodiversity is not managed correctly through the destruction of existing habitats of ground nesting birds and small mammals. In addition the increased emissions of methane from rewetted peatland may negate partially or totally the reduction of CO2. Member States can choose from a wide range of restoration measures for drained peatlands in agricultural use spanning from converting cropland to permanent grassland and extensification measures accompanied by reduced drainage, to full rewetting with the opportunity of paludicultural use, or the establishment of peat-forming vegetation. In order for these far reaching measures to be accepted by the landowners it is vital that that proposed measures are “stress tested” and evaluated for their applicability and suitability in advance, through EIP pilot projects and impact assessments so the desired outcomes can be assured and to avoid the negative outcomes of the top down implementation of the past. The most significant climate benefits are created by restoring and rewetting cropland followed by the restoration of intensive grassland. To allow for a flexible implementation of the restoration target for drained peatlands under agricultural use Member States may count the restoration measures and rewetting of drained peatlands in areas of peat extraction sites as well as, to a certain extent, the restoration and rewetting of drained peatlands under other land uses (for example forest) as contributing to the achievement of the targets for drained peatlands under agricultural use. _________________ 79 Rewetting is the process of changing a drained soil into a wet soil. Chapter 1 of IPCC 2014, 2013 and Supplement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories: Wetlands, Hiraishi, T., Krug, T., Tanabe, K., Srivastava, N., Baasansuren, J., Fukuda, M. and Troxler, T.G. (eds). 80 The term ‘organic soil’ is defined in IPCC 2006, 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, Prepared by the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, Eggleston H.S., Buendia L., Miwa K., Ngara T. and Tanabe K. (eds).
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 308 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
(55) In order to reap the full biodiversity benefits, restoration and rewetting of areas of drained peatland should extend beyond the areas of wetlands habitat types listed in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC that are to be restored and re-established. Data about the extent of organic soils as well as their greenhouse gas emissions and removals are monitored and made available by LULUCF sector reporting in national greenhouse gas inventories by Member States, submitted to the UNFCCC. Restored and rewetted peatlands can continue to be used productively in alternative ways. For example, paludiculture, the practice of farming on wet peatlands, can include cultivation of various types of reeds, certain forms of timber, blueberry and cranberry cultivation, sphagnum farming, and grazing with water buffaloes. Such practices should be based on the principles of sustainable management and aimed at enhancing biodiversity so that they can have a high value both financially and ecologically. Paludiculture can also be beneficial to several species which are endangered in the Union and can also facilitate the connectivity of wetland areas and of associated species populations in the Union. Funding for measures to restore and rewet drained peatlands and to compensate possible losses of income; Definitive clear adequate funding streams must be in place in advance of proposed measures being implemented, this can come from a wide range of sources, including expenditure under the Union budget and Union financing programmes.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 313 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
(56) The new EU Forest Strategy for 203081 outlined the need to restore forestthe biodiversity of forests, agroforests and urban woodlands. Forests and other wooded land cover over 43,5 % of the EU’s land space. Forests and agroforestry ecosystems that host rich biodiversity are vulnerable to climate change but are also a natural ally in adapting to and fighting climate change and climate-related risks, including through their carbon-stock and carbon-sink functions, and provide many other vital ecosystem services and benefits, such as the provision of timber and wood, food and other non-wood products, climate regulation, soil stabilisation and erosion control and the purification of air and water. _________________ 81 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 (COM/2021/572 final).
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 454 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 15 a (new)
(15 a) Agroforestry systems are “land use systems where trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land” (Regulation 2022/2472 Article 2.9) and are further clarified in national CAP strategic plans;
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 492 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The determination of the most suitable areas for restoration measures in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article shall be based on the best available knowledge and the latest scientific evidence of the condition of the habitat types listed in Annex I, measured by the structure and functions which are necessary for their long-term maintenance including their typical species, as referred to in Article 1(e) of Directive 92/43/EEC, and of the quality and quantity of the habitats of the species referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. A; areas where the habitat types listed in Annex I are in unknown condition shall be considered as not being in good conditiona comprehensive initial ecological assessment shall be carried to establish high resolutions baselines (using IACS/ LPIS) and to ensure the suitability of proposed measures.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 733 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) share of agricultural land with high-diversity landscape features.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 767 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
For organic soils in agricultural use constituting drained peatlands, Member States shall put in place restoration measures. Those measures shall be in place ; In order for these measures to achieve the desired outcomes they shall be stress tested and evaluated for their applicability and suitability in advance, through EIP pilot projects and impact assessments so as negative outcomes can be avoided; After demonstrating their suitability in advance these measures shall be in place on at least:
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 782 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) 30 % of such areas by 2030, of which at least a quarter shall be rewetted; Paludiculture systems;
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 793 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) 50 % of such areas by 2040, of which at least half shall be rewettedPaludiculture systems;
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 807 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) 70 % of such areas by 2050, of which at least half shall be rewetted.Paludiculture systems;
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 828 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3 a (new)
Where applicable, in advance of imposing measures contained in this article on private property, Member States shall firstly use state owned land constituting of organic soils to contribute to achieving the respective targets referred to in the first subparagraph, points (a), (b) and (c)
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 873 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f – point 1 (new)
1) Requirements (a) and (b) shall not apply in forests and agroforests with medium to high fire risk;
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1130 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – title
16 AEnsuring a just transition and access to justice
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1131 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Member Sstates shall ensure that members of the public, in accordance with national law, that have a sufficient interest or that maintain the impairment of a right, have access to a review procedure before a court of law, or an independent and impartial body established by law,in order to guarantee a “just transition” landowners who will be impacted will be fully negotiated with in advance of implementation of proposed law and retain the right to challenge the substantive or procedural legality of the nationalproposed restoration plans and any failures to act of the competent authorities, regardless of the role members of the public havw. In addition they shall also ensure that in implementing this Regulation its terms and conditions are fully compatible and compliant with other relevant National and EU law, regulations and directives pertaining to the land. Member States shall also ensure that on the played during the process for preparing and establishing the national restoration plannd concerned an agricultural activity suitable for qualifying the land as agricultural area may be maintained pursuant to the definitions and conditions laid down in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1134 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States shall ensure that members of the public, in accordance with national law, that have a sufficient interest or that maintain the impairment of a right, have access to a review procedure before a court of law, or an independent and impartial body established by law, to challenge the substantive or procedural legality of the national restoration plans and any failures to act of the competent authorities, regardless of the role members of the public have played during the process for preparing and establishing the national restoration plan.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1271 #

2022/0195(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV
Indicator Description, units, and methodology for determining and monitoring the indicator Grassland Description: This indicator is composed of species considered to be butterfly characteristic of European grasslands and which occur in a large part of Europe, index covered by the majority of the Butterfly Monitoring Schemes. It is based on the geometric mean of species trends. Unit: Index. Methodology: as developed and used by Butterfly Conservation Europe, Van Swaay, C.A.M, Assessing Butterflies in Europe - Butterfly Indicators 1990- 2018, Technical report, Butterfly Conservation Europe, 2020. Stock of Description: This indicator describes the stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral organic soils at a depth of 0 to 30 cm. carbon in cropland mineral soils Unit: tonnes of organic carbon/ha. Methodology: as set out in Annex V of Regulation 2018/1999 in accordance to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and as supported by the Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (LUCAS) Soil, Jones A. et al., LUCAS Soil 2022, JRC technical report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021. Share of Description: High-diversity lLandscape features are elements of permanent natural agricultural or semi-naor semi-natural agricultural vegetation present in an agricultural context which provide land with ecosystem services and land with support for biodiversity. In order to do so, landscape high- features need to be subject to landscape as little external disturbances as possible to provide diversity safe habitats for various taxa, features and therefore need to comply with the following landscape conditions: features a) they cannot be under productive agricultural use (including grazing or fodder production), and b) they should not receive fertilizer or pesticide treatment. Land lying fallow can be considered as high diversity landscape features if it complies with criteria (a) and (b) above. Productive trees part of arable land agroforestry systems and productive elements in non-productive hedges can also be considered as high diversity landscape features, if they comply with criterion (b) above, and if harvests take place only at moments where it would not compromise high biodiversity levels. Unit: Percent (share of Utilised Agricultural Area). Methodology: as developed under indicator I.21, Annex I of Regulation 2021/2115, as based on LUCAS for landscape elements, Ballin M. et al., Redesign sample for Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS), Eurostat 2018, and for land laying fallow, Farm Structure, Reference Metadata in Single Integrated Metadata Structure, online publication, Eurostat. provided that this is primarily on the ICAS/LPIS system.
2023/02/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2018 on women, gender equality and climate justice 1a, __________________ 1a OJ C 458, 19.12.2018, p.34.
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 9 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 on A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system,
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 13 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 b (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 on EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.Bringing nature back into our lives,
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 16 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 c (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication of 16 July 2021 on the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 21 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
— — having regard to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2018,
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)
— — having regard to General recommendation No. 34 on the rights of rural women of 4 March 2016 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas rural areas represent around 83 % of the total European territory and are home to around 137 million people (30 % of the European population); whereas rural areas, in particular remote and less developed rural regions, face specific long-term unresolved challenges;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas significant gender differences within agricultural employment persist since female rates of unemployment, precarious contracts and informality are higher, rural women are more exposed to vulnerable situations, such as no access to social protection or maternity benefits, are more affected by the care gap and experience more difficulties to have ownership and control of land and other productive resources; whereas the EU rural employment rate was 67% for women and 80% for men in 2019, which translates to a gender employment gap of 13 percentage points, that has remained fairly stable at EU level in the last 10 years; whereas effective action should be taken to promote the participation of women supporting their key role in the development and preservation of rural areas through approaches based on fairer and inclusive relations between production, distribution, consumption and environmental and social impacts;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that policies and actions at EU level combined with national and regional ones are key to securing the prosperity and well-being of rural European citizens, as well as tackling the challenges they face, namely population decline and ageing, fewer quality job opportunitilack of basic services, a lack of access to high-nd amenities; poor quality public services of general interest, climate and environmental pressures, lower connectivity and limited access to innovation(schools, health and social care, public transport), quality education and training opportunities, quality connectivity, banks, post offices and problems related to water management, in addition to insufficient and inappropriate housing availability in rural areas to meet the current needs;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 91 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the central role rural areas can play in addressing societal challenges, by providing ecosystem services to mitigate climate change and environmental deterioration, ensuring sustainable food production, preserving rural heritage, and contributing to a just, green and digital transition; notes in the new CAP reform the stipulation that the provision of "public goods" is now included in the definition "active farmer"; stresses the need for Member States to fully support and adequately compensate farmers for the provision of these public goods and ecosystem services, that are not remunerated by the market place, to contribute to the economic viability of rural areas.
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 115 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. underlines the need to support young people in rural areas, addressing their specific needs, interests and challenges, overcoming the structural factors that force them to migrate, such as the lack or insufficient infrastructure and basic services, employment and education or the digital gap and to involve them indecision-making processes; recalls the commitment made by Member States under the reinforced Youth Guarantee to ensure that all young people under the age of30 receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship and traineeship and the need to take into careful consideration the particularities of young people in rural areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 127 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that rural areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of crisis, such as the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine but are also capable of offering new opportunities in response to such crisis; notes the successful use of remote working during the covid pandemic proving that this type of working is feasible with many positive externalities for the regeneration of local areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 151 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the proposal for a Rural Action Plan, which should evolve into a dynamic tool for future action; calls on the Commission and the Member States to give the highest priority to its implementation, setting clear binding targets for delivery so as to attain the goal of stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 164 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Agrees on the need for a common, EU-wide, functional definition of rural areas, that recognizes the complexity and diversity contain within these areas and urges the Commission to quickly develop and operationalise such a definition;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 171 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Supports the development of a Rural Pact; considers that it needs concrete objectives, deliverables, governance andan inclusive governance model that includes local governments and civil society, with local democratic and social partner structures, as well as monitoring systems, and institutional responsibilities;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 176 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the announcement of a Rural Observatory; considers it a valid instrument for informing, designing and monitoring better public policies; and stresses the need for sufficient funding and human resources, transparency, a clear roadmap with time frames and objectives and external scrutiny from civil society representatives;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 184 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Welcomes ESC proposal to promote a Europe-wide Charter of rural/urban rights and responsibilities; is also convinced that more cooperation with urban areas is needed to ensure that no area or citizen is "left behind" in the just transition to a climate-neutral, sustainable and prosperous European Union, striving for a rural and urban commitment to a fair approach and showing the added value of rural and urban organisations working together;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 213 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that the European Green Deal can open up new opportunities in rural areas and a new dynamic for a more resilient future, while ensuring a just and inclusive transition; is concerned about current discussions on the re-evaluation of elements of the Green Deal dedicated to agriculture, risking fundamentally undermining future progress in achieving its objectives; insists the Commission honour the commitments agreed within the EU Green Deal and to fully implement agreed goals, targets and ambitions of both the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies as they are crucial to the future sustainability, security and resilience of our rural areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 220 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points out that extensive permanent grassland-based, silvo-pastoral or extensive organic animal husbandry, often involving pastures of high environmental value, are key features of the European rural areas and that its quality schemes and are a defining element of many traditional rural communities which allows them to make productive use of land that other wise would have been abandoned; underlines that this form of land-based and low density agricultural production can have multiple positive effects for the environment and for the conservation of cultural landscapes, contributes to protecting rural areas from depopulation and abandonment, helps in mitigating against climate change, and contributes to a circular economy and biodiversity restoration and must therefore be supported and encouraged;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 237 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the central role agriculture plays in rural areas; insists that sustainable agriculture, providing fair income to farmers, is crucial for the vitality of these territories; Recognises that liberalisation of trade in agricultural food products and agricultural primary commodities has exposed small-scale farmers, particularly in peripheral rural areas, to many new challenges; Takes the view that, in order to guarantee a vibrant rural areas, all international trade rules and agreements should take into account the impact on agriculture and the rural economy;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 239 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses that unfair trading practices (UTPs) are a serious problem in the Agricultural sector notes that the Commission’s report of 29January 2016 on unfair business-to-business trading practices in the food supply chain confirms that those practices can occur at every stage of the food supply chain; points out that the problem is particularly evident in the food supply chain, having adverse effects on the weakest link in the chain, highlights that the problem is attested to by all entities in the food supply chain and by many national competition authorities; whereas the Commission Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee have repeatedly drawn attention to the problem of UTPs;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 276 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Stresses the importance of promoting the EU quality schemes (PDO's &PGI's) as a vehicle to generate added value in local areas by creating high value niche products drawing attention to the pristine environment in which they were produced;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 281 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the work of rural women is still not properly recognised; calls on the Commission and the Member Statespoints out that women in rural areas are more affected by hidden unemployment than men due to traditional role models and the poor provision in many rural areas of appropriate infrastructure, particularly childcare facilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase the labour force participation of women both in the agricultural sector and in other fields of employment in rural regions, to promote quality-jobs, full and equal participation of rural women indecision-making enhancing their leadership and to take action to design and implement measures to fight gender gaps;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 297 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Member States to promote women's entrepreneurship, support female business networks, such as tutoring/coaching models or alliances of female entrepreneurs, and design initiatives targeted at improving the entrepreneurial attitude, skills and capabilities of women in rural areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 298 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Recalls European Parliament resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas as well as Resolution of 16 January 2018 on Women, gender equality and climate justice; underlines that 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) asserted that women have an strategic role to play in the development of sustainable and ecologically sound consumption and production patterns; stresses in this regard that women in rural areas can be agents of change in moving towards sustainable agriculture and can play an important role in the creation of green jobs; is convinced that their empowerment is critical as regards sustainable farming methods for building climate resilience, including the protection of ecosystems, water resources and soil fertility; in particular, highlights the importance to support and promote the participation of women in the agri-food value chain, since their role is mainly concentrated in production and processing;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 299 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Acknowledges the European's Commission support to Member States’ to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of quality education and care services for children and other people in need for care in rural areas through investments from the European Social Fund Plus, the European Regional Development Fund, the Invest EU programme and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; welcomes the forthcoming European Care Strategy which should take into account the particularities of rural areas and calls for a European Care Deal to reduce the gender care gap; calls also the Member States to swiftly implement the work-life balance directive and to go beyond it, boosting investment in public services in rural areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 300 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Highlights that rural women face additional obstacles both to access services to prevent gender-based violence and to support victims, as well as to access health care, including sexual and reproductive health care; reiterates the importance that all Member States ratify the Istanbul Convention, welcomes the proposal for a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence and calls for Member States to ensure the provision of services to prevent and support victims tailored to the conditions existing in rural areas; recalls European Parliament resolution of 24 June 2021 on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health and calls on the Member States to establish effective strategies and monitoring programmes that guarantee the enjoyment of and universal access to a full range of high-quality and accessible SRHR services, in line with international health standards, regardless of financial, practical and social barriers, and free from discrimination, with special consideration to women from rural areas and outermost regions where geographical constraints prevent direct and immediate access to such services;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 306 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights the central role of rural areas in the transition to a low-carbon economy; stresses that initiatives in rural areas, such as renewable energy infrastructure, must contribute effectively to the economic and social vitality of such areas; notes that many rural areas have an abundance of natural resources for the generation of renewable energy, however ineffective government policies, corporate influence, lack of proper battery storage system, and "smart metering" are standing in the way harnessing this valuable resource that could transform rural areas;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 317 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Believes that the lack of energy infrastructure, particularly in peripheral rural areas where the natural resources are the greatest, is a barrier to renewable energy development, the present infrastructure is mainly built for fossil fuel plants and needs urgent reform as it is not capable of handling large amounts of renewable energy;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 325 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Is of the view that the lack technical professionals is preventing renewable energy technologies from reaching their potential; calls for renewable energy courses and proper training to be conducted to develop the skills required to install and operate renewable energy projects; notes the shortage of a trained workforce to design, finance, build, operate and maintain renewable energy projects, considered this to be a major obstacle to the wider penetration of renewable energy;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 328 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Highlights that rural areas suffer higher risks of social exclusion and energy poverty owing to longer distances to be covered and mobility constraints; points out that easily accessible and public transport systems as well as new rural mobility solutions and investments are needed to achieve equitable growth, in harmony with a sustainable energy transition;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 345 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that the digital transition brings about new opportunities for rural areas, which are only accessible if there is adequate, stable and accessible broadband coverage; warns of the risks of the widening of the rural digital gap as a result of the lack of 5G coverage, and calls on Member States to mobilise all available instruments to prevent it; calls for the creation of locally based "digital hubs" where people could travel to in their local area to avail of high speed broadband and dedicated facilities tailored to remote hybrid working; believes that creating a work environment at local level in a dedicated hub can mitigate many of the negative social aspects generated by remote working;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 355 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Draws attention to the fact that the comparative lack of digital skills in rural areas can preclude rural communities from benefiting from the opportunities of digitalisation; calls for measures that ensure digital inclusion and support an enabling environment for rural digital innovation; emphasis however that a sole emphasis on digitalisation to the detriment of the traditional forms of communication can in fact lead to increased levels of isolation and exclusion as there are those that have difficulty in engaging in the digital world;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 401 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out to the need to increase investment and public spending in rural areas in order to create long-term value, as it brings high economic returns while having a significant impact on employment and income opportunities and wealth distribution; stresses in this regard the need for environmental and social public investment, including in key areas of public services such as housing, health and social care, education and public transport and active mobility; highlights that EU needs a reform of economic governance that focuses on sustainable development in order to support the environmental, digital and societal transitions; insists to develop a "golden rule for public investments” that would exclude net public investment (new investments) from deficit calculations in the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact, since they bring high economic returns;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 434 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes the success of the agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) which works to foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that 'achieves more and better from less'; highlights the success of the EIP-AGRI is built on people across the whole supply chain and from the scientific community working together and sharing their ideas and experiences in order to develop innovative solutions and research results ready for application; Calls for the continuation and expansion of this innovative and bottom up approach to delivering tailored solutions designed by local stakeholders at local level;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 455 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for more community-based bottom up policy design, involving local actors, authorities and civil society, and insists therefore that they must play an active role from decision-making to policy implementation and evaluation;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 475 #

2021/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls that the future of rural areas is of paramount importance for Europe’s food security and food autonomy, as the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have clearly demonstrated; Stresses the need, highlighted by the hostilities in Ukraine and in part from the disruptions to global production chains and increased price volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, to develop self-sufficiency for the EU and member states with the aim of reducing dependency on imports of critical goods such as plant-based protein sources; reiterates that agri-food systems must be acknowledged as a crucial aspect of the EU and member states security and self-sufficiency in order to ensure the availability of safe and good-quality food and to maintain functioning and resilient food supply chains and trade flows during future crises;
2022/06/01
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 26 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Notes that the EIB is bound by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and that human rights principles are integrated into its due diligence procedures and standards at project level including by allowing for the suspension of disbursements in the case of serious violations of human rights or environmental and social standards; calls on the EIB to ensure that its complaints mechanism is easily accessible, timely and effective, in order to detect and redress possible human rights violations in EIB- related projects; asks the EIB to report to Parliament and the Board of Governors about this issue;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 – indent 1 (new)
- [2]https://data.consilium.europa.e u/doc/document/ST-9462-2021-REV- 1/en/pdf
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31 a. Notes that the Union development policy will be implemented viathe new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument(NDICI), of which the EIB is a key implementer; expresses concern about the useof EU development funds for de- risking private investment given the lack ofevidence as to its capacity to fulfil development objectives, as reported inthe final review of European Fund for Sustainable Development as well as in theopinion of the European Court of Auditors No 7/2020 of 11 September 2020; stresses the need for donors to prioritise grant-based financing as the defaultoption, especially to least developed countries, in order to avoid increasingthe debt burden;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31 b. Reiterates that the EIB’s external operations are expected to contribute to EU policy objectives, fostering developing countries’ sustainable economic, social and environmental development, particularly in the most disadvantaged among them, as well as compliance with objectives approved by the Union; recognises poverty eradication, domestic resource mobilisation and human rights as core topics within the EU development finance architecture; recalls that stakeholder engagement is the cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 c (new)
31 c. Calls on the EIB to continue supporting the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its activities within the framework of specific mandates decided by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 d (new)
31 d. Supports the Council Conclusions adopted on 14 June 2021[2],calling on the EIB to enhance its contribution to the Union’s development efforts through dedicated strategies, stronger presence on the ground globally, and better coordination with partners in a genuine Team Europe approach, with a view to developing innovative joint actions and ensuring the visibility of EU external financing;"[1]https://data.consilium.euro pa.eu/doc/document/ST-9462-2021-REV- 1/en/pdf
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2021/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. Is of the opinion that the action of the EIB Audit Committee is not alternative but complementary to that of the ECA; deplores the fact that the Tripartite Agreement, which was renewed on 11 November 2021 by the EIB, the Commission and the ECA, does not offer a satisfactory solution and that its renewal confirms the situation without any meaningful improvement in particular in relation to the role of ECA in term of auditing powers regarding activities of the EIB;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas corruption not only seriously harms the Union’s financial interests but pose also a threat to democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law across Europe, with a serious detrimental impact on the trust of citizens;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note ofthat the number of fraudulent irregularities reported in 2020 (989 casirregularities reported as fraudulent varies extremely among Member States; reminding that the these figures measure the results of Member States’ work to counter fraud and other illegal activities) and their related financial value (approximately EUR 361.42 million)should not be interpreted as indicating the level of fraud in the Member States territories, expresses some concerns about the different approach used by Member States of criminal law to protect the EU budget; calls on the Commission to address these differences between the Member States and to consider new harmonising measures;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Takes into consideration the fact that the number of non-fraudulent irregularities registered in 2020 (8 737 cases, of which 5 371 cases related to expenditure) was lower than in the previous years, and that the drop in detection and reporting in certain areas of spending cannot easily be explained and is of concern; notes that the total related financial value of these cases is approximately EUR 967.02 million; underlines that the drop in total number of reported irregularities cannot be considered as a sign of positive or negative development, but should be seen in relation to new emerging challenges, linked to new ways of managing and spending EU funds; takes note that fraud is becoming increasingly appealing for organised crime[1a], which is a significant threat to the Union Financial interests but also for citizens trust in pubic authorities, eroding rule of law and fundamental rights; regrets that many Member states do not have any specific legislation to fight against organised crime including of mafia type; _________________ 1a ‘See ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the EU Strategy to tackle Organised Crime 2021-2025’. COM(2021) 170 final.’
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that, over the period 2016- 2020, the detection of fraud in the context of the common agricultural policy (CAP) was concentrated in a small number of Member States and that this was not substantiated by a similar level of payments to those Member States from the CAP budget; notes moreover that, the majority of fraudulent irregularities concerning support to agriculture involved the use of false documents or false requests for aid, and that their number remained largely stable; observes furthermore that, as a proportion of the payments received by the Member States, the rural development part of the budget was more affected by fraud than support for agriculture, with the exception of market measures, for which incidences of fraud were higher than for rural development; notes that in relation to rural development, the falsification of documents was the main fraudulent practice; expresses concerns that the slow start in reporting fraudulent irregularities related to rural development for 2014-2020 may indicates insufficient detection efforts in Member States;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that between 2016 and 2020, the number of irregularities reported related to the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Fisheries Funds for the 2014-2020 programming period increased; stresses, however, that for all funds, and in particular the European Regional Development Fund, as regards non- fraudulent irregularities, this increase was limited, highlighting an exceptional fall in the number of detected irregularities (and related financial amounts) in comparison to the previous programming period; takes note that COVID 19 may bring new opportunities to fraudsters, with risks related to managing the emergency - requiring simplified procedures, which may be abused; the pressure on the authorities managing the EU Funds, with delays and new stress factors that could benefit fraudsters, via among others inflated costs; emphasis that all these new risks posed by COVID-19 outbreak require adaptation of the control strategies and more focus on prevention through specific mitigating measures and targeted actions to detect future irregularities and fraud;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Regrets that little support has been given to Member States in the first years of implementation of the CAFS, as has also been pointed out by some delegations during debates in the Council; reiterates that comprehensive and comparable data on the scale, nature and causes of fraud is essential to make even more meaningful the investigative actions by OLAF and, since it has taken up operational activities, the EPPO; reminds that Member States have a frontline responsibility for managing about 80% of the expenditure budget and for collecting almost all the revenue; highlights the important role Members States therefore play in protecting the EU financial interests, with the key role played by the national anti- fraud strategies (NAFSs), whose establishment should be a priorty in all Member States;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Notes with concerns that by the end of 2020, only 14 Member States reported having adopted a NAFS, which is anyhow up from 10 in 2019, with 5 others considering adopting or preparing a NAFS; notes, however, that these strategies vary in scope and depth and that some need to be updated; calls for more Member States to adopt a NAFS and to report it to the Commissionexpress concerns that some big countries in the EU do not have any NAFS at all, including Germany and Spain; calls for more Member States to adopt a NAFS and to report it to the Commission; stresses the importance of better coordinated, holistic anti-fraud efforts in Member States with NAFS to be updated to face the new risks posed by the COVID-19 and the new ways of managing funds; calls on the Commission to assess the NAFSs that have been adopted, to examine why Member States are lagging behind in adopting them, and to push the remaining Member States to progress with adoption; reminds that AFCOS should facilitates effective cooperation and exchange of information with OLAF , but regrets that only in some Member States they effectively coordinate the fight against fraud affecting the EU financial interests;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 76 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Calls on OLAF, the EPPO, AFCOS, and the responsible EU agencies to keep strengthening the exchange of information, to reciprocate support and ensure complementarity in their operational activities as agreed in the established working arrangements and regulations; highlights that the complex anti-fraud architecture in place requires close cooperation between the various players, at EU and national level; underlines that more efforts are needed to prevent and fight fraud, corruption and other illegal activities, including a closer cooperation with national authorities, between Member States and within the EU level;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 88 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. Highlights that in order to combat corruption effectively and protect the EU’s financial interests, the Commission should adopt a holistic, coherent and systematic approach by developing better rules on transparency, incompatibilities and conflicts of interest, internal control mechanisms, illegitimate lobbying and revolving doors scenarios, which can be detrimental to relations between the institutions and interest representatives;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 91 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 b (new)
41 b. Regrets the lack of follow up by the Commission on the request to establish an internal corruption evaluation mechanism for the EU institutions; calls on the Commission to present a plan on the setting up of this mechanism with all possible implications;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 93 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 c (new)
41 c. 41c. reminds its recommendation for the EU to become full Member to the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO); calls on the Commission to present a possible plan for the Membership, within the framework of the Article 83 of the TFEU in conjunction with the Article 218 of the TFEU;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2021/2234(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Endorses the call of the Commission for ‘European vision’ in cooperation between and the coordination of the actions of EU bodies and national authorities; believes that a more structured holistic approach is needed in order to avoid overlapping, to share and exchange information and to foster the integration of the several existing layers of the anti-fraud architecture and achieve a result that is bigger than the sum of its components; underlines that improved transparency for beneficiaries of EU and national funding will also be important to cope with the new challenging international context;
2022/04/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2021/2208(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life;
2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 26 #

2021/2208(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points out the need for clear guidelines on how to achieve policy coherence for development at EU level while also addressing potentially conflicting policy objectives; notes that Policy Coherence for development is an approach and policy tool to integrate the economic, social, environmental and governance dimensions of sustainable development at all stages of domestic and international policy making;
2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 84 #

2021/2208(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that while lifting export subsidies and decoupling direct payments has significantly reduced the risk of dumping practices, some areas of concern persist and should be closely monitored, in particular agricultural sectors still tied to coupled income support in many EU Member States.; notes that the annual monetary allocation to voluntary coupled support represents approximately 10% of the direct payments budget; notes in addition that 75% of this allocation is directed at three animal based sectors;
2021/12/08
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets, despite the Court's general consideration, that its audit has a rather limited scope and conclusions; requests that the audit work for the chapter on Administration be more focused on issues that are of high relevance or even critical for the EEAS
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that in the AST and AST/SC categories the percentage of women decreased to 65.35 % compared to 66.3 % in 2019; stresseregrets that imbalances remained among the different grades, with women representing 66.2 % of staff in the lower grades (AST2 to AST9) but only 33.3 % in the higher grades (AST10 to AST11); points out the gender balance reached with regard to contract agents (59.4 %) and local agents (54.5 %), while the majority of seconded national experts were men (75.2 %);
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47 a. Considers that the highest ethical standards should be applied to avoid potential conflicts of interests, taking into account the specificities of work in Delegation to mitigate reputational risk for the Union and the EEAS, particularly for Heads of Delegation;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Notes that the EEAS does not hold meetings with organisations and self- employed individuals qualified as lobbyists in line with Article 11 TEU; strongly encourages the EEAS to nevertheless explore the possibility of joining the Union’s transparency register, on the basis of a service level agreement, in order to improve transparency by disclosing all meetings with all lobby organisations that try to influence the law-making and policy implementation processes of the Union institutions; reiterates its disagreement with the EEAS’ opinion that an obligation to record meetings with lobbyists in third countries would make it difficult for Heads of Union Delegations to engage with the Union's economic interests in third countries; believes that citizens should be allowed to know which organisations Union Ambassadors are meeting;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Emphasises the necessity for the EEAS to fully comply with the Commission's Guidelines on Whistleblowing, in particular to protect whistleblowers in good faith against any form of prejudice.
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2021/2115(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73 a. regrets past situations of leakage to the press of confidential reports on elections observation missions and welcomes the solution founds between the EP and EEAS on the transmission of files; expresses confidence that EEAS will keep facilitating the regular exchange of views between the Chief Observers and Deputy Chief Observers and the MEPs, before, during and after an election observation mission;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls thatiterates its regrets regarding the temporary decision adopted by the Committee’s Bureau adopted under the COVID-19 limitations a temporary decision allowing Members to claim the usual subsistence allowance for having participated in Committee meetings remotely to compensate members for the time spent in the performance of their duties and for the related administrative costs in cases where the member was prevented from travelling to Brussels;, expressing its awareconcerns that that decision damages the reputation of the Committee in the eyes of the citizens; is concerned that a structural proposal for a specific allowance for remote attendance of meetings was later submitted to and adopted by the Council in June 2021; acknowledges that any new remuneration practices require the Council’s decision and thus, reiterates the call on the Committee to propose fair and proportionate remuneration for members on which Council can express its agreement;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. NotesRegrets that the conclusion in April 2022 and the full implementation of the settlement agreement with one of the victims of serious misconduct; acknowledges only took place in April 2022; is worried as well that the implementation of the measures agreed in March 2021 between the other victim of serious misconduct, former Committee member, and the Committee president; welcomes in particularas delayed to only after the decision by Parliament to postpone the discharge; welcomes nevertheless the public statement by the Committee president, published on the Committee’s website, reiterating her sincere apologies to all those concerned for the true suffering caused by these wrongdoings; reiterates its concern that the Committee's secretary general still refuses to admit internal shortcomings and responsibilities, leading to a breach of duty of care towards the staff of the Committee;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Is extremely worried by media report that the victims of harassment still complain that no serious investigation into the root causes of the Committee mismanagement have taken place and is worried that the duty of care towards the staff is still not fully respected;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the Committee’s monthly updates and the follow-up to Parliament’s observations in the 2020 discharge resolution; recalls that the OLAF report on case OC/2018/0666/A.1 only concerns the behaviour of the perpetrator towards the victims and that the judgement delivered by the Court of Justice in case T-377/20 simply examines the validity of the Bureau decision of 9 June 2020; points out that the long handling of the case by the Committee’s administration and particularly the shortcomings in the implementation of internal procedures have therefore in no way been examined or validated; rejects the Committee's evaluation of the judgement as well as the Committee's statement in the follow up to the 2020 discharge resolution that the complaints have been handled with due regard for the welfare of officials; believes that the cases occurred require a more in-depth analysis and strongly reiterates, therefore, its call for an external investigation specifically on the action, or lack thereof, of the administrative hierarchy of the Committee over the extent of the case which led to the flagrant breach of its duty of care towards the staff;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the measures delivered by the joint working group entrusted with the revision of the Committee’s ethical framework resulted in an ethics action plan adopted in January 2021; welcomes that a number of actions have been fully implemented such as, inter alia, the revision of the decisions on whistleblowing and on harassment (adopted in December 2021 and March 2022 respectively), the service-level agreement with the Investigation and Disciplinary Office of the Commission to professionalise the administrative inquiries, the mandatory training on ethics for all staff, the set up and training of a new team of ethics counsellors, the ongoing renewal of the network of confidential counsellors, and the new guide for staff ‘Respect at work at the EESC’ (published in May 2022); notes that the joint working group also conducted preparatory work for the ongoing revision of the decision on disciplinary procedures and administrative inquiries; asks the Committee to regularly monitor the adequate staff awareness on the ethics framework with ad hoc surveys; regrets that the revision of the decisions mentioned were extremely delayed with the one on harassment being adopted only after Parliament's decision to postpone the 2020 discharge, showing a lack of willingness to act; expresses concerns that no specific procedure for harassment involving a Member and an official (within the definition of Decision 090/22 A) is in place with the consequence that no uniform procedures for dealing with cases of harassment is applied, leading to different treatment of victims; reiterates again that the fact the Staff Regulation cannot be imposed on a member of the Committee cannot be regarded as an excuse for inaction; calls on the Committee to immediately provide for a specific procedure that will grant everyone a proper and long due protection against harassment;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2021/2111(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Requests that all internal procedures and decisions, including the ones on ethics, be published in a specific column of the Committee’s website;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Regrets, despite the Court's general consideration, that its audit has a rather limited scope and conclusions; requests that the audit work for the chapter on Administration be more focused on issues that are of high relevance or even critical for the European Council and the Council;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Regrets that the Code of conduct of the President of the European Council has not been brought in line with those of Parliament and the Commission, in particular in terms of activities to be approved after he or she leaves the post, and this despite several requests by Parliament;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Recalls that, as an institution giving recommendations on the discharge procedure, the Council should do so in a more timely manner and with respect for all the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Deplores that the Council, for more than a decade, has shown that it does not have any willingness to collaborate in the context of the discharge procedure which is not compliant with the principle of loyal cooperation and makes it impossible for Parliament to make an informed discharge decision; considers that lack of cooperation a complete disregard for Parliament's role with the very negative effects of discrediting the democratic scrutiny of the Union budget and eroding the citizens trust in the Union; demands full respect for Parliament's prerogative and role as guarantor of transparency and the democratic accountability principle, in line with the case-law of the Court of Justice emphasising the right of taxpayers and of the public to be kept informed about the use of public revenues, which is linked to Parliament's role in the discharge procedure as the only institution directly elected by the Union citizens;
2022/09/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Welcomes the fact that the status of the Council has changed from that of an observer to that of a formal party to the new Interinstitutional Agreement1a on a mandatory Transparency register; reminds, nevertheless, of the European Parliament decision of 27 April 2021 on the conclusion of an interinstitutional agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register1b, which in its paragraph 5 considers that the Council's participation is limited to meetings with the most senior officials, and, under voluntary schemes only, meetings of the Permanent Representatives and Deputy Permanent Representatives during their presidency and six months before; insists that for the credibility of the joint framework all Permanent Representations should take an active part in it through voluntary schemes, continue to apply such voluntary schemes after their presidency has ended and extend them, insofar as this is possible, to other officials; _________________ 1aInterinstitutional Agreement of 20 May 2021 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on a mandatory transparency register (OJ L 207, 11.6.2021, p. 1). 1b OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 127.
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Reminds of the petition launched by the Corporate Europe Observatory, Observatoires des Multinationales and foodwatch, urging the French government to decline any sponsorship offers when taking on the rotating Council presidency in 2022;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2021/2108(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32 a. Strongly reiterates its call on the Council to bring the code of conduct for the President of the European Council in line with those of Parliament and the Commission in order to have rules in place to approve activities related to Union legislation after the President of the European Council leaves his or her post;
2022/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned that the amount of outstanding commitments (RAL) at the end of 2020 reached a new record high of EUR 303,2 billion; acknowledges that a certain level of outstanding commitments is a natural consequence of the Union budget system with commitment appropriations and payment appropriations but underlines that an amount of outstanding commitments, which equals two full years of payment appropriations may constitute a risk for the smooth operation of the budget in the future; which would be put under serious pressure, with a possible serious risk to the liquidity of the Union budget;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Welcomes the publication of the Guidance on avoidance of conflicts of interest under the Financial Regulation in April 2021 - after the distribution to Member States in August 2020 - which promotes the uniform interpretation of the rules across all management modes; reiterates its call on the Commission to ensure proper evaluation of the preventive measures taken by the Member States to avoid conflicts of interest; ; emphasises that all form of conflicts of interest are to be tackled efficiently and effectively including within the European institutions;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Reminds that Commission’s audit reports, including for conflict of interest cases, should be published in reasonable timeframe, helping in ensuring that the recommended corrective and follow-up actions are implemented by the audited; reminds the stance of the Budgetary Control Committee that even prior to the finalisation of an audit, the Commission has to share information with the European Parliament upon request in order to allow Parliament to exercise its function of political scrutiny;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the Commission, the ECA and the Council to work towards accelerating the discharge process to N+1, reminding that this should not undermine the quality of the process;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Expresses concerns that the increasing use of financial mechanisms to deliver Union policies in third countries alongside the Union budget risks undermining the accountability and transparency of Union action and spending; insists that the Commission ensures that the delivery of external aid is subject to the rule of law and respect for human rights in recipient countries; recalls that development and cooperation policy are intended to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality and that funds should reach only their intended beneficiaries;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Is particularly concerned by the Court’s repeated findings that the work of some national audit authorities or certifying bodies is considered too error- prone and therefore unreliable, which compromises the reliability of data for the Commission’s Annual Management and Performance Report (AMPR);; regrets that the Commission has not followed up to this specific comment included in the 2019 Commission discharge resolution; expect the Commission to provide clarifications on this aspect;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Reiterates the requests made by the Parliament in the last years discharge resolutions to the Court, namely the definition of an error rate also for low risks payments, and for each expenditure in the MFF; to expand the chapter on "Administration" in order to have a more in-depth analysis on all institutions; the qualification of the impact of the corrective measures on the overall level of error;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that according to non- published information provided to the Court, the Commission provided EUR 12,9 billion in commitments under direct and indirect management and EUR 34,2 billion in commitments under shared management for purposes related to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020; regrets that the Commission has no published yet a report on COVID-19 related expenditure;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38 a. Takes note that the Court in this years Annual report reviewed the Commission’s reporting on financial corrections and recoveries and is worried that it found it to be complex and not always clear; call on the commission to make sure that its reporting give a clear idea of the amount of irregular expenditure corrected and returned to the EU budget;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 103 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Reiterates its concerns about the Court’s assessment that the monitoring data from Member States, on which the Commission AMPR and the programmes statements are based, is not fully reliable; regrets in particular the Court’s reiterated evaluation on the AMPR in the Cohesion areas, because of shortcomings of the audit authorities work and the issues identified regarding the residual error rates reported in the DG EMPL and DG REGIO AARs;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 104 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 b (new)
39 b. Takes note of the Commission’s statement that it is not required to align its methodology to the one used by the Court, but regrets that it leads to very different figures, in particular in the Competitiveness area, where the Commission’s estimate of the risk at payment for this MFF heading is even below the ECA range for the estimated level of error; calls on the Commission to step out from a strictly legal requirement and seriously engage in a reflection process on its methodology to make sure that the Court and Commission figures may be more comparable;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 116 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Draws attention to the fact that around 20 % of ex-post audits of the entire H2020 family are carried out by DG RTD’s Common Audit Service (CAS), and 80 % on its behalf by private audit firms; notes with concern that the Court found that sampling at the level of the cost statements audited was not always in line with established procedures, highlights that despite the improvements introduced by the Commission, the representative error rate is potentially understated; expresses concerns that weaknesses in the ex post audits by the CAS still persist;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 118 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 a (new)
55 a. Regrets that when reviewing the information in the Commission’s 2020 AMPR regarding the estimated risk at payment in the policy area under MFF1a, the Court evaluates the rate as a whole being below its range of estimated level of error;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 119 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55 b (new)
55 b. Highlights the risk of the use of Horizon 2020 to fund entities complicit in illegal settlements, including funds to companies listed in the UN database of companies complicit in Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise; reminds that the EU "Guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards" state their aim is "to ensure the respect of EU positions and commitments in conformity with international law on the non-recognition by the EU of Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967"; asks the Commission to carefully monitor for, and rectify project management transgressions, in particular in relation to the BOUNCE and GEO-CRADLE projects;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 139 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60 a. Recalls the important role of the spending under MFF heading 1b "economic, social and territorial cohesion", which focuses on reducing development disparities between the different Member States and regions of the Union and strengthening all regions’ competitiveness;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 167 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 – point -a (new)
-a.  provide an error rate at payments and not a residual error rate in order to improve the evaluation of the scrutiny undertaken;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 168 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 – point -a a (new)
-a a.  continue its cooperation with the Court in order to further align audit methodologies and interpretation of legal texts;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 177 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 – point k a (new)
k a. pay increased attention, and allocate increased technical support, to Member States, whose management and control systems are only partially reliable, or not reliable, where there is an increased risk of fraud and corruption related to funds
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 191 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85
85. Welcomes that the Commission has committed to providing support to the Member States in developing the new approach with regard to checks by monitoring; notes that Since 2018, Member State paying agencies may perform these kind of checks; highlights that, but regrets its limited coverage in 2020; supports the Court has recommended thatation to the Commission to promotes checks by monitoring as a key control system for the post-20220 CAP;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 192 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 a (new)
85 a. Regrets the recurrent weaknesses identified by the Court on the risk at payment affecting the spending on ‘Natural Resources", related to the Members States’ controls, reflected in their control statistics;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 193 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 b (new)
85 b. Reminds the weakness identified by the Court on the CAP anti-fraud policies and procedures both by the Commission and the Member States; recalls the recommendation to the Commission in last year Annual report and takes note that DEG AGRI updated its Anti-Fraud strategy in 2020; awaits for the Court Special Report on CAP and anti-fraud measures delayed to the 2 quarter of 2022, for a in depth analysis of the current situation;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 195 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 88 a (new)
88 a. Reminds the importance of a fair CAP allocation, which from one side should avoid any misuse of funds in particular by political prominent wealthy individuals, elites and big conglomerates, and on the other concentrate on active farmers; points out that the study2a on the implementation of the CAP funds revealed that the disbursement of EU agriculture funds is a highly problematic issue in at least five Member States3a and that there is a clear inequality between fund allocations for big and small farmers, with systemic advantages for the big farms whose beneficiaries have close ties to the ruling political parties or are themselves members of these in their countries4a; _________________ 2a Sabeb et al 2021: WHERE DOES THE EU MONEY GO? AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CAP FUNDS IN BULGARIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA AND ROMANIA 3a Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania 4a INI Report on “MFF 2021-2027: fight against oligarch structures, protection of the EU funds from fraud and conflict of interest” CONT 2020/2126 (INI)
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 203 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 91 – point k a (new)
k a. Increase CAP efficiency by concentrating its support to active farmers whose main activity is farming;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 206 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97
97. NoteRegrets that the Court was unable to estimate the error ratdid not estimate the error rate and reiterate its call for a clear estimation, because of the public and political interest in this area which is far higher than its financial share; notes with concern that of the 27 transactions examined by the Court, 8 (30 %) were affected by errors; highlights that the Court also found cases of non- compliance with legal and financial provisions, but without a financial impact on the Union budget; notes that the errors concern the selection of projects and the application of procurement rules, the submission of incomplete documentation in support of cost claims, and the defective functioning of an IT system;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 207 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97 a (new)
97 a. Regrets that the limited sample of 27 transactions for 2020 made impossible for the Court to compare its audit results with the information reported by the DG HOME and DG CONNECT on the regularity of spending; invites the court to extend its sample and made it more representative of this spending area, in order to have a deeper evaluation of this heading;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 218 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 100 – point k
k. implement measures to ensure complementarity and better coordination between AMIF and EASO/Frontex (e.g. in the area of forced returns or support to asylum authorities);
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 219 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 100 – point l
l. use development aid as a tool to facilitate better cooperation with migrants’ countries of origin;deleted
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 222 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 103
103. Takes noteRegrets that the Court did not audit sufficient transactions to estimate the level of error for this MFF heading; reiterates its call for the error rate to clearly be identified for this heading; is worried that of the 75 transactions examined, 28 (37,3 %) were affected by errors; notes with concern that some international organisations (UNRWA, UNICEF and IBRD) provided onlythe Court’s work was hindered by some international organisation refusing or limiteding access to relevant audit documents, and someor even questioneding the Court’s mandate;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 231 #

2021/2106(DEC)

107 a. Recalls that development and cooperation policy are meant to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality and that funds should reach only their intended beneficiaries;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 232 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107 b (new)
107 b. Insists on the importance of the European Parliament’s active participation in the development of partnership and cooperation agreements with third countries; stresses that future partnership agreements should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and based on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility, respect for human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 233 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 107 c (new)
107 c. Regrets the poor results of COVAX , since it missed its own targets for 2021; expresses concerns in cases where vaccines about to expire where delivered by COVAX;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 235 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108 – point e a (new)
e a. reintroduce reservations for all areas found to have a high level of risk, regardless of their share of total expenditure and their financial impact;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 236 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108 – point e b (new)
e b. provide an enhanced Parliament scrutiny when developing new partnership agreements with third countries, which should always be based on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility, respect for human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 237 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108 – point f
f. encourages the further development of balanced trade agreements and to remain attentive to investments made by foreign powers such as China or Russia;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 238 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 108 – point f
f. encourages the further development of balanced trade agreements and to remain attentive to investments made by foreign powers such as China or, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Turkey;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 261 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 a (new)
116 a. Insists on the Commission to implement a more transparent appointment procedure for all positions especially the management related ones particularly in the context of the new HR Strategy;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 263 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 b (new)
116 b. Reminds the Commission of the potential risks of Commissioner engaging in new activities and calls for the Commission to keep a clear attention on those cases;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 266 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 c (new)
116 c. Reiterates the European Parliament concern about the termination of the contract with the restaurant service provider, which led to the layoff of 400 workers; invites again the Commission to considers in term of sound financial management the possibility of internalisation of the catering staff in- house;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 267 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 116 d (new)
116 d. Recall Parliament’s concerns about the increasing number of contract staff hired in the Commission, and the risks related to the transfer and then loss of knowledge when their contracts expires, without forgetting the perspective and job security of the contract agents;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 273 #

2021/2106(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117 – point e a (new)
e a. to make the Commission special advisers status more transparent with a clear definition of their tasks and missions, via a revision of the current rules on Special Advisers;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 276 #

2021/2106(DEC)

e b. be at the front line of the Whistle- blowers protection, paving the way for a more uniform regulation among all Institutions, based on best practices and on higher standards;
2022/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regards to the Court of Auditors' Special Report 04/2020: Using new imaging technologies to monitor the Common Agricultural Policy: steady progress overall, but slower for climate and environment monitoring,
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas public knowledge and full transparency about the spending of Union funds is essential for the acceptance of this spending and is also crucial in order to ensure accountability and ensure better control of spending including avoidance of misuse, corruption, fraud and of conflicts of interests;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas fragmentation of data make the identification of final beneficiaries extremely difficult, if not impossible for direct, indirect or shared management Union funds;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas the Court of Auditors' findings presented during the public hearing of the 2nd September 2021 in CONT showed a clear need to improve transparency of the existing system of the oversight of Union funds;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
O a. whereas such a system should be transparent and easy to use;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Recital V a (new)
V a. whereas more and a better use of satellite data should be made, removing the obstacles currently hampering the wide use of new technologies by paying agencies9a _________________ 9aECA Special Report 04/2020: Using new imaging technologies to monitor the Common Agricultural Policy: steady progress overall, but slower for climate and environment monitoring
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines that transparency about final beneficiaries will ensure that auditing, control and discharge authorities in national administrations, the Commission, the Council and the Parliament will have much better and more accurate possibilities to ensure that money is being spent efficiently or to carry out recoveries in the event of fraud according to rules and policy ambitions;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that the present situation where it is impossible to get a reasonably complete picture about who is receiving how much from especially shared management funds is unacceptable and needs to be changed as soon as possible to increase theransparency and efficiency of Union funds;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines that in situations where the direct recipient is a company which is owned by another company, it should be ensured that it is possible to identify the owners of the second company also, and that this obligation should continue to apply no matter how many companies are involved; considers therefore that it is necessary to have unique identification numbers set up for beneficiaries by parent companies, so that every subsidiary has a subsequent number, allowing to really know where money goes;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that this obligation to identify the owner should as a minimum apply whenever any natural or legal person owns more than 30%25%10a of the company in question; _________________ 10aDefinition of ultimate beneficiary in the Study “The Largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and Cohesion Funds”
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 74 #

2021/2054(INL)

Motion for a resolution
Annex I – paragraph 12 – point 2 – point a – paragraph 3
Where the recipient of funds is a legal person, information shall be published on persons and entities holding more than 3025% ownership of that entity.;
2021/10/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 403 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
(46) Being the entry and exit points for the land infrastructure of the trans- European transport network, maritime ports play an important role as cross-border multimodal nodes which serve not only as transport hubs, but also as gateways for trade, industrial clusters and energy hubs, for example with regard to the deployment of on-shore and off-shore wind installations.
2022/11/16
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 414 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46 a (new)
(46a) Maritime seaports are clean energy hubs of the future and important facilitators of the energy transition across Europe. In their role as energy hubs, maritime seaports play a key role in realising the EU’s climate objectives for 2030 and 2050, as well as the ambitions outlined in the REPowerEU plan.
2022/11/16
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 415 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46 b (new)
(46b) Maritime seaports increasingly take up new responsibilities and are involved in new services, such as sustainable energy production, research on the blue economy, and military mobility. In their role as multi-service actors, maritime seaports can substantially contribute to a sustainable, digital and resilient European economy.
2022/11/16
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 1124 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. A maritime port shallIn order to be part of the comprehensive network where, a maritime port shall meet at least one of the following conditions is met:
2022/11/17
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 1141 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. It is considered by its Member State as a critical node for the supply of renewable energy in the EU and is considered to be instrumental to reach the ambitions of REPowerEU.
2022/11/17
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 1146 #

2021/0420(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. The total annual wind energy volume, derived from both onshore and offshore wind, imported through the maritime port exceeds 0.1% of the total annual wind energy deployed by the Union. The reference amount for this volume is the latest available five-year average, based on the statistics published by Eurostat.
2022/11/17
Committee: TRAN
Amendment 22 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
(4) There is a growing recognition of the need for alignment of bioenergy policies with the cascading principle of biomass use11 and that the development of the bio energy sector should respect the proximity principle, to ensure balanced regional development of the industry in which local populations retain control, with a view to ensuring fair access to the biomass raw material market for the development of innovative, high value- added bio-based solutions and a sustainable circular bioeconomy. When developing support schemes for bioenergy, Member States should therefore take into consideration the available sustainable supply of biomass for energy and non- energy uses and the maintenance of the national forest carbon sinks and ecosystems as well as the principles of the circular economy and the biomass cascading use, and the waste hierarchy established in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council12 . For this, they should grant no support to the production of energy from saw logs, veener logs, stumps and roots and avoid promoting the use of quality roundwood for energy except in well-defined circumstances. In line with the cascading principle, woody biomass should be used according to its highest economic and environmental added value in the following order of priorities: 1) wood-based products, 2) extending their service life, 3) re-use, 4) recycling, 5) bio-energy and 6) disposal. Where no other use for woody biomass is economically viable or environmentally appropriate, energy recovery helps to reduce energy generation from non- renewable sources. Member States’ support schemes for bioenergy should therefore be directed to such feedstocks for which little market competition exists with the material sectors, and whose sourcing is considered positive for both climate and biodiversity, in order to avoid negative incentives for unsustainable bioenergy pathways, as identified in the JRC report ‘The use of woody biomass for energy production in the EU’13 . On the other hand, in defining the further implications of the cascading principle, it is necessary to recognise the national specificities which guide Member States in the design of their support schemesWaste prevention, reuse and recycling of waste should be the priority option. Member States should avoid creating support schemes which would be counter to targets on treatment of waste and which would lead to the inefficient use of recyclable waste. Moreover, in order to ensure a more efficient use of bioenergy, from 2026 on Member States should not give support anymore to electricity-only plants , unless the installations are in regions with a specific use status as regards their transition away from fossil fuels or if the installations use carbon capture and storage. __________________ 11 The cascading principle aims to achieve resource efficiency of biomass use through prioritising biomass material use to energy use wherever possible, increasing thus the amount of biomass available within the system. In line with the cascading principle, woody biomass should be used according to its highest economic and environmental added value in the following order of priorities: 1) wood-based products, 2) extending their service life, 3) re-use, 4) recycling, 5) bio-energy and 6) disposal. 12 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3). 13 https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reposit ory/handle/JRC122719
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 28 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
(5) The rapid growth and increasing cost-competitiveness of renewable electricity production can be used to satisfy a growing share of energy demand, for instance using heat pumps for space heating or low-temperature industrial processes, electric vehicles for transport, or electric furnaces in certain industries. Renewable electricity can also be used to produce synthetic fuels for consumption in hard-to-decarbonise transport sectors such as aviation and maritime transport. A framework for electrification needs to enable robust and efficient coordination and expand market mechanisms to match both supply and demand in space and time, stimulate investments in flexibility, and help integrate large shares of variable renewable generation. Member States should therefore ensure that the deployment of renewable electricity continues to increase at an adequate pace to meet growing demand. These objectives can be best achieved by promoting localized solutions suitable to emerging technologies in the renewable sector which will have the twin benefits of respecting the proximity principle and ensuring local control of energy supply. For this, Member States should establish a framework that includes market- compatible mechanisms to tackle remaining barriers to have secure and adequate electricity systems fit for a high level of renewable energy, as well as storage facilities, fully integrated into the electricity system. In particular, this framework shall tackle remaining barriers, including non-financial ones such as insufficient digital and human resources of authorities to process a growing number of permitting applications.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 37 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
(11) Buildings have a large untapped potential to contribute effectively to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the Union. The decarbonisation of heating and cooling in this sector through an increased share in production and use of renewable energy will be needed to meet the ambition set in the Climate Target Plan to achieve the Union objective of climate neutrality. However, progress on the use of renewables for heating and cooling has been stagnant in the last decade, largely relying on increased use of biomass. Without the establishment of targets to increase the production and use of renewable energy in buildings, there will be no ability to track progress and identify bottlenecks in the uptake of renewables. Furthermore, the creation of targets will provide a long-term signal to investors, including for the period immediately after 2030. This will complement obligations related to energy efficiency and the energy performance of buildings. Therefore, indicative targets for the use of renewable energy in buildings should be set to guide and incentivise Member States’ efforts to exploit the potential of using and producing renewable energy in buildings, encourage the development of and integration of technologies which produce affordable renewable energy to combat energy poverty while providing certainty for investors and local level engagement.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 40 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
(14) Infrastructure development for district heating and cooling networks should be stepped up and steered towards harnessing a wider range of renewable heat and cold sources in an efficient and flexible way in order to increase the deployment of renewable energy and deepen energy system integration. It is therefore appropriate to update the list of renewable energy sources that district heating and cooling networks should increasingly accommodate and require the integration of thermal energy storage as a source of flexibility, greater energy efficiency and more cost-effective operation. Encourages the development of energy initiatives in line with the ideals of the circular economy where farmers and landowners would be incentivized to create district heating schemes using farm waste and by- products.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 42 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
(15) With more than 30 million electric vehicles expected in the Union by 2030 it is necessary to ensure that they can fully contribute to the system integration of renewable electricity, and thus allow reaching higher shares of renewable electricity in a cost-optimal manner. The potential of electric vehicles to absorb renewable electricity at times when it is abundant and feed it back into a grid when there is scarcity has to be fully utilised. Stresses the importance of supporting new start-ups by introducing "smart grids" and developing special instruments, such as tax breaks in the transport sector, to incentivize farmers and rural CO-OPs to enter the market. It is therefore appropriate to introduce specific measures on electric vehicles and information about renewable energy and how and when to access it which complement those in Directive (EU) 2014/94 of the European Parliament and of the Council16 and the [proposed Regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, repealing Directive 2006/66/EC and amending Regulation (EU) No 2019/1020]. __________________ 16 Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (OJ L 307, 28.10.2014, p. 1)
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 61 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
(31) The Union’s renewable energy policy aims to contribute to achieving the climate change mitigation objectives of the European Union in terms of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In the pursuit of this goal, it is essential to also contribute to wider environmental objectives, and in particular the prevention of biodiversity loss, which is negatively impacted by the indirect land use change associated to the production of certain biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels. Contributing to these climate and environmental objectives constitutes a deep and longstanding intergenerational concern for Union citizens and the Union legislator. As a consequence, the changes in the way the transport target is calculated should not affect the limits established on how to account toward that target certain fuels produced from food and feed crops on the one hand and high indirect land-use change-risk fuels on the other hand. In addition, in order not to create an incentive to use biofuels and biogas produced from food and feed crops in transport, Member States should continue tonot be able to choose whether count them or not towards the transport target. If they do not count them, they may reduce the greenhouse gas intensity reduction target accordingly, assuming that food and feed crop-based biofuels save 50% greenhouse gas emissions, which corresponds to the typical values set out in an annex to this Directive for the greenhouse gas emission savings of the most relevant production pathways of food and feed crop-based biofuels as well as the minimum savings threshold applying to most installations producing such biofuels.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
(32) Expressing the transport target as a greenhouse gas intensity reduction target makes it unnecessary to use multipliers to promote certain renewable energy sources. This is because different renewable energy sources save different amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, contribute differently to a target. Renewable electricity should be considered to have zero emissions, meaning it saves 100%can have lower emissions compared to electricity produced from fossil fuels if the principles of the circular economy are complied with. This will create an incentive for the use of renewable electricity since renewable fuels and recycled carbon fuels are unlikely to achieve such a high percentage of savings. Electrification relying on renewable energy sources would therefore become the most efficient way to decarbonise road transport. In addition, in order to promote the use of advanced biofuels and biogas and renewable fuels of non-biological origin in the aviation and maritime modes, which are difficult to electrify, it is appropriate to keep the multiplier for those fuels supplied in those modes when counted towards the specific targets set for those fuels.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 73 #

2021/0218(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
(36) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 strengthened the bioenergy sustainability and greenhouse gas savings framework by setting criteria for all end-use sectors. It set out specific rules for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from forest biomass, requiring the sustainability of harvesting operations and the accounting of land-use change emissions. To achieve an enhanced protection of especially biodiverse and carbon-rich habitats, such as primary forests, highly biodiverse forests, grasslands and peat lands, exclusions and limitations to source forest biomass from those areas should be introduced, in line with the approach for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels produced from agricultural biomass. In addition, the greenhouse gas emission saving criteria should also apply to existing biomass-based installations to ensure that bioenergy production in all such installations leads to greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to energy produced from fossil fuels. The promotion of energy from renewable sources should be based on the principles of the circular economy and be fully part of the building of a sustainable bioeconomy, in particular with respect to forest and agricultural biomass. These principles aim to achieve the utmost resource efficiency, where the value of products, bio based materials and other resources is maintained in the economy, and the generation of waste minimised. Policies should therefore take into account these principles and promote the keeping of bio based raw materials in the economy for as long as possible by supporting the production of long lived products and only support recovery for energy purposes at the end of the lifecycle of these resources.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) In Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 , the Union has enshrined the target of economy-wide climate neutrality by 2050 in legislation. That Regulation also establishes a binding Union commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) by at least 55 % below 1990 levels by 2030. All sectors of the economy are expected to contribute proportionately to achieving that target, including the land use, land use change and forestry sector. The contribution of net removals to the 2030 Union climate target is limited to 225 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. In the context of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, the Commission reaffirmed in a corresponding statement its intention to propose a revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council31 , in line with the ambition to increase net carbon removals to levels above 300 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the land use, land use change and forestry sector by 2030. _________________ 30 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).’. 31 Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry in the 2030 climate and energy framework, and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and Decision No 529/2013/EU (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 1).
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 40 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In order to contribute to the increased ambition to reduce greenhouse gas net emissions from at least 40 % to at least 55 % below 1990 levels, binding annual targets for net greenhouse gas removals should be set out for each Member State in the land use, land use change and forestry sector in the period from 2026 to 2030 (in analogy to the annual emission allocations set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 ), resulting in a target of 310 millions of tonnes CO2 equivalent of net removals for the Union as a whole in 2030. The methodology used to establish the national targets for 2030 should take into account the average greenhouse gas emissions and removals from the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, reported by each Member State, and reflect the current mitigation performance of the land use, land use change and forestry sector, and each Member State’s share of the managed land area in the Union, taking into account the capacity of that Member State to improve its performance in the sector via land management practices or changes in land use that benefit the climate and biodiversity. _________________ 32 Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 (OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26).
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The land sector has the potential to become rapidly climate-neutral by 2035 in a cost-effective manner, and subsequently generate more greenhouse gas removals than emissions. A collective commitment aiming to achieve climate-neutrality in the land sector in 2035 at EU level can provide the needed planning certainty to drive land- based mitigation action in the short term, considering that it can take many years for such action to deliver the desired mitigation outcomes. Moreover, the land sector is projected to become the largest sector in the EU greenhouse gas flux profile in 2050. It is therefore particularly important to anchor that sector to a trajectory that can effectively deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By mid-2024, the Member States should submit their updated integrated national energy and climate plans in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council34 . The plans should include relevant measures for each sector, to ensure that increased carbon sequestration in forestry does not allow reduced ambition in other sectors by which each Member State best contributes to the collective target of climate neutrality in the land sector at EU level in 2035. On the basis of these plans, the Commission should propose national targets, ensuring that the Union-wide greenhouse gas emissions and removals in the land use, land use change and forestry sector and the emissions from the agriculture non-CO2 sectors are at least balanced by 2035. Contrary to the EU level target of climate neutrality for the land sector by 2035, such national targets will be binding and enforceable on each Member State. _________________ 34 Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p.1).
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to enhance greenhouse gas removals, individual farmers or forest managers need a direct incentive to store more carbon on their land and their forests. New business models based on carbon farming incentives and on the certification of carbon removals need to be increasingly deployed in the period until 2030. Member States, when drafting their respective national Strategic Plans should ensure support for LULUCF objectives and incorporate substantial financial incentives from the CAP in tailor-made solutions for the farmers in each Member State to select their best possible approach: within eco-schemes, rural development agri-environmental measures and the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). Such incentives and business models will enhance climate mitigation in the bio- economy, including through the use of durable harvested wood products, in full respect of ecological principles fostering biodiversity and the circular economy. Hence, new categories of carbon storage products should be introduced in addition to the harvested wood products. The emerging business models, farming and land management practices to enhance removals contribute to a balanced territorial development and economic growth in rural areas. They also create opportunities for new jobs and provide incentives for relevant training, reskilling and upskilling.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 88 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Considering the specificities of the land use, land use change and forestry sector in each Member State, as well as the fact that Member States need to increase their performance to achieve their national binding targets, a range of flexibilities should remain at the disposal of the Member States, including trading surpluses and the extension of forest-specific flexibilities, while respecting the environmental integrity of the targets. Member States shall ensure, in meeting those objectives, that their national policies are designed to conform to the principles of circular economy and cascading use as well as the waste hierarchy, as set out in Directive 2008/98/EC, in particular with respect to the consumption of forest and agricultural biomass for energy purposes.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 104 #

2021/0201(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) Agriculture and land use are the sectors that impact upon Union biodiversity and ecosystems services most directly and significantly. For this reason, an important objective of the sector is to ensure on-going coherence with Union biodiversity objectives aimed at halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In light of this, LULUCF sector measures undertaken by Member States aimed, in particular, towards climate change mitigation, should also ensure coherence with the achieving Union biodiversity objectives.
2022/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 9 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas of 2018,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 12 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 18 December 2019 on the EU Pollinators Initiative (2019/2803(RSP)),
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 19 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture of 2009,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 28 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 29 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
- having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 33 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 c (new)
- having regard to its resolution on European protection of cross-border and seasonal workers in the context of the COVID-19 crisis adopted on 19 June,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 36 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 d (new)
- having regard to the European Commission Guidelines on Seasonal workers issued on 16 July,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 39 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 e (new)
- having regard to the Council conclusions on seasonal and mobile workers adopted on 12 October 2020,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 43 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the "European Environment – State and outlook 2020" report by the European Environment Agency,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 76 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to Council Directive of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (91/676/EEC) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p.1,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 84 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
- having regard to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 85 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 c (new)
- having regard to Directive 2006/118/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 107 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 108 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 b (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2018 on Women, gender equality and climate justice,
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 184 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas food should not be considered a commodity but a common good; whereas the Farm to Fork Strategy should be based on food as a human right and should recognise food sovereignty as a guiding principle;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 200 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas Europe’s food system should deliver food and nutrition security in a way that contributes to social well- being and maintains and restores ecosystem health; whereas currently, the food system is the single largest driver of global deforestation and biodiversity loss in Europe as well as responsible for a range of adverse impacts on human and animal health and on the environment, and the climate and biodiversity; whereas the way in which we produce and consume food needs to transform radically and rapidly in order to ensure coherence with the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and EU policies, particularly in the areas of sustainability, the environment, climate, public health, animal welfare, working conditions, food and economic sustainability for farmers;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 248 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas working condition of a vast proportion of workers employed in the European agriculture sector are extremely challenging and precarious, characterised by poor wages, long working hours, a high proportion of undeclared work, an extremely high incidence of accidents and illness (according to Eurostat, agriculture is among the most dangerous occupations in Europe) and deplorable housing conditions with workers falling often prey to widespread exploitation, including gang master practices and other forms of modern slavery;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 266 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human health, reducing and minimizing the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry will help slow down its emergence and spread, particularly in settings of intensive animal production, noting that in many countries much of the antibiotics used in animals are for growth promotion and prevention of disease, not to treat sick animals;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 282 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas the European model of a multifunctional agricultural sector, driven by family farms, continues toan, if properly supported and valued, ensure quality food production, local supply chains, good agriculture practices, high environmental standards, high animal welfare standards, and vibrant rural areas throughout the EU; regrets however that this type of agriculture with its positive attributes is being neglected and marginalised by a policy of globalization of the food supply chain that is detrimental to rural areas at all levels, resulting in the undermining of all three pillars of true sustainable development, economic, social and environmental;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 341 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas in just over a decade several million farms have ceased to exist, representing over a third of all farms in Europe, and the vast majority of lost farms are small family businesses;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 347 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the Farm to fork strategy should include in its remit a commitment to address the phenomenon of land concentration or “land grabbing”; recalls that land is an increasingly scarce resource, which is non-renewable, and is the basis of the human right to healthy and sufficient food, and of many ecosystem services vital to survival, and should therefore not be treated as an ordinary item of merchandise; notes that land is, threatened, on the one hand by the loss of agricultural land through soil sealing, urban development, tourism, infrastructure projects, and the spread of desertification caused by climate change, and, on the other hand, by the concentration of land in the hands of large-scale agricultural undertakings and investors from outside the farming sector; stresses that it is the responsibility of the authorities to control and limit the loss of agriculture land through such activities, small and medium-sized farms, direct ownership or properly regulated tenancy, and access to common land, are the best way of ensuring a responsible relationship with the land and sustainable land management, and of fostering identification and a sense of belonging; believes that such forms of tenure encourage people to remain in rural areas and enable them to work there, which has a positive impact on the socio-economic infrastructure of rural areas, food security, food sovereignty and the preservation of the rural way of life;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 362 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas food value chain actors have a large share of the responsibility for current unsustainable and unhealthy diets and must contribute to the transition to sustainable food systems and it is important that consumers are informed on the true cost of production and enabled to take responsibility for the consequences of their choice of food stuffs on the whole food system, from production to processing and distribution; whereas this requires a healthy and sound food environment which ensures that the healthy and sustainable choice is also the easy and affordable choice, and fosters and encourages consumption patterns that support human health while ensuring the sustainable use of natural and human resources and animal welfare, taking the employment conditions in the food chain into consideration;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 413 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the European food system has played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its resilience with farmers, workers employed along the food value chain, processors and retailers working together under difficult conditions, and sanitary risks including lockdowns, to ensure that European consumers continue to have access to safe, affordable, and high quality products without impediment;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 509 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the farm to fork strategy as an important step in ensuring a sustainable, fair and resilient food system, which is central to achieving the goals set out in the European Green Deal, the European Pillar of Social Rights and in the SDGs; emphasises the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet, as well as decent working conditions; encourages the Commission to translate the strategy into concrete legislative and non-legislative action as soon as possible;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 560 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the announcement of an impact-assesevidence-based proposal for a legislative framework for sustainable food systems; underlines that this proposal will be paramount in enabling policy integration and alignment at the EU-level to facilitate the transition to sustainable food systems; invites the Commission to use this proposal to set out a holistic common food policy aimed at reducing the environmental and climate footprint and negative public health impacts of the EU food system in order to make Europe the first climate- neutral continent by 2050, improving working and employment conditions across the food value chain and strengthening its environmental resilience to ensure medium and long term food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, leading a global transition towards sustainability from farm to fork, based on the principle of a multifunctional agricultural sector while ensuring consistency between policies by taking into account the existing legislation in order to enable all actors in the European food system to develop long- term plans based on realistic and transparent objectives; underlines that maintaining and enhancing biodiversity is crucial for safeguarding EU and global food security, and that the coherence with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, including the contribution of Natura 2000 and Marine Protected Areas to support healthy food production, must be guaranteed; stresses the need for urgent and bold policy and legislative change in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence for the unsustainability of the current food system and the higher costs of a failure to act; suggests that the respective base lines and progress achieved in each Member State be taken into account, while promoting the exchange of know-how and best practices between Member States; stresses the need to include the entire food and beverage chains including primary producer, processing, marketing, distribution, hospitality and retail;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 642 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that according to FAO agroecology is a key part of the global response to climate change and of the creation of sustainable food and agricultural systems; points out that the new legislative framework for sustainable food systems should be based on the principles and elements defined by FAO as agroecology in order to trigger an agroecological transition;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 685 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Building the food chain that works for consumers, producers, food chain workers, climate and the environment
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 734 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the decision to revise the directive on the sustainable use of pesticides and the reduction targets for pesticides, fertilisers, and antibiotics; emphasises the importance of pursuing these targets through holistic and circular approaches, such as agroecological practices; emphasises the need for more research and transfer of knowledge on agroecological practices and territorial markets for agroecological products in parallel with public policies supporting the agroecological transition; insists that each Member State should establish robust and time-bound quantitative reduction targets in their CAP Strategic Plans and other relevant policy instruments, accompanied by well- defined support measures ensuring accountability at all levels to help reach these targets; reiterates its call for the translation into legislation of the above targets and objectives and calls on the Commission to clarify how it will deal with individual Member States’ contributions to Union-wide targets and to clarify the baselines for these targets;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 781 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Emphasises the need to place greater attention to the protection of workers’ health and safety in future EU legislative initiatives linked to the use of pesticides; reminds that pesticides can cause various health problems for workers exposed to them including skin irritations, allergies, poisoning, immune system disturbances, chromosomal damage, respiratory distress, male genital abnormalities, reproductive disorders and cancers; recalls the importance of ensuring all workers receive protective equipment as well as comprehensive information and training about the use and the associated dangers related to the use of pesticides; stresses the need to ensure that each agricultural worker is able to get official documentation reporting the type of pesticide used during their work activity; underlines that in order to achieve these targets it is crucial to further revise Directive2004/37/EC - carcinogens or mutagens at work- as well as the Plant Protection Product Regulation 1107/2009 and Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 831 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses the need to improve policy coordination between agricultural, pesticide-, biocide- and fertiliser-related legislation and, inter alia, water legislation in order to ensure the protection of our water resources from overexploitation and agricultural pollution; points out the need to promote adapted agricultural production such as low water requiring crops in areas affected by drought;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 886 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 l (new)
3l. Welcomes the targets to halve nutrient losses and cut fertiliser use by 20%; highlights the findings of the European Environment Agency report No 1/2020 that the EU consumes 7 times more nitrogen and 3 times more phosphorus than would be sustainable and equitable within the planetary boundaries; therefore urges the Commission to prioritise reductions in “new” N and P inputs from synthetic fertilisers and from livestock feed imports; emphasises the importance of pursuing these targets through holistic and circular approaches to nutrients management, such as agroecological practices, which can deliver co-benefits for soil quality and biodiversity and help farmers end their dependency on mineral fertilisers;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 896 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the importance of recognising the significant impact of agriculture and especially animal production on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use; stresses the imperative of reducing these emissions, in order to contribute to the European Union’s commitment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement; stresses the need to enhance natural carbon sinks and reduce agricultural emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in particular in the feed and livestock sectors; calls for regulatory measures and targets to ensure progressive reductions in all GHG emissions in these sectorslegally-binding EU-level and national targets for emissions from agriculture and related land use as part of the “Fit for 55” package to ensure ambitious reductions in all GHG emissions in these sectors in the EU and also to address embedded land use emissions from imported feed and food; points out that the EU is increasingly outsourcing the environmental footprint of its food systems, as the EU imports millions of tons of soya-based animal feed every year, including from South American countries where deforestation (responsible for 20% of global CO2 emissions), is incentivised by EU agricultural policy direction;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1004 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Points ouRegrets that thate extensive and permanent grassland-based or organic animal husbandry is athat features as part of the European food system and a defining element of many traditional rural communities, and that it has multiple positive effects for the environment and mitigating against climate change, and contributes to a circular economy has not been adequately valued and supported; stresses that, in contrast, intensive livestock farming and crop monocultures causes major negative impacts on public health, animal welfare, biodiversity and the environment; emphasises that it is the globalization of our food supply chain that is driving this intensification, a policy that has delivered no benefits to the primary producer, but rather has locked them in as captive customers of financial institutions in a race to the bottom while consuming finite natural resources at an unsustainable rate that has undermined our food security; calls on the Commission to initiate a policy reorientation away from the obsession with competitiveness and endlessly increasing exports to one of true national and local food sovereignty that can guarantee food security into the future;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1058 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Welcomes the evaluation and revision of the existing animal welfare legislation, including on animal transport and slaughter of animals envisaged in the Action Plan; calls for a revision of Directive 98/58/EC to include horizontal rules to protect animals in farming combined with species-specific requirements for species not yet covered and for phasing out caged farming;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1064 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the notion of rewarding carbon sequestration in soilEmphasises the importance of promoting, incentivising and rewarding carbon sequestration in soils; reminds of the importance of nature-based solutions, such as agroforestry, agroecology, ecosystem and peatland restoration for increasing natural carbon sinks; stresses, however, that intensive and industrial agriculture and farming models with negative impacts on biodiversity should not receive climate funding or be incentivised and underlines that carbon farming initiatives could end up favouring industrial farming models; calls for the proposals to be in line with the environmental objectives and the ‘do no harm’ principle of the Green Deal; highlights furthermore that the strict public monitoring of the climate and biodiversity impacts of raw biomass production, in particular, will be paramount to prevent the destruction of carbon sinks; calls thus on the Commission to bring forward robust and strict science-based criteria for biomass- based renewable energy production as part of the review of the Renewable Energy Directive;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1149 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines the importance of seed security and diversity, notably of promoting EU-grown plant proteins to deliver locally sourced food and feed stuffs with high nutritional value while granting farmers access to quality seeds for plant varieties adapted to the pressures of climate change, including traditional and locally-adapted varieties, while ensuring access to innovative plant breeding in order to contribute to healthy seeds and protect pla; emphasises that new genomic techniques raise significant concerns as they are portrayed erroneously as a pathway to sustainable agriculture; underlines furthermore that crops obtained using new genomic techniques must continue to be regulated as GMOs, by maintaining a pre-market safety assessments against harmful pests and diseasesnd approval, traceability and labelling to allow for consumer choice; raises awareness of the potential negative effects of concentration and monopolisation in the seed sector; emphasises that the multiplication of new technologies makes it even more important to get risk assessment right: based on the most recent and relevant independent published science, produced and reviewed by scientists independent from industry, with EU risk assessment agencies being given the resources that they need to fulfil their mission in good conditions.
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1180 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the acknowledgment of the crucial role played by seed diversity in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of food production; expects a meaningful reform of the seeds marketing legal framework that would enable the wide range of crop diversity initiatives that exist in the EU as well as support the innovative emerging ones, and inter alia ensure that different types of diversity have facilitated access to the market; deplores the lack of a European policy on both animal and plant genetic resources, vital to ensure seed security; calls on the Commission to take initiatives to ensure that conventional breeding of plants and animals, including random processes, followed by further crossing and selection, is fully excluded from patentability; calls on the Commission to take initiatives to ensure that patents on biotechnological inventions which concern plants or animals are restricted to the specific technical processes;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1212 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for CAP National Strategic Planon the European Commission to only approve CAP National Strategic Plans if they demonstrate their contribution to European Green Deal objectives given Member States respective baselines and that all CAP National Strategic Plans together meet the Union-wide targets; calls on Member States to ensure adequate financial support and incentives to promote new ecological ‘green’ business models for agriculture and artisanal food production,; stresses that both ERDF and EAFRD should be aligned to promote the goal of quality food production; notably through fostering short supply chains and quality food productionpremium brands;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1269 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Emphasises that the CAP Strategic Plans will be crucial to deliver on much of the farm to fork and biodiversity strategies ambitions and European Green Deal targets; calls on the Commission to ensure greater policy coherence to swift away from ‘silos’ approaches, and to close the gap between the CAP and the farm to fork/biodiversity strategies; urges the Commission to ensure that the CAP strategic plans support a transition away from low welfare farming practices, such as caging farmed animals; stresses that Member States must include in their CAP Strategic Plans an analysis of the organic sector’s production, of the expected demand, and of its potential to fulfil CAP objectives, and must set up mechanisms to support agroecology, increase the share of agricultural land under organic management as well as to develop the entire organic supply chain; insists furthermore that, based on this assessment, Member States must determine the appropriate level of support towards organic conversion and maintenance through rural development measures in Article 65 of the CAP and must ensure that allocated budgets match the expected growth in organic production;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1288 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that the European food system delivers a sufficient and varied supply of safe, nutritious, affordable and sustainable food to people at all times and underlines that increasing the economic, environmental and social sustainability of food producers will ultimately increase their resilience; encourages the Commission to consider the food supply chain and its workers as a strategic asset for the safety and well-being of all Europeans; highlights however that the Covid-19 pandemic shed new light on the challenging working and living conditions of millions of farm workers in Europe; calls for the recognition of the importance of protecting workers’ individual and collective labour and social rights, thereby reinforcing the ‘social dimension’ of EU agriculture; calls on the Commission to strengthen measures focusing on the rights, working and employment conditions and social protection of farm labourers including migrants and other mobile workers, and to ensure coherence between policy areas on this issue;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1319 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls that the social dimension must be fully integrated in all future initiatives of the farm to fork strategy along with the economic and environmental dimensions, to achieve a much-needed policy coherence for sustainable development; insists that improvement of working conditions, collective bargaining, social protection, investment in public services, inclusive governance and fair taxation should be included as sustainability criteria; this would contribute to making our production and consumption systems fairer and more sustainable in the long run and also contribute to the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1334 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that robust and reliable legal frameworks for the fisheries and aquaculture sector shouldare necessary to provide the basis for better protection measures with subsequent increases in fish populations and more clarity regarding the use of space and licenses in aquaculture, allowing for greater predictability for investments; stresses that good traceability mechanisms and high sustainability standards for all products sold on EU markets are ess; highlights the need to shift from fuel-intensive, non-selective and destructive fishing, such as bottom trawling, to low impact fishing, emphasises that all fish populations commercially exploited need to be restored to sustainable levels where they can reproduce safely with a surplus that can be harvested; deplores that the farm to fork strategy promotes fish and seafood consumption as a low-carbon and sustainable alternative to terrestrial farming without having implemented equal welfare standards for farmed fish and without consideration for the harmful environmential to ensure transparency for consumers, the sector and the different administrations, andimpacts of the different fisheries and aquaculture sectors; calls for a transition of the EU aquaculture sector to a sustainable and low-impact production with the development of animal welfare standards for farmed fish to achieve the targets of the Green Deal and the SDGs;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1361 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses its deep concern about the emergence of zoonotic diseases that are transferred from animals to humans (anthropozoonoses), such as Q fever, avian influenza and the new strain of influenza A (H1N1), which is exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change, the destruction of biodiversity, environmental degradation and our current food production systems; draws attention to the fact that workers in the food chain are at risk of contracting Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) diseases; stresses the need to take appropriate measures to contain this serious occupational health hazard and minimise its potential impact on worker health; calls on the Commission and national regulatory agencies to recognise antimicrobial resistant pathogens as a work-related disease;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1419 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for primary producers to be supported in making the transition to greater sustainability through the encouragement of cooperation and collective actions as well as through competition rules and the enhancement of; stresses that a more sustainable EU food system is a prerequisite for securing supply of safe and healthy food in the long term and that food security and food sustainability are not conflicting or competing objectives but rather interrelated and interdependent; points out the possibilities for enhanced cooperation within the common market organisations for agricultural, fishery and aquaculture products, and thus for farmers’ and fishers’e potential for the primary producer position in the supply chain to be strengthened in order to enable them to capture a fair share of the added value of sustainable production; highlights that food availability is generally not a major challenge in the EU while issues such as food waste, overconsumption and obesity, as well as the environmental footprint of European households’ food consumption are more significant challenges facing the EU food system today;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1467 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. UHighlights the urgent need to address the distortions of competition and unbalances in the food supply chain and calls for mandatory environmental and social criteria within EU competition law; stresses the importance of halting and addressing consolidation and concentration in the grocery retail sector in order to ensure fair prices for farmers; urges the Commission to follow up 13. on Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices22 and the EU code of conduct on responsible business and marketing practices by producing a monitoring framework for the food and retail sectors and providing for legal action if progress in integrating economic, environmental and social sustainability into corporate strategies is insufficient, and in so doing promoting and rewarding the efforts of sustainable agricultural producers while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy, sustainable food options and reducing the overall environmental footprint of the food system; stresses the importance of halting and addressing consolidation and concentration in the grocery retail sector in order to ensure fair prices for farmerhighlights that this action should aim to strengthen the competitive power of responsible business operators who prioritise consumers’ and social benefits over profit maximisation; stresses that self-regulation is not effective enough, however, and insists that the EU code of conduct should be accompanied by binding targets and measures to discourage non-compliance, such as administrative or economic sanctions; _________________ 22 OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 59.
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1502 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Recalls its resolution of 4 April 2017 on women and their roles in rural areas as well as Resolution of 16 January 2018 on Women, gender equality and climate justice; underlines that 1995 Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) asserted that women have an strategic role to play in the development of sustainable and ecologically sound consumption and production patterns; stresses in this regard that women in rural areas can be agents of change in moving towards sustainable agriculture and can play an important role in the creation of green jobs; is convinced that their empowerment is critical as regards sustainable farming methods for building climate resilience, including the protection of ecosystems, water resources and soil fertility; in particular, highlights the importance to support and promote the participation of women in the agri- food value chain, since their role is mainly concentrated in production and processing;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1545 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Urges the review of the EU promotion programme for agricultural and food products, including the EU school scheme, to align it fully with the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a view to enhancing its contribution to sustainable production and consumption, notably by focusing on educational messages about the importance of healthy and sustainable nutrition and promoting greater consumption of fruit and vegetables with the aim of reducing obesity rates;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1578 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Welcomes the commitment to strengthen the legislative framework on GIs; highlights that this should aim to introduce stricter environmental, animal welfare and social sustainability criteria of GIs; highlights that GIs are an important tool for rural development and for the protection of food agro- biodiversity;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1597 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls the need to promote effective Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), enabling all food chain actors to become sustainable by speeding up innovation and accelerating knowledge transfer; recalls, in addition, the need for a farm sustainability data network to set benchmarks for farm performance and document the uptake of sustainable farming practices, while allowing for the precise and tailored application of new production approaches at farm level by providing farmers with access to fast broadband connections; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure in the new CAP that at least a minimum share of 30 % of the fund allocated to farm advisory services are directed to achieving the objectives of the farm to fork strategy such as sustainable management of nutrients, improvement of agroecological and agroforestry practices and techniques, assistance to primary producers who wish to change production, support of all agricultural practices which make it possible to reduce the use of fertilisers and plant protection products by promoting natural methods of soil fertility improvement and pest control, and improving animal welfare, crucially by transitioning to cage-free animal farming by 2027;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1622 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Is worried that, as Big Data is transforming agriculture, the lack of regulatory frameworks to protect data and information generated by farmers has led to technology platforms’ unprecedented ability to accumulate, control, and monetise it; points out that farmers’ access and control of their own farm data must be protected to ensure it can be used to bolster the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1627 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Emphasises the importance of advising and supporting women; through training and skills development, rural women can play a much greater role in the development of green food and agricultural value chains;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1646 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Calls for measures to reduce the burden that highly processed foods with high salt, sugar and fat content place on public health; regrets that the introduction of nutrient profiles is greatly delayed and stresses that a robust set of nutrient profiles must be developed to restrict or prohibit the use of false nutritional claims on foods high in fats, sugars and/or salt; calls for a mandatory EU-wide front-of-pack nutrition labelling system based on independent science; emphasises that any front-of- pack nutritional label should be developed based on robust, independent scientific evidence and be free from commercial interests; stresses furthermore that to facilitate comparison across products, any front-of-pack nutritional label should be based on uniform reference amounts such as per 100g/100ml;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1933 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the further development of plant protein production and alternative sources of protein in the EU, implemented in tandem with a move away from the continued intensification of livestock production with it recognised negative externalities, is a way of effectively addressing many of the environmental and climate challenges that EU agriculture is facing, as well as preventing deforestation in countries outside the EU;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 1970 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for a revision of public procurement legislation, including minimum mandatory criteria in schools and other public institutions to encourage organic and local food production and consumption to promote more healthy and sustainable diets by creating a food environment that enables consumers to make the healthy choice; further calls on the Commission to set mandatory targets for sustainable food procurement and to develop monitoring and reporting tools to collect data on these procurements;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2011 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Reiterates its call to take the measures required to achieve a Union food waste reduction target of 30 % by 2025 and 50 % by 2030 compared to the 2014 baseline; calls on the Commission to take action, notably through monitoring and measuring, to curb food waste occurring at the primary production level and the early stages of the supply chain, including unharvested food and food ploughed back into the field; calls for the identification of the trading practices and policy changes needed to prevent such food waste; stresses that CAP Strategic Plans should include Food Loss and Waste prevention actions at farm level, including support for the development of Short Food Supply Chains, which lower the risks of generating food waste; emphasises that waste of animal products incurs heavy burdens in both animal suffering and environmental damage and wasteful use of resources; underlines that binding targets are needed to achieve this;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2095 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Underlines the importance EU funding for research and innovation as a key driverone of the necessary elements in accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, healthy and inclusive European food system while facilitating investments needed to encourage agro- ecological practices in both social and technological innovation, and the crucial role of farm advisory services in ensuring the transfer of knowledge to the farming community, drawing on the existing specialised training systems for farmers in Member States; recalls that innovation must involve small-scale primary producers on an equal level with researchers, respecting their acquired knowledge and know-how; warns against excessive reliance on technological innovations which do not address the root causes of problems nor the systemic environmental issues faced by the agricultural sector; reminds that many alternatives to excessive use of agricultural inputs such as chemical pesticides already exist and that it is essential to focus on better uptake by farmers; recalls that the precautionary principle underpins the EU Directive on GMO (Dir. 2001/18/EC) and that the 2018 ruling the Court of Justice of the EU strengthens the precautionary protection of human and environment;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2144 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Considers the allocated budget to achieve the ambitions of the EU Green Deal and the Just transition mechanism to be insufficient to deal in a socially sustainable manner with the consequences of the expected transformation; calls for the Just transition mechanism to cover as well agricultural regions that may be adversely affected and underlines the need to ensure the proper involvement of social partners in the definition and implementation of future initiatives of the strategy;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2170 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Considers that investment in innovation and research should not only contribute to a more sustainable but also a fairer food system, increasing the resources available to small-scale primary producers, as well as to public science and knowledge production while ending the corporate capture of certain EU research funds;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2190 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the global responsibility of European food systems and their key role in setting global standards for food safety, environmental protection and animal welfare; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that all food and feed products imported to the EU fully meet relevant EU regulations and standards and to provide development assistance to support primary producers from developing countries in meeting those standards; welcomes the Commission’s intention to take the environmental impacts of requested import tolerances into account; calls for all EU trade agreements to include enforceable clauses on commitment to the Paris Agreement, “non-regression” on environment and environmental democracy, and ‘do no harm’ principles, with a real enforcement mechanism accessible to civil society and citizens in the Trade and sustainable development chapter; recommends that agricultural and food imports, especially feed imports, having negative land use and land use change causing GHG emissions such as legal or illegal deforestation where they are produced are included in the Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism to account for their embedded GHG emissions;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2244 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Underlines that Free Trade Agreements should never expose the EU agriculture, and food sectors to unfair competition with negative consequences on working conditions and employment; stresses the need to ensure coherence between the ambitious environmental goals of the EU Green Deal and the farm to fork strategy and the potential consequences of Free Trade Agreements; recalls that the respect of labour rights should constitute an essential element of all trade and investment agreements, including possible suspension of the agreement in case of sustained breaches; recalls that the ratification and implementation of the eight ILO Core Labour Standards, as well as compliance with up-to-date ILO conventions, should be a precondition for entering into trade negotiations;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 2273 #

2020/2260(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Recalls that Free trade agreements should promote a broad range of fundamental rights, the right to adequate, nutritious and safe food, the right to food security and food sovereignty, the right to a safe working and living environment, the right to livelihood protection, and multiple democratic rights including the rights of workers and their trade unions;
2021/02/18
Committee: ENVIAGRI
Amendment 7 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas systematic and institutionalised cases of corruption in certain Member States seriously harm the Union’s financial interests while also representing a threat to the rule of lawdemocracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law; also reminds of the detrimental impact of corruption on the trust of citizens on the institutions;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the total number of fraudulent and non-fraudulent irregularities reported in 2019 amounted to 11 726 cases overall 2% fewer than in 2018), and involved a value of approximately EUR 1.6 billion, representing a decrease of 34 % with respect to the previous year; notes in this respect that the data regarding the number of cases and the value involved for each year are continuously assessed and updated and should be considered into a 5-year averagelong term perspective at least;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Nevertheless notes that it is unclear how many fraudulent irregularities remain unreported every year, making it very difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the anti-fraud activities put in place; calls on the Commission therefore to develop a methodology to improve the reliability and provide for more accurate estimations of the scale of fraud in the EU;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the number of fraudulent irregularities reported in 2019 (939 cases - 8% of all irregularities) ) and their related financial amounts (approximately EUR 461.4 million - 28% of all financial amounts affected by irregularities) decreased significantly compared to 2018; notes that in 2019, 514 irregularities reported as fraudulent relating to expenditure represented 0.3% of 2019 payments, and 425 reported as fraudulent on revenue corresponded to 0.3% of gross amount of Traditional Own Resources collected for 2019;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Deeply regrets and points to the fact that many Member States do not have specific laws against organised crime, while its involvement in cross-border activities and sectors affecting the EU’s financial interests is constantly growing;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. In this regard reiterates its call on the Commission to establish a uniform system for the collection of comparable data on irregularities and cases of fraud from the Member States in order to standardise the reporting process and ensure the quality and comparability of the data provided;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Finds it worrisome that some Member States regularly do not report a single case of fraud; invites the Commission to investigate the situation, as it considers the likelihood that no fraudulent activities exist in those Member States to be rather low; calls on the Commission to run random spot checks in these countries;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Notes that revenue fraud through undervaluation of goods imported in the EU is and will remain a threat to revenue, posing a significant challenge to be dealt with in the coming years;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Reiterates its assessment on the importance of OLAF’s investigations and its coordination role for the protection of the EU’s financial interests and combatting fraud;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), detections of irregularities were concentrated in a few Member States in particular for fraudulent irregularities, suggesting that different approaches to the use of criminal law to protect the EU budget or reporting practices concerning suspected fraud could be significant factors leading to differences among Member States; notes, that in 2019, the overall financial amounts were relatively stable, but amounts with respect to direct support increased whereas rural development decreased; notes in particular that in the area of direct support, most detections indicated the use of falsified documents or requests for aid, and that in rural development, many detections were related to implementation; notesis worried that the creation of artificial conditions for receiving financial support is a common type of fraud in direct support indicating a modus operandi in the fraudulent irregularities touching upon ethics and integrity; notes that there was a strong decrease in fraudulent irregularities in rural development, due to the decline in detections related to PP 2007-2013, in line with the programming lifecycle, and a slow start of detections related to PP 2014-2020, and that more fraudulent and non- fraudulent irregularities were still detected in rural development than in direct support; however market measures recorded the highest Fraud Detection Rate (FDR), at 0.87%, more than four-times that of rural development with regard to fraudulent irregularities and, whereas for non- fraudulent irregularities represented nearly double Irregularities Detection Rate (IDR) of that of rural development; moreover, notes from the Courts of Auditors’ annual report 2017 that the manner in which expenditure is disbursed has an impact on the risk of error, and that in particular errors were confined mainly to cost reimbursements, whereas the error rate for entitlement payments was below the materiality threshold of 2 %;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes the complexity of the analysis on cohesion policy’s data and the different phases of PPs 2007-2013, notes that the financial amounts reported are significantly lower than the exceptional year of 2018 but on average are trending upwards for the Cohesion Fund; underlines the importance of cooperation with the judicial authorities and considers the need for closer attention to the unexpected downturn of fraudulent irregularities as well as non-fraudulent, excluding ‘exceptional’ cases, for PP 2014-2020 in 2019 of the financial amounts involved in fraudulent irregularities for all funds and in particular regarding the ERDF; notes with concern, moreover, the Member States’ different reporting patterns in terms of their tendency to detect fraudulent irregularities with high financial amounts involved;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Shares the view of the Commission, that countering fraud and irregularities is of the utmost importance in particular in period of crisis;17a _________________ 17aChapter 10.2 of the 31st Annual Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests - Fight against fraud - 2019
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Invites the Commission to step up its fraud prevention and detection work to ensure that EU money continues to reach the intended beneficiaries and produce effective and measurable effects on citizen’s lives;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 66 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the importance of prioritising the development and establishment of National Anti-Fraud Strategies (NAFSs) by all Member States, also in the light of the new challenges of the COVID-19 crisis and the Recovery and Resilience Plans; is extremely worried that a total of 16 Member States do not have any NAFS in place with only four considering adopting or preparing a new NAFS; calls on Member States who have not yet adopted a NAFS to do so without delay;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 95 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Reiterating its regrets that the Commission no longer deems it necessary to publish a specific anti-corruption report, takes note that the prevention and fight against corruption will be subject to regular monitoring and assessment of members states legal framework under the newly established RoL mechanism, which entered into force on 1st January 2021; highlight s that via this new instrument the Commission will monitor the RoL situation in the Member States covering 4 pillars, including the anti-corruption framework;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 97 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Highlights that the connection between corruption and fraud in the EU may have a negative impact on the EU budget; calls on the Commission to consider establishing a network of corruption prevention authorities within the European Union;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2020/2246(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Reiterates that the ‘revolving door’ effect can be detrimental to relations between the institutions and interest representatives; calls for the EU institutions to develop a systematic approach to this challenge;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2020/2246(INI)

30 b. Reiterates its call to the Commission to set up an internal evaluation mechanism of corruption for the EU institution;
2021/05/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2020/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes the EIB Group’s growing involvement in the agricultural sector; insists that EIB financing needs to support a transition to land-based animal agriculture, with diets adapted to the animals’ natural needs, and anew model of agriculture, more respectful of animal welfare, that should prevent caged farming for instance; support the re- balancing of animal and crop productions and should avoid contributing to stocking densities exceeding the carrying capacity of the land; promote sustainable farming and investing in rural communities.
2021/05/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2020/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Reiterates its call toCalls on the EIB to further improve Human Rights policies and make these a priority, the EIB should enhance its due diligence at project level to identify and address human rights related risks in all its activities and throughout the lifespan of its projects including by allowing for the suspension of disbursements in the case of serious violations of human rights or environmental and social standards, and to ensure that complaints mechanisms are easily accessible timely and effective; asks to report to the Parliament and the Board of Governors about this by the end of 2021;. Recommends that the EIB adopt a do-no-harm approach on this matter.
2021/05/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2020/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Calls on the EIB to create an effective mechanism whereby human rights defenders could safely alert the bank in case of risk or breach of human rights, deteriorating environment or risks of conflict and reprisal.
2021/05/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 78 #

2020/2245(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Reiterates that in the case of serious violations of human rights or environmental and social standards, the EIB should allowing for the suspension of disbursements and to ensure that complaints mechanisms are easily accessible timely and effective; asks to report to the Parliament and the Board of Governors about this by the end of 2021;
2021/05/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2020/2222(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
— having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2021 on the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta
2021/09/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2020/2222(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas corruption is a major threat in the private and public sphere and has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services;it is essential to better understand the causes of corruption and the motivations of the actors who lend themselves to such acts, in order to be able to fight effectively against this phenomenon
2021/09/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2020/2222(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas the Lisbon Treaty tookfight against corruption is essential for the dirprotection of reinforcing the role of the European Parliament, to bring about more coherence and democratic accountabilitythe financial interests of the EU as well as for the maintenance of citizens' confidence in the European institutions, calls for a reinforcement of the means, in particular human, of the institutions responsible for preventing and combating corruption;
2021/09/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2020/2222(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Bbelieves that it is important to keep citizens engaged in the fight against corruption and fully protected from negative personal consequences; insists on the need to effectively and sustainably protect whistleblowers, as well as investigative journalists, who play an essential role in denouncing the corruption, calls on the Commission to provide the right platforms for engagement;
2021/09/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 89 #

2020/2222(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for increased effective international cooperation on taking of evidence, mutual recognition, service of documents, and confiscation and freezing of assets, with a view to giving the competent authorities the means to trace, freeze, manage and confiscate the proceeds of crime;regrets that too many investigations carried out by OLAF, for fraud to the detriment of the EU, are dismissed because of the limitation period has passed or that the cases are too old, calls for greater cooperation between the representatives of national authorities and OLAF in order to avoid dismissal for such reasons.
2021/09/16
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2020/2221(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with concern that the Commission and OLAF have identified fraud in public tenders and procurement as a major trend among fraudsters; points out that fraud schemes often take place on a transnational level and can span several (EU and non-EU) countries, making them difficult to identify and dissolve; therefore calls to reinforce the transnational nature of the fight against fraud;
2021/09/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2020/2221(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Regards the PIF Directive as an important step towards protecting the EU budget, as it provides a common definition of criminal offences and the misuse of funds, and the harmonisation of sanctions for crimes against the EU’s financial interests; appreciates that the Directive sets out clear reporting and investigation procedures, defines the monitoring of the fraud risk management framework and promotes the use of information, databases and data analytics by Member States; regrets though that differing definitions of organised crime at EU level make it difficult to coordinate measures and could complicate the efforts to investigate and prosecute cases;
2021/09/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2020/2221(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Is also concerned by the completley different roles the Anti - Fraud Coordination Offices' have in the Member States possibly because EU legislation does not define their mandate precisely enough;
2021/09/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2020/2221(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Expresses concern at the fact that efforts to combat fraud involving EU funds tend not to be priortised to the same extent as fraud involving national expenditures; this is highlighted by the fact that more than half of OLAF investigations are not followed up by Member States and even less reach the prosecution stage;
2021/09/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 63 #

2020/2221(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Calls on the Member States to increase the confiscation rate of funds associated with fraud with more emphasis on preventative measures;
2021/09/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2020/2149(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes the upward trend with regard to the proportion of women reaching management positions with 30,3 % (or 81 positions) compared to 27,1 % in 2018 and 24,5 % in 2017; takes also note of the increasing trend of the share of women posted as Heads of Delegation from 19,5 % in 2015 to 27,7 % in 2019 (or 38 postings out of 137); reiterates its support for the EEAS in continuing its efforts with Member States to introduce more women candidates; notes that overall women represented 47,7 % of EEAS staff; recalls that gender balance should also be considered with regard to the EU special representatives, only two out of eight EU special representatives being women;
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2020/2149(DEC)

28 a. Asks the EEAS to continue providing for a follow-up report for the financial year 2019 in compliance with Article 262 of the Financial Regulation;
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2020/2148(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 "Administration" of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for the chapter on Administration be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the Supervisor
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2020/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that Chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 "Administration" of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for the chapter on Administration be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the Ombudsman
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2020/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Reiterates its support to the Ombudsman’s request to raise the number of staff to face the increasing workload;
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2020/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the opportunity to congratulate the Ombudsman on the opening of an investigation (OI/2/2017) on the transparency of the Council’s legislative work in 2017 in order to allow citizens to more easily follow the legislative process of the Union; welcomestakes note of the recent positive echoing by the Ombudsman of the new transparency steps taken by the Council, for example by proactively publishing progress reports on negotiations on draft laws, a development which is in line with proposals made by the Ombudsman as a result of her inquiries and encourages the Council to continue its efforts to improve legislative transparency, particularly by recording and publishing member state positions and making available more trilogue documents;
2021/02/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2020/2146(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 'Administration' of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for that chapter be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical importance for the Committee
2021/02/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2020/2146(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36 a. Stresses the importance of promoting the involvement of regional and local authorities in the in the shaping of Union policies via enhanced cooperation with the Commission and the co-legislators;
2021/02/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2020/2146(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. Welcomes the start of a dialogue with different stake-holders in order to review the current internal decision No 362/2010 of 29 November 2010 concerning psychological and sexual harassment at work on the basis of a new proposal for a changed framework to combat harassment with the aim of broadening the scope of the matter by including prevention measures and conflict resolution means, as well as reinforcing the principle of zero tolerance towards harassment, including various courses on preventing harassment; calls on the Committee to establish a new framework on harassment as soon as possible and to report back on its follow-up actions to Parliament;
2021/02/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 'Administration' of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for that chapter be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical importance for the Committee
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Regrets that the bureau of the Committee in 2020 adopted a decision allowing for the reimbursement of expenses for remote participation in cases where a member was prevented from travelling to Brussels as a result of COVID-19 related issues.; expresses serious concerns that this decision is not understandable for the public and may undermine citizens' trust in the Committee;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Underlines the importance of the role of the Committee but expresses concerns in the lack of impact of its work;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Notes the importance of political dialogue between the Committee and Parliament to make sure that a valid contribution from the Committee can be incorporated into the work of Parliament and, in that light, reiterates its request to pursue the efforts to strengthen the political cooperation between the Committee and Parliament;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12 c. Notes with disappointment that the number of total opinions delivered by the Committees in 2019 dropped to 137 from 215 in 2018 and 155 in 2017; understand that the reduction in opinions delivered may be understood in relation of the electoral cycle, but is concerned about the raise of the cost per opinion (1.1million in 2019 compared to 630 thousand in 2018), and expresses concerns about the outsourcing to external companies of the reporting work;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the fact that the Committee continues to promote respect in the workplace with the aim of ensuring that all staff are familiar with the current ethical framework; notes that a wide-ranging awareness-raising campaign started in 2019, called respect@work and which takes on board a number of proposals from the Report of the European Ombudsman on dignity at work in the EU institutions and agencies (SI/2/2018/AMF); welcomes the fact that the network of confidential counsellors was reinforced; notes that following a decision of the European Ombudsman the Committee adopted its guidelines on managing conflicts of interest of staff in the performance of their duties and provided relevant information to all staff; notes that the guidelines are intended to serve as a practical handbook for staff in cases where they need to perform overlapping duties, such as management duties in parallel with staff representation activities; invites the Committee to go further with the measures to respond to the Ombudsman’s report;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Requests the Committee to report on any achievements related to the European Ombudsman’s recommendation such as the guidelines on external activities; notes that in 2019 the European Ombudsman published her report on the publication of information in relation to former senior staff so as to enforce the one year lobbying and advocacy ban (SI/2/2017/NF) and that the Committee was examining the possibility of revising its decision on external activities; invites the Committee to take this opportunity to reinforce its system to avoid any potential case of conflict of interests;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2020/2145(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)
46 a. Reiterates its request for clear and strong protection and support measures for the victims of harassment; urges the Committee to introduce specific rules and procedures on harassment, considering that the fact that the Staff Regulation cannot be imposed on a member of the Committee is not an excuse.
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2020/2145(DEC)

49. Acknowledges that the Committee is well aware of the political impact of the refusal of the 2018 discharge and is striving to further strengthen its capacity to tackle harassment situations; notes that a detailed action plan will be endorsed at the latest by the end of 2020; agrees that the Committee continues to raise staff and management awareness through better targeted internal communication; but expect far more than that in its actions;
2021/02/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Appreciates the fact that the Court will look into the suggestion of the 2018 discharge resolution that an independent annual report on the Union institutions should be presented as part of the reflections on the Court’s strategy for the 2021-2025 period, which should be adopted by the end of 2020; in this regard reiterates the need for a deeper examination by the Court of each and every institutions in order to allow Parliament to fulfil its duties as discharge authority;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Regrets that the Court’s follow-up to the 2018 discharge resolution provided only limited responses to Parliament’s remarks; stresses that the follow-up is essential to enable Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control to determine whether the Court has implemented Parliament’s recommendations; calls on the Court to include all necessary responses and more detailed explanations on the implementation of Parliament’s recommendations in their next follow-up report, making explicit reference to each paragraph of the resolution, and providing all necessary documents, including annexes;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned about the decrease in the number of female directors from 30 % in 2018 to 20 % in 2019 and in the number of female heads of unit from 39 % in 2018 to 35 % in 2019; notes, however, the slight increase in female Court members from 21 % in 2018 to 26 % in 2019(six out of 28 members) to 25% in 2019 (seven out of 28 Members); underlines the commitment of Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control to support the nomination process for Court members in order to increase the share of women (seven women and 20 men were members in 2019), recalling the invitation to Member States to more actively encourage women to apply for these kinds of positions; reiterates that the Council should always present at least two candidates, one female and one male, during the appointment procedure;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Notes the Opinion of Advocate General Hogan delivered on 17 December 2020 1a, in which he clearly states that a breach of the obligations arising from the office of being a Member of the Court took place and recommends a sanction corresponding to the deprivation of two thirds of Mr Pinxten's pension rights and connected benefit as from the date of the judgment in the present case _________________ 1aCase C-130/19, European Court of Auditors v Karel Pinxten (Article 286(6) TFEU – Breach of the obligations arising from the office of a former member of the Court of Auditors of the European Union – Deprivation of the right to a pension or other benefits in its stead)
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Notes that members are authorised to use official vehicles in the performance of official duties; notes that the use of official cars for other journeys is additional to the performance of such duties and that since 1 January 2017, the costs and kilometres related to the use of official cars have decreased significantly; notes that new rules entered into force on 1 January 2020 and introduced a monthly EUR 100 contribution for the non-official use of the vehicles as well as a liability on the part of the members and the secretary-general for certain costs and charges; reiterates its opinion that the use of official vehicles for private use should not take place under any circumstance, considering that this practice may harm the reputation of the Court and, in general, of the Union institutions
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39 a. Regrets that only very limited follow up was done by the Court with respect to paragraph 18 of the 2018 discharge resolution on the need for a register of leave for members of the Court, notes that the Court will consider carrying out a comparative analysis of the rules and best practices existing in other Union institutions as regards the presence and absence of Union high-level public office holders as defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/300; reminds that Parliament has made a clear call on the Court to establish procedures for keeping a register of members’ annual leave, sick leave and absence from work for other reasons to ensure that all leave taken by members is effectively recorded; stresses that the current practice could undermine the trust of Union citizens and institutions in the Court;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Appreciates the factNotes that, in the light of the obligations of the members to attend all meetings of the Court, of the chambers and of the administrative committee to which they belong, an attendance register is kept by the Court’s secretariat; notes that it reflects the presence and absence of members and shows also which absences are considered as excused by the president; notes that the attendance register is part of the Court’s rules implementing its rules of procedure;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2020/2144(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the Court to provide information on any decisions taken related to the process of reviewing and amending the code of conduct for its members; supports the conclusions of the peer review with respect to the need to introduce regular updates of declarations, which would increase their reliability; nevertheless reiterates its concern that the declarations of interest are of a self-declaratory nature and that, given the current legal framework, neither the Court nor its ethics committee have any investigation powers to ensure the veracity and the exhaustiveness of the declared data; calls on the Court to ensure that members submit declarations of interest instead of declarations of the absence of conflicts of interest; underlines that the current procedures, including those of the ethics committee, need to be reinforced to ensure the absence of conflict of interests; is in agreement that the ethics committee plays a crucial role to the extent that the president and the members may seek its advice on any question pertaining to ethics and on the interpretation of the code of conduct; notes, moreover, that the committee is entrusted with approving any external activity undertaken by the members, including former members who intend to carry out an activity in the year after they leave the Court, which is an efficibut this cannot be considered in itself an effective instrument tool in ensuringe the absence of conflicts of interest. as already underlined in last year's discharge resolution;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2020/2143(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 'Administration' of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for that chapter be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical importance for the CJEU
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2020/2143(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned that the CJEU was not able to provide information about its internal procedures related to ‘revolving doors’ for senior members of staff; recalls the request from Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control to establish and publish strict rules in this regard without delay; and the initiative of the Ombudsman in 2018 on how to best implement the provisions laid down in the staff regulations on ‘revolving doors’;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. Whereas by improving transparency and accountability are key elements in the context of the discharge procedure, th in order to guarantee democratic legitimacy of the Union institutions vis further strengthened;-à-vis Union citizens
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets that for more than ten years the Council has refused to cooperate in the framework of the discharge procedure, forcing Parliament to refuse discharge;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 9 ‘Administration’ of the Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 'Administration' of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk; requests that the audit work for that chapter be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical importance for the Council;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Reminds the longstanding request to separate the budget of the European Council and the Council into one budget for each of the two institutions for transparency reasons and to improve accountability for both institutions;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises a slight reduction in the carry-over rate, amounting to 9,8 %, from 2019 to 2020 (as compared to a carry-over of 10,7 % from 2018 to 2019 and 11,5 % from 2017 to 2018); reminds the Council of the need to strengthen its efforts to avoid budget over-estimates, reminding that carry-overs are exceptions to the principle of annuality and should reflect actual needs;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Regrets that reporting by the Council on measures taken to improve legislative transparency remains less than completely satisfactory and reiterates its call on the Council to step up its transparency efforts by, inter alia, publishing Council working documents in a machine-readable format, by recording and publishing Member States’ positions and making available more trilogue documents; strongly regrets that the Council has not joined the transparency register scheme and calls on the Council to refuse meetings with unregistered lobbies;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. recalls Parliament's resolution of 17 December 2020 on the need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality, requesting ministers and secretaries of state in charge of gender equality to have a dedicated institutional forum to ensure stronger integration of gender equality into Union strategies and policy processes, a coordination of all related policies, as well as the harmonisation of the protection of women’s rights and gender equality in the Union via an intersectional approach; underlines that this specific configuration would represent a key element in unblocking the negotiations on the main files related to gender equality;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Recalls that, as an institution giving recommendations on the discharge procedure, the Council should do so in a more timely manner and with respect for the other Union institutions;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Points out that Parliament is the only institution directly elected by Union citizens and that its role in the discharge procedure is directly connected with citizens' rights to be informed on how public money is spent;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Emphasises Parliament's prerogative to grant discharge pursuant to Articles 316, 317 and 319 TFEU, in line with current interpretation and practice, namely to grant discharge in respect of each separate heading of the budget in order to maintain transparency and democratic accountability towards Union taxpayers; recalls that Parliament exercises its prerogatives in the discharge procedures towards all Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and regrets that the Council is the only one refusing to engage in loyal cooperation in respect of the respective prerogatives and roles;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the lack of cooperation of the European Council and the Council with the discharge authority not only sends a negative signal to the citizens of the Union; but also expresses a lack of respect for Parliament's role as guarantor of the transparency and democratic accountability of the Union budget;
2021/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2020/2142(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41 a. In respect of the Council specific role as an institution giving recommendations on the discharge procedure, reiterates its requests to the Council to give discharge recommendations with respect to the other Union institutions;
2021/02/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights, with regard to the implementation of the Union budget, the importance of respect of the rule of law as a precondition for complying with the principle of sound financial management as enshrined in Article 317 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU);
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. is particularly worried by the conclusions of the Court on the non reliability of data from national authorities which make the data of the Commissions AMPR 2019 non reliable.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 65 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. reiterates its serious concerns about the new record level of outstanding commitments, requesting again to the Commission to closely monitor the implementation by Member States in the case of under-implementation and low absorption rates; invites again the Commission to increase the technical support to national, regional or local authorities, including civil society organisations and citizens, in order to get better absorption’s rates1a; _________________ 1a Para 17 of the 2018 discharge resolution
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 66 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Regrets the concentration of the majority of CAP direct payments in the hands of few recipients in some Member States, including where oligarch structures are created, undermining in particular the small farmers and the rural communities;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. recall the need for a fairer distribution of the CAP funds ensuring that they are distributed in a such a manner, that payments per hectare are on a reducing scale relative to the size of the holding/farm;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5 e. is worried about the reported cases of land grabbing in some Member States and reiterates its call on the Commission to put in place an effective control system which would ensure that the beneficiaries entitled to the CAP funds are only those who farm the land and do not reach any beneficiaries who acquired the land by illegal or fraudulent means; in this regards reiterates its request for a specific complaint mechanism at Union level to support farmers or beneficiaries confronted, for example, with land- grabbing malpractices, misconduct of national authorities, pressure from criminal structures or organised crime, or persons who are subject to forced or slave labour, giving them the opportunity to swiftly lodge a complaint with the Commission, which the Commission should check as a matter of urgency2a. _________________ 2a Para 23 of the 2018 discharge resolution
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 f (new)
5 f. reiterates its concerns that the increase use of financial instrument to deliver EU policies in third countries undermine the level of accountability and transparency of Union action; insists that the Commission ensure that the delivery of external aid is subject to the rule of law and respect for human rights in recipient countries3a; _________________ 3a Para 32 of the 2018 discharge resolution
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 g (new)
5 g. Reminds that development and cooperation policy are meant to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality and should reach only its intended beneficiaries;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 74 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 h (new)
5 h. Is particularly worried about Petition number 0655-2020 calling the Parliament to investigate a possible misuse and mismanagement of Union funds by the European Commission through the EUTFA’s "Support to Integrated border and migration management in Libya" programme; request a serious investigation into the possible illegal use of European development funds for non-development objectives such as border control;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 97 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. regrets that the Court does not qualify the impact of the corrective measures on the overall level of error, but only on specific headings; underlines that this reduces the quality of the evaluation by the Court and the scrutiny of the Parliament;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the Court decision to raise the share of high risk expenditures in its sample, which are materially affected by an ever raising error rate (4,9% in 2019, versus 4.5% in 2018 3.7% in 2017); regrets that the error rate is not clearly quantified for the entitlement payments;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 105 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the Court provided in 2019 specific error rates for fourthree MFF headings: ‘Competitiveness’, ‘Cohesion’, ‘Natural resources’ andwhile for ‘Administration’ the Court estimates the level of error to be below the materiality threshold; points out that, in 2019, the Court found the highest estimated level of error in spending under ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion‘ (4,4 %), with spending on ‘Competitiveness for growth and jobs’ reaching the worrying error rate of 4% (compared to 2% in 2017);
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 107 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Request the Court to extend its chapter on "Administration" in order to have a more in-depth analysis on all institutions; invites the Court to implement as soon as possible the Parliament request for a specific independent annual report on the Union Institutions; welcome the reflection of the Court on this regards and hope this will be reflected in the Court’s strategy for the 2021-2025 period
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 110 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that the Court did not estimate levels of error for areas of expenditure under MFF headings 3 ‘Security and citizenship’ and 4 ‘Global Europe’; points out that the provision of error rates would allow comparability between financial years; in this regards regrets that the sample for relevant chapter 7 and 8 is further reduced compared to last years (from 11% in 2017 to 9.1% in 2018 to 8,9% in 2019 of the expenditures covered by the audit);
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 114 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the Court audited transactions worth a total of EUR 126,1 billion (out of EUR 159,1 billion of total Union spending), and that ‘Natural resources’ made up the largest share (47,2 %) of the Court’s overall audit population, followed by ‘Cohesion’ (22,5 %) and ‘Competitiveness’ (13,2 %); reminds its suggestion to the Court to consider both the share of the total EU expenditure and error related risk when deciding the division of the next audit share of population;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 128 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the fact that outstanding commitments have continued to grow, reaching EUR 298,0 billion at the end of 2019 (compared to EUR 281,2 billion in 2018); notes that the level of payment appropriations in the annual budgets has been noticeably lower than the MFF ceiling in recent years, which might lead to higher payment needs in the future representing a serious risk for the EU budget; invites the Commission to further assists Member states to find eligible projects in order to accelerate the absorption rate;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 136 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Regrets that the annual report for 2019 on the FISMs was published after the deadline defined in the relevant Regulation4a; shares the view of the Court that the relevance of the Commission’s reporting on FISMs is reduced because its annual report on FISMs is published too late; _________________ 4aArticle 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013)
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 143 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Reiterates its support to the Court request that EIB be subject to an independent external examination of the EIB and for the ECA to be empowered to audit all EIB operations, including evaluating the cost-effectiveness of its investment efforts and the additionality of its projects, and for these audits to be made public’; also calls on the ECA to draw up recommendations on the results of the EIB’s external lending activities
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 148 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that the main financial risks to which the Union budget was exposed to in 2019 were associated with financial operations in form of loans covered directly by the Union budget (53,7 %), and financial operations covered by an Union guarantee fund (46,3 %); observes with regret that the amount of total risk reported by the Commission does not include EFSI related operations, therefore it does not reflect the real financial exposition of the EU budget; highlights that, when adding the possible future payments relating to the EFSI (European Fund for Strategic Investments) guarantee, the amount of the total risk borne by the Union budget reached EUR 90,5 billion by the end of 2019;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 161 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that the Court finds that the Commission has satisfactory procedures for the production of its annual management and performance report and programmes' performance overview; agrees with the Court that the Commission should continue to report on programme performance after the end of an MFF period, for at least as long as substantial amounts of payments related to a given MFF period are being made;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 164 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Encourages the Commission to continue to improve the reliability and accessibility of performance information as a vital tool for assessing the success of programmes; this should include the dissemination of lessons learnt from the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, especially those concerning design and methodology;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 166 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Is worried about the Court evaluation that the monitoring data from Member States, on which the Commission AMPR and the programmes statements are based, is not fully reliable;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 187 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38 a. Requests the Commission make sure that the AMPR is fully reliable and not based on projections;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 188 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)
38 b. regrets in particular that the Court had to report again concerns about the reliability of the AMPR in the Cohesion areas, because of shortcomings of the audit authorities work and the issues identified regarding the residual error rates reported in the DG EMPL and DG REGIO AARs
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 189 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 c (new)
38 c. Expresses disagreement with the Commission’s evaluation of its methodology in calculating the error rate; despite acknowledging that the risks at payments used in the AMPR by the Commission is the closest to the ECA estimate of level of error, it is to be noted that important elements makes that the error rate by ECA and the Commission hugely differs; therefore reiterates its request to align quickly its methodology to the one used by the Court and to provide the budgetary control authority with only one error rate corresponding to the risk at payment (error rate at payment); calls on the Commission to disclose separately an estimate of the future corrections (residual error rate); urges the Commission to apply a coherent terminology across all DGs when reporting on these two estimates;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 190 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 d (new)
38 d. Calls on the Commission to take the necessary measures to obtain reliable data from the Member States concerning the error rate at payment; calls on the Commission to make appropriate adjustments in a timely manner if deficiencies are detected in Member States’ controls;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 199 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)
42 a. Welcome the Court decision to assess the EU action taken to reduce the custom gap, which may affect the amounts of duties established by MS, and mitigate the risk that TOR are not complete, within the examination of internal control systems
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 201 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Is concerned about weaknesses identified by the Court in the Member States’ collection of TOR in particular in the management of established duties not yet collected by national authorities; notes that in the Member States visited by the Court there are particular delays in notifying customs debts (in Poland), late enforcement of the recovery of such debts (in Belgium, Germany and Poland), and insufficient documentation to confirm the correctness of duties booked in the accounts (in Germany);
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 207 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
46. NoteRegrets that, according to the Commission’s assessment, 24 of the 28 Member States had partially satisfactory or unsatisfactory control strategies for targeting the undervaluation risks, bringing the Court to identify important weaknesses in Member States’ controls to reduce the customs gap;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 214 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Notes that 54 long-outstanding TOR open points verified by the Court out of 122 revealed that the Commission’s follow-up and closing of such points took excessive time, showing weaknesses in the follow-up of TOR shortcomings detected in Member States; regrets the fact that the Commission had not established a follow- up system prioritising TOR open points according to significance (either in terms of financial impact, or of systemic significance in the case of non-financial shortcomings);
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 220 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52 a. Regrets the dragging out of this process and is worried about the possible recovery of the due amounts from UK after BREXIT;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 226 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 59
59. Is deeply concerned that based on the 28 errors the Court has quantified, the estimated level of error is material, being at 4,0 %; recalls that this figure is close to the rates the Court found in 2015, 2016 and 2017, but much higher than in 2018 when the estimated level of error was 2%;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 256 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71 a (new)
71 a. Takes note of the Court Conclusions on the Performance of Horizon 2020, in particular: − The information available is too limited to be able to fully assess the performance of Horizon 2020 at the end of 2019;nevertheless there is no indication that performance is at risk and examples of successful projects are plentiful; − In contrast to effectiveness, information on the programme’s relevance, coherence and EU added value is available to a considerable degree.There is a strong case that Horizon 2020 is relevant, as it is addressing the needs it is supposed to address; − The AMPR addresses the performance of Heading 1a only in a very general manner;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 266 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)
79 a. Take notes of the Court evaluation that EFSI reinforced some EU programme but temporary overlapped with others;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 270 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82 a (new)
82 a. Recall the important role of the spending under MFF heading 1b"economic, social and territorial cohesion", which focuses on reducing development disparities between the different Member States and regions of the EU and strengthening all regions’ competitiveness
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 295 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 a (new)
93 a. reiterates its dissatisfaction about the different use of methodologies by the Court and the Commission when establishing their respective opinion on the legality and regularity of financial transactions
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 296 #

2020/2140(DEC)

93 b. regrets that the Commission is not respecting the deadlines set in the relevant Regulation7a when it comes to the publication of the annual report on "Financial instruments under the ESI Funds"; reiterates the Parliament’s request to publish the report by October in order to include its findings in the discharge procedure; expect the Commission to respond positively to this specific request in order to increase transparency; _________________ 7aArticle 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013)
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 312 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 16 a (new)
Czech Republic
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 313 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 c (new)
93 c. Is particularly worried that the European Commission finalised an auditing procedure which has confirmed serious breach of conflict of interest legislation in Czech Republic
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 314 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 d (new)
93 d. Notes with concerns that the DG REGIO audit report identified three grants under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that breached Czech law and the EU’s common provisions regulation for the ERDF; Is worried that Conflict of interest was identified in the management of the disbursement of the European Structural Funds;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 315 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 93 e (new)
93 e. Expects the Commission to inform the Parliament and the Committee on Budgetary Control on the Czech government repose to the recommendations included in the report; Is worried that the 3 months from the audit report is translated into Czech deadlines has already passed, with no development from the Commission
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 326 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 a (new)
- provide an error rate at payments and not residual error rate in order to improve the evaluation of the scrutiny;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 327 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 b (new)
- continue its cooperation with the Court in order to further align audit methodologies and interpretation of legal texts.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 328 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 c (new)
- pay increased attention, and allocate increased technical support, to Member States, whose management and control systems are only partially reliable, or not reliable, where there is an increased risk of fraud and corruption related to funds
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 329 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 d (new)
- pay particular attention to framework agreements awarded through public procurement procedures, as fraud and corruption related to them represent an increased risk for the financial interests of the Union.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 330 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 e (new)
- reduce the backlog in commitments as swiftly as possible.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 331 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 f (new)
- specify in the AARs how the amounts effected by ex post financial corrections imposed by Member States and by the Commission were reused, particularly in those cases where fraud, corruption or other criminal activity was involved.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 332 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 g (new)
- publish the 2020 annual report on the "Financial instruments under the ESI Funds" without delay, and by October 2021 in order to allow tits findings to be included into the discharge procedure;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 333 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 h (new)
- develop a strong strategy against conflicts of interest of high-level politicians; develop together with the Member States effective legal instruments to avoid fostering oligarch structures drawing on Union cohesion funds;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 334 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 – indent 2 i (new)
- inform the Parliament on any further developments in the conflict of interest case reported in the DG REGIO Audit Report on Czech Republic;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 344 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94 a (new)
94 a. Recalls that the ERDF and the CF support the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion policy (EU cohesion policy), which aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion within the EU by reducing gaps in the level of development between different regions;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 356 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98
98. Is deeply concerned that for the 2007-2013 period, while an ex post evaluation of the ERDF/CF was designed to draw conclusions on the overall impact of the programmes and to draw qualitative overall conclusions, it did not draw conclusions on the achievement of objectives or targets; moreover, neither did it systematically analyse synergies between ERDF/CF funding and the implementation of Union sectoral policies, which would have helped to shed light on cohesion policy contributions to the achievement of Europe 2020 strategic objectives;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 415 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119
119. Finds it worrying that of the 251 transactions examined7 , 44 (18 %) contained errors while 207 (82 %) were error-free; is concerned that based on the 36 errors ECA has quantified and other evidence produced by the control system ECA finds the level of error for ‘Natural resources’ to be close to the materiality threshold; with an estimated most likely level of error at 1, 9% ; _________________ 7The sample consisted of 136 payments under rural development programmes, 95 direct payments, 14 market measures and 6 payments for fisheries, the environment and climate action.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 434 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 21 a (new)
Anti-fraud policies and procedures in the CAP
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 435 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 a (new)
127 a. Underlines that fraud is an act or omission committed with an intention to mislead, resulting in undue payments;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 436 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 b (new)
127 b. Takes note of the Court methodology to verify if the transactions audited are free from material irregularity, whether due to fraud or unintentional error, reminding that every year it identifies suspected fraud cases in CAP spending, with the risk that fraud has a material impact being greater for market-support payments, rural- development investments and other payments, which are generally subject to reimbursement-based co-financing;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 437 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 c (new)
127 c. Reminds that as the CAP is under shared management, both the Commission and the Member States are responsible for addressing fraud issues; on the Commission side, takes note that DG AGRI provides training and guidance on fraud risks for Member State management and control bodies, while the Commission’s anti-fraud office (OLAF) investigates suspected fraud cases in cooperation with national investigative bodies;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 438 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 d (new)
127 d. Regrets that the Court found that DG AGRI had last updated its fraud risk analysis only in 2016; shares the court recommendation to the Commission to update its analysis of CAP fraud risks more frequently;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 439 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 e (new)
127 e. Is extremely worried that neither OLAF nor DG AGRI assessed Member States’ measures to prevent and fight fraud in CAP spending;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 440 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 f (new)
127 f. Supports the Court recommendation to disseminate best practices in the use of Arachne to further encourage its use by paying agencies.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 441 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 21 b (new)
Fair CAP allocation
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 442 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 g (new)
127 g. insists that larger farm incomes do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms in time of income volatility crisis since they may benefit of potential economies of scale, which are likely to be resilient; believes that the Commission should take steps to ensure that CAP funds are distributed in a weighted manner, such that the payments per hectare are on a reducing scale relative to the size of the holding/farm13a; _________________ 13aParagraph 258 of the discharge resolution in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section III – Commission and executive agencies
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 443 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 h (new)
127 h. urges the Commission to ensure that the CAP is fairly allocated to active farmers and does not result in land deals that benefit a select group of political insiders often called ‘the oligarchs’; calls on the Commission to take stock of breaches, circumventions and unintended consequences of the CAP current allocation rules; notes the importance of a transparent and strong governance system and further calls on the Commission to increase efforts to prevent and detect fraud14a; _________________ 14aParagraph 260 of the discharge resolution in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section III – Commission and executive agencies
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 444 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 21 c (new)
Conflict of interests, land-grabbing and concentration of land
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 445 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 i (new)
127 i. Call on the Commission to report to the Parliament the results of the DG AGRI Audit procedure on the case of conflict of interest in the Czech Republic; requests that particular attention is put on payments made to companies directly and indirectly owned by the Czech Prime Minister or other Members of the Czech Government;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 446 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 j (new)
127 j. calls on the Commission to better analyse Member State legislation and policies to prevent land grabbing and to formulate guidance on best practices; invites the Member States to apply good legislative practices aimed at restricting land grabs; calls on the Commission to increase efforts to prevent and detect fraud; urges Member States, together with the Commission, to develop proper Union- level legal instrument to prevent land- grabbing.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 447 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127 k (new)
127 k. Reminds that the Parliament has already expressed a clear position when it comes to land concentration and urges the Commission to implement its requests, including the setting up of concrete instruments to evaluate the land concentration in all Union, identify the final beneficiaries owners of Union funds, also via a unique business identifier at Union Level as proposed in the preliminary findings of the study on "The largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and cohesion funds15a _________________ 15a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/ 2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/CON T/DV/2021/01- 25/Study_Largest50Beneficiaries_EN.pdf
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 485 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 128 – indent 3 – point e a (new)
e a. Assessing how much support is going to beneficiaries outside the target group could improve policy design and increase the efficiency of the CAP. This would involve identifying CAP funds paid to farmers whose income from farming exceeds the average income from farming and funds paid to beneficiaries whose main economic activity is not farming. Such data could also help to identify claims involving significant concentration of land (potentially representing ‘land- grabbing’). In addition, direct payments have contributed to increased land rents in some Member States, in particular for low-productivity lands. Evaluators have recommended that the Commission investigate direct payments’ impact on the increase of land rents and appropriate countermeasures;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 542 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 a (new)
129 a. Is particularly worried by the opening of an inquiry by the European Ombudsman into the lack of European Commission oversight on abuses of migrants on the border in Croatia, following a complaint by Amnesty International, which documented widespread abuse over the years of migrants and asylum seekers trying to enter Croatia;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 543 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 b (new)
129 b. is worried by the findings that suggest Croatia is engaging in collective expulsions, denying people the right to claim asylum, and beating and humiliating others; regrets that the Commission has filed to conduct any meaningful inquiry into the alleged abuse by the Croatian authorities and granted additional top-up funding in 2019 for border surveillance through ISF delegated acts and EMAS grants in full knowledge of the risks of violation of fundamental rights; expect that at least the already announced mission to ensure Croat border guards comply with fundamental rights, which was delayed because of the pandemic, will be sent as a matter of urgency, considering the dire situation of migrants in the border;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 544 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 c (new)
129 c. recalls that EU funding instruments for border management require all actions funded to respect and comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights; insists therefore that any future emergency assistance related to border management granted to Croatia should be granted only after a monitoring mechanism is implemented and an assessment that serious deficiencies, such as the violation of article 4 of the Schengen Borders Code, are urgently remedied.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 546 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 d (new)
129 d. Regrets that the Court’s audit scope for MFF heading 3 ‘Security and citizenship’ was designed to contribute to the overall statement of assurance, rather than to be representative of spending under this heading; reminds that the pubic and political interest in this area is far higher than its financial share; reiterates its request to the Court to clearly estimate the error rate for the chapter Security and Citizenships
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 581 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 141
141. Is deeply concerned that the AMIF indicators are not on track to meet their targets in terms of integration and legal migration as well as of return policies and irregular migration;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 582 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 141 a (new)
141 a. Reminds that performance information on the AMIS is based on data provided by Member States in their annual reports on the implementation of their national programmes, take notes that in 2019, the Commission’s internal audit service identified the need to strengthen its monitoring of the implementation of national programmes, and to improve the reliability and consistency of the data reported by Member States;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 583 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 141 b (new)
141 b. Regrets that targets are only the cumulative figures set by the Member States, without any quantified need being included in the performance reporting framework.; take notes that because this lack, the court cannot assess what proportion of total needs AMIF and Member States have met;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 585 #

2020/2140(DEC)

142. Is deeply concerned that only limited, aggregated performance information is available on the overall EMAS20 related spending (initial allocation of EUR 100 million was increased to EUR 2,2 billion for the period to 2020, representing 30 % of the fund, however, the Commission has not developed a performance monitoring framework for EMAS funded projects); _________________ 20 AMIF emergency assistance
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 587 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 143
143. Is deeply concerned that the AMPR and programme statementsTakes note that the information available points to the relevance of spending and its EU added-value, but indicators defined do provide little information about economy and efficiency in implementing the fund, or about the cost effectiveness of AMIF actions;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 588 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 143 a (new)
143 a. Reminds that the creation of a Common European Asylum System is only possible through a political consensus which is clearly missing;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 589 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 143 b (new)
143 b. Is concerned that backlog to process asylum applications by Members States as well as serious deficiencies in the implementation of EU asylum acquis still persists;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 590 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 143 c (new)
143 c. Reminds that resettlement is a safe and legal pathway for refugees to enter the EU and that, according to UNHCR, 1.44 million are in need of resettlement globally; is concerned that the EU only resettled 9,000 refugees in 2019; highlights in this regard that, AMIF remains below its own target;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 591 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 143 d (new)
143 d. takes note that the AMPR and the programme statements give a positive picture of what AMIF has achieved for activities relating to integration, with over 6 million individuals benefitting from integration measures; unfortunately though, their long-term impact cannot yet be known also because significant differences remain between in migrants’ employment prospects and those of EU nationals.; await the ex post evaluation which will be published in 2024;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 593 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 144
144. Is deeply concerned that the AMPR and programme statements do not report on measures aiming to attract highly-skilled workers to the Union through legal migration schemes and the indicators are not suitable for reporting on such measures;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 596 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 145
145. Is deeply concerned that the AMIF indicators are not on track to meet their targets in terms of ratio of irregular migrants returned to return decisions issued, voluntary returnees and removn term of returns policy, seconds the Court evaluation that voluntary returns are preferable because they are less damaging to relations with non-EU countries and are more cost-effective than forced returnees;s
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 599 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 146
146. Is deeply concerned thtakes note that the Court evaluate the return rate for individuals who no longer have the right to stay on Union territory is unsatisfactory (31,5 %); considers that ultimately, the effective implementation of return strategies depends to a large extent on the political context30a; _________________ 30aparagraph 5.39 of the Report of the European Court of Auditors on the performance of the EU budget - Status at the end of 2019
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 601 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147
147. Is deeply concerned in relation to the weakening in the performance of return operations due to the following reasons: - length of asylum process; - missing links between asylum and return; - procedures obstructing coordination and information-sharing; - absence of robust and integrated return case management system; - no mutual recognition and no systematic recording of return decisions in the Union; - absconding and difficulty in locating returnable migrants, including the tracking of voluntary departures; - insufficient capacity of pre-removal detention centres; - difficult cooperation with migrants' third countries of origin; - limited use of development aid for facilitating cooperation with migrants’ third countries of origin; - low performance of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 604 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 1
- length of asylum process;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 605 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 2
- missing links between asylum and return;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 606 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 3
- procedures obstructing coordination and information-sharing;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 607 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 4
- absence of robust and integrated return case management system;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 608 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 5
- no mutual recognition and no systematic recording of return decisions in the Union;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 609 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 6
- absconding and difficulty in locating returnable migrants, including the tracking of voluntary departures;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 610 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 7
- insufficient capacity of pre- removal detention centres;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 611 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 8
- difficult cooperation with migrants' third countries of origin;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 612 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 9
- limited use of development aid for facilitating cooperation with migrants’ third countries of origin;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 613 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 – indent 10
- low performance of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 614 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147 a (new)
147 a. Is deeply concerned that the assessment of factors leading to a relatively low return rate is not based on an impact assessment that the European Commission should have carried out; stresses the inherent risks in this regard for Member States to violate fundamental rights because of a disproportionate focus on increasing the return rates at all costs;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 617 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 148 a (new)
148 a. Expresses its deep concern about the repeated and documented Frontex’s involvement in pushbacks; stresses the seriousness of these illegal actions performed by Frontex vessels and condemns any potential complicit behaviour in maritime pushback operations; considers that internal reporting mechanisms, as well as parliamentary and public scrutiny over Frontex’s activities, must be reinforced; Calls on the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, to firmly demand an independent investigation regarding these reports and the way in which Frontex’s operations are monitored to ensure compliance with international legislation and the principles and values regarding the protection of those at risk at sea;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 618 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 148 b (new)
148 b. Deplores the restricted access by some Member States of existing national human rights institutions to border facilities and areas impeding them to exercise their mandate to monitor respect of fundamental rights and the rule of law at the external borders; calls for the establishment of an EU-wide mechanism where independent and competent national human rights institutions, and NGOs, EU agencies such as the FRA as well as international organisations such as UNHCR should be part of; insists on the need to ensure the independence, transparency and effectiveness of such an instrument;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 621 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 149 – indent 4
- use the lessons learned from the emergency relocation schemes (including from the situation in the receiving Member State after relocation) and build on this experience for any calls for an urgent stepping up of emergency relocation schemes in order to share responsibility with Member States of first entry until the setting up of a permanent automatic resposnsible voluntary relocation mechanism in the futureility -sharing mechanism;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 622 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 149 – indent 4 a (new)
- reinforce the management of national asylum systems;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 623 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 149 – indent 4 b (new)
- address its failure to address persistent allegations of serious human rights abuses by Croatian authorities on the shared borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 627 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150 – indent 3 a (new)
- - provide detailed information about the different projects funded in 2019 under the ISF Borders and Visas delegated act, including access to the project applications, their evaluations and the revised national programmes;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 628 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150 – indent 3 b (new)
- abide by Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) that stipulates that development assistance shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, the eradication of poverty and not condition allocation of EU development assistance in bilateral or multilateral partnerships with developing countries on cooperation on migration policies31a; _________________ 31aLIBE opinion on human rights protection and EU external migration policy, see: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/ 197681/SIRA_REGO/main- activities/opinions
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 629 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150 – indent 4
- use development aid as a tool to facilitate better cooperation with migrants’ countries of origin21 ; _________________ 21European Parliament resolution of 25 November 2020 on improving development effectiveness and the efficiency of aid (2019/2184(INI))deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 637 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155 a (new)
155 a. Regrets that for 2019, the value of expenditure subject to audit by the Court in this area was €8.2 billion, reducing the share of audit in this chapter t; reiterates its request to enlarge the sample and to produce a clear error rate for this chapter;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 644 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 a (new)
156 a. Reminds that development and cooperation policy are meant to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality and should reach only its intended beneficiaries;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 645 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 b (new)
156 b. Reiterates that the allocation of EU development assistance in bilateral or multilateral partnerships with developing countries cannot be conditional on cooperation with the EU on migration policies, as this would undermine the EU’s legal obligation to PCD (Policy Coherence for Development and under the European Consensus on Development, as well as the primary purpose of ODA (official development assistance) of eradicating poverty, and would be at odds with the aid effectiveness principle of country ownership33a; _________________ 33aDEVE opinion on “human rights protection and the EU external migration policy”, paragraph 12
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 646 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 c (new)
156 c. Insists on the importance of the European Parliament’s active participation in the development of partnership and cooperation agreements with third countries; stresses that future partnership agreements should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and based on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility, respect for human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law34a; _________________ 34aDEVE opinion on “human rights protection and the EU external migration policy”, paragraph 17
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 647 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 d (new)
156 d. Expresses concerns over the demolition, dismantlement or confiscation of 104 EU-funded assets in Palestinian territory by the Israeli authorities throughout year 2019, whose value is calculated to amount to around 500,000 euros; calls on the Commission to increase its ongoing efforts to obtain restitution or compensation from the Israeli authorities;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 648 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 156 e (new)
156 e. Expresses concerns about the use of EU development funds for de-risking private investment given the lack of evidence as to the capacity of this financial modality to demonstrate additionally and fulfil development objectives, as recently reported per the final review of EFSD - European Fund for Sustainable Development - as well as the opinion of the European Court of Auditors (No 7/2020); stresses the need for donors to prioritise grant-based financing as the default option, especially to LDCs (Least Developed Countries ), and not favour blending, guarantee or any loans over grants, that fall short of SDGs and could increase the burden of debt;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 652 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157
157. Regrets that the Union is still practicing budget support to third Countries which is regulated byTakes note that as for the regularity of transactions, the speeding area of budget support to third Countries is less prone to error; nevertheless take notes that because of the legal provisions ofwhich leave a broad scope creating a risk of looseof interpretation by the Commission regarding the meeting of general conditions; that, the Court ‘cannot cover what happens beyond the moment the Commission pays aid to the recipient country, since these funds then merge with that country’s own budget resources’22 ; _________________ 22 P.211;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 657 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 a (new)
158 a. Is worried that the court continues to have reservations about the reliability of the study’s results;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 663 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – indent 6
- finally conclude the readmission agreement for which the Council granted the Commission a negotiating mandate in 2000, especially as Morocco is one of the biggest beneficiaries of Union development support25 ; _________________ 25Question for written answer E- 000331/2020, Subject: EU-Morocco readmission agreementdeleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 681 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 32 a (new)
Use of trust funds in development policy
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 682 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 a (new)
164 a. reiterates that pooling resources from the EDF, the Union budget and other donors in trust funds should not have as consequence that money flagged for the development and cooperation policy do not reach their normal beneficiaries;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 683 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 b (new)
164 b. reminds that development policy is meant to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities, and should not be conditional to migration control but rather on respect of human rights;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 684 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 c (new)
164 c. reiterates its concerns that the increase use of financial instrument to deliver EU policies in third countries undermine the level of accountability and transparency of Union action; insists that the Commission ensure that the delivery of external aid is subject to the rule of law and respect for human rights in recipient countries39a; _________________ 39a Para 32 of the European Parliament resolution of 14 May 2020 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (2019/2055(DEC))
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 685 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 d (new)
164 d. Expresses its deep concern about the misuse of development funds for actions that result in the violation of human rights in border management; deplores the reported human rights violations linked to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) in Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Niger; calls for the creation of strong mechanisms to monitor the human rights impacts of the EUTF, as well as an accountability system to prevent and deal with breaches of international law;; reiterates the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged human rights abuses, including those at EU borders; deplores the fact that the Commission’s report on the extension of the EUTF did not envisage any improvement in this field, and request that guarantees on the respect of fundamental human rights should be provided when dealing with the extension of EUTF40a; _________________ 40aDEVE opinion on “human rights protection and the EU external migration policy”, paragraph 13
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 686 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 e (new)
164 e. Notes that a complaint has been filed in 2019 with the European Court of Auditors regarding EU funding in Libya, requesting the suspension of the programme supporting the Libyan coast guards in light of its violation of EU financing law regulations and international regulations on human rights41a; calls on the Commission and Member States, in view of the serious human rights violations against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Libya, including those intercepted at sea, to urgently review all cooperation activities with the Libyan coast guard and to suspend them until clear guarantees of human rights compliance are in place; _________________ 41a Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), ‘EU financial complicity in Libyan migrant abuses’.
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 687 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164 f (new)
164 f. Deplores the lack of transparency of the EUTF and the fact that Parliament is not involved in its scrutiny; insists that partner countries and civil society organisations should be more closely involved; urges the Commission to present its final comprehensive review on the implementation of the EUTF to ensure that it falls in line with the EU’s development, human rights and humanitarian objectives; regrets that the extension of the EUTF was requested by the Commission in the absence of such a review and that there is therefore no evidence to show whether these objectives have been properly assessed and achieved; reiterates its call for the full involvement of the European Parliament in the supervision and governance of EU Trust Funds; considers it essential that the activities of the operational committees are also monitored, and asks the Commission to ensure the presence of a representative of the European Parliament at these committees and to transmit detailed information on the decisions taken42a; _________________ 42a DEVE opinion on “human rights protection and the EU external migration policy”, paragraph 14
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 688 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168
168. NotWelcomes that the indicators in the Commission ́s high-level performance reports revealed a generally positive trend in terms of poverty reduction, gender equality in education, number of agreements with neighbouring countries and human development; regrets that the indicators showed a worsening trend in terms of consolidation of democracy, rule of law and political stability;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 689 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 169 a (new)
169 a. Takes note of the Court evaluation of knowledge gaps arising from the time lag between funding being allocated and results becoming apparent for both the ENI and DCI; points out that as a result, many results are likely to materials only after 2020; reminds that the Commission is required to produce a final evaluation report on the 2014-2020 period for all external actions instruments, which is expected in 2022; invite the Commission to respect this deadline and to take into consideration all comments produced by the Court in order to address the weaknesses in the performance reporting;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 696 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 170 – indent 5 a (new)
- ensure that no Union funds support forced child labour
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 697 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 170 – indent 5 b (new)
- ensure that Union funds are not used for purposes different from the assigned areas;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 698 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 170 – indent 5 c (new)
- withhold or review their cooperation with third countries, including suspending specific funding and projects, which endanger the human rights of those affected, including where third countries do not fully respect the fundamental rights stemming both from the UN Convention of 1951 Relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights, have not ratified these conventions, or fail to comply with the SOLAS and SAR Conventions;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 699 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 170 – indent 5 d (new)
- provide an enhanced Parliament scrutiny when developing new partnership agreements with third countries, which should always be based on the principles of solidarity, shared responsibility, respect for human rights, the rule of law and international humanitarian law;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 700 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 170 – indent 5 e (new)
- provide detailed information on the decisions taken in the Operational Committees and ensure that the Parliament is represented at its meetings;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 724 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174
174. Notes that no specific issue was identified concerning the Council, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Ombudsman, the EDPS or the European External Action Service (EEAS);deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 727 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 175
175. Notes that on European Parliament level the Court detected errors in one payment to a European political party (non-compliance with the expenditure eligibility rules: no procurement procedure, no written contractual documents and no supporting evidence for costs actually incurred);deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 734 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 a (new)
176 a. insists on the Commission to implement a more transparent appointment procedure for all positions especially the management related ones; calls on the Commission to clarify previous appointment procedure that lack of transparency and accountability;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 735 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 b (new)
176 b. Highlight the importance of an effective and valid Transparency Register; reiterates its call on the Commission to pay more attention to the validation and sample checks of entities of the Transparency Register;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 736 #

2020/2140(DEC)

176 c. Takes notes that in September 2019, the Commission carried out the second review of its internal Guidelines in relation to the provisions on whistle- blowers, and requests a more proactive approach in term of protection of whistle- blowers; considers particularly relevant the need to reinforce the cooperation between OLAF and the Appointing Authority responsible for adopting protective measures in those cases where applicable; also considers particularly important the recommendations to liaise with EPPO to ensure an efficient collaboration and to exchange best practices in the field of reporting perceived illegal activities
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 737 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 d (new)
176 d. In term of protection of whistle- blowers, esteems that a more uniform regulation among all Institutions, based on best practices and on higher standards would represent a much needed improvement;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 738 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 e (new)
176 e. Reiterates its call on the Commission to make the Commission special advisers status more transparent with a clear definition of their tasks and missions;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 739 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 f (new)
176 f. concerning the College decision of 30 October 2019 to enable former Commissions Presidents to carry out representational functions after the end of their mandate, takes note of the appointment of former President Jean Claude Juncker as Special Advisors, and regrets that this function, despite non remunerated, will engage costs in particular for mission, which are of difficult understanding for the public opinion; request the commission to detail the financial implication of such a decision to the Parliament, in order to take this into consideration for future discharge;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 740 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 g (new)
176 g. Invites the Commission to pay great attention when relating with former Member of the Commission and to assess carefully the potential risk when doing so;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 741 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 h (new)
176 h. Reiterates its call on the Commission to enforce the existing legally binding rules of the code of conduct regarding revolving doors both for the Commission and its agencies;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 742 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 i (new)
176 i. Takes note of the European Court of auditors conclusions and recommendations of its Special Report on "The ethical frameworks of the audited EU institutions:scope for improvement";regrets that room for improvements is still present for enforcing the ethical frameworks;in particular regrets that weaknesses were found on different issues, namely: - procedures for verifying declarations and guidance for staff to avoid conflict of interests not sufficiently formalised;clear and extensive guidance about ethical requirements needs to be made available;the same apply to guidance on CoIs arising from staff members’ financial interests, their post-employment activities, or their spouse or partner’s professional activity. - Limited scrutiny of Members’ declarations; as for the Member of the Commission, the Court regrets the lack of standard written procedures for checking the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information submitted in their declarations, creating a risk of obligations being interpreted inconsistently, so that the institution is less likely to identify inaccuracies and other issues before they attract public attention, potentially jeopardising public trust; - Incomplete and unclear policies on gifts and entertainment, with for the Commission the lack of definition of gifts and hospitality applicable to Members;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 743 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 j (new)
176 j. Strongly supports the Court recommendation to all institutions to work together to harmonise their ethical frameworks and to step up their efforts to share good practice
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 744 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 k (new)
176 k. Calls on the Commission to improve staff awareness and perception of the ethical framework and culture,; in particular call on the Commission to ensure that training on ethics contains practical guidance based on real-life examples, and to improve the communication on ethics matters with staff; raises the attention on the needs to make sure that staff members know how to report any issues related to unethical behaviour, as well as to increase their sense of security;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 745 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 176 l (new)
176 l. Invites the Commission to take appropriate measures to implement all Court’s recommendations and to report to the Parliament on the developments;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 749 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 37
European Economic and Social Commitdeleteed
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 752 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 177
177. Points out that The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has not yet developed a sensitive functions policy in line with its internal control standards, specifically it has issued no definition of sensitive posts or functions, nor has it performed a risk analysis with a view to adopting mitigating controls and, ultimately, an internal mobility policy;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 757 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 178
178. Finds it worrying that the EESC has not carried out a comprehensive risk assessment since 2014, only one directorate has identified the risks to the achievement of its objectives, but without yet proposing mitigating controls that would reduce those risks to an acceptable level;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 796 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 187
187. Is very critical in relation to the increase in contract staff as a result to special or urgent situations, such as the migration crisis; with the related risk of losing knowledge and know-how when their contracts expire;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 826 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 192 a (new)
192 a. Is very concerned by the Commission decision to break the contract with the restaurant service provider, which led to the layoff of 400 workers; urgently asks the Commission to revise its decision and to explore any viable solution to protect the workers and avoid layoff, including the internalisation of the catering staff in-house;
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 829 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 192
192. Calls on the European Economic and Social Committee to: - implement a policy for dealing with sensitive functions, drawing on a comprehensive risk assessment leading to the identification of mitigating controls which take into account the Committee’s size and the nature of its work;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 834 #

2020/2140(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 192 – indent 1
- implement a policy for dealing with sensitive functions, drawing on a comprehensive risk assessment leading to the identification of mitigating controls which take into account the Committee’s size and the nature of its work;deleted
2021/03/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern that less than 1 % of companies publicly list their suppliers, even in high-risk sectors; calls for more transparency in the publication of lists of suppliers of companies;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 75 #

2020/2137(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that sustainable corporate governance must enable the presence and participation of at least one third of salaried directors who, with their knowledge of the business, will help improve the effectiveness of the sustainable measures introduced;
2020/09/24
Committee: INTA
Amendment 24 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Adds that in the current EU political context, the term ‘oligarchy’ is being used as a way of pointing out the influence of the wealthy and powerful in politics and government, an influence that is typically used to benefit the few at the expense of the many; considers worryingly the increase of oligarch structures within the Union, where a small group of politically influential, wealthy people control the states;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is concerned that oligarchs systems are often connected to widespread corruption, a tight control over media and a judiciary system with is not independent from the oligarchs themselves;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reminds that the Parliament position on corruption is that it not only seriously harms the Union’s financial interest, but also poses a threat to democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law; is worried of the detrimental impact of corruption for the trust of citizens in the institutions;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that promoting competitioneffective anti- corruption policies and bodies, promoting competition, independent media and judiciary, enhancing transparency and assuring functional implementation of public procurement rules and free access to markets is fundamental to prevent oligarchs from seizing control of the economy and financial market, which would result in them self-reinforcing;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Highlights that new challenges in the fight against fraud are emerging and to cope with these new risks it is necessary to provide a more efficient collection of data, to improve transparency and to set up strong and coherent anti-fraud polices;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission to step up its efforts in this direction and in reinforcing its cooperation with the Member States;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Additional risks
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 74 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 b (new)
COVID-19
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Reminds that 2020 has been unprecedented due to the COVID outbreak; in terms of the protection of financial interests, it posed new risks both on the revenue and expenditure side;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 78 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Underlines that these risks are not only related to 2020 but will go beyond for several years; invites the Member States and the Commission to step up its efforts and cooperation in this domain;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 81 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 c (new)
Organised crime
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Highlights the increasing involvement of organised crime, including of mafia-type, in cross-border activities and sectors affecting the EU’s financial interests; regrets that many Member States do not have specific laws to combat mafia-type organised crime and calls on the Commission to address these differences between the Member States and to consider new harmonising measures;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 104 #

2020/2126(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Reminds of the Initiative legislative report on "Digitalisation of the European reporting, monitoring and audit" and its valuable legislative proposals to improve the monitoring of EU funds, in view of the creation of a standardised Union-wide interoperable digital system for Member States‘ implementing authorities to report about the beneficiaries of CAP and structural and cohesion funds;
2021/12/08
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the OECD and Sahel and West Africa Club report 'The Geography of Conflict in North and West Africa' (14 Feb 2020),
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 2 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
- having regard to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019' (April 2020),
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 33 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas security is a precondition for development; whereas without development and poverty eradication, there will be no sustainable peace; whereas in order to ensure its securitywithout development and poverty eradication, there will be no sustainable peace in the Sahel region; whereas in order to ensure development and poverty eradication it is necessary to tackle the sources of poverty; whereas the primary sources of entrenched poverty in the region are climate change; unsustainable, exploitative and crushing repayment conditions on anid development, each country muand loans; punishing tariff regimes and the effects of having to compete on the global agricultural goods market against heave or acquire adequate capacities in all essential sectors, including security and defence and whereas this will not only stabilise that country, but will also enable it toily subsidised products from global North countries; the regressive reforms pushed by the World Bank on the agriculture sectors of these countries so they are forced to grow plantation crops for export and import food domestic use food from abroad; the exploitation of natural resources by foreign mining corporations and fossil fuel companies; the ongoing theft of trillions of dollars of tax revenue by global North countries, banks, and companies through the use of transfer mispricing and secrecy jurisdictions; whereas when these structural issues are addressed the work of improving governance can meaningfully progress and contribute constructively to peace, stability and crisis prevention in its region;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 43 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute SIPRI Global military expenditure was 7.2 per cent higher in 2019 than it was in 2010 and the combined military expenditure of states in Africa grew by 1.5 per cent to an estimated $41.2 billion in 2019, the region's first spending increase for five years;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 46 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean in the east, Africa is struggling to contend with challenges, such as historical underdevelopment due to the legacies of colonialism, neo-liberal trade policies and economic reforms pushed on these countries by global North governments and major multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF, irregular tax flows into global North tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions, the corruption of global North companies who steal money from global South countries using trade misinvoicing and transfer mispricing, compounded by the destruction of the traditional agro-pastoral economy as a result of climate change for which the global North is responsible, population growth and deforestation; whereas another major challenge is the emergence of new forms of mafia economy, including human and drug trafficking and the uncontrolled export of gold deposits, which, combined with the abandonment, inefficiency and corruption of the administrations some of whom are being propped up by the French military, is producing a hybridisation between terrorist groups, traffickers and traditional community and regional conflicts, with the phenomenon of jihadist religious extremism appearing as a false response for the societies concerned;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 72 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas poverty and insecurity feed off each other and push young people to migrate to Europe in search of a better life, impoverishing states by depriving them of their best human resources;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 103 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas after years of training, the above-mentioned EU missions have been hampered in their sustainability and effectiveness due to restricpeated failures to address long-lasting solutions ton their mandate, training programmes, and a lack of basic equipment, including weapons, ammunition and vehicl conflict with development initiatives that would focus on the gaps around social, economic and governance issues that are exploited by the rebels and extremists to gain a foothold and a following in areas where chronic underdevelopment has resulted in a lack of basic governance and public services structures;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 112 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas these restrictions have allowed third countries, notably Russia, China and Turkey, to fill the void left by the European Union by supplying such equipment;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 124 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas neither the Somali army, nor the Malian army nor the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) have been able to contribute effectively to the fight against jihadists or hold and secure the ground cleared with the aid of friendly international forces, the result being that the local populations feel abandoned and fear being accused of collaborating with the government by the jihadists or the armed groups in the CAR once they return and reoccupy the space from which they were expelled;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 131 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas after years of involvement in the above-mentioned civil and military missions, the general situation has become worse and worse and a new and comprehensive strategy the; whereas it is clear from the historical record that military intervention always leads to a further explosion in violence, from Chad in 1969 to Libya in 2011, Operation Serval in 2013 and Operation Barkhane from 2014 to the present day, again and again these intensely violent interventions bring about a short period of lessened violence that returns with more force needs to be implementedlater on; whereas we have learned from this history that military interventions will always be counter-productive in the long-term, and that unless underlying structural issues around the dynamics of inequality, the unequal distribution of resources and power, and governance issues are addressed, there will never be lasting stability in the region;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the European Union’s development and security missions and programmes should be coordinated by the VP/HR under the authority of the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) of the TEU and that a centralised doctrine centre should be established covering the Military Planning and Conduct Capability and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability training missions, and projects supporting or reforming the security sector;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 202 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. CRejects all calls for the revision of Article 3a(4)(b) and (c) of Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 in the light of the grave and profound degradation in the security conditions in the region and in order to fill any gaps in EU missions and projects with a view to supporting the capacity-building of partners in the security sector, including through funding for military spending and the provision of weapons, ammunition or lethal equipment, transport and training essential for improving the combat capability of African armed forces fighting against jihadism; supports the Joint Communication of the Comas a response to the degradation in the security conditions in the region or as a means to fill any gaps in EU missions and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 28 April 2015 entitled ‘Capacity building in support of security and development – Enabling partners to prevent and manage crises’4 ; _________________ 4projects; JOIN(2015)0017.
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 214 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the VP/HR to propose a Council decision on the establishment of a specific service to oversee the supply and use of such equipment and training; calls for funding from the EU budget to be provided for the administrative expenditure arising from that Council decision, including for personnel; calls on the Council to charge the Member States for the expenditure arising from the supply and use of such equipment and training; calls on the Member States that do not participate in funding the supply and use of such material to abstain from the vote in the Council;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 225 #

2020/2002(INI)

5. Considers that there are no possible sustainabilityle and effectiveness of EU civilian and military missions in Africa have been hampered by the lack of basic equipment in the countries affectand that for there to be a possible lasting peace and stability in the region persistent underlying structural problems that primarily stem from global North economic and trade policies must be addressed and that it is therefore necessary:
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point a
a) for the EU budget be large enough to effectively address the current challenges relating to training and military equipment (including weapons, munitions and transport)to work towards abolishing the debt burdens of developing countries in order to roll back the remote- control power that rich countries exercise over poor countries, and restore soverign control over economic policy at the national level;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 244 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b
b) to adapt the APF in order to overcome the current limidemocratise the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, and allow global South countries - who are the world's majority - to have a fair and equal representations o in the acquisition of arms and munitionsse institutions so they can have a real say in the formulation of policies that affect them;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 250 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that all funding instruments should be explored with a view to supporting the development of security capabilities in the affected African countries, as per Articles 209 and 212 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in the light of the very serious security crisis in the Sahel-Saharan region;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 256 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Recommends that the EU considers contributing to the operational and logistical costs of the operations against jihadist terrorism conducted by the national armed forces of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, within the framework of peacekeeping operations in the Sahel-Saharan area and by taking a similar approach to the one it takes to financing the G5 Joint Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISON);deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 261 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Recalls article 208 of the TEFU that states that the Union shall take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 266 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. AgreeRejects tohe apply to existing training programmesication of the same facilities for the procurement of military equipment, including weapons, as those currently provided for the deployment and training of the G5 Sahel force, including financial support if needed to existing training programmes;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – introductory part
10. Calls for the format of the EUTM Mali, EUTM CAR and EUTM Somalia training missions to be redefined to better adapt them to the real needs of the armed forces of the beneficiary countries by:in a direct that encompasses DDR programmes (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration);
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 279 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point a
a) harmonising training methods and rules of procedure and engagement and ensuring they are unique;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 287 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point b
b) ensuring that instructors are able, in coordination with the local military authorities, to select soldiers from among those proposed by the local governments, to train them to be capable fighters, and to supervise and accompany them on the ground once they have finished their training in order to assess them and prevent units from disbanding and soldiers from dispersing;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 292 #

2020/2002(INI)

c) supplying training centres with both shared and individual equipment, including weapons (if the country concerned does not provide them), to make sure appropriate training can be given;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 295 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point d
d) ensuring that training corresponds to the operational reality, i.e. it should include mobility;eleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that the Government of Somalia is unable to perform its duties and that the Somali army is also unable to counter al-Shabab’s terrorist activities and is not yet ready to take over from AMISOM; recalls that the Somali army was supposed to take over from AMISOM in December 2021; underlines that the achievement of that objective requires a new and comprehensive assistance programme;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 321 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for the EU to help the joint forces of the G5 Sahel to become operational through the direct provision of financial assistance for the acquisition of adequate weapons and military equipment; calls on the partners who made pledges at the Brussels Donors’ Conference on 22 February 2018 to implement them expeditiously;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 330 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that the African states have to take responsibility for fulfilling their sovereign duties in all areas cleared of jihadists, traffickers and bandits by providing basic services (administration, water and power supply, health, justice, education), even if some of these services should be temporarily provided by the army or security forces, until such time as the civil administration takes over;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 335 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Supports the African request to the United Nations Security Council for the G5 Sahel joint force and AMISON to be placed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in order to benefit from sustainable funding;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 349 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the efforts of Mauritania to take a social and development approach to its military and security response; expresses its solidarity with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, countries that are deeply affected by terrorism; compliments the efforts and sacrifices of the international community, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, the Multinational Joint Task Force, the G5 and the French Armed Forces (Operation Barkhane), EUTM Mali and the Chadian Army, which is the essential force in the central and east sectors of the G5 requiring special support for its battalions;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 361 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Encourages the Member States to support and cooperate with the Barkhane and Takuba operations;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 370 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the EU to pay particular attention to the spread of jihadism in areas such as the Indian Ocean and West Africa and to lend cooperation and establish untied aid programmes when requiredfor social and economic development, and start engaging with debt cancellation for these countries;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 384 #

2020/2002(INI)

22. States that there can be no security strategy without jointlong term security goals are dependant on addressing structural issues around debt burdens, illegal tax flows, regressive neoliberal reforms, and other issues that create inequality and stifle genuine development action;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 389 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Believes that the European Union should ensure that development plans are multi-sectoral and provide a global solution to the challenges of the region concerned; is of the opinion that these plans must be adopted by the administration in agreement with the local beneficiary communities and implemented with the participation of humanitarian organisations to ensure effective coordination;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 399 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Urges the EU to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and promote the implementation of the Council conclusions on the Sahel Regional Plan, the EU Gulf of Guinea Action Plan 2015- 2020, the Horn of Africa/Red Sea and the Sahel/Mali (25 June 2018), and the Pau Declaration;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 435 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 – point d a (new)
d a) ensuring - through debt cancellation and stopping illicit tax flows - that countries have the financial freedom to give subsidies to their famers in order to allow infant agricultural businesses to grow strong enough to supply their own people and facilitate stronger inner-African trade in agricultural goods;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 452 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Expresses its deep concern that the current security crisis in Africa could lead to a massive displacement of the population, undermining North African states and affecting Europe;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 476 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recommends that the EU, together with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, intervenes on a financial level to help control debt and the payment of interestwork towards cancelling debt, suspend the payment of interest immediately, and immediately cancel all so called 'dictator debts' - debts racked up by heads of state with no democratic mandate;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 482 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
29. Recommends that the countries concerned adopt the necessary measures to allow free access to humanitarian aid and basic services for people in need, including those living in territories outside government control, consider amending their anti-terrorist legislation to include humanitarian exemptions, and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers;deleted
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 486 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Requests the immediate suspension of the repayment of the debt of global South countries (with interest freeze), requests the constitution of an audit of this and the cancellation of any illegitimate debt (that which did not benefit the populations) without entering the amounts cancelled in official developments assistance (ODA) to inflate it artificially; underlines the importance of reparation payments, in particular the ecological, economic and social debt which the global North countries owe towards the South;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 487 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29 b. Calls for the real democratisation of the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, in order to allow global South countries - who are the world's majority - to have a fair and equal representation in these institutions so they can have a real say in the formulation of policies that affect them;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 488 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
29 c. Calls for tax justice, in particular for a change to the WHO's customs invoicing standards which presently facilitate massive corruption and tax fraud by global North companies through trade misinvoicing and transfer mispricing;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 489 #

2020/2002(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)
29 d. Calls for tax justice through country-by-country reporting - for multinational companies to report their profits in the countries where their economic activities actually take place;
2020/05/07
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regards of its resolution of 5 July 2016 on social and economic standards, Human Rights and corporate impunity;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 53 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that since the Commission adopted its latest trade strategy in 2015, entitled ‘Trade for All’, the EU has concluded and started applying a number of new trade agreements, but no quality assessment has been done by Commission on the consequences of those for jobs, diversification and autonomy of the economies, climate change and biodiversity;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 55 #

2019/2197(INI)

3. Insists that EU trade strategy must continue to promote EU interests and values when contending with new challenges worldwide in order to keep and increase the competitiveness of its industras climate change, and viruses, and the necessity to keep a diversify economy; considers, therefore, that an ambitious multilateral and plurilateral agenda, a modern agriculture industry, an adequate industrial strategy and a soon adoption of a carbon tax strategy, the conclusion of win-win trade agreements and their effective implementation and the elimination of unjustified trade barriers constitute the best way to make the EU more competitive in a globalised world;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 68 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that choices in our relationshipthe EU must diversify its trade relations, improve trade relations with all partners, including developing and LDCs countries, and with the two other trade superpowers, China and the USA, which represent approximately 30 % of our trade exchanges, are key when it comes to driving EU trade policy;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 84 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for a substantive reform of the WTO, based on modernising its rule-book in order to make it more transparent and more effective by providing structural and long-term solutions, and to reorient it in order to face the new and old challenges such as sanitary emergencies, climate change, employment and social justice, economical autonomy and cultural diversity; encourages WTO members to reach an ambitious and balanced agreement on the long-standing issue of fishery subsidies during the ministerial summit in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and send out a clear signal that the WTO is still able to deliver on its negotiating function;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 111 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that despite recent tensions in transatlantic relations, the EU should continue to work with the USA as a partner, with whom it has to find solutions to trade issues of common interest;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 118 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Invites the Commission to find negotiated solutions with the USA, which include the issue of civil aircraft subsidies, and recalls the agreement found on the allocation of higher share in the tariff rate quota for high-quality beef with the purpose of reducing tensions in transatlantic relations while safeguarding EU interests in the agricultural sector, and actively and efficiently opposing the extraterritorial measures adopted against the EU or third partners;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 133 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the Commission to negotiate an fair, good and ambitious investment agreement, which removes all barriers to EU investments including the obligations for investors of both sides, and no ISDS, and looks forward to a possible conclusion of the negotiations by the end of 2020 as agreed in the EU-China Summit in 2019; firmly believes, however, that substance of the agreement should be prioritised over the speed of its conclusion;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 152 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Acknowledges the promisingNotes the outcome presented in the Commission’s report regarding the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs), in particular South Korea, Central and Latin America, Canada, Eastern partners, and African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) countries; stresses that EU trade agreements have a clear track record of, requests nevertheless the elaboration of independent assessment on the results of the trade agreements using most cases, reaching their primary objective of creating significant opportunities for EU exportdern economical methodologies, and producing qualified assessment, regarding jobs, social rights and environment, gender's on third- country trade marketsrights, as well that economic diversity and autonomy;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 162 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls theNotes the announcements of Commission on positive developments of the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA); notes that during its first full calendar year of implementation, bilateral trade in goods, including agri-food products, grew by 10.3 %, compared to the average of the previous three years; recalls that the EU’s trade surplus with Canada rose by 60 % and created additional opportunities for our exporter but requests quality evaluations, including the business records, but also the consequences for the EU sustainable agriculture, jobs and social rights, economic autonomy, climate change, cultural diversity, and the re-evaluation of the agreement after the COVID-19 crisis;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 180 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the European Union to engage more with African countries in order to create an effective and solid partnership that would promote effective sustainable development and growthfood sovereignty in the African continent; stresses that the figures of the recent report of 10 February 2020 on the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP) covering the period 2018-2019 show an increase of the utilisation rate of the preferences by the countries benefitting from the scheme; calls on the Commission to increase its technical and economic aid for developing trade between the EU and African countries as well as among the African countries themselves;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 191 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. WelcomNotes the entry into force of the EU-Japan FTA of 1 February 2019 and notes that, according to the first elements given after one year of implementation6 , EU exports to Japan went up by 6.6 % compared to the same period the year before; _________________ 6 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorn er/detail/en/ip_20_161waits for a quality assessment of the same, after the COVID-19 crisis, including the effects on environment, biodiversity, climate change, sustainable agriculture, economic autonomy and cultural diversity;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 205 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for an ambitious agenda to be pursued when it comes to negotiatingssessment and reorientation after the COVID-19 of the negotiations of new FTAs, in particular with Australia and New Zealand, Tunisia. Morocco and Indonesia; reiterates its call for opening investment negotiations with Taiwan;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 227 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls its position expressed in its previous report on the implementation of the CCP; underlines that the 15-point action plan of 27 February 20188 set out by the Commission services represents a good basis for reflection in order to improve thereach an urgent enforcement mechanisms in of the trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters; _________________ 8 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/inde x.cfm?id=1803
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 236 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that the current system already demonstrates some to be inefficiencyt, as seen for example in the framework of the EU-Korea FTA in which the EU has requested the establishment of a panel following South Korea’s failure to ratify International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on workers’ rights, notably on freedom of association and collective bargainingColombia-Peru FTA, EU-Japan (on whales..), or concerning the Korea FTA ;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 253 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Notes that the EU trade and investment policy should be used as leverage towards responsible management of supply chains, which include ensuring that businesses uphold human rights, and welcome the declarations by President Von der Leyen and Commissioner Reynders of the presentation of a legislative instrument on due diligence in 2021;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 271 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Recalls that the efforts to keep rules-based trade must play a crucial role in our trade strategy and in this context recalls the adoption on the modernisation of trade defence instruments in 2018, and the new foreign investment screening mechanism; stresses that the new foreign investment screening mechanism should never be a tool for unnecessary protectionism;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 279 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. WelcomesTakes note of the ongoing plurilateral negotiations over key areas of trade in services, namely on domestic regulation for services, on investment facilitation; notes that having a commercial presence in a third country is the dominant mode of supply for trading services and for e- commerce;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 284 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Supports the WTO Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce for global rules on electronic commerce but shares the concerns about the consequences of the development of e-commerce for job and independent retail; calls for openness to a meaningful outcome to facilitate the flow of data across borders and address unjustified barriers to trade by electronic means, in full conformity with EU privacy and data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)9 , and to make use of the flexibility given by the negotiating directives; _________________ 9 OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1.
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 291 #

2019/2197(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Notes that SMEs account for approximately 30 % of the EU goods exports; supports the idea that a specific chapter on SMEs should be part of all proposed FTAs, as done in the EU-Japan agreement, and that they should be included when revising existing FTAs; notes that trade barriers and bureaucracy are especially problematic for SMEs that cannot afford the extra work to overcome themwidely opening of public procurement to corporate companies can be especially problematic for genuine SMEs both in the EU and in third countries;
2020/06/04
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
- having regard to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter,
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 19 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the lasting deterioration in the Union’s strategic environment in the face of multiple challenges directly or indirectly affecting the security of its Member States and citizens: armed conflicts immediately to the east and south of the European continent, jihadist terrorism, cyber attacks, uncontrolled migration, increasing threats to natural resourcescyber attacks, terrorism, climate change, etc.;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that instability and unpredictability on the Union’s borders and in its immediate neighbourhood (north Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Balkans, etc.) pose a direct threat to the security of the continent; stresses the inextricable link between internal and external security; stresses the role played by a number of EU states in undermining the external security situation through EU foreign and trade policy;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 44 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that global actors (the US, China, Russia) and an increasing number of regional actors (Turkey, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.) are seeking to assert power through a combination of unilateral diplomatic posturing and increasing military military build-ups;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 51 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that, in this context, these actors are deliberately circumventing or attempting to destroy the multilateral mechanisms essential to maintaining peace; also deplores the fact that EU countries are facilitating the increasing military build up through continued arms sales to some of the most agressive actors in the region;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the Union has been slow to react and adaptcontributing – politically, diplomatically and militarily – to new crises and to this new international context; considers that, in the specific area of defence, insufficient investment, differences in capabilities and a lack of interoperability, but also, and above all, a political reluctance to implement the robust provisions provided for in the European treaties and the numerous cooperation arrangements between Member States have weakened the Union’s ability to play a decisive role in external crises; recognises, further, that no country is able by itself to address the security challenges on the European continent and in its immediate environment;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 113 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the principle of European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to strengthen its freedom to assess, take decisions and take action where circumstances so require in order to defend its interests and valuesthe financial interests of some of its member states abroad;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Considers, therefore, that European strategic autonomy is based, above all, on the ability of the Union to assess a crisis situation and take a decision autonomously, which necessarily entails an independent decision-making process, the availability of means of assessment and a freedom to analyse and take action; considers, also, that European strategic autonomy is based on the ability of the Union to act alone when its interests are at stake (theatres of operations not considered as priorities by its European partners) or within the framework of existing cooperation arrangements; considers, lastly, that European strategic autonomy is part of a multilateral framework which respects commitments within the UN and complements the (NATO) alliances and partnerships to which most, but not all Member States are signed up; stresses that strategic autonomy does not mean that the Union will systematically act alone, everywhere and always;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 137 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that the affirmaRejects the notion of European strategic autonomy being dependsent on the establishment of European defence cooperation in the technological, capability, industrial and operational fields; considers that only practical and, flexible, strictly peaceful and civil cooperation based on pragmatic initiatives will make it possible to gradually overcome the difficulties, forge a genuine common strategic culture and shape common responses tailored to the continent’s main security and defence issues;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 147 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that strategic autonomy can only be genuinely achieved if Member States demonstrate solidarity, which is reflected in particular in the need to prioritise the procurement of European capabilities where equipment is available and competitive;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 155 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that the principle of European strategic autonomy is a legitimate and necessary ambition and that it must remain a priority objective of European defence policy; stresses that its practical and operational implementation is a common responsibility of European statesformulated as an ambition to increase military spending and futher the militarisation of the EU is an ethically illegitimate concern;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 161 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Maintains that European strategic autonomy must take practical form in the areas of industry, capability (joint programmes, investment in defence technologies) and operations (financing of operations, capacity building for partners, capacity to plan and conduct missions);deleted
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 172 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that Europe’s defence is based largely on the Union’s capacity to intervene militarily, in a credible manner, in external theatres of operationsecurity is best defended by focusing on poverty eradication, unconditional humanitarian aid, sustainable and fair economic development, stopping global tax regimes from facilitating corruption, peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution, disarmament, demobilisation of troops and reintegration programmes;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 187 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the Union currently has a presence on three continents through the deployment of 16 civilian or military missions (10 civilian and six military, of which three are executive and three are non-executive missions); recognises the contribution made by these missions to peace and international security and stability; stresses that their implementation must be accompanied by an overhaul of the instruments laid down in the Lisbon Treaty and introduced in recent years, in order to make them more effectiveat none of these missions have contributed substantially to peace, international security, and stability;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 194 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Member States and European bodies to prioritise and maintain a high level of commitment in Africa; welcomes, thereforeregrets, the Council’s decision of July 2018 to extend the mandate of the EUTM RCA military training mission for two years and its intention to launch a civilian mission to complement the military component; notes that these recent developments are a positive sign of re-engagement on the part of the Member States;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 199 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Questions whether missions sach as EUTM MAli are helping the region or aggravating the situation; notes that there have been multiple attacks on EUTM Mali soldiers, UN MINUSMA soldiers, MAlian soldiers, and Operation Barkhane since 2013;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 204 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Is concerned at the deteriorating situation in Burkina Faso; wonders whether it would be appropriate to deploy a civilian and/or military mission in order to strengthen security sector governance, human rights and the restoration of people’s trust in their security forces;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 227 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. DeplorNotes the lengthy decision- making and implementation processes; points out that very few recent military operations have been given an executive mandate because of the different speeds at which commitment decisions are made, and calls, in this connection, for changes to CSDP structures and procedures so that missions can be deployed in a more rapid, flexible and coherent manner; notes the use of a new crisis management tool – the launching of mini-missions under Article 28 TEU – with a view to responding to crises more quickly and flexibly;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 236 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the importance of organising joint training and exercises between European armed forces, thereby promoting interoperability, with a view to maximising mission preparedness and addressing a broad range of threats, both conventional and non-conventional; stresses that these joint training and exercises should never be conducted in the service of the development of the much mooted 'EU Army';
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 259 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Considers that the issue ofe financing for military CSDP missions and operations is crucial to the sustainability of the policy; highlights the importance of reviewing the Athena mechanism so that it covers the full costs of CSDP military operations and missions; supporexcuded from possibility in line with Article 41(2) TEU which outlines that expenditure arising from operations having military or defence implications shall not be funded by the UNion budget; regrets, in this connection, the proposal by the VP/HR, backed by the Commission, to create a European Peace Facility, which would finance part of the costs of EU defence activities, including the joint costs of CSDP military operations and those relating to military capacity-building for partners; hopes that the Member States will reach an agreement quickly so that this instrument can be introduced; stresses the importance of making the Union’s financial rules more flexible in order to enhance its ability to respond to crises and facilitate the implementation of Lisbon Treaty provisions; calls on the Member States and the Commission to consider a flexible mechanism to help Member States wishing to participate in a CSDP mission to bear the cost of doing so, thereby facilitating their decision to launch or strengthen a mission; notes that this instrument would be wholly consistent with the Union’s strategic autonomy objectives in the operational fieldweaponry and military equipment; calls on the Member States and the Commission to consider a flexible mechanism to help Member States wishing to participate in a CSDP mission to bear the cost of doing so, thereby facilitating their decision to launch or strengthen a mission; emphasises that it is empirically proven that the most effective method of preserving and promoting peace and stability is to focus on poverty eradication, unconditional humanitarian aid, sustainable and fair economic development, stopping global tax regimes from facilitating corruption, peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution, disarmament, demobilisation of troops and reintegration programmes;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 263 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. SuOpportses the creation of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) for executive missions to enable all CSDP military operations to be carried out; calls for enhanced cooperation between the MPCC and the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability; draws attention to the problems of recruitment and resource provision, which need to be overcome in order for the MPCC to be fully effective; calls on the EEAS to transform the MPCC from a virtual entity, with multiple-assignment posts, into a robust civilian-military entity which can plan and conduct operationsrejectsany any military-civilian operations and any subordiantion of areas of civilian competence to the military;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 271 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Notes the failure of the Union’s battlegroup project; the battlegroups have never been deployed since their creation in 2007, owing in particular to opposition on the part of all the Member States and the complexity of their implementation and funding, which is at odds with the original objective of speed and efficiency; stresses that the battlegroups be dismantled immediate effect;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 276 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) TEU), which has been invoked once, demonstrates the solidarity among Member States in the common fight against terrorism; notes, however, that the conditions for triggering the article and the arrangements for providing the assistance required have never been clearly defined; calls for a more operinsists that any measures taken against terrorist activities should be treated within the rule of law, and purely by means of police investigation and enforcement as well as multifaceted preventive measures; opposes therefore the activational and implementation of this instrumentArticle 42(7) of the TEU;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 290 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Expects the Union to make effective use of all existing CSDP policy instruments in the areas of diplomacy, cooperation, development, civil and peaceful conflict management and peacekeepingrevention; stresses that CSDP military and civilian instruments cannot, under any circumstances, be the only solution to security issues and; strongly regrets therefore that athe ‘comprehensive approach’ should always be adopted; considers that only the use of all these instruments on the basis of a ‘comprehensive approach’ will provide the flexibility needed to effectively achieve the most ambitious security objectivin its current formualtaion and implementation is de facto the subordination of all relevant policy areas and options under CSDP which at present principally represents the geostrategic and economic interests of certain EU entities and member states;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 312 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
38. WelcomeRegrets the significant reversal of the trend of cuttincreases ing defence budgets; is of the opinion that this should be not be supported andor encouraged at Union level; adds that military personnel should be guaranteed a living wage;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 317 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. WelcomeRegrets the recent efforts by the European institutions and the Member States, following on from the publication of the ‘EU Global Strategy’, to breathe new life into the hitherto virtual instruments of the CSDP and to fully implement the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty; stresses that these promising ambitions must nowt be consolidated and followed up with practical action so that they make an effective contribution to security on the European continent;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 325 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Notes with satisfactionDeeply regrets the Commission’s proposal of 2 May 2018 to establish a EUR 13 billion budget line for defence in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) under the heading of industrial policy; notes that this proposal, which reflects an unprecedented commitment by the Commission, remains subject to the unanimous agreement of the Member States in the next MFF;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 329 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
41. WelcomeRejects the Commission’s proposal of June 2017 to create a European Defence Fund (EDF), which would foster cooperation between Member States and support the European defence industry; notes that this proposal is the first initiative for which Community funds are to be used in direct support of defence projects; recognises that this is a major step forward for European defence, from both a political and an industrial perspective; notes that the EDF could finance structural projects such as the future European aircraft or tank or a European anti-missile defence capability; notes that the 2019 work programme for the preparatory action will focus on electromagnetic spectrum dominance and future disruptive defence technologies, two key areas for maintaining Europe’s technological independence in the long term; welcome; rejects, also, the adoption by the Commission in March 2019 of the first European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and the publication of nine calls for proposals for 2019, including for the Eurodrone, which is a key capability for Europe’s strategic autonomy; points out that 12 further calls for proposals will follow in 2020, covering priority areas in all domains (air, land, sea, cyber and space); notes the link between the procurement decisions taken today by the Member States and the prospects for industrial and technological cooperation under the EDF; recalls that the setting-up of the new heading V on Security and Defence, the EU defence research programme, European Defence Fund and Military Mobility clearly violate the provisions laid down in Article 41(2)TEU which states that any expenditure arising from actions having military or defence implications must not be charged to the Union budget; denounces and deeply deplores the unprecedented speed with which the EU is being militarised; emphasises that it is empirically proven that the most effective method of preserving and promoting peace and stability is to focus on poverty eradication, unconditional humanitarian aid, sustainable and fair economic development, stopping global tax regimes from facilitating corruption, peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution, disarmament, demobilisation of troops and reintegration programmes;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 343 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Welcomes the effectivStrongly rejects the implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as an important step towards closer cooperation in security and defence among Member Statesthe founding of the EU defence Union; stresses that this provision, introduced in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty (Article 46 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), is legally binding and includes a set of ambitious commitments to enable European countries wishing to do so to move ahead faster on common defence projects; recognises the rolewhich will further militarise the EU; warns in this regard that with PESCO can play in structuring European demand; notes that a significant number of EDIDP-eligible projects are being developed within the PESCO framework and may also benefit from higher rates of subsidy; supports full consistency between PESCO projects and the EDFthe existing unanimity rule in the Council concerning CSDP decisions will be annulled;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 355 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. NoteRejects the Commission’s proposal to allocate EUR 6.5 billion to military mobility projects in the next MFF; Recalls Article 41(2) of the TEU prohibiting the use of the EU Budget for military or defence operations;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 360 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Questions the slow start-up of the 34 projects and the delays to the launch of a third wave of 13 projects, given that none are as yet up and running; notes that only four projects will reach their initial operational capacity in 2019; highlights the lack of ambition and scale of some projects, which do not address the most obvious capability gaps, particularly those in the first wave, which are primarily capability projects involving as many Member States as possible; notes that the desired inclusion of participation in PESCO projects should not jeopardise a high level of ambition on the part of the participating Member States; considers that third countries’ involvement should be subject to stringent conditions and based on established and effective reciprocity; calls on the Member States to submit projects with a strategic European dimension, thereby strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), which is an essential part of the strategic autonomisation process and relates more to the operational side in order to respond directly to the operational needs of European armed forces;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 383 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Stresses the strategic dimension for Europe of the space sector, and emphasises the need to make progress in developing technologies with both civilian and military uses which are capable of ensuring European strategic autonomy; welcomat Europe should not contribute to the militarisation of Space; notes the inclusion in the next MFF of the Commission’s EUR 16 billion space programme proposal to boost EU space leadership; welcomes the progress made on EU satellite services (Galileo, Copernicus, EGNOS); emphasises that, if it is to enjoy decision-making and operational autonomy, the Union must have adequate satellite resources in the fields of space imagery, intelligence-gathering, communications and space surveillance; considers that space-based services should be fully operationalised in order to provide high-resolution satellite imaging in support of CSDP missions and operations; stresses the need to finance, through the EDF, industrial projects with a space dimension where the Union can generate real added value;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 408 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Welcomes efforts to strengthen the Union’s capacity to address ‘hybrid’ threats, which are combinations of ambiguous posturing, direct and indirect pressure and the involvement of military and non-military capabilities, and are just some of the range of internal and external security challenges facing the Union; notes the reflections on the triggering of the mutual assistance clause with regard to hybrid threats in order to provide the Union with an effective common response;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 446 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
57. Draws attention to NATO’s fundamental role in collective defence, as explicitly recognised in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; believes that the EU-NATO partnership is essential for addressing the security challenges facing Europe and its neighbourhood; believes that EU-NATO cooperation should be complementary and takes full account of each of the two institution’s specific features and roles; affirms that not all EU Member States are members of NATO;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 460 #

2019/2135(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60
60. Supports, in parallel with institutional cooperation and partnerships, the combining of different forms of flexible, multifaceted, open and, at the same time, operational, ambitious and demanding cooperation, both within and outside EU, NATO and UN structures, which could facilitate joint commitments in operations, thereby strengthening the Union’s operational strategic autonomy; stresses, in this connection, that examples of cooperation such as the European Intervention Initiative, the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) and the increasing integration of the German and Dutch armed forces refelct this drive for closer military cooperation between Member States;
2019/11/12
Committee: AFET
Amendment 10 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes with concern the irregularities on the building administration policy of the EEAS; stresses the need for sufficient explanation of accusations ofis concerned about the accusations regarding the EEAS being involved in corruptive cases related to its building administration policy when buying, renting or managing buildings; calls onurges the EEAS to provide eventually sufficientin-depth explanations on such tenders;
2020/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2019/2064(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51 a (new)
51a. Asks the EEAS to provide for a follow-up report for the financial year 2018 in compliance with Article 266 of the Financial Regulation;
2020/02/03
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2019/2063(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 10 ‘Administration’ of the annual report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if Heading 5 “Administration” of the Multiannual Financial Framework is considered low risk;
2020/01/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2019/2063(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the Court selected a sample of 45 transactions for the Multiannual Financial Framework Heading 5 “Administration” of all Union institutions and bodies; notes that the sample was designed to be representative of the range of spending under Heading 5, which represents 6,3 % of the Union budget; notes that the Court’s work indicates administrative expenditure as low risk; considers however the amount of transactions selected in relation to the “other institutions” as not sufficient and asks the Court to increase the number of transactions to be examined by 10 % at least; in this sense requests that the audit work for chapter 10 be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the EDPS;
2020/01/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2019/2063(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that the first action plan of the ethics officer was fully accomplished and that the second report foresees several measures such as the revision of the codes of conduct for the supervisors and staff, a revised decision on external activities and the possible adhesion to the new transparency register for Union institutions, etc.; invites the EDPS to implement such requests as soon as possible; welcomes the awareness raising sessions in line with the ethics framework; asks for detailed information on the achievements related to the ethics framework to be presented in the next annual activity report;
2020/01/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 10 ‘Administration’ of the 2018 Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)Heading 5 'Administration' is considered low risk;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the Court selected a sample of 45 transactions from the Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) Heading 5 'Administration' of all Union institutions and bodies; notes that the sample was designed to be representative of the range of spending under Heading 5, which represents 6,3 % of the Union budget; notes that the Court’s work indicates administrative expenditure as low risk; considers however the amount of transactions selected in relation to the 'other institutions' as not sufficient and asks the Court to increase the number of transactions to be examined by 10 % at least; requests that the audit work related to chapter 10 be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the Committee.
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses the importance of promoting the involvement of regional and local authorities given their role in the implementation of Union policies;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. AskUrges the Committee to strengthen its efforts related to the planned Code of Conduct for its members related to the prevention and fight of conflict of interests; asks the Committee to ensure the publication of the concerned rules and procedures on its websites;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40 a. Welcomes the appointment of MEP Sophie in t’Veld as mediator in the case of the former internal auditor with a view to reaching a compromise settlement in the case; reminds of its request that such a mediation should also address the bona-fide whistleblower status of the former internal auditor (as recognised by Parliament in its 2004 discharge resolution) and the fact that he was acting in the interests of the Union by reporting wrongdoings within the Union institutions.
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40 b. Notes the decision of the third invalidity committee that unanimously confirms that the internatl auditor was invalided out on occupational grounds and was subjected to a process of mobbing by the Committee;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 c (new)
40 c. Notes that on 20 December 2019, the Committee presented a proposal for an out of court settlement and a draft public statement, which was rejected by the former internal auditor, who expressed the wish for a mediation process to be activated as the most appropriate vehicle for a fair resolution of the case;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2019/2061(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 d (new)
40 d. Requests that the Committees promptly accept the mediation in order to implement the decision by the third invalidity committee, taking all necessary measures as to respond to requests by Parliament in its previous resolutions;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2018 / Postpones its decision on granting the Secretary-General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2018;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Regrets, as an overall remark, that chapter 10 ‘Administration’ of the 2018 Annual Report of the Court has a rather limited scope and conclusions, even if the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Heading 5 'Administration' is considered low risk;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the Court selected a sample of 45 transactions from the Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) Heading 5 “Administration” of all Union institutions and bodies; notes that the sample was designed to be representative of the range of spending under Heading 5, which represents 6,3 % of the Union budget; notes that the Court’s work indicates administrative expenditure as low risk; considers, however, the amount of transactions selected in relation to the “other institutions” as not sufficient and asks the Court to increase the number of transactions to be examined by 10 % at least; requests that the audit work related to chapter 10 be more focused on issues of high relevance or even critical for the Council;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that appropriations carried over from 2018 to 2019 amounted to a total of EUR 56 599 584, equivalent to 10,7 % (compared to EUR 60 576 175 or 11,5 % in 2017), coming mainly from categories such as computer systems (EUR 18,3 million), buildings (EUR 16,0 million) and interpretation (EUR 11,9 million); reminds the Council that carry-overs are exceptions to the principle of annuality and should reflect actual needs; takes note of the cancelled appropriations in 2018 of EUR 46 348 862 (compared to EUR 35 025 789 in 2017); calls on the Council to strengthen its efforts to avoid budget over- estimates;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Notes the European Ombudsman's recommendation that the President and Cabinet of the European Council publish a full list of any lobby meetings held; is disappointed that the new President of the European Council has yet to implement this recommendation; notes that while the President of the European Council does not appear to meet with many lobbyists, the principle of lobby transparency is nonetheless important; urges the President of the European Council to ensure that he and his Cabinet refuse all meetings with unregistered lobbyists and proactively publish a comprehensive list of lobby meetings held; calls upon the secretariat of the Council to ensure that the ethics rules governing the President of the European Council are brought into line with those of the President of the European Commission so that 'revolving door' rules apply for three years and formal approval is required for any new roles with a link to the activities of the Union;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that related to the proposal for a new Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory Transparency Register for interest representatives covering the Parliament, the Council and the Commission two negotiating rounds took place in 2018 under the Bulgarian Presidency and one in 2019 under the Romanian Presidency; regrets that the Council has still not joined the Transparency Register despite all these negotiations; calls on the Council to follow-up negotiations to reach a successful outcome which will finally include the Council in the registry; calls on all Presidency trios to lead by good example by refusing meetings with unregistered lobbyists, proactively publishing the lobby meetings of permanent representation staff, and by proactively publishing the lobby meetings of national ministers that deals with Union matters;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Asks the Council to strengthen its efforts to make the legislative process more traceable and reader friendly, to centre transparency around milestones in the legislative process and to normalise the publication of Member States inputs (statements, proposals for amendments) into legislative debates; acknowledges the Council’s efforts to improve transparency with ongoing changes to its website and the activities of its internal transparency team; encourages the Council to introduce further measures in order to reach a successful transparency policy allowing the public to follow the Union legislative process with greater easenotes, however, that national parliamentarians, through the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) forum, have repeatedly expressed their concern that the secrecy in the Council prevents national parliaments from fulfilling their monitoring and scrutinising role with respect to their governments' Union law- making; encourages the Council to introduce further measures in order to reach a successful transparency policy allowing the public to follow the Union legislative process with greater ease such as the formal minute-taking of all Council preparatory bodies, to include full reporting of all discussions including of member state contributions, and the prompt publication of such minutes;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Reiterates its concerns about the corporate sponsorship of Member States hosting the Union Presidency and echoes the concerns expressed by Union citizens and Members of Parliament; acknowledges that the Member States are expected to finance their own Presidencies and regrets that resorting to corporate sponsorship to cover some of their expenses in this regards has become common practice in recent years; is highly concerned about the possible reputational damage and the risk of loss of trust that this practice may incur on the Union, its institutions and especially to the Council in the eyes of the citizens of the Union; suggests that the Council adopt guidelines in order to promote the financial transparency and independency of the Presidencies; recommends strongly the Council to envisage budgetisation of the Presidencies; requests the Council to forward this concern to the Member States, in particular to the current trio Presidency;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Welcomes the recommendation of the European Ombudsman on sponsorship of the Presidency of the Council which finds that Council inaction on the matter amounts to maladministration, and invites the Council to ban all sponsorship of Council presidencies by third parties in view of the 'reputational risk' that the Ombudsman has highlighted;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18 c. Regrets that the Council again failed to provide answers to the written questions sent by Parliament and that the Secretary-General of the Council did not attend the hearing organised on 12 November 2019 in the context of the annual discharge which shows the continued and complete lack of cooperation on the Council's side; stresses that the expenditure of Council must be scrutinised in the same way as that of other institutions and points out that the fundamental elements of such scrutiny have been laid down in its discharge resolutions of the past years; points out that Parliament is the only institution directly elected by Union citizens and that its role in the discharge procedure is directly connected with citizens' right to be informed on how public money is spent;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Emphasises Parliament's prerogative to grant discharge pursuant to Articles 316, 317 and 319 TFEU in line with current interpretation and practice, namely to grant discharge in respect of each heading of the budget separately in order to maintain transparency and ensure democratic accountability towards Union taxpayers;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2019/2057(DEC)

24. Notes the lack of cooperation forom the Council in the discharge procedure which has resulted in Parliament’s refusal to grant discharge to the Secretary-General of the Council since the financial year 2009;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2019/2057(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. asks the Council to fulfil its particular role and to give discharge recommendations with respect to the other Union institutions;
2020/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the findings of the Court of Auditors concerning the financial year 2018; takes note of its remarks regarding the regularity of transactions under ‘Natural Resources’; highlights that transactions under the EAGF were free from material errors and that most of the other errors were generated by complex eligibility rules, and asks that addressing this issue be a priority in the next reform; notes, furthermore, that the risk implied by errors is adequately covered under the corrective capacity of the Commission;
2019/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 6 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that most rural development actions which were audited produced the expected results; asks the Commission and Member States to improve their performance framework where needed and to introduce further simplification measures, such as simplified cost options; regrets that the Court of Auditors identified weaknesses in the use of result indicators; focus of simplification in the last reform was on Pillar I when it was clear that the more complex schemes, that were more prone to error, were in Pillar II; notes that the Court of Auditors identified weaknesses in the use of result indicators and also identified "gold plating" at national level as adding to the complexity of schemes;
2019/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely trade agreements with third countries in respect of quality, health and animal welfare requirements; stresses that the globalisation of the food supply chain has not benefited primary producers, a sector that is characterised by below-cost production, low returns and exposure to unfair trading practices due to its fragmented nature;
2019/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 24 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned by alleged cases of high-level conflicts of interest and land- grabbing by oligarchs with possible facilitation by governments and public authorities; calls on the Commission to increase efforts to prevent and detect fraud; urges the Commission to be extra vigilant on rule of law matters; is of the opinion that the capping thresholds together with the introduction of labour cost offsets before capping that takes effect in the proposed new CAP reform are not robust enough mechanisms to address those issues;
2019/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2019/2055(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that increased flexibility of Member States in allocating CAP subsidies, which adds complexity and allows the distribution of CAP funds to be influenced by short-term national political interests, risks further aggravating abuses, and urges therefore the Commission to avoid renationalisation of the CAP;
2019/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses the fact that the Union budget is not allowed to run on deficit and that the growing payments backlog in fact represents a financial debt;
2019/09/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recalls that there is an humanitarian element to every migration crisis which by necessity will usually involve emergency measures; invites the Commission to find quick ways to respond to the migration crisis and the humanitarian situations which lay behind;
2019/09/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2019/2028(BUD)

Draft opinion
Subheading 5 a (new)
Security and Defence 12a. Calls on the Commission to introduce a separate heading for Security and Defence, in order to grant a more transparent scrutiny;
2019/09/09
Committee: CONT
Amendment 186 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) The internal convergence mechanism is the core process for a more equitable distribution of direct income support among farmers. Significant individual differences based on old historic references become more and more difficult to justify. In Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, the basic model of internal convergence consists in the application by Member States of a uniform flat rate for all payment entitlements, at national or regional level, from 2015. However, for the sake of ensuring a smoother transition to a uniform value, a derogation was set out allowing Member States to differentiate the values of payment entitlements by applying partial convergence, also called the ‘tunnel model’, between 2015 and 2019. Some Member States made use of this derogation. To continue the process towards a more equitable distribution of direct payments, Member States canshould further converge towards a national or regional average after 2019 instead of going to a uniform flat rate or keeping the value of entitlements at their 2019 level. They should notify annually their decision for the following year.
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 217 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States that decide to make use of the possibility provided in the first subparagraph shall notify the Commission of their decision within 10 dayfour weeks after the entry into force of this Regulation. Where Member States have submitted a set of regional programmes in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, that notification shall also contain information on which of the regional programmes are to be extended and on the corresponding budgetary allocation within the annual breakdown for the year 2021 as set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 227 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Where the Commission considers that an extension of the period under the first subparagraph is not justified, it shall inform the Member State thereof within 6four weeks after receipt of the notification referred to in the second subparagraph.
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 387 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 25 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
After having applied the adjustment referred to in Article 22(5), Member States that have made use of the derogation provided for in paragraph 4 of this Article may decidshall ensure that payment entitlements held by farmers on 31 December 2019 having a value lower than the national or regional unit value for the year 2020 as calculated in accordance with the second subparagraph of this paragraph have their unit value increased towards the national or regional unit value during the year 2020transitional period. The increase shall be calculated under the following conditions: Or. en (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R1307- 20190301&from=EN)
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 389 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 25 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 3
By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, Member States that have made use of the derogation provided for in paragraph 4 may decide to keep the value of payment entitlements calculated in accordance with that paragraph subject to the adjustment referred to in Article 22(5). (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R1307-deleted Or. en 20190301&from=EN)
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 393 #

2019/0254(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 25 – paragraph 12
12. For calendar year 2021During the transitional period, Member States may decide toshall apply further internal convergence by applying paragraph 11 to the respective year. (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02013R1307- or years. Or. en 20190301&from=EN)
2020/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
(7) In 2017-2019, the protracted regional instability, high exposure to fluctuation of oil prices and the increase of borrowing costs for emerging markets globally continued to weigh on the Jordanian economy. As a result, economic growth slowed again, unemployment increased significantly, tax revenues collections fell and new fiscal and external financing needs emerged. The major impact of exogenous shocks on Jordan's economy should lead the Union and the IMF to reconsider the doctrine applied to previous structural adjustment plans. Therefore, the Union should declare a moratorium on current structural reforms imposed on Jordan.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 2 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
(13) The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be an exceptional financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support, which aims at addressing the beneficiary’s immediate external financing needs and should underpin the implementation of a policy programme containing strong immediate adjustment and structural reform measures designed to improve the balance-of-payments position in the short term.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 3 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
(14) Given that a residual financing gap remains in Jordan’s balance of payments over and above the resources provided by IMF and other multilateral institutions, the provision by the Union of macro-financial assistance to Jordan is, under the current exceptional circumstances, considered to be an appropriate response to Jordan’s request to the Union to support its economic stabilisation, in conjunction with the IMF programme. The Union’s macro-financial assistance would support the economic stabilisation and the structural reform agenda of Jordan, supplementing resources made available under the IMF’s financial arrangement.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 4 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 26
(26) The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be subject to economic policy conditionsditions, such as developing education, public services, local industries, innovation, protection of the environment, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Jordanian authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance to Jordan, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of thea Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 5 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall make macro- financial assistance of a maximum amount of EUR 51000 million available to Jordan (the 'Union’s macro-financial assistance'), with a view to supporting Jordan’s economic stabilisation and a substantive reform agendasocial development. The assistance shall contribute to covering Jordan’s balance of payments needs as identified in the IMF programmend launching or supporting general interest policies.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 6 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The full amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be provided to Jordan in the form of grants, public debt cancellations and zero-interest loans. The Commission shall be empowered on behalf of the Union to borrow the necessary funds on the capital markets or from financial institutions and to on-lendransfer them to Jordan. The loans shall have a maximum average maturity of 15 years.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 7 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The release of the Union’s macro- financial assistance shall be managed by the Commission in a manner consistent with the agreements or understandings reached between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Jordan, and with the key principles and objectives of economic reforms set out in the EU- Jordan Association Agreement.deleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 8 #

2019/0192(COD)

4. The Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be made available for a period of two and a half years, starting from the first day after the entry into force of thea Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 3(1).
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 9 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 5
5. If the financing needs of Jordan decrease fundamentally during the period of the disbursement of the Union’s macro-financial assistance compared to the initial projections, the Commission, acting in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2), shall reduce the amount of the assistance or suspend or cancel it.deleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 10 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2), shall agree with the Jordanian authorities on clearly defined economic policy and financial conditions, focusing on structural reforms and sound public finances, to which the Union’s macro-financial assistance is to be subject, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding (“the Memorandum of Understanding”) which shall include a timeframe for the fulfilment of those conditions. The economic policy and financial conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(3), including the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by Jordan with the support of the IMFconditions, which shall include a timeframe for the fulfilment of those conditions.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The conditions referred to in paragraph 1 shall aim, in particular, at enhancing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Jordan, including for the use of the Union’s macro-financial assistance. Progress in mutual market opening, the development of rules-based and fair trade, and other priorities in the context of the Union’s external policy shall also be duly taken into account when designing the policy measures. Progress in attaining those objectives shall be regularly monitored by the Commission.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 12 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. The detailed financial terms of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be laid down in a Grants, Public Debt Cancellation and Zero Interest Loans Agreement to be concluded between the Commission and the Jordanian authorities.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 13 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall verify, at regular intervals, that the conditions referred to in Article 4(3) continue to be met, including whether the economic policies of Jordan are in accordance with the objectives of the Union’s macro- financial assistance. In so doing, the Commission shall coordinate closely with the IMF and the World Bank, and, where necessary, with the European Parliament and the Council.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 14 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Subject to the conditions referred to in paragraph 3, the Union’s macro- financial assistance shall be made available by the Commission in three loan instalments. The size of each instalment shall be laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 3.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 15 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) a continuous satisfactory track record of implementing a policy programme that contains strong adjustment and structural reform measures supported by a non- precautionary IMF credit arrangement; andeleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 16 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Where circumstances permit an improvement of the interest rate of the loan and if Jordan so requests, the Commission may decide to refinance all or part of its initial borrowings or may restructure the corresponding financial conditions. Refinancing or restructuring operations shall be carried out in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 4 and shall not have the effect of extending the maturity of the borrowings concerned or of increasing the amount of capital outstanding at the date of the refinancing or restructuring.deleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 17 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. All costs incurred by the Union which relate to the borrowing and lending operations under this Decision shall be borne by Jordan.deleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 18 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments in the operations referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3.
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 19 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The Grants, Public Debt Cancellations and Zero Interest Loans Agreement referred to in Article 3(3) shall contain provisions:
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 20 #

2019/0192(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point f
(f) ensuring that all costs incurred by the Union that relate to a financial assistance shall be borne by Jordan.deleted
2019/11/18
Committee: INTA
Amendment 11 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that European citizens already face direct impacts of climate change; underlines that while those impacts aren't just financial (in fact it may be the least of the problems), according to the European Environment Agency, average annual losses caused by weather and climate-related extremes in the Union amounted to around €12.8 billion between 2010 and 2016, and that, if no further action is taken, climate damages in the EU could amount to at least €190 billion by 2080, equivalent to a net welfare loss of 1.8% of its current GDP;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of mitigation pathways in line with the Paris Agreement., and recommends that the European Union should follow those pathways;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 6
6. Highlights that the first category of pathways aims at reducing GHG emissions by only around 80% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels; notes with concernregret that such ambition represents the lower range of holding global warming below 2°C and is therefore not in line with the Paris objective of holding global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with the further aim of keeping it below 1.5°C;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 62 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 7
7. PFrom a strictly economic view, points that the EU GDP is expected to increase more under zero emissions scenarios than in scenarios with lower emission reductions, however this may be spread unevenly across the EU; considers that the price of non-action would be by far the costliest scenario and would not only result in massive GDP loss in Europe, but also further increase economic inequalities between Member States as some are expected to be harder hit than others by the consequences of inaction;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 93 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 9
9. Notes however that those pathways rely to a large extent on carbon removal technologies, including through carbon capture and storage and direct air capture, that yet have yet to prove their feasibility; considers that the EU net-zero strategy should not overly rely on such technologies, which should merely complement direct emissions reductions; believes that further action by 2030 is needed if the Union is to avoid relying on carbon removal technologies that would entail significant risks for ecosystems, biodiversity and food security as confirmed by the IPCC 1.5 report;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 113 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes that the Commission clearly expresseaccepts that net-zero emissions are possible without net job losses and that they put a lot of emphasis on the transition in the energy intensive industry;, but highlights that a just transition towards net-zero GHG emissions has, in fact, the potential to create a net gain of more than 1one million additional jobs in the Union;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 121 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 11
11. Believes that Europe's climate transition must be ecologically, economicsocially and socieconomically sustainable, with the emphasis very much on the first two elements; emphasises that tailor-made and sufficiently funded strategies will need to be designed in close collaboration with local and regional public authorities, trade unions, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector, to ensure equal opportunities are offered to all European citizens in this transition;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 259 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 22
22. Points out with major concern that the strategy confirms that GHG emissions from the transport sector are still on the rise, and that the Clean Mobility Package will not be sufficient to decarbonise the transport sector by 2050;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 309 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Recommends that a major effort should be focused on agriforestry and the very real gains to be made - ecologically and in biodiversity - in the incorporation of trees and various vegetation into working farmland;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 361 #

2018/2974(RSP)


Paragraph 30
30. Highlights the significant impact of behavioural change in achieving GHG emissions reduction, including from the transport sector and particularly the aviation sector; calls on the Commission to explore as soon as possible policy options to encourage behavioural change, without which any change will be a major struggle - buy-in is essential for progress;
2019/02/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2938(RSP)


Citation 3
— having regard to the statement of assurance2 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2016, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, but with reservations on how the error- rate corrections are calculated and applied; _________________ 2 OJ C 417, 6.12.2017, p. 79.
2018/11/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/2793(RSP)


Recital C
C. whereas the current widespread use of neonicotinoid uses has been linked to adverse ecological effects, including high risks to both domestic and wild bees, both of which are responsible for pollinating most crops worldwide;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2018/2793(RSP)


Recital J
J. whereas this mostly gratuitous pollination service is only possible because the main revenue source for beekeepers is the sale of honey; whereas imports of adulterated honey threaten the economic basisviability of beekeeping in the EU;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 70 #

2018/2793(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that where practical, and according to the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (128/2009/EC), non- chemical methods of pest control should be used as a priority, to replace pesticides, with a view to protecting pollinators;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 93 #

2018/2793(RSP)


Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to include, in the objectives of the CAP, to include limits to the objective of increasing productivity and to regulate intensive farming practices, in order to improve the habitat and forage space for bees;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Recital B a (new)
B a. Whereas major trade deals such as TTIP, CETA etc, will inevitably mean an increase in global transport traffic on land, sea and air, which itself means an increase in emissions and pollutants resulting from that increase in global transport;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 47 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 3
3. Underlines once again that air pollution has a local, regional, national and cross-border dimension and requires action at all levels of governance; asks, therefore, for a strengthening of the multi-level governance approach where all actors take the responsibility for measures that can and should be taken at that veryeir respective levels; similarly, considers that there should be much more joined -up policy -making in the European Commission with the involvement of all Directorate Generals concerned;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 57 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 4
4. Invites Member States authorities to take a comprehenn all-inclusive approach to air pollution and to prioritise pollution mitigation approaches which have co- benefits in other domains; urges the competent authorities to develop Clean Air Action plans comprising credible measures addressing all sources of air pollution and all sectors of the economy; encourages cities and competent authorities to start working at all levels on a Covenant of Clean Air for all;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 69 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that according to the WHO, poor air quality affects social and environmental determinants of health such as drinking water and sufficient foodfood production;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 70 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Recalls the link between air pollution and inequality, as exposure is usually higher for more vulnerable segments of society; encourages Member States to make efforts to prevent the accumulation of environmental, socio- demographic and economic disadvantages, including by taking measures to limit pollution at hotspots of vulnerability such as hospitals, schools, and retirement homes, and inner cities and towns;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 79 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that cutting air pollution and reducing CO2 emissions from the transport sector are twin challenges in urban areas, that zero-emission cars, vans and buses are essential to provide clean, energy-efficient and affordable mobility for all citizens and that accelerating the development of a mass market for these vehicles by scaling up their offer in the Union is crucial for bringing down prices to the benefit of consumers, fleet operators, public procurement authorities and European society as a whole; underlines, in this respect, the importance of the European Union developing its own viable and sustainable battery- manufacturing facilities and thus reducing its reliance on imports in this area, from China in particular;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 105 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission to continue reducing NOx emissions of the car fleet by reviewing the conformity factor, as provided for by the second RDE package, by reviewing the conformity factor annually and in line with technological developments, so as to bring it down to 1 as soon as possible, and by 2021 at the latest;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 149 #

2018/2792(RSP)


Paragraph 23
23. Calls on Member States to ensure adequate, representative, accurate and continuous measuring and monitoring of air quality; recalls the importance of siting of stations used in the main urban agglomerationreas with air quality problems, bearing in mind that poor siting does not allow for appropriate follow-up to public health risks;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/2791(RSP)


Recital A
A. whereas the mission statement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011- 2020 is to take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity - much of which is due to increasing intensity in agriculture and its accompanying global over-reliance on GM seeds and destructive pesticides - in order to ensure that by 2020 ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential services, thereby securing the planet's variety of life, and contributing to human well-being, and poverty eradication;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2018/2791(RSP)


Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes that the recommendation 10.2.g (XXI/1.) for the COP14 decision mentions the potential of forestry and agriculture; underlines that agricultural activities and preservation of biodiversity are closely linked; emphasises that well managed agriculture and forestry contribute greatly to the variety of species, habitats and ecosystems, and reduces the effects of climate change; emphasises particularly that farmers are in the front- line of agriculture and are therefore in the best position to both monitor the changes and manage (with proper guidance) the improvements in biodiversity;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinionBelieves that the digital transformation of health and care needs tomust be patient-centred;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 53 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that citizens have the right to access and - especially - to share their personal health data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 58 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 7
7. Agrees with the Commission that citizens should have secure access to a comprehensive electronic record of their health data, and should remain in control of and be able to share their personal health data securely with authorised parties, while unauthorised access shouldall be prevented in accordance with data protection legislation;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 69 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission and Member States to share best practices on the sharing of health data, as well as to develop European level standards and mutually recognized certification/accreditation schemes, including data security and security audits;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 73 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission and Member States to support projects that use real-world data, which will leading to favourable health outcomes;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 80 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to facilitate European coordinated action to support both pooling and secure exchange of genomic and other health data, in order to advance research and personalised medicine, while ensuring full compliance with data protection legislation and ethical principles;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 91 #

2018/2776(RSP)


Paragraph 20
20. Considers that digital healthcare tools are well positioned to address challenges of accessibility to health information and health literacy, both of which are essential for better disease prevention and more effective disease management; considers that these tools, when built with the contribution of the appropriate health professionals and civil society users, allow for more accuracy and completeness of information enabling the promotion of healthy habits and prevention activities, as well as the support to decisions in health and patient adherence to treatments.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2018/2774(RSP)


Recital E
E. whereas to the detriment of its citizens, there is no European consensus on Lyme disease treatment, diagnosis and screening and national practices vary;
2018/06/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2018/2774(RSP)


Recital H
H. whereas many patients do not have access to the treatments that would suit them, nor are they promptly or properly diagnosed; whereas they feel deprived and unheard ofignored by public authorities and that some of them continue to have persistent symptoms that can lead to chronic disease, Ireland a case in point at the moment where some Lyme disease patients are forced abroad for treatment, for which they themselves must pay;
2018/06/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Citation 10 a (new)
– having regard to the fact that the many new major trade deal initiatives being undertaken by the European Union will have both positive and negative impacts, the latter most especially on the environment and on exacerbating climate change;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital D
D. whereas green infrastructure, provides ecosystem services that are crucial to our wellbeing, services such as: * the production of urban food,; * water circulation and retention,; * the regulation of temperature,; * the prevention of extreme weather phenomena,; * the support of biodiversity, including pollinators,; * improving nutrient cycles and aesthetic,; * the promotion of exercise and wellbeing benefits for its inhabitants;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas green infrastructure will be negatively impacted by the increased transport traffic generated by the major new trade deals currently being negotiated by the European Union, in both heavy- goods and light-goods vehicles;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 28 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas green infrastructure is best served by a major focus on the production and supply of local goods and services;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital H
H. whereas well designed, green infrastructure can act as one of the biggest chances to increase the quantity of ecological corridors, and in this way protect the biodiversity;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 41 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital J
J. whereas use of trees and vegetation can reduce noise pollution in urban areas; whereas EU-funded research project HOSANNA found that natural plant sound shields are better at shielding residents from traffic noise than the straight-sided sound barriers commonly used13 , and thus that the planting of trees and vegetation should be used to a far greater extent to reduce noise pollution in urban areas; _________________ 13 https://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/144672_ en.html
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital K
K. whereas green infrastructure offers an access to nature for those such as children and the elderly or infirm, who would not otherwise be able to enjoy it or who might otherwise find it more difficult to engage with the nature, such as children and the ageing population;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital L
L. whereas greener cities encourage residents to move and exercise more, therefore having direct health implications; whereas according to multiple studies, people also heal faster in green environments, and they help to prevent and cure depression; whereas direct physical contact with green spaces can entail health benefits, mainly through the reduction of exhaust fumes inhalation and the improvement of the immune systems of people of all ages, as they are exposed to more diverse microbiome, and ultimately increase happiness and well-being14 ; _________________ 14 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeang reencapital/space-increase-happiness/
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Recital N
N. whereas greener neighbourhoods have been shown to increase the economic value of properties as they make areas more desirable amongst prospective buyers;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 69 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Paragraph 5 – point a
a. raise awareness of the benefits of green spaces in built-up urban environments;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 75 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Paragraph 5 – point d
d. create a culture of appreciation of the green spaces and the advantages they bring;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 80 #

2018/2764(RSP)


Paragraph 5 – point e
e. increase the amount of green infrastructure projects; and continue and addto increase resources tofor the EU Strategy on green infrastructure;
2018/11/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/2759(RSP)


Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the major trade deals being negotiated by the Commission such as TTIP, CETA, Mercosur etc., with the emphasis on massively increasing imports and exports and thus also increasing the massive movement of goods and services, flies in the face of the stated ambitions of creating a Circular economy;
2018/06/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/2759(RSP)


Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to at least examine the probable or potential negative effect on the Circular economy of their proposed major inter-continental trade deals;
2018/06/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Recital B
B. whereas trust in the European project and in the European Union will only be maintained, if the European Union institutions act as role models of the rule of law, of transparency and of good administration, and prove to have sufficient internal check and balances to react adequately whenever these fundamental principles are threatened,
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the procedure for the appointment of the new Secretary-General of the European Commission on 21 February 2018 was conducted in asuch a questionable manner, which aroused reasonable and widespread irritation and disapproval in public opinion, among Members of the European Parliament and within the European civil service; regrets also that those most responsible for the procedure undertaken in this appointment have yet to accept that at best it WAS a questionable procedure; notes that the result of this procedure constitutes a reputational risk not only for the European Commission but for all the European Union institutions;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 2 – indent 7
- the President of the European Commission and his Head of Cabinet had known since 2015 that the then Secretary- General intended to retire soon after March 2018, an intention which was reconfirmed many times, including in early 2018; however, the President had not divulged this information in order not to undermine the authority of the then Secretary-General;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 2 – indent 7 a (new)
- the President of the European Commission tried on many occasions to persuade the Secretary General to change his mind (understandably, given the trust that had been established) and asked him to remain in the position past his stated preferred retirement date;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 2 – indent 7 b (new)
- when his efforts at persuading the Secretary-General to extend his tenure repeatedly failed, the President of the European Commission should then, at the very minimum, have alerted the Commissioner responsible for Budget and Human Resources of the impending vacancy, so the steps to fill that vacancy could have been initiated in the normal, best-practice and timely manner;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Takes note that in his oral replies to the CONT committee hearing, the Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources stated repeatedly that the new Secretary-General was the Commission President's strong preference for the appointment to this position, which strongly suggests that the Commission President also felt it was his prerogative to make this appointment, by whatever means necessary;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 124 #

2018/2624(RSP)


Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Calls on the Commission to reverse the decision to appoint the new Secretary-General and to then open the process anew, inviting interest from suitable applicants (of which the new Secretary-General may be one) as per the usual procedure;
2018/04/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/2599(RSP)


Paragraph 9
9. Is of the opinion that the illegal trafficking of companion animals could be curbed by improving law enforcement and toughening sanctions against economic operators, veterinarians and national public services - from source, transit and destination countries - who supply counterfeit pet passports; those sanctions should include a combination of economic penalties (confiscation of all property used in the illegal trafficking, minimum fines - suggested €10,000) and prison (mandatory minimum of six months for any proven material and conscious involvement), along with the suspension or even permanent loss of the license to practice of any veterinary professional proven to be materially and consciously involved;
2018/05/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Recital C
C. whereas the mid-term evaluation reports recognises that most projects have yet to begin and few projects have been completed (the average duration of a LIFE project is 4 to 5 years), claiming that a full analysis of the long-term effect of LIFE, as required by the LIFE Regulation on Article 15(2) and 9, is premature at this stage;, which has led to the fact that the mid-term evaluation has focused mainly on the processes put in place, ongoing activities (such as projects already financed) and, - where relevant - their anticipated results;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 15 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that final conclusions cannot be properly drawn as there is an insufficient amount of information and data available within the mid-term evaluation report; looks forward to the preparation of an impact assessment on a continued LIFE programme post-2020;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 2
2. Regrets that two Member States share more than a third of the entire LIFE budget for traditional grants for 2014 and 2015, leading to an unevena major imbalance in the distribution of funds among Member States and, confirming that national allocations are not effective in ensuring a more balanced distribution of projects; Considers it therefore necessarynecessary therefore that new, effective mechanisms are to ensureput in place to ensure greater effectiveness and a more equitable distribution and greater effectiveness of LIFE funds between Member States need to be further developed, in order to boost Member States’ capacity to submit more good- quality projects and provide a better geographical balance of the integrated projects;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 32 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that reaching the full potential of these integrated projects depends on the availability of complementary finance, in particular from mainstreaming of environment and climate elements in the major EU financing instruments;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 6
6. Agrees with the report that ‘after- LIFE’ plans are a positive improvement and that a systematic follow-up of all projects to identify best practices, cost- saving measures and a comprehensive customised support for the most promising ones could allow the replication/sustainability potential to further elaboratexpand;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the grant management procedures, in particular the application and reporting processes, not only need to be simplified but also significantly accelerated;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 59 #

2018/2597(RSP)


Paragraph 11
11. Requests that each project should be accompanied by a communication strategy to better target audiences, deliver more objective-specific and target-specific key messages, and ensure more structured coordination between players;
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/2589(RSP)


Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the primary aim of the Commission should be to avoid thaprevent hazardous chemicals from entering the material cycle, and to ensure better implementation of current legislation;
2018/05/02
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2018/2589(RSP)


Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that in a truly circular economy products must be designed for durability, and for economically feasible reparability, reusability and recyclability, andincluding the production and distribution of reasonably-priced spare parts (where applicable), and all with minimal use of substances of concern;
2018/05/02
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 23 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
- having regard to the piecemeal trade negotiations taking place between the European Union and the United States, which has seen (for example) an increase in the importation of genetically- modified soya;
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 b (new)
- having regard to the numerous major trade deals negotiated and currently being negotiated by the European Union;
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 76 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the piecemeal trade negotiations - on soya especially, but not exclusively - between the European Union and the climate-change denying current administration of the United States run counter to any ideals of Sustainable Development;
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 80 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
H b. whereas the current and ongoing major trade deals negotiated by the European Union have the very real consequences a) of increasing global transport via land, sea and air, which leads to an inevitable increase in global emissions, and b) of increasing the pressure of small and medium producers and manufacturers, resulting in many of those being forced out of business, both of which are directly contrary to any ideals of Sustainable Development;
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 91 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1 Calls on the Commission to review all its trade deals, current, ongoing and planned, with a view to assessing the impact both positive AND negative of those deals, on increased transportation and on Sustainable Development, at local level especially;
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 100 #

2018/2279(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Agrees with the sentiments of the 'Motion for Resolution to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure on the recommendations for opening of trade negotiations between the EU and the US (2019/2537(RSP))'1 and in particular with Paragraph 8, which states: 'Believes that negotiations of a trade agreement with the US under the above mentioned conditions will not be successful in producing an outcome that would be in the interest of European citizens and therefore calls on the Council not to endorse the recommendations for authorising the opening of negotiations of an agreement with the US on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods and on conformity assessment in their current form', and further, believes that any such trade deal must be fully and independently assessed on its impacts on Sustainable Development in the European Union; 1 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/ 2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/INTA /RE/2019/02-04/1175518EN.pdf
2019/02/11
Committee: DEVEENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5
— having regard to the statement of assurance4 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the strong possibility that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn't been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 4 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Acknowledges that ex-ante conditionalities have represented an often unnecessary additional administrative burden and that, as recognised by the Commission, have been one of the possible reasons for the registered delays in implementation of the ESIF 2014-2020; acknowledges, as well, that although there have been no cases of suspension of payments to programmes by the Commission for non-fulfilment of ex- ante coditionalities by the end of 2016, managing authorities concerned refrained from submitting payment claims, thus imposing a kind of self-suspension and delaying implementation with the result that the absorption at the end of the fourth year of the current period (2017) was significantly lower than the absorption rate on the corresponding date (end 2010) of the previous period 2007-2013 (17% and 41% respectively), thus further putting into question the added value of ex-ante conditionalities as an instrument introduced with the aim to facilitate cohesion policy implementation;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes, however,Agrees with the Court’s opinion that, overall, the 2014-2020 performance framework is not significantly more results-oriented than similar arrangements in previous periods, remaining essentially focussed on spending and project outputs, with the large majority of indicators that constitute the basis for allocating the performance reserve representing output indicators (57,1 %), financial indicators (33,4 %) and key implementation steps (9,2 %), with - regrettably - only marginal use of result indicators (0,3 %);
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Is of the opinion, together with the Court, that financial instruments should only be used only if commercial loans are unobtainable because the project is too small or too risky, or the borrower cannot offer the necessary collateral;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. DNotes with concern and draws the attention of the Commission and the Court to the fact that the Loan Guarantee Facility and the InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility creates potentially intermediaries’ loan portfolios worth EUR 24,42 billion, of which the discharge authority knows very little, as the system is highly complex and opaque;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that election observation activities - properly, fairly and objectively executed - play a key role in public diplomacy by offering impartial assessment and constructive recommendations which can be followed up by national stakeholders, including civil society organisations;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Invites the European External Action Service to follow as much as possible the effective implementation in third countries of the EOM's recommendations, while fully respecting the sovereignty of each country and involving Parliament, and also by allocating a sufficient level of human resources from Union’s delegations with adequate technical expertise to this important political task, necessary in some areas identified by the EOM;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Welcomes the Court’s special report, and endorsnotes its remarks and recommendations; points out a fundamental truth - a Banking Union is effective only if there is full and complete Monetary Union, which is so far not the case in the eurozone;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Is of the opinion that the SRB should forms part of a strong banking union with a strong regulation and supervision of banks and an important step towards a structural and coherent institutional framework endowed with adequate resources and democratic legitimacy in order to stabilize the financial sector and prevent a future crisis, but that this would be the case only if there was full Monetary Union in the eurozone, and all that this entails - in the continued absence of a European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS), this is clearly not the case; nevertheless sees the need for adjustments that will enhance the effectiveness of the work of SRB and its systemic contribution;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 55
55. Is deeply concerned by the fact that the ECB did not grant the Court access to all documents or information requested which the Court deemed necessary to carry out its task, and calls on the ECB to remedy this policy;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56
56. Is of the opinion that the ECB’s full cooperation is absolutely necessary, should be forthcoming, and would have enhanced transparency and accountability;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 a (new)
60a. Recalls also that many of those banks now under ECB supervision received massive public bailout funds from EU citizens through their various Member State governments, and thus have an additional duty to treat those citizens in a fair manner;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 b (new)
60b. Points out that instead, in some Member States, those bailed-out banks have abused their new-found strength and taken advantage of their dominant position, most notably in Ireland as recognised by ECB President Mario Draghi in a recent appearance before the Irish Parliament Oireachtas Finance Committee ("An effective monopoly in the banking market here is the reason mortgage costs are double the level elsewhere in the eurozone, European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi has told the Oireachtas Finance Committee."1) 1 https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ ecbs-draghi-blames-irish-bank-monopoly- for-high-mortgage-costs-37509130.html
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 c (new)
60c. Points out further that as part of its brief, the ECB, in conjunction with the Commission, should investigate and end this monopoly position in Ireland, and its abuse;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60 d (new)
60d. Points out finally, as further example of how banks continue to abuse their position, that in 2018 there was a major Tracker Mortgage scandal in Ireland in which nearly 40 000 mortgage- holders (and rising) were overcharged by their banks, many of whom lost their homes as a result, yet with no-one within any of the many banks involved held responsible; asks that for its 2018 discharge, the Court should investigate this matter, and that the ECB should take responsibility for ensuring that the necessary actions are taken;1 1 https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingn ews/ireland/numbers-hit-by-tracker- mortgage-scandal-rise-to-38400- 873437.html
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61
61. Notes that the ECB was given responsibility for the management of the assessments of banks’ recovery planning and for early intervention for significant banks in the euro area and that the effective crisis management therefore depends primarily on the operationally efficient management by the ECB; asks that in light of the above, the ECB should assume its responsibility in all such cases;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
63. WelcomNotes the Court’s special report on the macroeconomic imbalance procedure, its recommendations and the Commission’s readiness to implement the majority of them;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65
65. Points out that the MIP was designed as a response to the economic and financial crisis in Europe aseven though macroeconomic imbalances were not one of the root causes of the crisis - the crisis instead arose because of the greedy and reckless behaviour of so many in the banking and financial sector. Therefore the conceptual design of the MIP is falsely based and so needs to be redeveloped constantly in order to overcome imbalances and ensure social andto ensure social fairness, alongside economic stability;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
66. Notes that, if, on the basis of the outcomes of the IDR, the Commission finds that "macroeconomic imbalances" exist, it informs the European Parliament, the Council and the Eurogroup. The Council may then, on recommendation from the Commission, address a recommendation to the Member State concerned (in accordance with procedure set out in Article 121(2) TFEU), which same Member State may then, depending on its size and influence in the Union, simply ignore those recommendations. These preventive MIP-recommendations form part of the country-specific recommendations (CSRs);
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 69
69. CInescapably concludes, together with the Court, that the Council recommendations are subject to political weighting; that this seems to be the rule, rather than the exception;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
70. Is convinced that the political appreciation of economic data is a necessary exercise as long as it is carried out in a transparent way, stating the economic facts, on the one hand, and the political reasons for the recommendation, on the other, but with social impacts also requiring consideration, above and beyond all else;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Calls on the Commission to devise a system, which encourages Member States to implement the MIP-CSRs efficiently and effectively, so long as those MIP-CSRs have also included within their scope an appreciation and allowance for the social impact of those policies, and do not include an enforced privatisation of public services and assets;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
92. Calls on Member States, with regard to EAFRD support for renewable energy, to provide the Commission with pertinent independent information on programme achievements of renewable energy projects in their enhanced annual implementation reports of 2019; this information should allow the Commission to know how much of EAFRD expenditure has been paid out for renewable energy projects, the energy capacity installed or the energy produced from such projects; calls on the Commission to define the various types of indicators more accurately when preparing the post-2020 programming period;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 a (new)
129a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that CAP payments are used for the purpose for which they were designed, i.e. to ensure a sustainable livelihood for all food producers, but especially for small- scale producers, whilst also ensuring a reasonably-priced high-quality and reliable food-supply for consumers. This can be achieved by a), establishing a weighted payment system, with payments reducing as farm size increased, and b), setting an upward limit on payments under CAP;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 131
131. Regrets that the new SCOs are only used for a marginal part of rural development spending and that they are not enhancing the potential of this source of funding, although; simplification shouldis the be ast way to encourage beneficiaries to engage in projects, and this should be done;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 135
135. Recalls that simplification is not an end in itself, but must be beneficial to both administrations and projects bearers;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 139
139. WelcomNotes the Commission’s efforts in improving the broadband coverage across the Union but regrets that in certain Member States, such as in Ireland, privatisation of these services has meant that many rural areas that are deemed commercially non-viable are broadband blackspots;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 151
151. WelcomNotes the Court’s special report, endorsfurther notes its recommendations and sets out its observations and recommendations below;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 151 a (new)
151a. Points out that it was the actions (including arms supply) of the USA (aided and abetted by certain Member States of the EU) in sovereign countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, that led to much of the mass migration from those areas, and the accompanying radicalisation of many;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157 a (new)
157a. Calls on the Commission to ensure, and the Court to confirm, that no work done by these Centres of Excellence will ever be towards the area of chemical warfare or chemically-based crowd control (e.g. new gases);
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166
166. WelcomNotes the Court’s special report on strengthening the capacity of the internal security forces in Niger and Mali and sets out its observations and recommendations below;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 200
200. Is most concerned at the complete divergence of opinions between the Court and the Commission regarding whether the Commission has been implementing the preventive arm provisions properly in order to achieve the required MTOs, but notes that this is indicative of the confusion and lack of certainty around this entire exercise, which strongly suggests that it needs either to be scrapped, or reviewed and totally overhauled. This complete lack of common understanding between the two institutions on the crux of the question whether the Commission has been properly applying the SGP preventive arm is an important indication of the existence of substantial differences, on the one hand regarding the adequacy of the actual texts of the legal acts currently governing the implementation of the SGP, and on the other concerning the criteria and considerations, on the basis of which to asses whether they are being applied in practice;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 201
201. Is of the opinionNotes that the findings of the Court, namely that the Commission, through its actions has not been ensuring that the Regulation’s main objective is met, might be considered as justified on the basis of a strictly literal interpretation of its provisions; nevertheless considers that the Commission has had sufficient grounds to exercise flexibility in applying the respective provisions of the Regulation in light of economic conditions and the of requirements of relaunching growth and increasing employment;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 202
202. Further considers that the expanding complexity of the provisions of the SGP that has been taking place in the course of the past decade of implementation calls not just for an all- round comprehensive reexamination of the respective legal acts and their interpretation in light of experiences accumulated as well as of the actual evolution of the European and the global economy, characterized by subdued growth, deepening inequalities and increasing uncertainties, but for the entire scrapping of the SGP;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 205 a (new)
205a. Believes that in the context of COP 21, if the European Union is really serious about taking real steps to decelerate climate change, then it needs to invest whatever it takes to establish an EU-wide working rail system;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 233 a (new)
233a. Regrets that for 2019, 'The EU Erasmus+ Programme can co-fund projects related to Key Skills and Competencies (KSC) for Defence, including those supporting EDA’s Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) and Key Strategic Activities (KSA) in Defence.1'; observes that for 2017, and for all other years to date, according to its own website ' Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport2', with no reference contained therein to this well-founded programme becoming involved in military/'defence' research; believes that this decision should be revisited and reversed; 1 https://eda.europa.eu/what-we-do/our- current-priorities/eu-funding- gateway/access-to-eu-erasmus-funding 2 https://www.erasmusplus.org.uk/about- erasmus?md=yxz
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 245
245. Welcomes the ambitious commitments of the European Union to achieve cutting of its emissions compared to 1990 by at least 20% levels by 2020 and by 40% by 2030, and to spend at least 20% of its budget on climate related action for the 2014-2020 budgeting period; while these commitments are ambitious, it should also be noted that they are absolutely necessary, and those targets are minimums, to be exceeded if and where possible;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 246
246. Welcomes the Union ambition of being a global leader in renewables, but notes that those renewables should and must be sustainable; considers it of high importance for the Commission to continuously demonstrate sufficient leadership and commitment to climate change issues to consolidate its international credibility and impact of its instruments for shaping conditions for the Union's climate policy and green diplomacy in future years;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2018/2219(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 274 – indent 1
- carry out an evaluation of the 2012- 2015 animal welfare strategy - particularly in relation to live animal transportation - to identify to what extent its objectives have been achieved and if the guidance it has issued is being applied;
2019/02/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Citation 4
— having regard to the Commission’s 2017 Annual Management and Performance Report for the EU Budget (COM(2018)0457), and the flaws therein;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance4 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 4 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Commission discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 2
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance12 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 12 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Director of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 3
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance23 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 23 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 3
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Director of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 4
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance34 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 34 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 4
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Director of the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 5
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance46 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 46 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 5
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Director of the European Research Council Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 7
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance68 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 68 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 7
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/postponesPostpones its decision on granting the Director of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 8
Citation 4
— having regard to the Commission’s 2017 Annual Management and Performance Report for the EU Budget (COM(2018)0457), and the many flaws therein;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 8
Citation 7
— having regard to the statement of assurance78 as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2017, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 78; having regard also to the fact that the statement of assurance for 2017 is tainted by the fact that a) the error-rate correction hasn’t been published, and b) application of the Residual Error Rate (RER) rather than Payment error-rate in many instances is inappropriate, as this cannot reflect the true error-rate for 2017; _________________ 78 OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9. OJ C 357, 4.10.2018, p. 9.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 8
Paragraph 1
1. Approves/pPostpones the closure of the accounts of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. Whereas when the Parliament grants discharge to the Commission it checkshas an obligation to all Union citizens to establish without fear or favour whether or not funds have been used correctly and policy goals achieved;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Notes that in 2017 the Union budget was the fourth year of implementation of the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which amounted to EUR 159,8 billion, including six amending budgets, and that the allocations in different areas were:
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the Court audited transactions worth a total of 100,2 billion euros, which represents less than two- thirds of the total budget for 2017;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Regrets that in the case of all four of DG DEVCO, DG REGIO, DG NEAR and DG HOME, Residual Error Rate calculations (RER) have been used, which are all related to pre-2017 payments and are thus not only irrelevant, but misleading in terms of the 2017 actual payments error-rate;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Points out that all this renders the Commission’s claim in its Annual Management and Performance Report (AMPR) questionable, at least, and misleading, that ‘The Commission is confident that the overall amount at risk remains below 2 %. In fact, the overall level of estimated error continues its downward trend in 2017, with the estimated overall amount at risk at payment now even down to 1.7 % and the estimated overall amount at risk at closure down to 0.6 %’;1 1 AMPR 2017 - p.75.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. WelcomNotes the fact that the Court of Auditors (the “Court”) gave a clean opinion on the reliability of the accounts of the European Union for 2017, as it has done since 2007, and that the Court concluded that the revenue for 2017 underlying these accounts was legal and regular in all material respects, but points out that that there are many pertinent question-marks over the recorded error- rates;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with satisfaction that for 2017, the Court has issued for a second consecutive year a qualified (rather than an adverse) opinion on the legality and regularity of the payments underlying the accounts, which according to the Court, indicates that a significant part of the 2017 expenditure audited by it was not materially affected by error and that the level of irregularities in EU spending has continued to decrease;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the methodology used to calculate the error-rate for 2017 is flawed, at best, with Residual Error-Rates from previous years being used by four DGs at least (DG REGIO, DG DEVCO, DG NEAR and DG HOME), and that the audit focus for 2017 as opposed to previous years was on areas of predictably low error-rate, all of which renders the final claimed error-rate open to serious question;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Regrets that while the Court did provide error-rates under MFF headings of Administration expenditure, Cohesion, Competitiveness, and Natural Resources, it didn’t do so for Security & Citizenship, and Global Europe;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomRegrets that the error rate for payments is still above the material threshold of 2 %; notes the positive trend of a continuing decrease of the most likely error rate for payments determined by the Court in recent years, estimated at 2.4 % in 2017, which is still above the threshold of 2 % but represents an almost two-thirds’ reduction in the most likely error rate estimated by the Court for the financial year 2007, which stood at 6.9% for paymentswhich itself is now open to question, given the flawed methodology used;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that where payments were made on the basis of cost reimbursements (where the EU reimburses eligible costs for eligible activities), the Court estimates the level of error at 3.7 % (4.8 % in 2016), whilst the error rate for entitlement payments (which are based on meeting certain conditions) was below the materiality threshold of 2 %; regrets that the error rate is not clearly quantified for the entitlement payments;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Regrets that the Court estimated the level of error for entitlement-based expenditure excluding some rural development schemes and asks that they be included in future;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Recalls that reimbursement-based expenditures represents 47 % of the audit population while 53 % is represented by the entitlement payments; calls on the Court to continue to reverse this ratio and to focus more on the payments that are still consistently materially affected by error;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that the Commission itself has noted that the improved error- rate performance for 2017 was due in large part to the score from that ‘Natural Resources’ area1; 1. AMPR p. 81 - ‘Compared to 2016, the main change is the significant decrease in Cohesion, Migration and Fisheries. In this policy area, the current 2014-2020 programmes are coming up to speed, which have an inherent lower risk given the newly introduced annual clearance of accounts and the 10 % retention mechanism on interim payments until all controls and corrective measures are implemented (see under ‘progress made’ in Section 2.2)’.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Regrets that in calculating the error-rate the Court does not mention the original level of error that would have been applied if correction measures were not implemented;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Stresses that as was done in 2016 (when it was merely mentioned), the estimated level of error for cohesion does not include a quantification of 2017 disbursements to financial instruments; recalls that since the eligibility of structural funds for the period 2007-13 was postponed to the end of March 2017, the disbursements to financial instruments for the first three months of 2017 should have been included into the calculation of the error-rate; regrets that the Court has not mentioned this anywhere in the Annual Report; calls on the Court to take on board all the irregularities having a financial impact when determining the most likely error- rate, and calls on the Commission to table the necessary legislative proposal to put an end to this irregularity;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Commission internal governance tools
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Recalls that the distinction made by the Commission between the ‘political responsibility of Commissioners’ and the ‘operational responsibility of directors- general’ means that it has not always been made clear whether ‘political responsibility’ encompasses responsibility for the directorates-general, or is distinct from it;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 e (new)
7e. Reiterates its call on the Commission to produce an annual statement on governance and on internal control, covering in particular: (a) a description of the internal governance tools of the Commission; (b) an assessment of the operational and strategic risk activities during the year and a mid- and long-term fiscal sustainability statement;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – point a
a) improve its monitoring of import flows, including making wider use of reasonable and legal data mining techniques to analyse unusual patterns and their underlying reasons, and act promptly to ensure that due amounts of TOR are made available;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 60 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Notes that for the second year in a row, DG Budget set a reservation on the value of TOR collected by the UK, due to the country’s failure to make available to the EU budget evaded customs duties evaded on textiles and footwear imports;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the infringement procedure initiated by the Commission on 8 March 2018 as a follow-up to the UK customs fraud case, but - especially in light of Brexit and the increased difficulties this will impose on any collection process - regrets that it took the Commission more than 7seven years to launch this procedure after its request to the UK in 2011 to set risk profiles for under-valued textiles and footwear imports from China;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Is concerned that in 2017 the combination of high commitments and low payments increased outstanding budgetary commitments increased to a new record of EUR 267,.3 billion (2016: EUR 238,.8 billion) and that the Court projections indicate this amount will rise even more by the end of the current MFF, which may lead to a significantly increased risk of insufficient payment appropriations, but also to a risk of errors under the pressure for a swift absorption given a potential loss of Union funding;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that the Court reported that the issue of whether to count special instruments within the ceilings for payment appropriations has not yet been resolved; this could represent an additional risk of a payment backlog;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Notes the increase in the use of financial instruments, which represents a risk for transparency and accountability;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Agrees with the Court on the need for more detailed reporting on Financial Instruments, and regrets (as does the Court) that the last available report on Financial Instruments under Share Management (FISM) for the 2014-2020 MFF period is the report as at the end of the 2016, published in December 20171; 1 2017 annual report, paragraph 2.35
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Regrets that in the above mentioned report, it is evident that by the start of 2017, after three years of the current MFF, less than 10 % of the total ESI Funding available through FISM had so far reached recipients to finance productive investments and activities1; 1 2017 Annual Report, paragraph 2.34
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 92 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Apart from the areas of privatisation of public services and infrastructure, welcomes the progress with the priority project list in Greece;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8 a (new)
Hungary
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. (a) Recalls the investigations the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) conducted on the ELIOS and “Heart of Budapest” projects where serious irregularities were found; (b) Is concerned about the high rate of procedures that involves only a single bidder in Hungary, which can be viewed as a possible indicator of a strong risk of corruption; call on the Commission to put in place measures to promote competition in this sector;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Regrets that, as noted by the Court, in the AARs the Commission presents at least 13 different rates for the two programming periods as a measure of the expenditure at risk. Such a large number of rates leads to a lack of clarity and potential confusion as to their relevance and the assurance provided[1]. This could partially explain the worrying discrepancy between the Residual Error- Rate as calculated by the Court, versus the Commission - 3.00 % versus 1.39 % respectively; [1] 2017 annual report, paragraph 6.57.
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 121 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Notes in addition that the number of returnees co-financed by the AMIF was 48 250 in 2017 compared to 5 904 in 2014, and that of those returned, the share of non- voluntary returns has increased from one quarter (25%) in 2014 to half (50%) in 2017, while the reported number of persons who returned voluntarily was 17 736 in 2017; notes also, however, with concern, that there is no Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to measure what’s being done to protect those migrants - legal and illegal - who most need protection, the women and children;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 125 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
43a. Calls on the Commission to consider the migration policy not only as an urgency issue, but to establish a comprehensive policy truly based on the principles of solidarity;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 159 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 65 a (new)
65a. Points out that there is major interest and concern within the Union on security and migration, and that the Court should address this concern with an increased scrutiny of this budgetary area, with DG HOME required to produce payment error-rates along with Residual Error-Rates;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 165 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 a (new)
73a. Believes that when providing external aid, more attention should be put by the Commission on respect for human rights as per the UN Charter, and the Rule of Law, in the receiving countries;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 179 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
82. Notes that in its Special report 27/2018 on the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, the Court found that, in a challenging context, the Facility for Refugees in Turkey rapidly mobilised EUR 3 billion to provide a swift response to the refugee crisis, but did not fully achieve its objective of coordinating this response effectively, or sufficient value for money; notes the conclusion of the court that the Facility could have been more effective, and that it could achieve more value for money;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 183 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84 a (new)
84a. The findings of the Court
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 184 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84 b (new)
84b. Notes that the Court indicates that the level of error in spending on ‘Administration’ was not material; nevertheless notes with concern that the error rate increased when compared to the previous year (0.55 % in 2017 and 0.2 % in 2016);
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 185 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84 c (new)
84c. Notes that while the Court did not find any significant weaknesses, it did find recurring areas where there was scope for improvement;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 186 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 84 d (new)
84d. Recalls the Parliament Resolution from 08 April 2018 on ‘Integrity policy of the Commission, in particular the appointment of the Secretary-General of the European Commission’, and its key messages;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 190 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 b (new)
85b. Recalls the findings of the Ombudsman in its recommendation in joint cases on the European Commission’s appointment of a new Secretary General, in which she ‘agrees with (European Parliament) assessment that the double appointment stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the law’; the Ombudsman also agreed with the European Parliament that ‘appointments to high level posts like Secretary-General should be made independently of other appointments’;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 191 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 c (new)
85c. The Ombudsman has found four instances of maladministration and presented conclusions ‘largely similar to those of the European Parliament’ in a case that undermined public trust in the EU, exacerbated by the way Commission reacted to valid concerns on the procedure, namely ‘in an evasive, defensive and legalistic manner’;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 192 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 85 d (new)
85d. The Ombudsman presented a final recommendation to the Commission, which ‘should develop a specific procedure for its Secretary General, separate from other senior appointments’;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 194 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 87
87. Welcomes the fact that Commissioner Oettinger organised an inter-institutional round table on senior management selection and appointment on 25 September 2018, although; nevertheless regrets that because the meeting seems to have been inconclusive; calls therefore on the Commission to put in practice paragraph 29 of its resolution on integrity policy in the Commission;, this allowed the Commission to feel ‘comforted in its view that the way in which the institutions implement the rules is both adequate and fit for purpose’ [1]; calls therefore on the Commission to put in practice paragraph 29 of its resolution on integrity policy in the Commission; [1] Opinion of the European Commission on the European Ombudsman’s recommendation - complaint by delegations of the European Parliament, ref 488/2018/KR and 514/2018/KR
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 208 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94
94. Insisteds that the implementation of the European Union budget should be policy driven;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 210 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 95
95. Insisteds that the implementation of the European Union budget should focus on results and that the structure of the EU budget should be modified to provide for measuring progress and performance;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 213 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 96
96. Encouraged, iIn this context, encourages the Commission and the Court to pay greater attention to results achieved, performance audits and the final impact of policies;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 214 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 96 a (new)
96a. Stresses that any and all audits should be focus on the areas most likely to be subject to error, especially those with the greatest funding levels;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 215 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 97
97. Cooperated closelyNotes the close cooperation with the Commission to develop the Article 318- Evaluation-Report, into a comprehensive synthesis report, recording the progress in different policy areas, which later became the first part of the Annual Management and Performance Report;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 218 #

2018/2166(DEC)

102a. Notes with concern that according to DG AGRI Annual Activity Report (AAR), ‘Big farms managing over 250 ha represent 1.1 % of farms, manage 27.8 % of the total farmland and receive 22.1 % of total direct aid. Among these “big farms”, the majority has between 250 and 500 ha.’1; believes that this is an unjustifiable and unsustainable abuse of scarce EU funds; 1 DG AGRI AAR - p.26
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 219 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 102 b (new)
102b. Believes that the Court should audit all Member States and highlight this unfair distribution of EU funds wherever it occurs; believes further that the Commission should take steps to ensure that CAP funds should be distributed in a weighted manner, such that the payments per hectare are on a reducing scale relative to the size of the holding/farm;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 220 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 103
103. Called ons for the CAP to become more competitive whilst farmer-friendlyfunding to remain at current levels at least and to do the job it was designed to do, support the producers so they have a sustainable living, while ensuring an affordable top- quality food-supply for Union citizens;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 225 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113 a (new)
113a. Regrets that in its analysis of performance, the Commission focuses more on outputs and less on outcomes; it should be concentrating on a value-for- money approach;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 234 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117 – point f a (new)
fa) strengthen the focus on performance in the Commission’s work;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 236 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118
118. Recommends that the Court continue to provide a separate chapter for security and citizenship in its annual report and to deepen its analysis in this regard, as the public and political interest in the security and migration part of the Union budget is much higher than its financial share; in this regard, insists that the Court estimates the exact level of error for this chapter;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 245 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119
119. Is of the opinion that the Commission’s methodology for estimating its amount at risk or errors has improved over the years but that individual DGs’ estimations of the level of irregular spending are not based on a consistent methodology and that the AARs of the DGs and the AMPR use a complex terminology that could be confusingis confusing to all but the most practiced, when it should be clear to all;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 246 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119 a (new)
119a. Regrets that the figure for error- rate-correction has not been published - this leads to legitimate questions over how the final figure was arrived at;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 247 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 120
120. Notes in particularRegrets that the services of the Commission use at least all the following concepts wide variety of concepts, including: residual error rate,; reported error rate,; error rate at payment,; error rate detected in the year,; net residual error rate,; weighted average error rate,; error rate at closure or common representative error rate. In an era of transparency, this needs to change;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 252 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125
125. Asks the Commission and the Member States once again to put in place sound procedures to confirm the timing, the origin and the amount of corrective measures and to provide information reconciling, as far as possible, the year in which payments are made, the year in which the related error is detected and the year in which recoveries or financial corrections are disclosed in the notes to the accounts; ask the Court to mention the level of correction applied to calculate the error rate in its Annual Report, as well as the original error rate before corrections;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 261 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 46 a (new)
Czech Republic:
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 262 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 a (new)
129a. Recalls the European Parliament Resolution of 13th December 2018 on conflicts of interest and the protection of the EU budget in the Czech Republic; reiterates its concern about the Czech Republic’s non-compliance with Article 61(1) of the Financial Regulation regarding the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister and his links to the Agrofert Group;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 263 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 b (new)
129b. Recalls the letter Commissioner Oettinger sent to the Czech Prime Minister, in which it is stated that the Commission considers that his position qualifies as a situation which may objectively be perceived as a conflict of interest and that action to remedy this situation is urgently needed; in addition points out that the recommendation proposed by the Commission - notably Prime Minister withdrawn from the Governing Council for European Structural and Investment Funds, and his abstention from participating in decisions which concerns his interests - was qualified as insufficient while remaining Prime Minister, by the Legal Service of the Commission in its opinion;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 264 #

2018/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129 c (new)
129c. Take note of the decision of the Czech Prime Minister to comply with this recommendation but regrets that the Commission proposed and agreed to a measure that, with the view to the functioning and powers of the Prime Minister, the Legal Service itself doubts could adequately address the above mentioned conflict of interest;
2019/01/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas corruption is widespread across the Member States and represents a serious threat to the financial interests of the union, which in turn poses a threat to trust in public administration;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 a (new)
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Regrets the fact that the Commission has decided to discontinue the publication of EU Anti-Corruption Reports, thus impairing the assessment of the scale of corruption;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Deplores the decision of the Commission to include anti-corruption monitoring within the European Semester economic governance process; takes the view that this has further reduced monitoring by the Commission, with data available for only very few countries; further regrets that this change of approach concentrates mostly on the economic impact of the corruption and almost completely overlooks the other dimensions corruption can affect, such as the trust of citizens in public administration and even the democratic structure of the Member States;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13 c. Reiterate its call on the Commission to resume the publication of the anti-corruption report, and to engage in a serious anti-corruption policy, including an in-depth evaluation of the anti-corruption policies in each Member State, proportional to the EU financial support in those Member States;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13 d. Recalls the Question for Oral Answer O-000021/2018 to the Commission on anti-corruption which recalls that the 2011 Commission anti- corruption package included the EU’s participation in the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO); regrets that the GRECO negotiations are stalled and that the EU is not fulfilling its duties under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC); calls on the Commission to reactivate the GRECO negotiations and to assess in a timely manner its compliance with the UNCAC;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets the fact that only a few Member States are using new technologies for all the major steps of the procurement process (e-notification, e-access to tender documents, e-submission, e-evaluation, e- award, e-ordering, e-invoicing, e- payment); calls on the Member States to make all the forms of the public procurement process, as well as publicly accessible contract registers, available online by July 2019;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2018/2152(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Welcomes the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of persons reporting on breaches of Union law (COM(2018)0218); hopes that it will significantly improve the safetyprotect the position of whistleblowers within the Union and significantly improve their safety, leading to major improvement of the EU’s financial protection and the rule of law;
2018/11/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the European Ombudsman 'Decision in case 1316/2016/TN on alleged shortcomings in the European Investment Bank’s Transparency Policy(1)'; (1) https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/de cision/en/95520
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 b (new)
- having regard to the Review of the Complaints Mechanism (CM) arising from the European Ombudsman 'Decision in case 1316/2016/TN on alleged shortcomings in the European Investment Bank’s Transparency Policy(1)'; (1) https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/de cision/en/95520
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the EIB is at the heart ofcan play a role in the economic recovery efforts at the Union level, with two successive capital increases and through its pivotal role in implementing the Investment Plan for Europe via the management of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI);
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the EIB’s role in leveraging public money is essential forplays a role in the capacity of the Union to respond and to adapt to new economic trends and geopolitical uncertainties, while enhancing and strengthening the EIB Group risk oversight and prudential risk management;
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the EIB should deliver added value with the highest level of integrity, good governance, and especially, in light of the Ombudsman's findings in the 'Decision in case 1316/2016/TN on alleged shortcomings in the European Investment Bank’s Transparency Policy(1)', the highest level of transparency and accountability, as well as being in accordance with the applicable Best Banking Practice; (1) https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/de cision/en/95520
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its concern that half of the Member States received 80% of the total EIB investment inside the EU while the other 14 Member States received only 10% of this investment; as well asreiterates additionally that three Member States individually received 16%, 15% and 11% respectively; asks the Bank to include in its reporting breakdown information about its investment in low income and high income regions according to its own Investment Survey (EIBIS) and with regard to the potential effect for overcoming investment gaps and barriers in less favorable regions in the EU;
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35 a. Takes note of the findings of the European Ombudsman in her 'Decision in case 1316/2016/TN on alleged shortcomings in the European Investment Bank’s Transparency Policy' on the EIB's Complaint Mechanism (CM) in which, among other adverse findings, the Ombudsman 'asked the EIB to explain why the EIB-CM considered most aspects of the complaint to be inadmissible.Given that the complainants had put forward certain concerns related to procedural aspects of the EIB-CM complaints handling procedure, the Ombudsman also asked the EIB for clarification on these aspects, such as on the EIB-CM rules and practices as regards acknowledging receipt of complaints and on its procedure for communicating the outcome of the admissibility check to complainants.' (1) https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/de cision/en/95520
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35 b. Regrets that, in response to the Ombudsman's criticisms, the resultant EIB Review of its Complaints Mechanism weakens the EIB's accountability.According to one article in the respected and independent NGO financial services watchdog 'bankwatch' (1), 'The new policy leaves room for the EIB staff and services—those whose decisions may well be the cause of adverse impacts—to interfere with the Complaints Mechanism’s decisions, thus further weakening its capacity to operate independently for those who need redress the most.Rather than raising the bar for a fairer and more transparent mechanism for those harmed by the bank’s investments, the policy undermines its legitimacy.An independent and safe Complaints Mechanism is especially important when it comes to the EIB’s activities outside the EU, where the bank operates most often within contexts where there is closing space for civil society.In such cases, there is a high risk that the bank’s standards of public participation and open consultations are not met, and that its projects end up being associated with, contributing to, or exacerbating human rights violations and environmental damage. (2) https://bankwatch.org/press_release/eib- to-weaken-accountability-mechanism- despite-civil-society-criticism
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
35 c. asks that the EIB again review its Complaints Mechanism with a view to addressing those and other weaknesses;
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2018/2151(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Takes note of the Ombudsman Decision in case 1316/2016 TN (referred to above) on allegations in the EIB’s transparency policy from 23 May 2018 and invites the Bank to implement the suggested improvements by the Ombudsman concerning removal of the presumption of non-disclosure related to documents collected and generated during inspections, investigations and audits, as well as redrafting relevant provisions of its Transparency policy related to intermediated loans and deadlines for handling information requests;
2018/11/27
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission to adapt the European Semester process to a new long-term strategic framework guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to support Member States in achieving environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth; reiterates the importance of monitoring the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights to ensure significant progress in the realisation of its key principles, in particular the right to access affordable- for-all, good quality preventive healthcare;
2019/01/10
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that greening the economy and investing in more efficient healthcare systems will enhance Europe's capacity to improve the well-being of its citizens; notes that short-term fiscal implications of structural reforms should be taken into account and their long-term environmental, economic and social effects should be taken into account;
2019/01/10
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the proposed allocation of EU funding in the next programming period to support Member States in the implementation of recommendations and structural reforms, but stresses that this linkage should not take the form of a conditionality; calls for the adoption of a more longer-term perspective in the monitoring and assessment of reform progress;
2019/01/10
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2018/2119(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes that in the area of healthcare the European Semester process shifted the focus from cost-saving to health system performance, recognising the importance of health outcomes and access to affordable-to-all high-quality healthcare; calls for the development of common indicators and methodologies to assess the performance of healthcare systems with the aim of reducing health inequalities;
2019/01/10
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the letters of 28 March 2018 of the President of the Parliament to the President of the Commission and the President-in-Office of the Council, regretting that Parliament had not been involved in the procedure leading to the selection of the new seat of the European Medicines Agency, recallingan agency critical to all citizens but which now finds itself disrupted on the double after Brexit as it moves from London to temporary accomodation and thence to permanent accommodation in Amsterdam, all within a few months; regrets that the prerogatives of Parliament as co-legislator were overlooked in this instance and askings for a revision of the joint statement and the common approach in this respect; urges the Commission to prepare the necessary proposals based on an in- depth analysis of the implementation of the Joint Statement and common approach as requested by the Council in its reply to the letter from the President of the Parliament;
2018/11/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned with potential conflicts of interest that maycan arise if agencies have to rely on fees as their main source of income: re-iterates that agencies themselves are aware of this reputational risk and prefer a steady and predictable flow of income through the EU budget - crucial also to planning - rather than having to rely on fees which are both unpredictable and vary from year to year; urges the Commission to submit proposals to receive the feesfor direct payment of fees to the Commission itself and in return, to provide agencies with a regular subsidy from the EU budget;
2018/11/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that representatives appointed by Parliament have an important role to play in Management Board meetings, on financial matters especially as they reinforce Parliament’s scrutiny role; is of the opinion that the Joint Statement shouldmust not indicate how many members Parliament should be able to appoint;
2018/11/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the audit of the decentralised agencies "remains under the full responsibility of the Court, which manages all administrative and procurement procedures required and finances these"; reiterates that the unnecessary audit approach involving private sector auditors has resulted in a significant increase of the administrative burden on the agencies, as well as that thewith additional time spent on procurement and administration of audit contracts, which then created additional expenditure, thus straining further the diminishing resources of the agencies; emphasises that it is imperative to resolve this issue in accordance with the Common Approach, within the context of the revision of the Framework Financial Regulation; calls on all parties involved in this revision to provide clarity on this issue as a matter of urgency so as to significantly reduce the excessive administrative burden.
2018/11/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets that the Parliament was not fully involved in the procedure to select the new seat of EMA, and critical agency in which disruption should have been kept to a minimum but which is now faced with two moves in a very short space of time; asks that the procedure followed for the selection of the new location for EMA is not used anymoregain in this form in the future;
2018/11/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. ExpectsDemands that in line with European Union legislation, the prerogatives of Parliament as co-legislator toshall be fully respected in future decisions on the location or relocation of agencies; considers that Parliament shouldmust be systematically involved, and on equal terms with the Council and the Commission;
2018/11/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2018/2114(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that in case of budgetary decisions regarding decentralised agencies, the specificitys and workload of the agency has tomust be taken into account, and that possible budgetary cuts cannot be taken on a one -size -fits -all- basis; furthermore stresses the need to take into account the new climate and sustainability priorities within the next MFF and the tasks attributed to particular agencies for the implementation of the MFF.
2018/11/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas Parliament is mandated to ensures democratic control over the Commission, which is political in nature but includes different aspects and procedures;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas, despite the Commission’s commitment to performance, activity- based budgeting is stillremains - regrettably - the fundamental principle in drafting the Union’s budget;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that scrutiny over the EU bodies is the raison d'être of the European Parliament and that the accountability of the Commission to Parliament is an underpinning principle of the functioning of the EU and of internal democratic control;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the discharge procedure has proved to be a powerful tool that has had an impact on the positive evolution of the EU’s budgetary system, financial management, the shaping of the agenda and the way EU policies are defined and implemented, while contributing to increasing Parliament’s political leverage;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that Parliament’s decision to grant, postpone or refuse the discharge is primarily, although not exclusively, based on the audit of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) that examines the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions; notes further that question- marks remain over the error-rate correction method employed by the same ECA (when the ECA does its audit and comes across areas that had already been audited by the Commission or relevant Member State, the corrections thus found, though they are known to have occurred exclusively in those previously audited areas, are treated as though those corrections had happened everywhere, as the subsequent error-rate correction is applied to the entire audit);
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes, in particular, the fact that owing to its focus on financial performance, the evaluation report provided for in Article 318 TFEU should complements the compliance approach developed by the European Court of Auditors in its annual report and thus offers to the European Parliament the opportunity to assess policy achievements, with the caveat as noted above re the error-rate correction calculation method;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
14. Notes with concern that no real legal sanction is available if Parliament decides not to grant discharge to the Commission;
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 17 – introductory part
17. Notes with concern that the reality on the ground is very different:
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/2113(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 34
34. RecallNotes that the close political links between Parliament and the Commission were recently strengthened by the so-called Spitzenkandidaten system; welcomnotes this attempt to address the democratic deficit of the EU, to strengthen its legitimacy and build trust among EU citizens; recalls, however, the inherent risk related to party financing and calls on the Commission to address the shortcomings of the current political party financing model, in particular for those election candidates who are not members of any political party, in order to prevent fraud and ensure that the financing of electoral campaigns is fair to all candidates, and fully transparent.
2018/12/04
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2018/2110(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the often lengthy delays at borders and the increased pain and distress for animals that they cause; calls on the Member States and the Commission to examine and to improve this situation, particularly so now on the UK/EU crossing points where there is a real threat of extended delays post-Brexit;
2018/11/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 72 #

2018/2110(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that enforcement is particularly difficult when different Member States are responsible for approving journey logs; calls on all those Member States which discover breaches to notify, at the earliest opportunity, the other Member States involved, as required by Regulation 1/2005;
2018/11/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 89 #

2018/2110(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. StresseRegrets that the total number of checks carried out by national competent authorities pursuant to Regulation 1/2005 has fallen, despite the number of consignments in the EU containing live animals having increased; calls on the Member States to ensure adequate controls for live animal transport;
2018/11/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 119 #

2018/2110(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. RecogniseNotes and regrets that many livestock vessels should not have been approved as they are not fit to carry animals; calls on the Member States not to approve or renew the approval of livestock vessels that do not meet the requirements of Regulation 1/2005;
2018/11/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
— having regard to Council Conclusions of 6 June 2011 on moving towards modern, responsive, affordable-to- all and sustainable health systems3 , _________________ 3 OJ C 202, 8.7.2011, p. 10.
2018/12/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas affordable-to-all health systems in the EU are crucial for ensuring a high level of social protection, social cohesion and social justice;
2018/12/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2018/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the Member States are responsible for providing access to the healthcare that people require and for ensuring that theall relevant costs are reimbursed; whereas the Member States’ national healthcare services are responsible for setting the criteria permitting citizens to receive healthcare in another Member State;
2018/12/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 77 #

2018/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the Member States should transpose the directive correctly and as soon as possible in order to ensure the highest level of quality and secure easily accessible cross-border healthcare for patients;
2018/12/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas Article 42 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) allows the agricultural sector given its unique characteristics and importance to derogate from the rules of competition law;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 10 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas Article 39 TFEU givessets out the CAP the objective of ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural communityobjectives, to increase agricultural productivity by promoting technical progress and by ensuring the rational development of agricultural production, to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, to stabilise markets, to assure the availability of supplies and to ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that, generally speaking, European competition policy is applied with the aim of systematically defending consumers at the expense of agricultural producers; considers that these two interests should be placed on an equal footing as in the main farm incomes lag consistently behind other sectors;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 50 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Takes the view that the specific characteristics of agricultural activities make it essential to have collective organisations, such as POs & APOs to strengthen the primary producers position in the food chain, so as to enable the objectives of the CAP to be attained and that such organisations must be considered compatible with Article 101 TFEU;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 60 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the inter-branch organisations model is the mostcan be a successful form of organisation, because it provides a structurehowever it must provide equality for all the players in athe sector; within its structure, considers that this model, properly structured, should be promoted by the CAP;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 80 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the entry of products onto the European market from third countries which do not meet the same social, health and environmental standards faces European producers with unfair competition; calls, therefore, for the protection of vulnerable sectors in trade deals and for the systematic application of the principles of reciprocity and compliance as regards agricultural products in trade negotiations;
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 91 #

2018/2102(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the interests of farmers are protected following the acquisition of Monsanto by the Bayer group, which together control approximately 24% of the world pesticide market and 29% of the world seed market, which could damage competition in the field of access to crop protection products and seeds.
2018/10/15
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is at a crossroads, with a cn understaindable crisis of legitimacy in relation to European decisions, given its handling of all of the many crises in the past decade;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas Union agricultural products contribute to the Union’s living cultural and gastronomic heritage, enhancing territorial and social cohesion, as well as local and regional traditions; whereas there is increased demand for high quality and traditional products at European and global level; whereas the current agricultural policy is dominated by industrial intensification and crop monocultures that put the Union's model of family farming with its crop diversity at risk;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas there is a need to bring the European project closer to EU citizens, paying particular attention to their needs, lives and expectations various successful Citizens' Initiatives, paying attention also to citizens' needs, lives and expectations, which must be paramount in all Union decisions and legislation, above the demands of the finance sector, global corporations, or any other vested interest, in order, above all, to strengthen the EU’s legitimacy and to restore trust in, and enthusiasm for, the European project, thanks to renewrough citizen-oriented EU governance;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital E
E. whereas all EU institutions - including especially the European Central Bank - ought to be transparent and fully accountable to the citizens of the Union as regards the funds entrusted to them and controlled by them as EU institutions;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the Union’s major critics point to the existence of a gap betweenactions in agrocultural policy of persuing international trade deal which undermine the viability of the Unions proposed action and its realisation at national and local levels, and whereasfarmers do not match up with its words and aspirations of protecting our agricultural heritage and farming systems, and whereas political choices and priorities of where funds should assigned to, combined the withdrawal of the UK will have important impacts on the future financing of the CAP and of the Union;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 9 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital G
G. whereas inertia at European level is no longer an option given the major challenges to be faced by the Union, particularly in relation to globalisation, migration, defence on the basis of reinforced cooperation, social issues, completion of the European Monetary Union and the choice of new EU own resources;deleted
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that it is essential to go beyond conflicting visions of Europe, and to reconcile competing priorities in order to avoid the risk of tearing the Union apart or weakening it; considers in that regard that a new EU-wide debate is needed to reach a consensus on where the Union is now headed, with a readiness - if needed - to revise the Lisbon Treaty; this debate must also include an honest discussion of the future of the euro, with exit clauses to be negotiated for those who wish to leave;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the Union will have complex budgetary consequences and will negatively affect the EU budget; insists that the remaining EU- 27 should be more ambitious in terms of budget reform given the EU’s current and future challenges;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the importance of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in terms of the budget and of its legacy to the history of the Union; recalls that the CAP is still one of the oldest, most important and most integrated policies, and that it will continue to contribute to building Europe’s future, points out that as CAP has evolved it has been assigned many new tasks and roles in the areas of climate change mitigation and the provision of public goods that are not remunerated by the market place and therefore its budget share must not be reduced;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 25 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that the translation of the overarching political objectives into tangible and visible actions and results for EU citizens has to be subject to regular reality checks, therefore making it strictly necessary to maintain EU budgetary control as a fundamental component of democratic control;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that securing sufficient financial means, coupled with the modernisation of the system of own resources, namely through securing stable, efficient and genuinely European own resources, is key to maintaining a high level of investment and of the Union’s ambitions and influence on the international scene, so long as those funds - current or additional - are not spent on arms or a European Army/Defence Force;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that the competitiveness of European agriculture results from the synergy of organic production and geographical indications, which benefit both producers and consumers; calls for one pillar ofring-fenced dedicated funding in the new CAP to be dedicatargeted ato these priorities which create jobs in rural areas and assure the highest quality of Union agricultural products and foodstuffs;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 43 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 23
23. Considers the creation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to be an important milestone in the achievement of a European public space; calls on the Commission to work towards a swift setting-up of the EPPO by providing sufficient resources;deleted
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that Union quality schemes of geographical indications (Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed) protect product names from misuse, enhance their value in the framework of international agreements, add to farmer incomes, and boost the level of consumers’ trust;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 66 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of a well reformed CAP to respond to the maximum number of the challenges that will face the Union in the future; stresses the importance of the future CAP in underpinning farmer incomes, encouraging generational renewal,combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and fostering innovation and research and development, including the agricultural aspects of the future Horizon Europe programme;
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 80 #

2018/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that structural and cohesion policies, such as the CAP, reduce the gap between the Union and its citizens by ensuring balance territorial development promoting integration at local level, especially in rural, peripheral and disadvantaged areas.
2018/10/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3 #

2018/2088(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas artificial intelligence (AI) is towill become a technological, economic, social and obviously ethic and social revolution not only in Europe but also all over the world; , it must also be guided by ethics;
2018/09/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/2088(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the development of artificial intelligence (AI) must continue apace, and the conditions created in the European Union to lead that development, cognisance must always be taken also of the potential negative effects of the use of AI;
2018/09/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/2088(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to draw up a fully comprehensive EU Action Plan aimed at creating a European ‘artificial intelligence ecosystem, a plan that also addresses all those ethical concerns;
2018/09/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2018/2086(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that public administration and governance is spread across various Commission services and that thiwhile this does not excuse incompetence, it does complicates the effective coordination of competent services, EU-funded programmes and initiatives; calls on the Commission to provide the recently created SRSP with sufficient resources and competences to perform that coordinating role;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2018/2086(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Is of the opinion that effective public sector reform is essential in helping Member States adapt to changing circumstances, increase resilience to prevent future crises, expand eGovernment and improve the delivery of services, especially with regard to new technology and IT systems, and finally, where public sector is a factor, would greatly assist in the reduction/exposure of waste, loss or fraudulent use of Union funds;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/2086(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Proposes that the Commission enhance policy dialogue with Member States by ensuring the establishment of a dedicated forum; a separate topic of that forum should be around Freedom of Information issues, the question of access by citizens/journalists to information;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/2086(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the development of a benchmark to assess the public administration capacity of EU candidate countries to take on the responsibilities of EU membership; encourages the Commission to apply the 'principles of public administration' benchmark to all the Member States by including it in the European Semester;
2018/10/18
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the budget of the Union is presented in sections corresponding to activities led by the institutions (activity- based budgeting); considers that this presentation does not ensure a clear and rapid understanding of the objectives pursued, particularly in the area of security and defence, in which there are significant budgetary increases; by contrast notes that the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is presented by headings corresponding to policy areas;
2018/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Subheading 3 a (new)
2018/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to carefully analyse the causes of the overall decline in farmer income since 2013, particularly in relation to costs versus profits for the various elements right along the food-supply chain (producers, processors, transport, retailers etc - this should then reveal where most of the profit goes), and to define a new key performance objective accompanied by outcome and impact indicators, aiming at mitigating the income inequalities between famers;
2018/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets the increased diversion of funds to 'Security and Defence' when such funds would be far more constructively spent on areas such as the Common Agriculture Policy and Cohesion funds, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability;
2018/07/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Notes, however, that there is a humanitarian element to EVERY migration crisis which by necessity will usually involve emergency measures; such measures should never be obstructed because of budgetary questions, neither in the initial process of simply saving lives nor in the follow-up procedures;
2018/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is theone of the oldest, most integrated and successful EU policyies, serving as basis for European integration, and should remain a common policy with an ambitious budget;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the CAP’s goals should be to ensure a viable income for those working on the land as set out in Article 39 of the TFEU in addition to food safety and sovereignty, and the resilience and sustainability of the EU’s agriculture systems and territories;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the Commission’s communication on the Future of Food and Farming acknowledges that the common agricultural policy (CAP) is theone of the oldest and most integrated policy in the EU and is enabling the EU farming sector to respond to citizens’ demands regarding not only food security, safety, quality and sustainability, but also environmental care, climate change action and high animal welfare standards;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the European Union’s overarching objective of multifunctional agriculture, driven by family farmsustainable agricultural practices, remains key to delivering the positive externalities and public goods that European citizens demandhave indicated a willingness to support;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 72 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the CAP, as a sectorial and common policy, should encourage and strengthen the contribution each farmer makes towards meeting environmental challenges, and should promote the transition towards an agriculture combining the economic viability of farming enterprises with environmental performance standards and climate mitigation measures;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 83 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas over the years the CAP has undergone regular re-programming in line with new challenges, but another step in this continuous process of modernisation and simplificzation, building on previous reforms, is now necessary, in addition to genuine simplification which despite commitments has not been delivered thus far;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 90 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D
D. whereas greening measures are complex and inefficient but a strong environmental focus should remain in Pillar I ;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 108 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas the new delivery model (NDM) is at the core of the Commission’s communication on the Future of Food and Farming, and is to be welcomedmay prove beneficial, provided that it ensures genuine simplification for farmers on the ground, not only at EU level but also at Member State and regional level, and flexibility for farmers, without adding new constraints on Member States or undermining the commonality of the CAP and thus a new layer of complexity;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 122 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the CAP must play an important role in overcoming stagnation and volatility of farm incomes which, despite the concentration and intensification of production and increasing productivity, are still lower than in othe restr sectors of the economy; which undermines the viability of the rural areas;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 132 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for a CAP that has its top priority the transition of each European farm towards an undertaking combining the economic viability of farming enterprises with environmental performance standards and climate mitigation measures;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 141 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas over the last few years farmers have been confronted with increasing price volatility, which is linked to the globalization of agriculture, which has reflected price fluctuations on globalworld markets and uncertainty caused by macroeconomic developments, external policies, sanitary crises and more frequent extreme weather events in the EU;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 159 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas it is essential to ensure a fair standard of living for those working the land as set out in Article 39 of the Treaty of Rome, across regions and Member States, affordable prices for citizens and consumers, and access to quality food and healthy diets, while delivering on the commitments for environmental care, climate action, and animal and plant health and welfare;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 179 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for a first pillar, defined at EU level, that recognises the importance of direct aid and that includes, as a share of up to 30 % of the pillar budget, a contractual incitement scheme for a transition towards an agriculture combining economic with environmental performance standards, recognizing that agriculture has been assigned many new roles in environmental protection and climate mitigation measures that are not remunerated by the market place;
2018/03/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 187 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas there is a need for an updated and fairer system of payments, as in many Member States the current system of entitlements is based on historic benchmarks which are now almost 20 years old and in themselves were not a true reflection of production levels at the time, and which constitute an obstacle to generational renewal and hinder young farmers’ access to farmland, as new entrants do not possess entitlements and are thus at a disadvantage;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 198 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Believes that agroforestry should be promoted in the second pillar as it can contribute significantly to the required environmental and climate change mitigation actions required; agroforestry can be defined as “the deliberate integration of woody vegetation as an upper storey on land, with pasture or an agricultural crop in the lower storey. The woody species can be evenly or unevenly distributed or occur on the border of plots. The woody species can deliver forestry or agricultural products or other ecosystem services"; further believes that agroforestry is able to increase resilience at farm and landscape level, therefore reinforcing the objectives of the CAP;
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 211 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas the emergence of new challengdirection of agriculture policies, such as increasing global trade, is necessitating fair and has had a detrimental effect on farm incomes and fair sustainable conditions for the global exchange of goods and services, within the framework of the WTO and in accordance with existing EU social, economic and environmental standards, which should be promoted;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 246 #

2018/2037(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to ensure that each imported agricultural product meets the same sanitary, phytosanitary and social standards that EU products are held to; asks the Commission to conduct a systematic impact assessment of the provisions regarding the agricultural sector in each trade agreement, recognizing that agriculture is often most adversely affected in FTAs, and to offer specific strategies to ensure that no agricultural sector will suffer as a result of a trade agreement concluded with a third country.
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 256 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K
K. whereas there is a contradiction in insisting that the agriculture and food sector must be incentivised to continue to contribute to the environmental care and climate action objectives of the EU as set out in international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs while pursuing trade agreements with countries who do not adhere to the same standards;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 266 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas that agroforestry should be promoted as it can contribute significantly to the required environmental and climate change mitigation actions required;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 272 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas agroforestry can be defined as “the deliberate integration of woody vegetation as an upper storey on land, with pasture or an agricultural crop in the lower storey;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 273 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)
Kc. whereas the woody species can be evenly or unevenly distributed or occur on the border of plots.
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 274 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K d (new)
Kd. whereas the woody species can deliver forestry or agricultural products or other ecosystem services”, further believes that agroforestry is able to increase resilience at farm and landscape level, therefore reinforcing the objectives of the CAP;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 281 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L
L. whereas the European Court of Auditors has underlined the fact that the green payments introduced as part of the 2013 reform create added complexity and bureaucracy, are difficult to understand, and fail to significantly enhance the CAP’s environmental and climate performance, believes however that a strong environmental focus must remain in Pillar I;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 293 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital M
M. whereas the objectives of the Cork 2.0 Declaration for a Better Life in Rural Areas stipulate vibrant rural areas, multi- functionality, biodiversity in and outside agriculture, rare animal breeds, agroforestry and conservation crops, as well as organic agriculture, less-favoured areas and commitments in the context of Natura 2000;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 359 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the intention to simplify and modernise the CAP, but emphasises that the ability of farmers to generate a return from their enterprise, the sustainable use of our natural resources, the integrity of the single market and a truly common policy must be the overriding priorities of reform;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 385 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that even the flexibility that Member States currently enjoy in defining basic rules may risk distorting competition within the single market and granting unequal access to support for famers in different Member States or even in different regions which has the potential to undermine the effectiveness of the CAP;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 411 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that subsidiarity for Member States should only be granted within a common set of rules and tools agreed at EU level as part of a uniform approach to all programming efforts and eligibility criteria, should cover both of the CAP’s pillars and ensure, in particular, a European approach in Pillar II and thus a level playing fields measures aimed at addressing environmental concerns or implementing climate mitigation measures must be delivered in a coherent manner across the EU as a whole in order for them to be effective;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 449 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the efforts of the Commission to establish programme design, implementation and control of an output-based approach in order to foster performance rather than compliance, while ensuring adequate monitoring and measures to identify and counteract the recognized problem of "gold plating" at national level, via clearly defined, solid and measurable indicators at EU level, including an appropriate system of quality control and penalties;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 531 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it necessary to maintain the current two-pillared architecture, particularly Pillar I, which is dedicated to income support for farmers; considers it necessary, at the same time, to compensate for the provision of public goods, which are not remunerated for by the market place, on the basis of uniform criteria, while allowing Member States to take specific approaches to reflect local conditions;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 557 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the current CAP architecture can only deliver its objectives if sufficiently funded, noting that agriculture has been assigned many new roles in climate mitigation measures and the provision of public goods that are not remunerated by the market place; calls, therefore, for the CAP budget to be maintained in the next MFF at at least the current level in order to achieve the ambitions of a revised and efficient CAP beyond 2020;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 610 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Believes that more targeted support for family farms is necessaryis necessary for sustaining the family farm and can be achieved by introducing a compulsory higher support rate for small farms the area of which must be decided at Member State level given the wide disparity of average farm size within the Member States; considers, moreover, that support for larger farms should be digressive, reflecting economies of scale, with the possibility for capping to be decided by the Member States;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 650 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the necessity of identifying the key elements of a transparent and objective system of penalties and incentives for determining farmers’ eligibility for public funding, combined with a transparent and timely appeals system that farmers can have confidence in, which should consist of voluntary and mandatory measures;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 685 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for the existing system for calculating direct payments in Pillar I, which is often based on historic entitlements, to be replaced by an EU-wide uniform method of calculating payments, in order to make the system simpler and, more transparent and credible to the public;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 698 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Believes that these new payments should not become tradable commodities in order to ensure their effectiveness in the long term;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 748 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses the need for a fair distribution of direct payments betweeoth between and within Member States, which must take into account socio- economic differences, different production costs and the amounts received by Member States under Pillar II;
2018/03/22
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 829 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that generational renewal is a challenge faced by famers in many Member States and that each national strategy must therefore address this issue through a comprehensive approach, including top-ups in Pillar I and targeted measures in Pillar II, as well as by means of new financial instruments and national measures, believes that in order to incentivise famers to pass on their farming operations a retirement package must be also be considered;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 851 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. believes that the root cause of the lack of young farmers in agriculture is the lack of profitability in most farming enterprises, stresses that tackling this broader issue in agriculture is fundamental to attracting the younger generation into farming;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 987 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that this new framework should be underpinned by the possible allocation of a minimum amount of the total available budget to AEMs, including organic agriculture, support for biodiversity, promotion and support for agroforestry and genetic diversity in animals and plants;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1006 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Believes that in addition a dedicated EU wide support program for Natura 2000 areas should be introduced to support and maintain these valuable reservoirs of biodiversity;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1127 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Insists on the critical need for the future CAP to support farmers more efficiently in order to cope with price and income volatility due to climate, health and market risks, by creating additional incentives for flexible risk managitically evaluating future free trade agreements and stabilisation tools while ensuring broad accesrecognizing that agriculture is often most adversely affected in FTAs;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1173 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Insists on the necessity of strengthening the position of producimary producers and farmers within the food supply chain, in particular by guaranteeing them adequate genuine competition in the input, processing and retail sectors, in addition to a fair share of the added value, by fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and strengthening transparency in the markets and crisis prevention;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1229 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Believes that while trade agreements are beneficial to the EU agricultural sector overall, and necessary for strengthening the EU’s position on the global agriculturalbetween nations is undoubtedly beneficial and necessary, agriculture is too important a sector to be completely exposed to the “free market, they also pose a number of challenges that require reinforced safeguard mechanisms to ensure a level playing field between farmers in the EU and in the rest of the world provision of our food is wrapped up in a complex equation of food production, land management, environmental protection, provision of public goods and social needs and cannot be viewed in a one-dimensional manner, a commodity to be produced at the lowest cost possible;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1277 #

2018/2037(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for initiatives to promote EU production, safety and environmental standards, short supply chains which can reduce food miles and quality production schemes, through both labelling and marketing activities on internal and third-country markets;
2018/03/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2018/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas used properly, plastic is a valuable material which has a useful place in our society and economy;
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 192 #

2018/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with an update of the essential requirements in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, addressing in particular prevention, design for circularity and over-packaging;
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 249 #

2018/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that mandatory rules on recycled content for specific products maywill be needed in order to drive the uptake of secondary raw materials;
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 300 #

2018/2035(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that there is no panacea to address the harmful effects of single-use plastics, and believes that a combination of voluntary and regulatory measures is therefore required to resolve this complex issue, with the emphasis on regulatory measures;
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the important role that both agriculture and rural development play in achieving Community objectives in the fields of food security, ensuring a fair and viable return for food producers, sustainable economic growth, territorial and environmental balance, animal welfare and combating climate change;
2018/04/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its disappointment, aAfter noting the difficulties experienced by producers in finding new markets, expresses its disappointment at the Commission’s decision to end support measures from 30 June 2018 for the sectors adversely affected by the Russian veto as from 30 June 2018; , which effectively amounts to penalising these sectors for events beyond their control;
2018/04/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 26 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern at the consequences that any failure, or worse, a total breakdown of the ongoing negotiations on the United Kingdom leaving the European Union could have for the 2019 budget, and calls on the Commission to consult with producer representatives and organisations in drawing up any contingency plan to cover for such an undesirable eventuality;
2018/04/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Questions once more the value of the current crisis reserve and financial discipline mechanism, which in the case of the 2019 budget will again simply create an administrative burden, and hence urges the Commission to look into introducing a multiannual reserve that is decoupledindependent from direct payments;
2018/04/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2018/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Member States to strengthen support measures for young farmers in 2019, given the lack of generational renewal in farming, which is caused primarily by the lack of a fair and viable return from farming, and which is currently European agriculture’s main pitfall.
2018/04/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2018/2023(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Action Plan on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure and highlights that further coordination at EU level is needed; notes, however, that this coordination should also extend to EU policy-making vis-à-vis major trade deals such as TTIP, CETA etc., which, by their very nature, will inevitably lead to a leap in road transport and a simultaneous leap in environmental damage;
2018/06/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2018/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas consumers in different Members States, and/or travellers between Member States who believe they are purchasing the exact same product in those states, are unable to assess by themselves the potential differences in the composition of certain products, and are therefore unable to make informed purchasing decisions due to a lack of relevant information;
2018/04/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 81 #

2018/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Firmly believes that the most effective means of combatting abuses linked to branding is the promotion of short supply chains in the food industry and the creation of local quality brands, these can bring benefits such as; Improved negotiating positions for farmers; These supply chains offer farmers greater power during negotiations, especially during those with retailers, Increased communication between producer and consumer; Short supply chains can lead to job creation, especially in rural areas, Reduced transportation costs; Short supply chains typically serve a local area, reducing the energy costs, transportation costs, and CO2 emissions, Increased transparency; It’s easier to make short supply chains with few or no intermediaries transparent than it is longer and more complex ones, Reduced risk; A short supply chain reduces the risk of damage, contamination, Increased quality; Doing business and transporting goods locally increases their overall quality by reducing the need for freezing and use of preservatives, Greater profits; Short supply chains offer farmers with greater profits while keeping the end-price more or less the same for consumers;
2018/03/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 82 #

2018/2008(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of raising consumer awareness and improving access to information; welcomes the statements made by some manufacturers that they would change their recipes but believes that providing this vital information should not be just a voluntary action, but needs to be mandated; stresses the role of industry in providing clear and correct consumer information;
2018/04/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/2005(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the Commission communication on a balanced and progressive trade policy to harness globalisation1 but wishes it would go further in protecting EU farmers against unfair competition; underlines the importance of this communication for a European agriculture sector that is suffering from unbalanced competition on both the EU and foreign markets; _________________ 1 COM(2017)0492. COM(2017)0492.
2018/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 37 #

2018/2005(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses further the inherent dangers in increased globalisation of the environmental fallout from the subsequent increased transport of goods by land, sea and air; stresses in this regard that an equal emphasis at least should be put on localisation of food production;
2018/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 56 #

2018/2005(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that while trade agreements could open up opportunities for the promotion of EU offensive interests with respect to processed and unprocessed food products, they also entail a significant risk for more sensitive EU agricultural sectors that are already crisis-hit or have been particularly exposed to price volatility;
2018/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2018/2003(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that deforestation and forest degradation are the second leading cause of global warming1 according to a report by REDD, which stands for countries' efforts to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, 'deforestation and forest degradation are the second leading cause of global warming, responsible for about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which makes the loss and depletion of forests a major issue for climate change' 1; _________________ 1 https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/w hat-redd
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2018/2003(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to maintain its commitment to step up ongoing negotiations on the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreements; stresses the need to ensure that these agreements are in line with international law and commitments concerning environmental protection, human rights and sustainable development, and that they bring about adequate measures for the conservation and sustainable management of forests, including especially the protection of the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples, who have been too often ignored heretofore, even actively attacked and displaced in many instances;
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 55 #

2018/2003(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for the EU to create, as a supplementary element of Voluntary Partnership Agreements, follow-up legislation on such agreements along the lines of the EU Timber Regulation which includes both companies and financial institutions; notes that the EUwith concern that while the EU - to its credit - has regulated the supply chains of timber, fish and conflict minerals, buit has not yet regulated any forest risk agricultural commodity supply chains; urges the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts to implement the Timber Regulation, in order to better gauge its effectiveness;
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 61 #

2018/2003(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to ensure the coherence of and to boost synergies between the common agricultural policy (CAP) and other EU policies, and to ensure that they are conducted in a manner consistent with programmes aimed at combating deforestation in developing countries, including REDD+; calls on the Commission to ensure that the CAP reform does not lead, directly or indirectly, to further deforestation and, that it supports the goal of putting an end to global deforestation, and that it encourages, where practical, an increase in the practice of agriforestry; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the environmental problems relating to deforestation are also addressed in the light of the objectives set by the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, which should be an integral part of the Union’s external action in this area;
2018/03/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
(4) A lively public debate is taking place on summer-time arrangements and some Member States have already expublic consultation took place which attracted 4.5 million respondents, given that 70%of the respondents came from one country this cannot be taken as repressed their preference to discontinue the application of such arrangements. In the light of these developments, it is necessary to continuentative of the views of the union as a whole. In the light of this and also to safeguarding the proper functioning of the internal market and to avoid any significant disruptions thereto caused by divergences between Member States in this area. Therefore, it is inappropriate to put an end in a coordinated way to summer- time arrangements. at this stage;
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 19 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
(7) This Directive should apply from 1 April 201925, so that the last summer-time period subject to the rules of Directive 2000/84/EC should start, in every Member State, at 1.00 a.m., Coordinated Universal Time, on 31 March 201925. Member States that, after that summer-time period, intend to adopt a standard time corresponding to the time applied during the winter season in accordance with Directive 2000/84/EC should change their standard time at 1.00 a.m., Coordinated Universal Time, on 27 October 201925, so that similar and lasting changes occurring in different Member States take place simultaneously. It is desirable that Member States take the decisions on the standard time that each of them will apply as from 201925 in a concerted manner.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
(8) Implementation of this Directive should be monitored. The results of this monitoring should be presented by the Commission in a report to the European Parliament and to the Council. That report should be based on the information that is made available to the Commission by the Member States in a timely fashion to allow for the report to be presented at the specified timeAs one member state of the EU, Ireland, shares a land border with the UK, implementation of this Directive should be delayed until the withdrawal of the UK from the EU is completed and terms under which trade will be carries out between the EU and the UK are established.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 30 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, Member States may still apply a seasonal change of their standard time or times in 201925, provided that they do so at 1.00 a.m., Coordinated Universal Time, on 27 October 201925. The Member States shall notify this decision in accordance with Article 2.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 39 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall adopt and publish, by 1 April 201925 at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 42 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
They shall apply those provisions from 1 April 201925.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 47 #

2018/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Directive 2000/84/EC is repealed with effect from 1 April 201925.
2019/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The 2 140ALL customs offices17 that are present over the external borders of the European Union need to be properly equipped to ensure the operation of the customs union. The need for adequate and equivalent customs controls is ever more pressing not only by reason of the traditional function of customs to collect revenue but also increasingly by the necessity to significantly reinforce the control of goods entering and exiting Union’s external borders in order to ensure both safety and security. However, at the same time, those controls on the movement of goods across the external borders should not impair but rather facilitate legitimate trade with third countries. _________________ 17 Annex of the Annual 2016 Report of the Customs Union Performance available on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/annu al-activity-report-2016-taxation-and- customs-union_en.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) There is currently an understandable imbalance in the performance of customs control by Member States. This imbalance is due both to geographic differences between Member States and in their respective capacities and resources. The ability of Member States to react to challenges generated by the constantly evolving global business models and supply chains depend not only on the human component but also on the availability of modern and reliable customs control equipment. The provision of equivalent customs control equipment is therefore an important element in addressing the existing imbalance. It will improve equivalence in the performance of customs controls throughout Member States and thereby avoid the diversion of the flows of goods towards the weakest points.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Supporting the creation of an uniform, adequate and equivalent level of customs controls at the Union’s external borders allows maximising the benefits of the customs union. A dedicated Union intervention for customs control equipment correcting current imbalances would moreover contribute to the overall cohesion between Member States. In view of the challenges facing the world, in particular the continued need to protect the financial and economic interests of the Union and its Member States while easing the flow of legitimate trade, the availability of modern and reliable control equipment at the external borders is indispensable.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The Fund should therefore be established as a comprehensive framework for Union financial support in the field of border management comprising the Instrument for financial support for customs control equipment ('the Instrument') established by this Regulation as well as the instrument for financial support for border management and visa established by Regulation (EU) No …/… of the European Parliament and of the Council20 , with the emphasis on the former. _________________ 20 COM(2018) 473.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) In order to respond appropriately to evolving policy priorities, threats and technologies, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the customs control purposes for actions eligible under the Instrument and the list of indicators to measure the achievement of the specific objectives. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate and fully transparent consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Instrument has the specific objective of contributing to adequate and equivalent customs controls through the fully transparent purchase, maintenance and upgrade of relevant, state-of-the-art and reliable customs control equipment.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The amount referred to in 2. paragraph 1 may also cover legitimate and verified expenses for preparation, monitoring, control, audit, evaluation and other activities for managing the Instrument and evaluating the achievement of its objectives. It may moreover cover likewise legitimate and verified expenses relating to the studies, meetings of experts, information and communication actions, in so far as they are related to the objectives of the Instrument, as well as expenses linked to information technology networks focusing on information processing and exchange, including corporate information technology tools and other technical and administrative assistance needed in connection with the management of the Instrument.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, in duly justified cases, the actions may also cover the fully transparent purchase, maintenance and upgrade of customs controls equipment for testing new pieces or new functionalities in operational conditions.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2018/0258(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge within reason the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results) by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public, though the spend on this funding acknowledgement should be in proportion to the overall cost.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that the preferential treatment granted for certain Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the EU under the agreement of 8 March 2012 concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products is a particularly sensitive matter for Europe’s horticulture industry, especially in southern Europe given the lack of traceability and differing standards;
2018/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that there are still major competitiveness issues for European producers owing to the wide divergences compared with Moroccan producers in terms of labour costs, overhead costs, working conditions and environmental standards;
2018/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to the fact that some of the fruit and vegetables exported preferentially to the EU under the terms of the agreement in question (including tomatoes and melons) come from the territory of Western Sahara, and points out that on the on 21 December 2016, the EU's Supreme Court that very ambitious plans have been drawn up with a view to further developing such production and exports; ruled that no trade or association agreement with Morocco could be applied to the territory of Western Sahara, since Western Sahara is not part of Morocco. Accordingly, the Court stated in § 106, the people of Western Sahara ought to be viewed as a third party to the EU's relations with Morocco. And for any such bilateral arrangement to affect the third territory of Western Sahara, the express consent of the people of the territory should be obtained;
2018/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 37 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the legal uncertainty that has arisen sinceat the EU has not respected the Court of Justice judgment of 21 December 2016; is concerned that the Commission has been unable to provide reliable data on preferential imports of products from Western Sahara that may have been carried out since that date, in spite of the judgment in question; wonders what the cost has been to the EU budget of any preferences granted during the period concerned without a valid legal basis; in the absence of sufficient comparative information, is doubtful whether the Commission is able to assess the impact of the proposed new agreement properly;
2018/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 61 #

2018/0256M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that the EU and Morocco have negotiated, as set out in the initial agreement concluded in 2012, an ambitious and comprehensive agreement on protecting the geographical indications and designations of origin of agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products that provides for the protection by Morocco of the full list of the EU’s geographical indications; points out, furthermore, that the procedure for concluding the agreement, which began in 2015, was suspended following the Court’s judgment of 21 December 2016; calls for that procedure to be resumed and finalised as soon as possible in conjunction with the conclusion of the agreement considered in this opinion.
2018/10/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) provides that any European state which respects the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and commits to promote these values, may apply to become a member of the Union. A European State which has applied to join the Union can become a member only when it has been confirmed that it meets the membership criteria established at the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 (the ‘Copenhagen criteria’) and provided that the Union has the capacity to integrate the new member. The Copenhagen criteria relate to the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union, and the ability to assume not only the rights but also the obligations under the Treaties, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union. It should be noted, however, that these duties do not end on accession, and countries who have thus been admitted to the European Union and who fail to maintain those values as outlined above face censure;
2018/09/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 4 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The enlargement policy of the Union is an investment in peace, security and stability in Europe. It provides increased economic and trade opportunities to the mutual benefit of the Union and the aspiring Member States. The prospect of Union membership has a powerful transformative effect, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change. This enlargement policy, however, should itself be subject to continuous assessment with a view to ensuring that the Union doesn't grow too large too fast, to the point where it becomes almost unmanageable, but rather that it is a contained, sustainable growth;
2018/09/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The European Commission reaffirmed the firm, merit-based prospect of EU membership for the Western Balkans in its Communication 'A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans'16 . This is a strong message of encouragement for the whole Western Balkans and a sign of the EU's commitment to their European future. It must, however, be balanced against the ability of the EU to absorb should enlargement. _________________ 16 COM(2018) 65 final available at https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta- political/files/communication-credible- enlargement-perspective-western- balkans_en.pdf
2018/09/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0247(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) It is essential to further step up cooperation on migration including border management, ensuring access to international protection, sharing relevant information, strengthening the development benefits of migration, facilitating legal and labour migration, enhancing border control and pursuing our effort in the fight against irregular migration, trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling, while fully respecting the Union's responsibilities under the United Nations Charter of Human Rights.
2018/09/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty on European Union, the Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation, with attention also paid to any possible unfair or unethical exploitation of the resources of those neighbouring countries by Union entities, private or public. This Regulation should contribute to such objective.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The Union shall ensure policy coherence for development as required by Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Union should take account of the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that are likely to affect developing countries, which will be a crucial element of the strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ('2030 Agenda') adopted by the United Nations in September 201545 . Ensuring policy coherence for sustainable development, as embedded in the 2030 Agenda, requires taking into account the impact of all policies on sustainable development at all levels — nationally, within the Union, in other countries and at global level. It should be noted, however, that sustainable development does not mean infinite 'growth', an impossibility in a finite planet. _________________ 45 "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015 (A/RES/70/1).
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The global context for action is the pursuit of a rules-based global order, with multilateralism as its key principle and the United Nations at its core. The 2030 Agenda, together with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change57 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda58 is the international community’s response to global challenges and trends in relation to sustainable development. With the Sustainable Development Goals at its core, the 2030 Agenda is a transformative framework to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development globally. It is universal in scope, providing a comprehensive shared framework for action that applies to the Union, to its Member States and to its partners. It balances the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, recognising the essential interlinkages between its goals and targets. The 2030 Agenda aims to leave no one behind. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda will be closely coordinated with the Union's other relevant international commitments. Actions undertaken by this Regulation should pay particular attention to interlinkages between Sustainable Development Goals and to integrated actions that can create co- benefits and meet multiple objectives in a coherent way. _________________ 57To meet those goals, however, emphasis should be put on developing local food and manufacturing supply-chains in preference to major inter-continental trade deals, which would have multiple benefits, including but not limited to reduced transport traffic and thus also reduced emissions, reduced transport fuel use, reduced motor vehicle manufacture, while increasing local sustainable employment. _________________ 57 Signed in New York on 22 April 2016. Signed in New York on 22 April 2016. 58 "Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development", adopted on 16 June 2015 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on 27 July 2015 (A/RES/69/313).
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 12 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) This Regulation should reflect the need to focus on strategic priorities, both geographically (the European Neighbourhood and Africa, as well as countries that are fragile and most in need,) but also thematically (security, migration, climate change and human rights).
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) The main approach for actions financed under this Regulation should be through geographic programmes, in order to maximise the impact of the Union's assistance and bring Union's action closer to partner countries and populations, and monitored by the Union to ensure that this assistance is going to where it ought to go. This general approach should be complemented by thematic programmes and by rapid response actions, where relevant.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Regulation should contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the Union budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Regulation are expected to contribute 25% of its overall financial envelope to climate objectives. In this regard and where relevant and/or possible, Union investment should be towards encouraging local food and manufacturing independence. Relevant actions will be identified during the implementation of this Regulation, and the overall contribution from this Regulation should be part of relevant evaluations and review processes.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2018/0243(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 201678 , there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 78 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016; OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1–14.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The space sector’s development has historically been linked to security. In many cases, the equipment, components and instruments used in the space sector are dual-use goods. The possibilities that spEmphasis, however, should be placed offers for the security of the Union and its Member States should therefore be exploitedn the development of peaceful and peace-time components and instruments.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Union has been developing its own space initiatives and programmes since the end of the 1990s, namely the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and then Galileo and Copernicus, which respond to the needs of Union citizens and the requirements of public policies. Not only should the continuity of those initiatives be ensured but they must also be improved, so that they remain at the forefront in view of new technology development and the transformations in the digital and information and communications technology domains, meet the new needs of users and are able to meet political priorities such as climate change, including monitoring changes in the Artic, security and defence.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) To strengthen the competitiveness of the Union space industry and gain capacities in designing, building and operating its own systems, the Union should support the creation, growth, and development of the entirea civil non-military space industry. The emergence of a business- and innovation-friendly model should be supported at European, regional and national levels by establishing space hubs that bring together the space, digital and user sectors. The Union should foster the expansion of Union-based space companies to help them succeed, including by supporting them in accessing risk finance in view of the lack, within the Union, of appropriate access to private equity for space start-ups and by creating innovation partnerships (first contract approach).
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 18 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The Programme shares similar objectives with other Union programmes, notably Horizon Europe, InvestEU Fund, European Defence Fund and Funds under Regulation (EU) [Common Provisions Regulation]. Therefore, cumulative funding from those programmes should be foreseen, provided they do cover the same cost items, in particular through arrangements for complementary funding from Union programmes where management modalities permit - either in sequence, in an alternating way, or through the combination of funds including for the joint funding of actions, allowing, where possible, innovation partnerships and blending operations. During the implementation of the Programme, the Commission should therefore promote synergies with other related Union programmes which would allow, where possible, use of access to risk finance, innovation partnerships, cumulative or blended funding.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 32 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) To structurally embed the user representation in the governance of GOVSATCOM and to aggregate user needs and requirements across national and civil-military boundaries, the relevant Union entities with close user-ties, such as the European Defence Agency, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the European Maritime Safety Agency, the European Fisheries Control Agency, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, the Military Planning and Conduct Capability/Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability and the Emergency Response Coordination Centre should have coordinating roles for specific user groups. At an aggregated level the Agency and the European Defence Agency should respectively represent the civilian and military user communities and may monitor operational use, demand, conformance to requirements and evolving needs and requirements.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 33 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) Owing to the importance of space- related activities for the Union economy and the lives of Union citizens, the dual- use nature of the systems and of the applications based on those systems, achieving and maintaining a high degree of security should be a key priority for the Programme, particularly in order to safeguard the interests of the Union and of its Member States, including in relation to classified and other sensitive non- classified information.deleted
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) One of the main objectives of the Programme consists in ensuring its security and strategic autonomy, strengthening its capacity to act in numerous sectors, in particular security, and taking advantage of the possibilities that space offers for the security of the Union and its Member States. This objective requires strict rules on the eligibility of the entities that may take part in activities financed under the Programme which require access to EU classified information (EUCI) or to sensitive non-classified information.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2018/0236(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 73
(73) GOVSATCOM is a user-centric programme with a strong security dimension. The use-cases may be analysed for three main families: crisis management, which may include civilian and military Common Security and Defence missions and operations, natural and man-made disasters, humanitarian crises, and maritime emergencies; surveillance, which may include border surveillance, pre- frontier surveillance sea-border surveillance, maritime surveillance, surveillance of illegal trafficking; and key infrastructures, which may include diplomatic network, police communications, critical infrastructures (e.g. energy, transport, water barriers) and space infrastructures.
2018/09/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 18 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Customs 2020 programme set up under Regulation (EU) No 1294/201318 and its predecessors have significantly contributed to facilitating and enhancing customs cooperation. Many of the activities in the customs area are of a cross- border nature, involving and affecting all Member States, and therefore they cannot always be effectively and efficiently delivered by individual Member States. A customs programme at Union level, implemented by the Commission, offers Member States a Union framework to develop those cooperation activities, which is more cost- efficient than if each Member State were to set up individual cooperation frameworks on a bilateral or multilateral basis. It is therefore appropriate to ensure the continuity of Union financing of activities in the field of customs cooperation by establishing a new programme in the same area, the Customs programme. _________________ 18 Regulation (EU) No 1294/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing an action programme for customs in the European Union for the period 2014-2020 (Customs 2020) and repealing Decision No 624/2007/EC, OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 209.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The customs union has evolved considerably over the last fifty years and customs administrations now successfully perform a wide variety of tasks at borders. Acting together, they work to facilitate trade and reduce red tape, collect revenues for national and Union budgets and help to protect the public against terrorist, health, environmental and other threats. In particular, with the introduction of an EU- wide Common Risk Management Framework19 and customs control of movements of large amounts of cash to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, customs assume a front line position in the fight against terrorism and organised crime,. Given that broad mandate, customs is now effectively the lead authority for the control of goods at the Union’s external borders. Against that backdrop, the Customs programme should not only cover customs cooperation but extend its support to the mission of customs authorities at large, as set out in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, i.e. the supervision of the Union's international trade, the implementation of the external aspects of the internal market, of the common trade policy and of the other common Union policies having a bearing on trade, as well as the security of the supply chain. The legal basis will therefore cover customs cooperation (Article 33 TFEU), internal market (Article 114 TFEU) and commercial policy (Article 207 TFEU). _________________ 19 https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/gene ral-information-customs/customs-risk- management/measures-customs-risk- management-framework-crmf_en
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In providing a framework for actions that has as objective to support the customs union and customs authorities, the Programme should contribute to protecting the financial and economic interests of the Union and its Member States; protecting the Union from unfair and illegal trade while supporting legitimate business activity; ensuring the security and safety of the Union and its residents; and facilitating legitimate trade, so that businesses and citizencitizens and businesses can benefit from the full potential of the internal market and of global trade.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The actions which applied under the Customs 2020 programme have proven to be adequate and should therefore be maintained. In order to provide moregreater simplicity and flexibility in the execution of the Programme and thereby better deliver on its objectives, the actions should be defined only in terms of overall categories with a list of illustrative examples of concrete activities. Through cooperation and capacity building, the Customs programme should also promote and support the uptake and leverage of innovation to further improve the capabilities to deliver on the core priorities of customs.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Regulation [2018/XXX] establishes, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, a Customs Control Equipment Instrument22 (‘CCE Instrument’). In order to preserve the coherence and horizontal coordination of all cooperation actions relating to customs and customs control equipment, it is appropriate to implement all of them under one single legal act and set of rules, that act and those rules being this Regulation. Therefore, the CCE Instrument should only support the purchase, maintenance and upgrade of the eligible equipment, while this Programme should support all other related actions, such as cooperation actions for the assessment of equipment needs or, where appropriate, training in relation to the equipment purchased. _________________ 22 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the instrument for financial support for customs control equipment
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Considering the importsignificance of globalisation, the Programme should continue to provide the possibility of involving external experts within the meaning of Article 238 of the Financial Regulation. Those external experts should mainly be representatives of governmental authorities, including from non-associated third countries, as well as representatives of international organisations, economic operators or civil society.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Information Technology (IT) capacity -building actions are set to attract the greatestr part of the budget under the Programme. Specific provisions should describe, respectively, the common and national components of the European electronic systems. Moreover, the scope of actions and the responsibilities of the Commission and the Member States should be clearly defined.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred to the Commission. Those powers shouldall be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council25 . _________________ 25 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13)
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) In order to respond appropriately to changes in policy priorities, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending the list of indicators to measure the achievement of the specific objectives of the Programme. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council must receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) Since the objective of this Regulation cannot be sufficientfully achieved by the individual Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
TSubject to full compliance with all its rules and regulations, the Programme shall be open to the following third countries:
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure jointly ensure the development and operation of the European electronic systems listed in the Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Customs referred to in Article 12, including theits design, specification, conformance testing, deployment, maintenance, evolution, security, quality assurance and quality control, of the European electronic systems listed in the Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Customs referred to in Article 12.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 60 #

2018/0232(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation shall not affect the continuation or modification of the actions concerned, until their closure, under Regulation (EU) No 1294/2013, which shall continue to apply to the actions concerned until their closure.
2018/11/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The internal market is athe cornerstone of the Union. Since its inception, it has proved a major contributor to growth, competitiveness and employment. It has generated new opportunities and economies of scale for European businesses, notably micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthened their industrial competitiveness. The internal market contributed to the creation of jobs and offered greater choice at lower prices for consumers. It continues to be an engine for building a stronger, more balanced and fairer economy. It is one of the Union's major achievements and its best asset in an increasingly global world.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Still, barriers to the proper functioning of the internal market remain and the new obstacles emerge. Adopting rules is only a first step, but making them work isimplementing those rules fully and fairly is just as important. This is ultimately a matter of citizens' trust in the Union, in its capacity to deliver, and in its ability to create jobs and growthsustainable growth and meaningful jobs that comply with all current Union labour rights and legislation, while protecting the public interest.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Several programmes for Union action exist currently in the fields of competitiveness of enterprises including SMEs, consumer protection, customers and end-users in financial services, policy- making in financial services and food chain. Some additional activities are financed directly under the internal market budget lines. It is necessary to streamline and exploit synergies between various actions and provide for a more flexible and agile framework to finance activities aiming to achieve a well-functioning internal market in the most cost-efficient manner. It is therefore necessary to establish a new programme bringing together activities financed previously under those other programmes and other relevant budget lines. The programme should also include new initiatives which aim to improve the functioning of the internal market.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The Programme should support the design, implementation and enforcement of Union legislation underpinning the proper functioning of the internal market. The Programme should support the creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market: businesses, citizens including consumers, civil society and public authorities. To that end, the Programme should aim to ehave the following aims: (1) Ensure the competitiveness of businesses, notably SMEs, but also s; (2) Supporting the enforcement of consumer protection and safety rules and by, raising the awareness of businesses and individuals by providing them with the right tools, knowledge and competence to make informed decisions and strengthen their participation in Union’s policy- making. Furthermore, the Programme should aim to e; (3) Enhance regulatory and administrative cooperation, notably through exchange of best practices, building of knowledge and competence bases, including the use of strategic public procurement. The Programme should also aim to s; (4) Support the development of high- quality international standards that underpin the implementation of Union legislation. This also includes standard -setting in the field of financial reporting and audit, thereby contributing to the transparency and well-proper functioning of the Union’s capital markets and to enhancing investor protection. The Programme should s; (5) Support rulemaking and standard- setting also by ensuring the broadest possible stakeholder involvement. The objective of the Programme should also be to s; (6) Support the implementation and enforcement of Union legislation providing for a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain and the improvement of the welfare of animals.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 28 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) A modern internal market promotes competition and benefitsshould benefit producers, consumers, businesses and employees. Making better use of the ever -evolving internal market in services should help European businesses create jobsmeaningful jobs that comply with all existing Union labour rights and legislation, and grow across borders, offering wider choice of services at better prices, and maintaining high standards for producers, consumers and workers. To achieve this, the Programme should contribute to the removal of any remaining barriers, and to ensure a regulatory framework that meets all the above standards and can accommodate new innovative business models.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 30 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) New regulatory and enforcement challenges relate to a rapidly changing environment of the digital revolution, concerning issues such as cybersecurity, internet of things or artificial intelligence. Should damage occur, stringent rules on product safety and liability are essential to ensure a policy response that allows European citizens, including producers, consumers and businesses, to benefit from such rules. The Programme should therefore contribute to the rapid adaptation and enforcement of a Union product liability regime which fosters innovation.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 33 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Placingement on the market of products that are not compliant with Union law puts those who comply at a disadvantage and may endanger consumers. Many entrepreneurs disregard the rules either through lack of knowledge or to intentionally to gain a competitive advantage. Market surveillance authorities are often underfunded and constrained by national boundaries, while entrepreneurs trade at Union or even global level. In particular, in the case of e-commerce, market surveillance authorities have great difficulties in tracing non-compliant products imported from third countries and identifying the responsible entity within their jurisdiction. The Programme should therefore seek to strengthen product compliance by providing the right incentives to entrepreneurs, intensifying compliance checks and promoting closer cross-border cooperation among enforcement authorities. The Programme should also contribute to the consolidation of the existing framework for market surveillance activities, encourage joint actions of market surveillance authorities from different Member States, improve the exchange of information and promote convergence and closer integration of market surveillance activities.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) In order to meet the objectives of the Programme and to facilitate the lives of citizens and businesses, high-quality user- centric public services need to be put in place. This implies that public administrations will need to start working in new ways, bring down silosincrease cooperation between the different parts of their administrations, and to engage in the co- creation of these public services with citizens and businesses. Moreover, the continuous and steady increase of cross- border activities in the internal market requires provision of up-to- date information on the rights of businesses and citizens, but also information explaining the administrative formalities. In addition, provision of legal advice and helping to solve problems which occur at cross- national level becomes essential. Furthermore, connecting national administrations in a simple and efficient manner as well as evaluating how the internal market works on the ground is necessary. To improve citizens' daily lives and businesses' ability to trade across borders, the Programme should therefore support the following existing internal market governance tools: t* The Your Europe Portal which should be a backbone of the upcoming Single Digital Gateway,; * Your Europe Advice,; * SOLVIT, t; * The Internal Market Information system and t; * The Single Market Scoreboard in order to improve citizens' daily lives and businesses' ability to trade across borders. .
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 38 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) The Programme should also promote the correct and full implementation and application of the Union legal framework by the Member States for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing by the Member States, and the development of future policies to address new challenges in the field. It should also support the relevant activities of the international organisations of European interest, such as the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism of the Council of Europe.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The implementation and development of the internal market in the area of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union including sustainable finance, highis heavily dependsent on the evidence -based policy measures taken by the Union. In order to achieve this objective, the Commission should have an active role in constantly monitoring financial markets and financial stability, assessing the implementation of Union legislation by Member States, evaluating whether the existing legislation is fit for purpose and identifying potential areas of action where new risks emerge, with a continuous involvement of stakeholders throughout the policy cycle. Such activities rely on the production of analyses, studies, training materials, surveys, conformity assessments, evaluations and statistics and are supported by IT systems and communication tools.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) Strengthening the competitiveness of European enterprises while reassuring an effective level playing field and an open and competitive internal market is of outmost importance. SMEs are the engine of the European economy making up 99% of all businesses in Europe, providing two- thirds of jobs, and contributing substantially to the creation of new jobs with a regional and local dimension.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 43 #

2018/0231(COD)

(23) SMEs share common challenges that do not affect larger firms to the same extent to, challenges such as: obtaining finance, to; finding a skilled work -force, to; alleviating the administrative burden,; tohe take-up of creativity and innovation, to; accessing markets and fostering internationalisation activities. The Programme should address such market failures proportionally, while not unduly distorting competition in the internal market.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) Many of the Union's competitiveness problems involve SMEs' difficulties in obtaining access to finance because they struggle to demonstrate their credit-worthiness and have insufficient collateral. Additional financing challenges arise from SMEs' need to stay competitive by engaging e.g. in digitization, internationalization and innovation activities, and skilling up their workforce. Limited access to finance has a negative effect on businesses creation, growth and survival rates, as well as on the readiness of new entrepreneurs to take over viable companies in the context of a business succession.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) To overcome these market failures and to ensure that SMEs continue to play their role as the foundation for the Union economy´s competitiveness, small- and medium -sized enterprises need extra support through debt and equity instruments to be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation […] of the European Parliament and of the Council52 . The loan guarantee facility put in place under Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council53 has a proven added value and is expected to bring a positive contribution to at least 500 000 SMEs; a successor will be established under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. _________________ 52 COM(2018) 439 final 53 Regulation (EU) No 1287/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) (2014 - 2020) and repealing Decision No 1639/2006/EC (OJ L 347 of 20.12.2013, p. 33).
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 46 #

2018/0231(COD)

(26) The policy objectives of this Programme will be also addressed through financial instruments and budgetary guarantee under the SME window of the InvestEU Fund. Financial support should be used to address market failures or sub- optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, and actions should not duplicate or crowd out private financing or distort competition in the internal market. Actions should have a clear European added value.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 48 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) European standards play an important role in the internal market. They are of vital interest for the competitiveness of undertakings, andof SMEs especially SMEs. They are also a crucial tool to support Union legislation and policies in a number of key areas such as energy, climate change, information and communication technology, sustainable use of resources, innovation, product safety, consumer protection, worker's safety and working conditions, and an ageing population, thus positively contributing to the society as a whole.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 49 #

2018/0231(COD)

(32) A well-functioning common financial reporting framework is essential for the internal market, for the effective functioning of the capital markets, and for the realisation of the integrated market for financial services in the context of the Capital Markets Union.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council55 , International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board and related interpretations from the IFRS Interpretations Committee are to be incorporated into Union law in order to be applied by companies with securities listed on a regulated market in the Union, only if IFRS meet the criteria set out in that Regulation, including the requirement that accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ as laid down in Article 4(3) of Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council56 and that they are conducive to the European public good. In this context it is important to note that where there is a clash between an accounting 'Standard' and the law, the law always takes precedence. Such international accounting standards need to be developed under a transparent and democratically accountable process. IFRS therefore plays a major role in the functioning of the internal market and thus the Union has a direct interest in ensuring that the process through which IFRS are developed and approved delivers standards that are consistent with the requirements of the legal framework of the internal market. It is therefore important to establish appropriate funding arrangements for the IFRS Foundation. _________________ 55 Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards (OJ L 243, 11.9.2002, p. 1). 56 Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19).
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 51 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
(36) The Union contributes to ensuring a high level of consumer protection, empowering consumers and putting them at the heart of the internal market by supporting and complementing Member States’ policies in seeking to ensure that citizens when acting as consumers can fully reap the benefits of the internal market and that, in so doing, their safety and legal and economic interests are properly protected by means of concrete actions. The Union has also to ensure that consumer and product safety laws are properly and equally enforced on the ground and that producers and businesses enjoy a level playing field with fair competition in the internal market. Moreover, it is necessary to empower, encourage and assist consumers in making sustainable choices, thus contributing to a sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) The Programme should support national competent authorities, including those responsible for monitoring product safety, who cooperate notably via the Union’s rapid alert system for dangerous products. It should also support the enforcement of Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council58 and Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 regarding consumer protection and product safety, and the Consumer Protection Cooperation network and international cooperation between the relevant authorities in third countries and in the Union. The Programme should also aim to ensure access for all consumers and traders to quality out -of -court dispute resolution and online dispute resolution and information on redress possibilities. _________________ 58 Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety (OJ L 11, 15.1.2002, p. 4).
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 53 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) The European Consumer Centres Network is assisting consumers to obtain the benefit of their Union consumer rights when they purchase goods and services cross border in the Internal Market and EEA, either on-line or when travelling. The 30 centres strong network,network, which has 30 centres, has been jointly funded by the Union consumer programmes sincefor more than 10 years and has proven its added value to strengthen consumers and traders trust in the Internal Market. It deals with more than 100 000 consumers’ requests per year and reaches millions of citizens via its press and online information activities. It is one of the most valued citizens’ assistance networks of the Union and most of its centres host contact points for internal market law, such as the Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council59 and; its evaluation stresses the importance to continue its operation. The network also intends to develop reciprocity arrangements with similar bodies in third countries. _________________ 59 Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36).
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 55 #

2018/0231(COD)

(40) The fitness check of Union consumer and marketing law carried out by the Commission in May 2017 exposed the need to better enforce rules and facilitate redress when consumers have been harmed by breaches to consumer laws. As a result the Commission adopted a "New Deal for Consumers" in April 2018 to ensure, inter alia, the equal treatment of consumers across the internal market in relation to dual quality standards, stronger enforcement capacities of Member States, enhanced product safety, increased international cooperation and new possibilities for redress notably through representative actions by qualified entities. The Programme should aim to support consumer policy with awareness raising and knowledge building, capacity building and exchange of best practices of the consumer organisations and consumer protection authorities, networking and development of market intelligence, strengthening the evidence base on the functioning of the internal market for consumers, IT systems and communication tools, inter alia.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 59 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
(45) The general objective of Union law in the food chain area is to contribute to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants along the food chain, to support the improvement of the welfare of animals, to contribute to a high level of protection and information for consumers and, ensure a high level of protection of the environment, including the preservation of biodiversity, whileand finally to guarantee a fair return for food producers, thus improving the sustainability of European food and feed productions, increasing quality standards across the Union, enhancing the competitiveness of the Union food and feed industry and favouring the creation of jobsmeaningful jobs that comply with all EU labour rights and legislation.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 64 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
(55) The Agreement on the European Economic Area provides for cooperation in the fields subject to the Programme between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area, on the other. PSubject to them complying with all its rules and regulations, provision should also be made to open the Programme to participation by other countries, including the neighbouring countries of the Union and countries which are applying for, are candidates for or are acceding to, membership of the Union. In addition, in the field of European statistics, the Programme should be open to Switzerland in accordance with the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of statistics64 . _________________ 64 OJ L 90, 28.3.2006, p. 2.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
(56) TSubject to them complying with all its rules and regulations, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 66 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
(60) Considering the increasing interconnectivity of the world economy, and provided it is done in an objective and transparent manner, the Programme should continue to provide the possibility of involving external experts, such as officials of third countries, representatives of international organisations or economic operators in certain activities.
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 72 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to improve the functioning of the internal market, and especially to protect and empower citizens, consumers, producers and businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by enforcement of Union law, facilitation of market access, standard setting, and by promoting human, animal and plant health and animal welfare; as well as to enhance cooperation between the competent authorities of Member States and between the competent authorities of Member States and the Commission and the decentralised Union agencies;
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 75 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
(i) empowering, assisting and educating consumers, producers, businesses and civil society; ensuring a high level of consumer protection, sustainable consumption and product safety notably by supporting competent enforcement authorities and consumer representative organisations and cooperation actions; ensuring that all consumers have access to redress and; provision of adequate information on markets and consumers;
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 84 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
TSubject to them complying with all its rules and regulations, the Programme shall be open to the following third countries:
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 86 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) creation of the right conditions to empower all actors of the internal market, including producers, businesses, citizens and consumers, civil society and public authorities through transparent information and awareness raising campaigns, best practice exchange, promotion of good practices, exchange and dissemination of expertise and knowledge and organization of trainings;
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 88 #

2018/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) provision of mechanisms for citizens, consumers, producers, end-users, civil society and businesses representatives from the Union to contribute to political discussions, policies and decision making process, notably by supporting the functioning of representative organisations at national and the Union level;
2018/11/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) With 1.8% of EU GDP, down from 2.2% in 2009, infrastructure investment activities in the Union in 2016 were about 20% below investment rates before the global financial crisis. Thus, while a recovery in investment-to-GDP ratios in the Union can be observed, it remains below what might be expected in a strong recovery period and is insufficient to compensate for years of underinvestment. More importantly, the current investment levels and forecasts do not cover the Union’s structural investment needs in the face of technological change and global competitiveness, including for innovation, skills, infrastructure, small and medium- sized enterprises ('SMEs') and the need to address key societal challenges such as sustainability or population ageing. Consequently, continued support is necessary to address market failures and sub-optimal investment situations to reduce the investment gap in targeted sectors to achieve the Union's policy objectives.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In the last few years, the Union has adopted ambitious strategies to complete the Single Market and to stimulate sustainable growth and jobs, such as the Capital Markets Union, the Digital Single Market Strategy, the Clean Energy for all Europeans package, the Union Action Plan for the Circular Economy, the Low- Emission Mobility Strategy, the Defence and the Space Strategy for Europe. The InvestEU Fund should exploit and reinforce synergies between those mutually reinforcing strategies through providing support to investment and access to financing.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The InvestEU Fund should contribute to improving the competitiveness of the Union, including in the field of innovation and digitisation, the sustainability of the Union's economic growth, the social resilience and inclusiveness and the integration of the Union capital markets, including solutions addressing their fragmentation and diversifying sources of financing for the Union enterprises. To that end, it should support projects that are technically and economically viable by providing a framework for the use of debt, risk sharing and equity instruments underpinned by a guarantee from the Union's budget and by contributions from implementing partners. It should be well publicised and demand- driven, while support under the InvestEU Fund should at the same time focus on contributing to meeting policy objectives of the Union.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 28 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The InvestEU Fund should support investments in tangible and intangible assets to foster growth, investment and employment, andsustainable employment that complies with all Union labour standards, thereby contributing to improved well-being and fairer income distribution in the Union. Intervention through the InvestEU Fund should complement Union support delivered through grants.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 39 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) According to the 2018 Global Risks Report issued by the World Economic Forum, half of the ten most critical risks threatening the global economy relate to the environment, built into which are the risks posed by the increasing number of major trade deals, which results in more centralised methods of food production and manufacturing, which further results in increased global transport traffic. Such risks include air, soil and water pollution, extreme weather events, biodiversity losses and failures of climate-change mitigation and adaptation. Environmental principles are strongly embedded in the Treaties and many of the Union's policies. Therefore, the mainstreaming of environmental objectives should be promoted in the InvestEU Fund related operations. Environmental protection and related risk prevention and management should be integrated in the preparation and implementation of investments. The EU should also track its biodiversity-related and air pollution control-related expenditure in order to fulfil the reporting obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council15 Investment allocated to environmentally sustainability objectives should therefore be tracked using common methodologies coherent with that developed under other Union programmes applying to climate, biodiversity and air pollution management in order to allow assessing the individual and combined impact of investments on the key components of the natural capital, including air, water, land and biodiversity. _________________ 15 Directive (EU) 2016/2284 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants, amending Directive 2003/35/EC and repealing Directive 2001/81/EC (OJ L 344, 17.12.2016, p. 1).
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 51 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) The InvestEU Fund should operate under four policy windows, mirroring the key Union policy priorities, namely s: 1) Sustainable infrastructure; r2) Research, innovation and digitisation: 3) SMEs; and s4) Social investment and skills.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) TSubject to the same rules and regulations, the InvestEU Fund should be open to contributions from third countries that are members of the European Free Trade Association, acceding countries, candidates and potential candidates, countries covered by the Neighbourhood policy and other countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down between the Union and those countries. This should allow continuing cooperating with the relevant countries, where appropriate, in particular in the fields of research and innovation as well as SMEs.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
(44) TSubject to all rules and regulations of individual programmes, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 67 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
TSubject to all rules and regulations of individual programmes, the EU compartment of the InvestEU Fund referred to in point (a) of Article 8(1) and each of the policy windows referred to in Article 7(1) may receive contributions from the following third countries in order to participate in certain financial products pursuant to [Article 218(2)] of the [Financial Regulation]:
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 119 #

2018/0229(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. The InvestEU Portal shall be established by the Commission. It shall be an well publicised, easily accessible and user-friendly project database, providing relevant information for each project.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2018/0228(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) Because the new trade deals such as TTIP, CETA, Mercosur etc will massively increase international transport by road, rail, sea and air, all such trade deals should include a study on the accompanying increase in transport needs and effects across the Union, on both infrastructure and increased carbon emissions.
2018/07/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The European Council concluded in particular that the Union should urgently address emerging trends: this includes issues such as artificial intelligence and distributed ledgers technologies (e.g. blockchain), while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection, digital rights and labour and ethical standards. The European Council invited the Commission to put forward a European approach to artificial intelligence by early 2018 and called on the Commission to put forward the necessary initiatives for strengthening the framework conditions with a view to enable the EU to explore new markets through risk-based radical innovations and to reaffirm the leading role of its industry.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The general objective of the Programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation, research and technological development, for the benefit of businesses and citizenscitizens (in the first instance) and businesses and their employees (in the second instance) all over the Union. The programme should be structured into five Specific Objectives reflecting key policy areas, namely: high- performance computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, and deployment, best use of digital capacities and interoperability. For all these areas, the Programme should also aim at better aligning Union, Member States and regional policies, and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase investment and develop stronger synergies.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) Trust is a prerequisite for the Digital Single Market to function. Cybersecurity technologies such as digital identities, cryptography or intrusion detection, and their application in areas such as finance, industry 4.0, energy, transportation, healthcare, or e-government are essential to safeguard the security and trust of online activity and transactions by both citizens, public administrations, and companies.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) Modernising public administrations and services through digital means is crucial to reducing administrative burden on industry and on citizens in general and on industry by making their interactions with public authorities faster, more convenient and less costly, as well as by increasing the efficiency and the quality of the services provided to citizens and businesses. Since a number of services of public interest already have a Union dimension, the support to their implementation and deployment at Union level should ensure that citizens and businesses will benefit from the access to high quality digital services across Europe.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
(40) The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), applicable from May 2018 onwards, by providing for a single set of rules directly applicable in the Member States legal orders, will guarantee within specified limits the free flow of personal data between EU Member States and reinforce trust and security of the individuals, two indispensable elements for a real Digital Single Market. The actions undertaken under this Programme, when they involve the processing of personal data, should therefore support the application of the GDPR, for instance in the field of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43
(43) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate actions and help lead to the achievement of an overall target of 25% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives74 . Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes. _________________ 74 COM(2018) 321 final, page 1 COM(2018) 321 final, page 1
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 23 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Unions, notably those referred under Articles [8], [11], [16], [21], [35], [38] and [47] regarding the protection of personal data, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom to conduct business, the prohibition of discrimination, healthcare, consumer protection and the right to effective remedy and fair trial. The Member States must apply this Regulation in a manner consistent with these rights and principles.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Programme has the following general objective: to support the digital transformation of the European economy and society and bring its benefits to European citizens and to businesses and their employees. The Programme will:
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
TSubject to the rules and objectives of the pProgramme, it shall be open to:
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2018/0227(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 5 – subpart I – point 2 – point 2.1
2.1. Ensure that all EU citizens - even those who either are not computer-literate or don't have access to a computer - can access, share, use, and manage their personal health data securely across borders irrespective of their location or the location of the data. Complete the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure and extend it by new digital services, support deployment of the European exchange format for electronic health records.
2018/10/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
(7) Reflecting the important contribution that research and innovation should make to address challenges in food (through natural methods, without genetic modification), agriculture, rural development and the bioeconomy, and to seize the corresponding research and innovation opportunities in close synergy with Common Agricultural Policy, relevant actions under the Specific Programme will be supported with EUR 10 billion for the cluster 'Food and Natural Resources' for the period 2021-2027.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. For each mission, a mission board may be established. It shall be composed of around 15 transparently-chosen high level individuals including relevant end-users' representatives. The mission board shall advise upon the following:
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Scientific Council shall be composed of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and appropriate expertise, of both women and menall genders in different age groups, ensuring a diversity of research areas and acting in their personal capacity, independent of extraneous interests.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The EIC Board shall be composed of 15 to 20 high level individuals drawn from various parts of Europe's innovation ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, environmental and corporate watch-dog NGO representatives, investors and researchers. It shall contribute to outreach actions, with EIC Board members striving to enhance the prestige of the EIC brand.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – paragraph 1
The implementation of Horizon Europe's programme-level objectives in an integrated manner will be ensured by multiannual Strategic Planning. Such planning will provide the focus on impact for the Programme overall and coherence between its different pillars, as well as synergy with other EU programmes (with the exception of the European defence industrial development programme, the EDIDP), and support to and from other EU policies.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – paragraph 6
The Strategic Planning will promote synergies between Horizon Europe and other Union Programmes (with the exception of the European defence industrial development programme, the EDIDP), including the Euratom programme, thus becoming a point of reference for research and innovation in all related programmes across the EU budget and non-funding instruments. This will also promote faster dissemination and uptake of research and innovation results and avoid duplication and overlaps between funding possibilities. It will provide the frame for linking the direct research actions of the Joint Research Centre and other actions supported under the Programme, including the use of results for support to policy.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part I – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 1
Although the EU remains the largest producer of scientific publications in the world, it is essentially a 'mass producer' of knowledge with, relative to its size, comparatively few centres of excellence that stand out at the world level and with large areas of average and poor performance. Compared with the US and now China to some degree, the EU still tends to follow a 'distributed excellence model' in which resources are spread across a larger number of researchers and research institutions, not a problem in itself, but which could be reinforced with the addition of centres of excellence, transparently and objectively chosen. Another challenge is that in many EU countries the public sector still does not offer sufficiently attractive conditions for the best researchers. These factors compound Europe's relative unattractiveness in the global competition for scientific talent.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part I – point 1 – point 1.2 – point 1.2.1 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Long-term funding to support excellent investigators and their research teams to pursue ground-breaking, high- gain/high-risk research for the long-term benefit of all humankind, and specifically excluding defence-industry research;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part I – point 1 – point 1.3 – point 1.3.3 – paragraph 1 – indent 4
– appoint in a fully transparent manner the Director and the members of the management of the dedicated implementation structure taking into account the views of the Scientific Council;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2
Europe is a scientific powerhouse with around 1.8 million researchers working in thousands of universities, research centres and world-leading companies. However, it is estimated that the EU will need to train and employ at least one million new researchers by 2027 in order to achieve the targets beings set for increased investment in research and innovation. This need is particularly acute in the non-academic sector. The EU must reinforce its efforts to entice more young women and menpeople across all genders and backgrounds to a career in research, to attract researchers from third countries, retain its own researchers and reintegrate European researchers working elsewhere back to Europe. In addition, in order to more widely spread excellence, the conditions under which researchers perform must be further improved throughout the European Research Area (ERA). In this respect, stronger links are needed notably with the European Education Area (EEdA), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and European Social Fund (ESF+).
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part I – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 6
Through global research competition between scientists and between host organisations from both the academic and non-academic sector, and through the creation and sharing of high-quality knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, the MSCA contribute notably to the goals of the 'Jobs, growth and investment' agenda, the EU Global Strategy and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Attention must also be given to the fact, however, that infinite growth in a finite planet is simply not achievable, and thus more research is also needed in the field of a true 'circular economy', with an emphasis on reuse, repair, recycle.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – paragraph 1
Many of the challenges which confront the EU are also global challenges. The scale and complexity of the problems are vast, and need to be matched by the appropriate money, resources and effort in order to find solutions. These are precisely the areas where the EU must work together; smart, flexible and joined-up for the benefit and well-being of our citizens. In this regard, research is needed into the negative as well as the positive effects of the many proposed major trade deals currently being negotiated/agreed by the Union, especially in the area of increased environmental damage caused by the inevitible increase of global transport on land, sea and air, and on the possible centralisation of production and manufacturing, including in the area of food production, processing and retailing.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 1
The EU Pillar of Social Rights asserts that everyone has the right to timely access to affordable-for-all, preventive and curative health care of good quality. This underlines the EU’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals calling for universal health coverage for all at all ages by 2030, leaving no one behind, and ending preventable deaths.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 1 – point 1.2 – point 1.2.4 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
– Vaccines (independently proven, to overcome acceptance-resistance by the public), diagnostics, treatments and cures for infectious diseases, including co- morbidities and co-infections;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 3
European citizens, state institutions and the economy need to be protected from the continued threats of organised crime, including firearms trafficking, drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings. Strengthening protection and security through better border management is also key. Cybercrime is on the increase and related risks are diversifying as the economy and society digitalise. Europe needs to continue its effots to improve cybersecurity, digital privacy, personal data protection and combat the spread of false and harmful information, whilst also guarding against over-stepping the bounds on Human Rights (including freedom-of-speech, right to privacy, etc), in order to safeguard democratic and economic stability. Lastly, further efforts are required to limit the effects on lives and livelihoods of extreme weather events which are intensifying due to climate change, such as floods, storms or droughts leading to forest fires, land degradation and other natural disasters, e.g. earthquakes. Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can put at risk important societal functions, such as health, energy supply and government.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 5
Security research is part of the wider comprehensive EU response to security threats. It contributes to the capability development process by enabling the future availability of technologies and applications to fill capability gaps identified by policy-makers and practitioners. Already, funding to research through the EU's framework programme has represented around 50% of total public funding for security research in the EU. Full use will be made of available instruments, including the European space programme (Galileo and EGNOS, Copernicus, Space Situational Awareness and Governmental Satellite Communications). Synergies are sought with the activities supported by EU- funded defence research and duplication of funding is avoidDefence-based research funding is explicitly prohibited. Cross- border collaboration contributes to developing a European single security market and improving industrial performance, underpinning the EU's autonomy.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 6
Research and Innovation activities in this Global Challenge will be overall aligned with the Commission's priorities on Democratic Change; Jobs, Growth and Investment, with an acknowledgement that infinite growth is impossible on a finite planet; Justice and Fundamental Rights; Migration; A Deeper and Fairer European Monetary Union; Digital Single Market. It will respond to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards: "a social Europe" and "a Union which preserves our cultural heritage and promotes cultural diversity". It will also support the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Security research responds to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards "a safe and secure Europe", contributing to a genuine and effective Security Union. Synergies with the Justice Programme and with the Rights and Values Programme, which support activities in the area of access to justice, victims' rights, gender equality, non-discrimination, data protection and promotion of the European citizenship will be exploited.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.1 – paragraph 1
TRegrettably, trust in democracy and political institutions seems to be recedingis decreasing across the European Union. Disenchantment with politics is increasingly articulated not just by anti- establishment and populist parties and a resurgent nativism, but by people genuinely concerned at the decisions and direction being taken by politics and by politicians across the Union, including within the EU institutions themselves. This is compounded by socio-economic inequalities, highand the hysteria being generated against migration flows and /security concerns. Responding to present and future challenges requires new thinking on how democratic institutions at all levels must adapt in a context of greater diversity, global economic competition, rapid technological advancements and digitisation, with citizens' experience of democratic discourses and institutions being crucial.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Heritage studies (including negative heritage, such as violent colonialism, the Crusades, the Inquisition etc, and the lessons to be learned therefrom) and sciences, with cutting edge technologies including digital ones;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.1 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
– Innovative approaches to support the transparency, responsiveness, accountability, effectiveness, and legitimacy of democratic governance in full respect of fundamental rights and of the rule of law, with at least as much access to the various European Union institutions mandated for NGOs and citizens representative groups as is given to industry lobbyists;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.1 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
– Strategies to address populism, extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism and to include and engage, but strategies also to address the valid concerns of the many disaffected and marginalised citizens across the Union;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.1 – paragraph 2 – indent 4
– Better understand the role of journalistic standards and user-generated content in a hyper-connected society and develop tools to combat disinformation/partial information, including from mainstream media working too closely with government sources and thus not exercising their mandate of objectivity and impartiality;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Knowledge base for advice on investments and policies especially affordable-for-all education and training, for high value added skills, productivity, social mobility, growth, social innovation and job creation. The role of education and training to tackle inequalities;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
– Social sustainability beyond GDP- only indicators, especially new economic and business models and new financial technologies; in the case of Ireland especially, the GDP indicator has been totally discredited, warped to a huge extent by the activities of its many multinational corporations;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 7
EAffordable-for-all education and training systems to foster and make the best use of the EU's digital transformation, also to manage the risks from global interconnectedness and technological innovations, especially emerging online risks, ethical concerns, socio-economic inequalities and radical changes in markets;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 8
– Modernisation of public authorities to meet citizens’ expectation regarding service provision, transparency, accessibility, openness, accountability and user centricity, with the provision that this 'modernisation' does not include the privatisation of existing public services such as water, energy, infrastructure etc.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.5 – paragraph 2 – indent 5
– Interoperability of equipment and procedures to facilitate cross-border and inter-agency operational cooperation and develop an integrated EU market., but excluding investment in any element of the arms industry;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – paragraph 3
Research and innovation are key drivers of sustainable growth and industrial competitiveness, and they will contribute to finding solutions to today’s problems, to reverse as quickly as possible, the negative and dangerous trend that currently links economic development, the misuse of natural resources and social issues, and turn it into new business opportunitiesa positive, with new kinds of business opportunities that are ultimately for the benefit of all, rather than just for the few.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.5 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Technologies and systems that have been independently tested and proven safe, for trusted and energy- efficient smart network and service infrastructures (connectivity beyond 5G, software defined infrastructures, Internet of things, cloud infrastructures, cognitive clouds), enabling real-time capabilities, virtualisation and decentralised management (ultrafast and flexible radio, edge computing, blockchains, shared contexts and knowledge);
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.6 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
– Big Data: Extreme-performance data analytics; "Privacy by design" in the analysis of personal and confidential Big Data; technologies for full-scale data platforms for re-use of industrial, personal and open data; data management, interoperability and linking tools; data applications for global challenges; data storage, the environmental implications and to reduce the impact;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.8 – paragraph 1
Industrial sectors, including energy- intensive industries, contribute millions of jobs and their competitiveness is keyone of many elements for the prosperity of our societies. However, they account for 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and have a high environmental impact (particularly in terms of air, water and soil pollutants).
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 60 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – paragraph 4
The EU will benefit as user and producer of technologies and industries showcasing how modern industrialised, sustainable inclusive, open and democratic society and economy can function and develop. The growing economic-environmental-social examples of the sustainable industrial economy of the future will be fostered and boosted, be they for: health and well-being for all; or resilient inclusive and secure societies; or available clean energy (which automatically excludes 'fracking') and mobility; or a digitised economy and society; or a transdisciplinary and creative industry; or space marine or land-based solutions; or food and nutrition solutions, which must include research into natural means of increasing food production, as opposed to genetically modified methods; sustainable use of natural resources climate protection and adaptation, all generating wealth in Europe and offering higher quality jobs. Industrial transformation will be crucial.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 6
Transport ensures the mobility of people and goods necessary for an integrated European single market, territorial cohesion and an open and inclusive society. At the same time, transport has significant negative effects on human health, congestion, land, air quality and noise, as well as safety resulting in numerous premature deaths and increased socio-economic costs. This will be exacerbated with the implementation of the many major trade deals now being negotiated/completed by the Union. Therefore, sustainable mobility and transport networks need to become clean, safe, smart, secure, silent, reliable and affordable, offering a seamless integrated door-to-door service.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.2 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Reliable renewable energy technologies and solutions for power generation, heating and cooling, sustainable transport fuels and intermediate carriers, at various scales and development stages, adapted to geographic conditions and markets, both within the EU and worldwide;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 63 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.1 – paragraph 1
The capacity to observe the environment underpins research and innovation19 for the sustainable use and monitoring of food and natural resources. To this end a greater emphasis needs to be put on the promotion of the more environmentally- friendly plant-based diet, with research needed into viable meat-substitute foods. Improved spatio- temporal coverage and sampling intervals at reduced cost, as well as big data access and integration from multiple sources provide new ways to monitor, understand and predict the Earth system. There is a need for a wider deployment, exploitation and update of new technologies and continued research and innovation to address gaps in Earth Observation (EO) on land and sea and in the atmosphere, collaborating in particular through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and its European component EuroGEOSS. _________________ 19 Earth Observation will support research and innovation under other intervention areas within this Global Challenge as well as other relevant parts of Horizon Europe.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 64 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.2 – paragraph 1
Improved understanding of biodiversity and ecosystems, the multiple services they provide and planetary 'boundaries' as well as solutions harnessing nature’s power and complexity is needed to address societal challenges, to enhance sustainability and to attain the EU objective of 'Living well within the limits of our planet' by 2050 as laid down in the 7th EU Environmental Action Programme. To this end major emphasis needs to be put on the development of natural means of increased crop production/fertilisation/pesticide control, as opposed to genetic modification. Due account must be taken throughout whole value chains of potential upstream impacts. International cooperation and contribution to international efforts and initiatives, such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, are essential to achieve the objectives in this area. There is a need to better understand the governance of the transition to susntainability in the eceonomic, social and natural system, from the local to the global level.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 65 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
– Methods, technologies and tools for sustainable and resilient production in farming and , in forestry, and in agriforestry;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – indent 1
– Scientific and technical policy support for affordable-for-all improved public health and health care systems, including medical devices and health technology assessments, databases, digitisation;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 3 – indent 1
– Focus on breakthrough and disruptive innovations, excluding defence arms-industry oriented but including social, that have the potential to create new markets, as opposed to those which make incremental improvements in existing products, services or business models;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 1
To fully harness the potential of innovation involving researchers, entrepreneurs, industry and society at large, but excluding the arms industry, the EU must improve the environment within which innovation can flourish at all levels. This will mean contributing to the development of an effective innovation ecosystem at EU level, and encouraging cooperation, networking, and the exchange of ideas, funding and skills among national and local innovation ecosystems.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.4 – paragraph 1
The EIT will step up its efforts to capitalise on synergies and complementarities with different actors and initiatives at EU and global levels, excluding those in the arms industry, and extend its network of collaborating organisations at both strategic and operational levels.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. For each mission, a mission board may be established. It shall be composed of around 15 high level individuals including relevant end-users' representatives, transparently and objectively appointed. The mission board shall advise upon the following:
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 161 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 1 – point 1.2 – point 1.2.6 – paragraph 1
Health systems are a key asset of the EU social systems, accounting for 24 million employees in the health and social work sector in 2017. It is a main priority to render health systems accessible to all, regardless of income, cost- effective, resilient, sustainable and trusted as well as to reduce inequalities, including by unleashing the potential of data-driven and digital innovation for better health and person-centred care building on open European data infrastructures. This will advance the digital transformation of health and care.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 175 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 6
Research and Innovation activities in this Global Challenge will be overall aligned with the Commission's priorities on Democratic Change; Jobs, Growth and Investment; Justice and Fundamental Rights; Migration; A Deeper and Fairer European Monetary Union; Digital Single Market. It will respond to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards: "a social Europe" and "a Union which preserves our cultural heritage and promotes cultural diversity". It will also support the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Security research responds to the commitment of the Rome Agenda to work towards "a safe and secure Europe", contributing to a genuine and effective Security Union. Synergies with the Justice Programme and with the Rights and Values Programme, which support activities in the area of access to justice, victims' rights, gender equality, non- discrimination, data protection and promotion of the European citizenship will be exploited.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 179 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 2 – point 2.2 – point 2.2.5 – paragraph 1
There is a need to protect citizens from and to respond to security threats from criminal including terrorist activities and hybrid threats; to protect people, public spaces and critical infrastructure, from both physical (including CBRN-E) attacks and cyber- attacks; to fight terrorism and radicalisation, including understanding and tackling terrorist ideas and beliefs; to prevent and fight serious crime, including cybercrime, and organised crime; to support victims; to trace criminal financial flows; to support the use of data for law enforcement and to ensure the protection of personal data in law enforcement activities; to support air, land and sea EU border management, for flows of people and goods. It is essential to maintain flexibility rapidly to address new security challenges that may arise., though any investment through this programme in military- oriented research is expressly prohibited;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 186 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 2
To meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement the EU will need to transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient, sustainable, and resilient economies and societies. This will be based on profound changes in technology and services, to the ways in which businesses and consumers behave, as well as involving new forms of governance. Limiting the increase of global average temperature to well below 2°C, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C, requires rapid progress in decarbonising the energy system and substantially reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector17 . It will also need new impetus to accelerate the pace of developing next-generation breakthroughs as well as demonstrating and deploying innovative technologies and solutions, using also the opportunities provided by digital and space technologies. This will be pursued through an integrated approach encompassing decarbonisation, resource efficiency, reduction of air pollution, access to raw materials and circular economy. _________________ 17 Substantial decarbonisation of other sectors is addressed in other areas of the Horizon Europe Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 188 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 3
Progress in these sectors - but also across the spectrum of EU industry including agriculture, buildings, industrial processes and product use, and waste management - will require continued efforts to better understand the mechanisms of climate change and the associated impacts acrossof such as TTIP, CETA and other major trade deals across the environment, the economy and society in general, exploiting synergies with national activities, other EU types of actions and international cooperation.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 189 #

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.1 – paragraph 6
Transport ensures the mobility of people and goods necessary for an integrated European single market, territorial cohesion and an open and inclusive society. At the same time, transport has significant negative effects on human health, congestion, land, air quality and noise, as well as safety resulting in numerous premature deaths and increased socio-economic costs. Therefore, sustainable mobility and transport networks need to become clean, safe, smart, secure, silent, reliable and affordable, offering a seamless integrated door-to-door service. In addition, while their advantages are well publicised, independent research is needed into the negative and destructive elements of such as TTIP, CETA and other proposed major trade deals.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) It is the Union's objective to strengthen its scientific and technological bases and encourage its competitiveness, including in its industry with the specific exclusion of the arms industry, while promoting all research and innovation activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities, which ultimately aim at promoting peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Full engagement of industry in the Programme, at all levels from the individual entrepreneur and small and medium-sized enterprises to large scale enterprises, should constitute one of the main channels through which the Programme's objectives are to be realised, specifically towards the creation of meaningful jobs that meet all current Union Labour laws and rights, and sustainable jobs and growth. Industry should contribute to the perspectives and priorities established through the strategic planning process which should support the development of work programmes. Such engagement by industry should see its participation in the actions supported at levels at least commensurate with those under the previous framework programme Horizon 2020 established by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council13 ('Horizon 2020'). _________________ 13 https://publications.europa.eu/en/publicatio n-detail/-/publication/83aea4a3-6bff-11e3- 9afb-01aa75ed71a1
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) The activities developed under the Programme should aim at eliminating gender inequalities and promoting equality between women and mengenders in research and innovation, in compliance with Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 8 of the TFEU. The gender dimension should be adequately integrated in research and innovation content and followed through at all stages of the research cycle.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) In light of the specificities of the defence industry sector, the detailed provisions for Union funding to defence research projects should be fixed in the Regulation … establishing the European Defence Fund16 which defines the rules of participation for defence research. Research and innovation activities carried out under the European Defence Fund should have an exclusive focus on defence applications. _________________ 16deleted
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the specific programme on defence research established by Regulation …/…/EU.deleted
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Programme’s general objective is to deliver scientific, economic and societal impact from the Union’s investments in research and innovation so as to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the Union and foster its competitiveness, including in its industry but specifically excluding the arms industry, deliver on the Union strategic priorities, and contribute to tackling global challenges, including the Sustainable Development Goals.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. ANo activities to be carried out under the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b) and which are laid down in Regulation …. establishing the European Defence Fund, shall be research with an exclusive focus on defence applications, with the objective to foster the competitiveness, efficiency under this programme or in conjunction with any other Union programme shall be carried out that involves any kind of investment in the arms industry aund innovation of defence industryer any guise.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation does not apply to the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b), with the exception of this Article, Article 1(1) and (3) and Article 9(1).deleted
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Framework Programme for the period 2021 – 2027 shall be EUR 94 100 000 000 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(a) and, in addition, the amount for the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b), as laid down in Regulation…. establishing the European Defence Fund, but which shall not be invested in any enterprise related to the arms industry.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) It is the Union's objective to strengthen its scientific and technological bases and encourage its competitiveness, including in its industry, while promoting all research and innovation activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities, which ultimately aim at promoting peace (which, consequently, precludes investment in any military or war-related research and innovation), the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 35 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
1. Actions may involve or have as their primary aim pre-commercial procurement or public procurement of innovative solutions that shall be carried out by beneficiaries which are contracting authorities or contracting entities as defined in Directives 2014/24/EU31 , 2014/25/EU32 and 2009/81/EC33 , but specifically excluding any enterprise related to the expansion or the furtherance of the arms industry. _________________ 31 Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC. (OJ L 94, 28.03.2014, p. 65). 32 Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (OJ L 94, 28.03.2014, p. 243). 33 Directive 2009/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the coordination of procedures for the award of certain works contracts, supply contracts and service contracts by contracting authorities or entities in the fields of defence and security, and amending Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC (OJ L 216, 20.08.2009, p.76).
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Equipping researchers with new knowledge and skills through mobility and exposure across borders, sectors and disciplines, as well as structuring and improving institutional and national recruitment, training and career development systems; in so doing, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions help to lay the foundations of Europe's excellent research landscape, contributing to boosting jobs,meaningful jobs that meet all current Union Labour laws and rights, sustainable growth, and investment, and solving current and future societal challenges.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2018/0224(COD)

(a) the ESF+ can mainstream and scale up innovative curricula supported by the Programme, through national or regional programmes, in order to equip people with the skills and competences needed for the jobs of the future, that meet all current European Union Labour laws and rights;
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – point 16
16. SAny synergies with the European Defence Fund willmust be for the benefit of civil and defence research. Unnecessary duplication will be excluded.research alone, and must not include defence/arms industry elements
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – paragraph 5
The Programme is expected to have economic/innovation impact by influencing the creation and growth of companies, creating direct and indirect jobs that meet all current European Union Labour laws and rights, and by leveraging investments for research and innovation. Progress towards this impact will be monitored through proxy indicators set along the following three key impact pathways.
2018/10/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) In light of the specificities of the defence industry sector, the detailed provisions for Union funding to defence research projects should be fixed in the Regulation … establishing the European Defence Fund16 which defines the rules of participation for defenne with one of the most fundamental aims of the European Union, the promotion of peace, research. Research and innovation activities carried out under the European Defence Fund should have an exclusive focus on defence applications. _________________ 16should preclude any investment in any project related specifically to the military or to the arms industry;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 106 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Activities to be carried out under the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b) and which are laid down in Regulation …. establishing the European Defence Fund, shall be research with an exclusive focunot be funded, which is oin defence applications, with the objective to foster the competitiveness, efficiency and innovation of defence industry.line with a fundamental aim of the European Union, the promotion of peace;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 121 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Framework Programme for the period 2021 – 2027 shall be EUR 94 100 000 000 in current prices for the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(a) and, in addition, the amount; in line with a fundamental aim of the European Union, that of the promotion of peace, no funding should be assigned for the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b), as laid down in Regulation…. establishing the European Defence Fund.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 191 #

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
activities related to the arms industry or weapons development;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0218(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘The Future of Food and Farming’ of 29 November 2017 sets out the challenges, objectives and orientations for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020. These objectives include, inter alia, the need for the CAP to be more result-driven, to boost modernisation and sustainability, including the economic, social, environmental and climate sustainability of the agricultural, forestry and rural areas (including through an increased focus on agri-forestry), and to help reducing the Union legislation- related administrative burden for beneficiaries.
2018/11/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2018/0218(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Since the CAP needs to sharpen its responses to the challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at Union, international, national, regional, local and farm levels, it is necessary to streamline the governance of the CAP and improve its delivery on the Union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden. In the CAP based on delivery of performance (‘delivery model’), and bearing in mind as a primary focus the objective of providing a sustainable income for producers, the Union should set the basic policy parameters, such as objectives of the CAP and basic requirements, while Member States should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve targets, including especially through a weighted and transparent bottom-up distribution of the CAP grants. Enhanced subsidiarity makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs, tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to Union objectives.
2018/11/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2018/0218(COD)

(9) Rules for classifying wine grape varieties by Member States should be modified to include the wine grape varieties Noah, Othello, Isabelle, Jacquez, Clinton and Herbemont, previously excluded. To ensure that wine production in the Union develops a higher resistance to diseases and that it uses vine varieties better adapted to changing climatic conditions, provision should be made allowing Vitis Labrusca varieties and varieties stemming from crosses between Vitis vinifera, Vitis Labrusca and other species of the genus Vitis to be planted for wine production in the Union. No provision should be made, however, for genetically modified varieties.
2018/11/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled 'The Future of Food and Farming' of 29 November 2017 concludes that the Common Agricultural Policy (hereinafter ‘CAP’) should continue to step up its response to future challenges and opportunities, by boosting employment, growth and investment, fighting and adapting to climate change and bring, adapting them and transferring research and innovation out offrom the laboratories and onto fields and markets. The CAP should furthermore address citizens' concerns regarding sustainable agriculture production. There must be a fairer distribution of aid between production, producers, regions and countries, benefiting small and medium-sized farmers, with a coupling of aid to vulnerable sectors.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) The agricultural sector must not face any financial repercussions as a result of political decisions, such as the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU or the funding of new European strategic policies.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) In order to achieve the objectives of the CAP laid down in Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (the ‘Treaty’), and to comply with the principle of shared management, as provided for in Article 59 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, Member States should ensure that the necessary governance systems are in place. Provision should therefore be made for designating the competent authority, paying agency, coordinating body, appeals procedure for final beneficiaries and certification body.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
(8 a) In accordance with Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), the implementation of the CAP shall be in coherence with the objectives of development cooperation, including, inter alia, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Measures taken under this regulation should jeopardise neither the food production capacity and long-term food security of developing countries, in particular least developed countries (LDCs), nor the achievement of the Union's climate change mitigation obligations under the Paris Agreement.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Where a Member State accredits more than one paying agency, it should designate a single public coordinating body in order to ensure consistency in the management of Funds, to provide for a liaison between the Commission and the various accredited paying agencies, and to ensure that the information requested by the Commission concerning the operations of several paying agencies is provided promptly. The coordinating body should also take and coordinate actions with a view to resolving any deficiencies of a common nature encountered at national level and should keep the Commission informed of any follow-up. Paying agencies should develop their role as advisors to farmers and make efforts towards the simplification of procedures and ensuring compliance with standards at European level, in addition In recognition of New Delivery Model Member States shall establish a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising the required expertise and stakeholder representation;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) With a view to ensuring that the amounts for the financing of the CAP comply with the annual ceilings, the financial discipline mechanism by which the level of direct support is adjusted, should be maintained. However, the threshold of EUR 2000 should be abolished. An agricultural reserve should be maintained to support the agricultural sector in the event of market developments or major crises affecting the agricultural production or distribution. The crisis reserve should be a functioning flexible tool, a mechanism which would enable the EU to better respond to any crisis that has EU-wide consequences on any of the agricultural sectors, especially in terms of the economy. Article 12(2)(d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [New Financial Regulation] foresees that non- committed appropriations may be carried over to to the following financial year only. In order to significantly simplify the implementation for beneficiaries and national administrations, a roll-over mechanism should be used, using any unused amounts of the reserve for crises in the agricultural sector established in 2020. For this purpose a derogation from Article 12(2)(d) is necessary, allowing for non- committed appropriations of the agricultural reserve to be carried over without time limitation to finance the agricultural reserve in the following financial year(s). Furthermore, as regards the financial year 2020, a second derogation is necessary as the total unused amount of the reserve available at the end of year 2020 should be carried over to the year 2021 to the corresponding line of the new agricultural reserve without being returned to the budgetary lines which cover direct payment interventions under the CAP Strategic Plan.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) Member States should ensure that Union aid be paid to beneficiaries in good time so that they may use it efficiently. A failure by the Member States to comply with the payment deadlines laid down in Union law might create serious difficulties for the beneficiaries and could jeopardise the Union's yearly budgeting. Therefore, expenditure made without respecting deadlines for payments should be excluded from Union financingsubject to a premium granted to the final beneficiaries and, where appropriate, compensation for the economic loss caused by the late payment. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, the Commission should be empowered to provide for exceptions from this general rule with regard to both Funds.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) As regards the multi-annual performance monitoring the Commission should also have the power to suspend payments. Accordingly in cases of delayed or insufficient progress towards targets, set out in the national CAP Strategic Plan, the Commission should be empowered to request the Member State concerned to take the necessary remedial actions in accordance with an action plan to be established in consultation with the Commission anlocal, regional, national and international stakeholders. Such action plans should containing clear progress indicators, by means of an implementing act. Where the Member State fails to submit or to implement the action plan or where the action plan is manifestly insufficient to remedy the situation, the Commission should have the power to suspend the monthly or interim payments, by means of an implementing act. Particular attention should be paid to respect of the Union’s environmental legislation as well as EU and Member States' commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Treaty obligations.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) As had been the case under Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, the Commission should be empowered to suspend payments when serious deficiencies exist in the governance systems, including non-compliance with Union basic requirements and unreliability of reporting. In addition, incoherence between CAP implementation and other EU policies and commitments, inter alia, the SDGs, climate, environment and human rights obligations, should be considered as a deficiency in Member states’ governance systems, It is, however, necessary to review the conditions for suspending payments in order to make the mechanism more efficient. The financial consequences of such suspensions should be decided in an ad-hoc conformity procedure.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
(47) The existing main elements of the integrated system and, in particular, the provisions concerning a system for identifying agricultural parcels, a geo- spatial and an animal-based application system, a system for identifying and registering payment entitlements, a system for recording the identity of beneficiaries and a control and penalties system should be maintained. Member States should continue to use data or information products provided by the Copernicus programme, in addition to information technologies such as GALILEO and EGNOS in order to ensure that comprehensive and comparable data is available throughout the Union for the purposes of monitoring agri-environment- climate policy and for the purposes of boosting the use of full, free and open data and information captured by Copernicus Sentinels satellites and services. To this end, the integrated system should include also an area monitoring system. The purpose of using such technology should be to limit the amount of on farm inspections that are required and reduce the administrative burden on farmers.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
(57) While Member States should be allowed to set out the details on penalties, those penalties should be proportionate, effective and dissuasive and should be without prejudice to other penalties laid down under Union or national law. To ensure an effective and coherent approach by Member States, it is necessary to provide for a minimum penalty rates at Union level for cases of non-compliance occurring for the first time due to negligence, while reoccurrence should lead to a higher percentage and intentionality mabut where such cases are repeated or intentional, this should potentially result in the total exclusion from the payment. To ensure proportionality of the penalties, where the non-compliance is of a minor nature and occurs for the first time, Member States should be allowed to introduce an early warning system and a right for beneficiaries to regularise their personal situation.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) studies on the CAP and evaluations of measures financed by the Funds, including improvement of evaluation methods and exchange of information on practices under the CAP, including consultations with local, regional, national, and international stakeholders, academic experts, NGOs, as well as studies carried out with the European Investment Bank (EIB);
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/0217(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The certification body shall have the necessary technical expertise, not solely from a financial management aspect but also related to achieving the intended aims of the interventions and payments rewarding public goods. All data and information used to enable the certifying bodies to give assurance that the objectives and targets of the CAP are indeed being reached, as well as the assumptions made, shall be made available transparently and shall be evidence based and verifiable by third parties. It shall be operationally independent from the paying agency and the coordinating body concerned as well as from the authority which has accredited that agency and the bodies responsible for the implementation and the monitoring of the CAP.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Since the CAP needs to sharpen its responses to the challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at Union, international, ,national, regional, local and farm levels, it is necessary to streamline the governance of the CAP and improve its delivery on the Union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden, in particular to the final beneficiaries. In the CAP based on delivery of performance (‘delivery model’), the Union should set the basic policy parameters, such as objectives of the CAP and basic requirements, while Member States should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve targets. Enhanced subsidiarity, while ensuring the commonality of the CAP is not undermined, makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs, tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to Union objectives.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In order to retain the essential Union-wide elements to ensure comparability between Member State decisions, without however limiting Member States in reaching Union objectives, a framework definition for ‘agricultural area’ should be set out. The related framework definitions for ‘arable land’, ‘permanent crops’ and ‘permanent grassland’ should be set out in a broad way to allow Member States to further specify definitions according to their local conditions. The framework definition for ‘arable land’ should be laid down in a way that allows Member States to cover different production forms, including system such as agroforestry and arable areas with shrubs and trees and that requires the inclusion of fallow land areas in order to ensure the decoupled nature of the interventions. The framework definition of ‘permanent crops’ should include both areas actually used for production and not, as well as nurseries and short rotation coppice to be defined by Member States. The framework definition of ‘permanent grassland’ should be set in a way that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed, provide forage area for pollinators, or that may produce animal feed, whether used for actual production or not.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) As regards the areas used for the production of hemp, in order to preserve public health and to ensure the coherence with other bodies of legislation, the use of hemp seeds varieties with tetrahydrocannabinol content below 0.25% should be part of the definition of eligible hectare.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In view of further improving the performance of the CAP, income support should be targeted to genuine farmersfarmers who carry out an agricultural activity on the agricultural areas of their holding . In order to ensure a common approach at Union level for such a targeting of support, a framework definition for ‘genuine a "farmer’ displaying the essential elements and a clear definition of a "farmer" for the purposes of establishing eligibility for support should be set out. On the basis of this framework, Member States should define in their CAP Strategic Plans which farmers are not considered genuine farmers based on conditions such eligible for support; as the policy direction in Rural Development has iencome tests, labour inputs uraged farmers to diversity their activities beyond the farm, company object and inclusion in registers. It gate this should also not result in precluding support to pluri- active farmers, who are actively farming but who are also engaged in non- agricultural activities outside their farm, as their multiple activities often strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to ensure consistency between the direct payments types of interventions and rural development types of interventions when addressing the objective of generational renewal which is of critical importance, a framework definition for ‘young farmer 'with the essential broad elements should be set out at Union level, which must not be restrictive in order to facilitate new entrants into agriculture and reflect the realities on the ground in the Member States.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) A smarter, modernised and more sustainable CAP needs to embrace research and innovation, in order to serve the multi- functionality of Union agriculture, agroforestry, forestry and food systems, investing in technological development and digitalisation, as well as improving the access to impartial, sound, relevant and new knowledge.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) In order to foster a smart and resilient agricultural sector, direct payments that are credible, equitable, and fair keep on constituting an essential part to guarantee a fair income support to farmers. Likewise, investments into farm restructuring, strengthening the farmers position in the food chain, modernisation, innovation, diversification and uptake of new technologies are necessary to improve farmers’ market reward.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) The framework of standards of GAECs aims to contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the tackling of water challenges, the protection and quality of soil and the protection and quality of biodiversity. The framework needs to be enhanced to take into account in particular the practices set until 2020 under the greening of direct payments, the mitigation of climate change and the need to improve farms sustainability, and in particular the nutrients management. It is acknowledged that each GAEC contributes to multiple objectives. In order to implement the framework, Member States should define a national standard for each of the standards set at Union level taking into account the specific characteristics of the area concerned, including soil and climatic conditions, existing farming conditions, land use, crop rotation, farming practices and farm structures. Member States may also define in addition other national standards related to the main objectives laid down in Annex III in order to improve the envirThese GAEC's should then become the benchmark and the predefined standard for designing and implementing the "eco schemes" to ensure that quantifiable climate change and adaption measures are embedded in conmventional and climate delivery of the GAEC frameworkgriculture. As part of GAEC framework, in order to support both the agronomic and the environmental performance of farms, nutrient management plans will be established with the help of a dedicated electronic Farm Sustainability Tool made available by the Member States to individual farmers. The tool should provide on-farm decision support starting from minimum nutrient management functionalities. A wide interoperability and modularity should also ensure the possibility to add other electronic on-farm and e-governance applications. In order to ensure a level playing field between farmers and across the Union, the Commission may provide support to the Member States in the design of the Tool as well as with the data storage and processing services required.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In order to ensure a fairer distribution of income support, the amounts of direct payments above a certain ceiling should be reduced and the product should either be used for decoupled direct payments and in priority for the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability, or be transferred to the EAFRD. In order to avoid negative effects on employment, labour should be taken into account when applying the mechanism.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) Union legislation should provide that Member States should set requirements in terms of minimum area for receiving decoupled payments in their CAP Strategic Plan. Such requirements should relate to the need to avoid the excessive administrative burden caused by managing numerous payments of small amounts and to that of ensuring an effective contribution of the support to the objectives of the CAP to which the decoupled direct payments contribute. In order to guarantee a minimum level of agricultural income support for all genuine farmers, as well as to comply with the Treaty objective in ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, an annual area- based decoupled payment should be established as the type of intervention ‘basic income support for sustainability’. In order to enhance better targeting of this support, the payment amounts can be differentiated, by groups of territories, based on socio-economic and/or agronomic conditions. In view of avoiding disruptive effects for farmers' income, Member States may choose to implement the basic income support for sustainability based on payment entitlements. In this case, the value of payment entitlements before any further convergence should be proportional to their value as established under the basic payment schemes pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, taking also into account the payments for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. Member States should also achieve further convergence in order to continue to move progressively away from historical valuesto full convergence by 2026.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) The CAP should ensure that Member States increase the environmental delivery by respecting local needs and farmers' actual circumstances. Member States should under direct payments in the CAP Strategic Plan set up Eco-schemes voluntathat are mandatory for farmers, which should be fully coordinated with the other relevant interventions. They should be defined by the Member States as a payment granted either for incentivising and remunerating the provision of public goods by agricultural practices beneficial to the environment and climate or as a compensation for the introduction of these practices. In both cases they should aim at enhancing the environmental and climate performance of the CAP and should consequently be conceived to go beyond aligned withe mandatory requirementenvironment objectives already prescribed by the system of conditionality. Member States may decide to set up eco- schemes for agricultural practices such as the enhanced management of permanent pastures and landscape features, and organic farming. These schemes may also includeshould be regarded as ‘entry-level schemes’ which mayshould be a condition for taking up more ambitious rural development commitments.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
(42) In the light of the need to fill the investment gap in the Union agricultural sector and improve access to financial instruments for priority groups, notably young farmers and new entrants with higher risk profiles, use of the Invest EU guarantee and combination of grants and financial instruments should be encouragedmade available, while respecting the norms of prudent lending and discouraging unsustainable borrowing. Since the use of financial instruments across Member States varies considerably as a result of differences in terms of access to finance, banking sector development, presence of risk capital, familiarity of public administrations and potential range of beneficiaries, Member States should establish in the CAP Strategic Plan appropriate targets, beneficiaries and preferential conditions, and other possible eligibility rules.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) coordination and governance as well as monitoring, reporting and evaluation and an appeals procedure.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 'agricultural activity' shall be defined in a way that it includes both the production of agricultural productgoods listed in Annex I to the TFEU in addition to the production of public goods and eco system services from the agricultural area, including cotton and short rotation coppice, and maintenance of the agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation, without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) 'agricultural area' shall be defined in a way that it is composed of arable land, permanent crops and, permanent grassland and agro forestry systems. The terms 'arable land', 'permanent crops' and 'permanent grassland' and "agroforestry systems" shall be further specified by Member States within the following framework:
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) 'permanent crops' shall be non- rotational crops other than permanent grassland and permanent pasture that occupy the land for five years or more, which yield repeated harvests, including agroforestry systems, nurseries and short rotation coppice;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) 'permanent grassland and permanent pasture' (together referred to as 'permanent grassland') shall be land not included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or more, used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown). It may include other species such as shrubs and/or trees whichThe framework definition of ‘permanent grassland 'should be set in away that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed or that may produce animal feed, forage area for pollinators whether used for actual production or not;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iii a) Agroforestry systems; land use systems in which trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – paragraph 2
Areas used for the production of hemp shall only be eligible hectares if the varieties used have a tetrahydrocannabinol content not exceeding 0,2 5%;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) 'genuine farmers' shall be defined in a way to ensure that no support is granted to those whose agricultural activity forms only an insignificant part of their overall economic activities or whose principal business activity is not agricultural, while not precluding from support from pluri-active farmers. The definition shall allow to determine which farmers are not considered genuine farmers, based on conditions such as income tests, labour inputs on the farm, company object and/or inclusion in registerset out in the framework definition at EU level.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
(iii) the appropriate training and/or skills requiredand knowledge already acquired, subject to a skills audit.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. When pursuing the specific objectives Member States shall ensure simplification and performanceequality to final beneficiaries, simplification and a reduction of the administrative burden in the delivery of the CAP support.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. In recognition of New Delivery Model Member States shall establish a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising the required expertise and stake holder representation.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 supplementing this Regulation with rules for good agricultural and environmental condition, including establishing the elements of the system of the ratio of permanent grassland, the year of reference and the rate of conversion under GAEC 1 as referred to in Annex III, and also to authorise exemptions to compliance to conditionality, rules shall be established in cases of exceptional circumstances outside of beneficiaries control as well as incidences of "force majeure", the format and additional minimum elements and functionalities of the Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients in member states where this tool is being introduced.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)
(f a) the use of best agroforestry practices on both agricultural and forest lands;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall reducelimit the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter for a given calendar year exceedingto EUR 60 000 as follows:
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) by at least 25 % for the tranche between EUR 60 000 and EUR 75 000;deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) by at least 50 % for the tranche between EUR 75 000 and EUR 90 000;deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) by at least 75 % for the tranche between EUR 90 000 and EUR 100 000;deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) by 100 % for the amount exceeding EUR 100 000.deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Before applying paragraph 1, Member States shall subtract from the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter in a given calendar year: (a) the salaries linked to an agricultural activity declared by the farmer, including taxes and social contributions related to employment; and (b) the equivalent cost of regular and unpaid labour linked to an agricultural activity practiced by persons working on the farm concerned who do not receive a salary, or who receive less remuneration than the amount normally paid for the services rendered, but are rewarded through the economic result of the farm business.deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The estimated product of the reduction of payments shall primarily be used to contribute to the financing of the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability and thereafter of other interventions belonging to decoupled direct payments.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Member States may also use all or part of the product to finance types of interventions under the EAFRD as specified in Chapter IV by means of a transfer. Such transfer to the EAFRD shall be part of the CAP Strategic Plan financial tables and may be reviewed in 2023 in accordance with Article 90. It shall not be subject to the maximum limits for the transfers of funds from the EAGF to the EAFRD established under Article 90.deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 5
5. For the purposes of paragraph 4, Member States shall ensure that, for claim year 2026 at the latest, all payment entitlements have a value of at least 75100% of the average planned unit amount for the basic income support for claim year 2026 as laid down in the CAP Strategic Plan transmitted in accordance with Article 106 (1) for the Member State or for the territories as defined in accordance with Article 18(2).
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 7
7. The reductions referred to in paragraph 6 shall be based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. Without prejudice to the minimum set in accordance with paragraph 5, such criteria may include the fixing of a maximum decrease that may not be lower than 30%.deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall provide under direct payments support for voluntathe mandatory schemes for the climate and the environmental sustainability actions ('eco- schemes') under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans, these schemes shall be entry level schemes which shall be conditional for taking up more ambitious Rural Development commitments which shall be voluntary.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall support under this type of intervention genuine farmers who make commitments to observe, on eligible hectares, agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, areas designated pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC shall automatically be regarded as eligible for the scheme.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall establish thea list of agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environmentthat will enhance its climate mitigation and adaption potential and increase its environmental sustainability, Member States shall ensure that these practices are in compliance with WTO agreements on agriculture, annex 2 (5) (6).
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4
4. Those practices shall be designed to meet one or more of the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives laid down in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1), in order to ensure qualitative and quantitative outcomes to meet these objectives these practices shall be linked to specific actions designed to achieve, the already established prescribed standards set out in GAEC 1 to GAEC 10 of annex III.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Since the CAP needs to sharpen its responses to the challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at Union, international, national, regional, local and farm levels, it is necessary to streamline the governance of the CAP and improve its delivery on the Union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden in particular to the final beneficiaries. In the CAP based on delivery of performance (‘delivery model’), the Union should set the basic policy parameters, such as objectives of the CAP and basic requirements, while Member States should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve targets. Enhanced subsidiarity while ensuring that the commonality of the CAP is not undermined should makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs, tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to Union objectives.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 60 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Under this type of interventions, Member States shall only provide payments covering commitments which: are consistent with and aligned to the commitments prescribed in point 4 of this Article and go beyond the other the relevant statutory management requirements and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) go beyond the minimum requirements for the use of fertilisers and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other mandatory requirements established by national and Union law;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 62 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Support for the "eco-schemes" shall take the form of an annual25% of direct payments paid as annual uniform flat rate payment per eligible hectare and it shall be granted as either:
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 63 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – point a
(a) payments additional to the basic income support as set out in Subsection 2 of this Section; or
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 63 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) In order to ensure that the Union can respect its international obligations on domestic support as set out in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, and in particular that the basic income support for sustainability and related types of interventions continue to be notified as ‘Green Box’ support which has no, or at most minimal, trade-distorting effects or effects on production, the framework definition for ‘agricultural activity’ should provide for both the production of agricultural products or the maintenance of the agricultural area. In light of adjusting to local conditions, Member States should lay down the actual definition of agricultural activity in their CAP Strategic Plans whilst operating within an EU-wide framework definition.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 64 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – point b
(b) payments compensating beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs incurred and income foregone as a result of the commitments as set pursuant to Article 65.deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 65 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) research and experimental production, in particular focused on water savharvesting, energy generation and saving, ecological packaging, waste reduction, pest resilience, reduction of risks and impacts of pesticides use, promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), preventing damage caused by adverse climatic events and boosting the use of fruit and vegetable varieties adapted to changing climate conditions;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 65 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In order to retain the essential Union-wide elements to ensure comparability between Member State decisions, without however limiting Member States in reaching Union objectives, a framework definition for ‘agricultural area’ should be set out. The related framework definitions for ‘arable land’, ‘permanent crops’ and ‘permanent grassland’ should be set out in a broad way to allow Member States to further specify definitions according to their local conditions and traditional practices. The framework definition for ‘arable land’ should be laid down in a way that allows Member States to cover different production forms, including system such as agroforestry and arable areas with shrubs and trees and that requires the inclusion of fallow land areas in order to ensure the decoupled nature of the interventions. The framework definition of ‘permanent crops’ should include both areas actually used for production and not, as well as nurseries and short rotation coppice to be defined by Member States. The framework definition of ‘permanent grassland’ should be set in a way that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed, provide forage area for pollinators, or that may produce animal feed, whether used for actual production or not.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 66 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Agroforestry and integrated production systems;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) actions to improve pest resilience by promoting the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM);
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) actions to increase sustainability and efficiency of transport by promoting short supply chains, and of storage of products of the fruit and vegetables sector;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – point a – point 1 (new)
1) actions to enhance forage areas for pollinators;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Synergies between the EAFRD and Horizon Europe should encourage that the EAFRD makes the best use of research and innovation results, in particular those stemming from projects funded by Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for ‘agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability’, leading to innovations in the farming sector and rural areas.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 70 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a definition of a beehive and methods for calculating the number of beehives considered to be the equivalent of a livestock unit;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) promoting, developing and implementing methods of production respectful of the environment, of animal welfare standards, pest resilient and environmentally sound cultivation practices including the incorporation of clovers and other nitrogen fixing crops, production techniques and production methods, environmentally sound use and management of by-products and waste while respecting the "proximity principle", sustainable use of natural resources in particular protection of water, soil and other natural resources; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) As regards the areas used for the production of hemp, in order to preserve public health and to ensure the coherence with other bodies of legislation, the use of hemp seeds varieties with tetrahydrocannabinol content below 0.25% should be part of the definition of eligible hectare.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 72 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) crisis prevention andproactive risk mitigation and prevention strategies coupled with risk management, aimed at avoiding and dealing with crises in the markets within one or more sectors referred to in point (f) of Article 39; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (a), (b) and (c). Article 6(1).
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) soil conservation and rebuilding soil fertility and structure, including the enhancement of soil carbon sequestration capabilities;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In view of further improving the performance of the CAP, income support should be targeted to genuine farmersfarmers who carry out an agricultural activity on the agricultural areas of their holding. In order to ensure a common approach at Union level for such a targeting of support, a framework definition for ‘genuine a "farmer’ displaying the essential elements and a clear definition of a "farmer" for the purposes of establishing eligibility for support should be set out. On the basis of this framework, Member States should define in their CAP Strategic Plans which farmers are not considered genuine farmers based on conditions such eligible for support; as the policy direction in Rural Development has iencome tests, labour inputs uraged farmers to diversity their activities beyond the farm, company object and inclusion in registers. It gate this should also not result in precluding support to pluri- active farmers, who are actively farming but who are also engaged in non- agricultural activities outside their farm, as their multiple activities often strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 74 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) environmental, climate and other management commitmentscouraging environmental sustainability, climate mitigation and adaption measures including appropriate protection of wetlands and organic soils together with other management commitments beneficial to the environment;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 75 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Area-specific disadvantages resulting from certain mandatory requirements including the implementation of Directives 92/43/ECC and 2009/147/EC;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 76 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) Risk mitigation, prevention and risk management tools;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant payments for environmental, climateto incentivise environmentally sustainable practices, climate mitigation and adaption measures and other management commitments beneficial to the environment under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to ensure consistency between the direct payments types of interventions and rural development types of interventions when addressing the objective of generational renewal which is of critical importance, a framework definition for ‘young farmer 'with the essential broad elements should be set out at Union level., which must not be restrictive in order to facilitate new entrants into agriculture and reflect the realities on the ground in the Member States;
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 78 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 3
3. Member States mayshall make support under this type of interventions available throughout their territories, in accordance with their national, regional or local specific needs.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 79 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 5 – point d
(d) are different fromgo beyond but are complementary and build upon commitments in respect of which payments are granted under Article 28.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 80 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 6
6. Member States shall compensate beneficiaries for costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where necessary, they may also cover transaction costs. In duly justified cases, Member States may grant supportadvance payments to incentivise uptake in innovative measures, support may be granted as a flat-rate or as a one- off payment per unit. Payments shall be granted annually.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 81 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 9
9. Where support under this type of interventions is granted to agri- environment-climate commitments, commitments to convert to or maintain organic farming practices and methods as defined in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 creation and regeneration of agroforestry systems , and forest environmental and climate services, Member States shall establish a payment per hectare.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for natural or other area-specific constraints under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view to supporting farmers in disadvantaged and peripheral areas, ensuring balanced territorial development, and tof contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. These payments shall be granted to genuine farmers in respect of areas designated pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. based on the severity of the multiple constraints identified by the biophysical criteria;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 84 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 3
3. Where member states identify in their CAP Strategic plans varying levels of constraint they may decide to differentiate the amount of support per hectare granted to beneficiaries; the compensation shall be proportional to the severity of the constraints identified. Member States may only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the natural or other area-specific constraints in the area concerned. Member States shall ensure that the relevant calculations are adequate, accurate and established in advance on the basis of a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 85 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. Additional costs and income foregone as referred to in paragraph 3 shall be calculated in respect of natural or other area-specific constraints, in comparison to areas which are not affected by natural or other area-specific constraints, the method of calculation used shall transparent adequate and verifiable.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for area-specific disadvantages imposed by requirements resulting from the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC or Directive 2000/60/EC under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view of contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) In order to give substance to the objectives of the CAP as established by Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), while protecting its commonality, as well as to ensure that the Union adequately addresses its most recent challenges, it is appropriate to provide for a set of general objectives reflecting the orientations given in the Communication on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’. A set of specific objectives should be further defined at Union level and applied by the Member States in their CAP Strategic Plans. While striking a balance across the dimensions of sustainable developmentbalanced territorial development, that is environmentally sustainable, in line with the impact assessment, these specific objectives should translate the general objectives of the CAP into more concrete priorities and take into account relevant Union legislation, particularly with regard to climate, energy and environment.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 87 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
2. These payments mayshall be granted to farmers, forest holders and other land managers in respect of areas with disadvantages referred to in paragraph 1.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 88 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 4
4. Member States mayshall only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the area-specific disadvantages in the area concerned.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 89 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) in respect of constraints arising from Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter 1 of this Title of this Regulation as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 90 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) in respect of constraints arising from Directive 2000/60/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant statutory management requirements, with the exception of SMR 2 as referred to in Annex III, and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 91 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) establishment of agroforestry systems, afforestation and non-productive investments linked to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 92 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallmay grant support for risk management tools under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans, in addition risk mitigation strategies should be supported and encouraged which increase farm resilience and reduce exposure to income instability.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 93 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)
(a a) financial contributions to measures which increase farm resilience, including but not limited to, crop diversification strategies and agroforestry systems;
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 94 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant support for agricultural, agroforestry, forestry and rural business knowledge exchange and information under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 95 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States may decide to notshall, in addition, apply selection criteria for investment interventions clearly targeting environmental purposes or realised in connection with restoration activities.
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i – point 1 (new)
1) shall ensure that a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising of the required expertise and stakeholder representation is established to provide legal certainty for beneficiaries:
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 99 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 123
Performance bonus 1. A performance bonus may be attributed to Member States in the year 2026 to reward satisfactory performance in relation to the environmental and climate targets provided that the Member State concerned has met the condition set out in Article 124(1). 2. The performance bonus shall be equal to 5% of the amount per Member State for financial year 2027 as set out in Annex IX. Resources transferred between the EAGF and the EAFRD under Articles 15 and 90 are excluded for the purpose of calculating the performance bonus.Article 123 deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 124
Attribution of the performance bonus 1. Based on the performance review of the year 2026, the performance bonus withheld from a Member State’s allocation following the second paragraph of Article 123 shall be attributed to this Member State if the result indicators applied to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1) in its CAP Strategic Plan have achieved at least 90% of their target value for the year 2025. 2. The Commission shall within two months of the receipt of the annual performance report in the year 2026 adopt an implementing act without applying the Committee procedure referred to in Article 139 to decide for each Member State whether the respective CAP Strategic Plans have achieved the target values referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. 3. Where the target values referred to in paragraph 1 are achieved, the amount of the performance bonus shall be granted by the Commission to the Member States concerned and considered to be definitely allocated to financial year 2027 on the basis of the decision referred to in paragraph 2. 4. Where the target values referred to in paragraph 1 are not achieved, the commitments for financial year 2027 relating to the amount of the performance bonus of the Member States concerned shall not be granted by the Commission. 5. When attributing the performance bonus, the Commission may take into consideration cases of force majeure and serious socio-economic crises impeding the achievement of the relevant milestones. 6. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the detailed arrangements to ensure a consistent approach for determining the attribution of the performance bonus to Member States. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 139(2).rticle 124 deleted
2019/01/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) In order to foster a smart and resilient agricultural sector, direct payments that are credible, equitable, and fair keep on constituting an essential part to guarantee a fair income support to farmers. Likewise, investments into farm restructuring, strengthening the farmers’ position in the food chain, modernisation, innovation, diversification and uptake of new technologies are necessary to improve farmers’ market reward.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 102 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In the context of greater market- orientation of the CAP, as outlined by the Communication on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’, market exposure, international trade agreements, climate change and associated frequency and severity of extreme weather events, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary crises, may lead to risks of price volatility and increasing pressures on incomes. Thus, although farmers are ultimately responsible for designing their on-farm strategies, a robust framework should be set up to ensure appropriate risk mitigation and management. To this aim, Member States and farmers may be able to draw on a Union-level platform on risk management for capacity-building in order to provide farmers with adequate financial instruments for investments and access to working capital, training, knowledge transfer and advice.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 126 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) The framework of standards of GAECs aims to contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the tackling of water challenges, the protection and quality of soil and the protection and quality of biodiversity. The framework needs to be enhanced to take into account in particular the practices set until 2020 under the greening of direct payments, the mitigation of climate change and the need to improve farms sustainability, and in particular the nutrients management. It is acknowledged that each GAEC contributes to multiple objectives. In order to implement the framework, Member States should define a national standard for each of the standards set at Union level taking into account the specific characteristics of the area concerned, including soil and climatic conditions, existing farming conditions, land use, crop rotation, farming practices and farm structures. Member States may also define in addition other national standards related to the main objectives laid down in Annex III in order to improve the environmental and climate delivery of the GAEC frameworkThese GAECs should then become the benchmark and the predefined standard for designing and implementing the "eco schemes" to ensure that quantifiable climate change and adaption measures are embedded in conventional agriculture. As part of GAEC framework, in order to support both the agronomic and the environmental performance of farms, nutrient management plans will be established with the help of a dedicated electronic Farm Sustainability Tool made available by the Member States to individual farmers. The tool should provide on-farm decision support starting from minimum nutrient management functionalities. A wide interoperability and modularity should also ensure the possibility to add other electronic on-farm and e-governance applications. In order to ensure a level playing field between farmers and across the Union, the Commission may provide support to the Member States in the design of the Tool as well as with the data storage and processing services required.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 141 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In order to ensure a fairer distribution of income support, the amounts of direct payments above a certain ceiling should be reduced and the product should either be used for decoupled direct payments and in priority for the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability, or be transferred to the EAFRD. In order to avoid negative effects on employment, labour should be taken into account when applying the mechanism.;
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 147 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) Union legislation should provide that Member States should set requirements in terms of minimum area for receiving decoupled payments in their CAP Strategic Plan. Such requirements should relate to the need to avoid the excessive administrative burden caused by managing numerous payments of small amounts and to that of ensuring an effective contribution of the support to the objectives of the CAP to which the decoupled direct payments contribute. In order to guarantee a minimum level of agricultural income support for all genuine farmers, as well as to comply with the Treaty objective in ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, an annual area- based decoupled payment should be established as the type of intervention ‘basic income support for sustainability’. In order to enhance better targeting of this support, the payment amounts can be differentiated, by groups of territories, based on socio-economic and/or agronomic conditions. In view of avoiding disruptive effects for farmers' income, Member States may choose to implement the basic income support for sustainability based on payment entitlements. In this case, the value of payment entitlements before any further convergence should be proportional to their value as established under the basic payment schemes pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, taking also into account the payments for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. Member States should also achieve further convergence in order to continue to move progressively away from historical values.to full convergence by 2026
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 149 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) Small farms remain a cornerstone of Union agriculture as they play a vital role in supporting rural employment, particularly so in disadvantaged and peripheral areas, and contribute to balanced territorial development. In order to promote a more balanced distribution of support and to reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries of small amounts, Member States should have the option of offering to small farmers the possibility of replacing the other direct payments by providing a round someum payment for small farmers.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 161 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) The CAP should ensure that Member States increase the environmental delivery by respecting local needs and farmers' actual circumstances. Member States should under direct payments in the CAP Strategic Plan set up Eco-schemes voluntathat are mandatory for farmers, which should be fully coordinated with the other relevant interventions. They should be defined by the Member States as a payment granted either for incentivising and remunerating the provision of public goods by agricultural practices beneficial to the environment and climate or as a compensation for the introduction of these practices. In both cases they should aim at enhancing the environmental and climate performance of the CAP and should consequently be conceived to go beyond aligned withe mandatory requirementenvironment objectives already prescribed by the system of conditionality. Member States may decide to set up eco- schemes for agricultural practices such as the enhanced management of permanent pastures and landscape features, and organic farming. These schemes may also includeshould be regarded as ‘entry-level schemes’ which mayshould be a condition for taking up more ambitious rural development commitments.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 185 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
(40) In order to ensure a fair income and a resilient agricultural sector across the Union territory, Member States may grant support to farmers in areas facing natural and other area-specific constraints. As regards payments for ANC, the designation of the 2014-2020 Rural Development policy should continue to apply. For the CAP to deliver enhanced Union added on the environment and reinforce its synergies with the financing of investments in nature and biodiversity, it is necessary to keep a separate measure aiming at compensating beneficiaries for disadvantages related to the implementation of Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directives. Support should therefore continue to be granted to farmers and forest holders to help address specific disadvantages resulting from the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC and in order to contribute to the effective management of Natura 2000 sites. Support should also be made available to farmers to help address disadvantages in river basin areas resulting from the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Support should be linked to specific requirements described in the CAP Strategic Plans that go beyondare aligned to the relevant mandatory standards and requirements. Member States should also ensure that payments to farmers do not lead to double funding with eco schemes. Furthermore, the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas should be taken into account by Member States in the overall design of their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 187 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40 a (new)
(40a) For the CAP to deliver enhanced Union added value on the environment and reinforce its synergies with the financing of investments in nature and biodiversity, it is necessary to keep a separate measure aiming at compensating beneficiaries for disadvantages related to the implementation of Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directives. Support should therefore continue to be granted to farmers and forest holders to help address specific disadvantages resulting from the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC and in order to contribute to the effective management of Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore, the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas should be taken into account by Member States in the overall design of their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 193 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
(42) In the light of the need to fill the investment gap in the Union agricultural sector and improve access to financial instruments for priority groups, notably young farmers and new entrants with higher risk profiles, use of the Invest EU guarantee and combination of grants and financial instruments should be encouragedmade available, while respecting the norms of prudent lending and discouraging unsustainable borrowing. Since the use of financial instruments across Member States varies considerably as a result of differences in terms of access to finance, banking sector development, presence of risk capital, familiarity of public administrations and potential range of beneficiaries, Member States should establish in the CAP Strategic Plan appropriate targets, beneficiaries and preferential conditions, and other possible eligibility rules.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 194 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43
(43) Young farmers and new entrants still face significant barriers regarding, restrictive criteria on the definition of a "young farmer" which excludes them from support schemes, low market returns, access to land, high input prices and access to credit. Their businesses are more threatened by price volatility (for both inputs and produce) and their needs in terms of training in entrepreneurial and risk management skills are high. It is therefore essential to continue the support for the setting up of new businesses and new farms. Member States should provide for a strategic approach and identify a clear and coherent set of interventions for generational renewal under the specific objective dedicated to this issue. To this aim, Member States may set in their CAP Strategic Plans preferential conditions for financial instruments for young farmers and new entrants, and should include in their CAP Strategic Plan the ring-fencing of at least an amount corresponding to 2% of the annual direct payments' envelope. An increase of the maximum amount of aid for the installation of young farmers and rural business start-ups, up to EUR 100.000, which can be accessed also through or in combination with financial instrument form of support, should be established.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 223 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
(56) In the process of development of their CAP Strategic Plans, Member States should analyse their specific situation and needs, set targets that are realistic, linked to the achievement of the objectives of the CAP and design the interventions which will allow reaching these targets while providing certainty for the final beneficiaries, while being adapted to the national and specific regional contexts, including the outermost regions pursuant to Article 349 TFEU. Such process should promote more subsidiarity within a common Union framework, while compliance with the general principles of Union law and the objectives of the CAP should be ensured. It is therefore appropriate to set rules on the structure and content of the CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 224 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
(57) In order to ensure that the setting of targets by Member States and that the design of interventions is appropriate, achievable and realistic, and maximises the contribution to the objectives of the CAP, it is necessary to base the strategy of the CAP Strategic Plans on a prior analysis of the local contexts and an assessment of needs in relation to the objectives of the CAP.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 229 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
(63) Considering the importance of the general objectives, of increasing environmental resilience, improving the primary producers’ position in the food chain and modernising the agricultural sector, and in view of its crosscutting nature, it is appropriate that Member States include in their CAP Strategic Plan a dedicated description of the contribution that such a Plan will make to thisese objectives.
2018/12/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 241 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) coordination and governance as well as monitoring, reporting and, evaluation and an appeals procedure.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 263 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 'agricultural activity' shall be defined in a way that it includes both the production of agricultural productgoods listed in Annex I to the TFEU in addition to the production of public goods and ecosystem services from the agricultural area, including cotton and short rotation coppice, and maintenance of the agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation, without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 268 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) 'agricultural area' shall be defined in a way that it is composed of arable land, permanent crops and, permanent grassland and agroforestry systems. The terms 'arable land', 'permanent crops' and 'permanent grassland' and ‘agroforestry systems’ shall be further specified by Member States within the following framework:
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 273 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) 'permanent crops' shall be non- rotational crops other than permanent grassland and permanent pasture that occupy the land for five years or more, which yield repeated harvests, including agroforestry systems, nurseries and short rotation coppice;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 277 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) 'permanent grassland and permanent pasture' (together referred to as 'permanent grassland') shall be land not included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or more, used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown). It may include other species such as shrubs and/or trees whichThe framework definition of ‘permanent grassland’ should be set in away that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed or that may produce animal feed;, forage area for pollinators whether used for actual production or not.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 288 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iiia) ‘agroforestry systems’ shall be land use systems in which trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 299 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – paragraph 2
Areas used for the production of hemp shall only be eligible hectares if the varieties used have a tetrahydrocannabinol content not exceeding 0,2 5%;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 306 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) 'genuine farmers' shall be defined in a way to ensure that no support is granted to those whose agricultural activity forms only an insignificant part of their overall economic activities or whose principal business activity is not agricultural, while not precluding from support from pluri-active farmers. The definition shall allow to determine which farmers are not considered genuine farmers, based on conditions such as income tests, labet ourt inputs on the farm, company object and/or inclusion in registers. the framework definition at EU level;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 310 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) a maximum age limit that mayshould be set at Member State level to reflect the demographic situation that exists within the state but should not exceed 405 years;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 311 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
(iii) the appropriate training and/or skills required.and knowledge already acquired, subject to a skills audit;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 322 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food security, a viable income for those working the land and balanced territorial development;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 356 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) enhance market orientation and increase competitivenessenvironmental sustainability, including greater focus on research, technology and digitalisation;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 359 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) improve the farmers' position in the valuefood chain both upstream and downstream;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 397 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) contribute to the protection of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and preservtore habitats and landscapes;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 403 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) attract young farmers and new entrants to farming and facilitate business development in rural areas;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 412 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) promote employment, growth, social inclusion and local development in rural areas, including bio-agro forestry, bio- economy, the circular economy and sustainable forestry;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 425 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) improve the response of EU agriculture to societal demands on food and health, including safe, affordable, nutritious and sustainable food, minimising food waste, as well as improving animal welfare.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 438 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. When pursuing the specific objectives Member States shall ensure simplification and performanceequality to final beneficiaries, simplification and a reduction of the administrative burden in the delivery of the CAP support.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 456 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Member States shall ensure that interventions are set out on the basis of equality to final beneficiaries, objective and non-discriminatory criteria, are compatible with the internal market and do not distort competition.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 458 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Member States shall establish tThe legal framework governing the granting of Union support to beneficiaries on the basis of the CAP Strategic Plan and in accordance with the principles and requirements set out in this Regulation and Regulation (EU) [HzR] shall be set at Union level.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 458 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled ‘The Future of Food and Farming’ of 29 November 2017 sets out the challenges, objectives and orientations for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020. These objectives include, inter alia, the need for the CAP to be more result-d oriventated, to boost modernisation and sustainability with a focus on balanced territorial development, including the economic, social, environmental and climate sustainability of the agricultural, forestry and rural areas, and to help reducing the Union legislation- related administrative burden for beneficiaries.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 474 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Since the CAP needs to sharpen its responses to the challenges and opportunities as they manifest themselves at Union, international, national, regional, local and farm levels, it is necessary to streamline the governance of the CAP and improve its delivery on the Union objectives and to significantly decrease the administrative burden, in particular to the final beneficiaries. In the CAP based on delivery of performance (‘delivery model’), the Union should set the basic policy parameters, such as objectives of the CAP and basic requirements, while Member States should bear greater responsibility as to how they meet the objectives and achieve targets. Enhanced subsidiarity, while ensuring the commonality of the CAP is not undermined, makes it possible to better take into account local conditions and needs, tailoring the support to maximise the contribution to Union objectives.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 482 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The rules on the administrative penalties to be included in the CAP Strategic Plan shall respect the requirements set out in Chapter IV of Title IV of Regulation (EU) [HzR]. In recognition of "New Delivery Model" Member States shall establish a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising the required expertise and stakeholder representation;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 485 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The legal acts referred to in Annex III concerning the statutory management requirements shall apply in the version that is applicable and, in the case of Directives, as implemented by the Member States., Member States shall ensure that such implementations are in compliance WTO agreements on agriculture, Annex II (5) (6);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 489 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) In order to ensure that the Union can respect its international obligations on domestic support as set out in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, and in particular that the basic income support for sustainability and related types of interventions continue to be notified as ‘Green Box’ support which has no, or at most minimal, trade-distorting effects or effects on production, the framework definition for ‘agricultural activity’ should provide for both the production of agricultural products or the maintenance of the agricultural area. In light of adjusting to local conditions, Member States should lay down the actual definition of agricultural activity in their CAP Strategic Plans. whilst operating within an EU wide framework definition;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 496 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that all agricultural areas including land which is no longer used for production purposes, is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. Member States shall define in consultation with stakeholders, at national or regional level, minimum standards for beneficiaries for good agricultural and environmental condition of land in line with the main objective of the standards as referred to in Annex III, taking into account the specific characteristics of the areas concerned, including soil and climatic condition, existing farming systems, land use, crop rotation, traditional and evolving farming practices, and farm structures.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 498 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In order to retain the essential Union-wide elements to ensure comparability between Member State decisions, without however limiting Member States in reaching Union objectives, a framework definition for ‘agricultural area’ should be set out. The related framework definitions for ‘arable land’, ‘permanent crops’ and ‘permanent grassland’ should be set out in a broad way to allow Member States to further specify definitions according to their local conditions and traditional practices. The framework definition for ‘arable land’ should be laid down in a way that allows Member States to cover different production forms, including system such as agroforestry and arable areas with shrubs and trees and that requires the inclusion of fallow land areas in order to ensure the decoupled nature of the interventions. The framework definition of ‘permanent crops’ should include both areas actually used for production and not, as well as nurseries and short rotation coppice to be defined by Member States. The framework definition of ‘permanent grassland’ should be set in a way that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed, provide forage area for pollinators, or that may produce animal feed, whether used for actual production or not.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 504 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Synergies between the EAFRD and Horizon Europe should encourage that the EAFRD makes the best use of research and innovation results, in particular those stemming from projects funded by Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for ‘agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability’, leading to innovations in the farming sector and rural areas.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 506 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. In order to protect the commonality of the CAP and to ensure a level playing field respect of the main objectives laid down in Annex III Member States may not prescribe standards additional to those laid down in that Annex against those main objectives. HoweverIn addition, Member States shall not define minimum standards for main objectives other than the main objectives laid down in Annex III.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 510 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) As regards the areas used for the production of hemp, in order to preserve public health and to ensure the coherence with other bodies of legislation, the use of hemp seeds varieties with tetrahydrocannabinol content below 0.25% should be part of the definition of eligible hectare.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 515 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Member States shallmay establish a system for providing the Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients referred to in Annex III, with the minimum content and functionalities defined therein, to beneficiaries, who shallmay use the Tool if existing structures are not already in place.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 521 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In view of further improving the performance of the CAP, income support should be targeted to genuine farmersfarmers who carry out an agricultural activity on the agricultural areas of their holding . In order to ensure a common approach at Union level for such a targeting of support, a framework definition for ‘genuine a "farmer’ displaying the essential elements and a clear definition of a "farmer" for the purposes of establishing eligibility for support should be set out. On the basis of this framework, Member States should define in their CAP Strategic Plans which farmers are not considered genuine farmers based on conditions such eligible for support; as the policy direction in Rural Development has iencome tests, labour inputs uraged farmers to diversity their activities beyond the farm, company object and inclusion in registers. It gate this should also not result in precluding support to pluri- active farmers, who are actively farming but who are also engaged in non- agricultural activities outside their farm, as their multiple activities often strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 525 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 supplementing this Regulation with rules for good agricultural and environmental condition, including establishing the elements of the system of the ratio of permanent grassland, the year of reference and the rate of conversion under GAEC 1 as referred to in Annex III, and also to authorise exemptions to compliance to conditionality, rules shall be established in cases of exceptional circumstances outside of beneficiaries control as well as incidences of "force majeure", the format and additional minimum elements and functionalities of the Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients. in Member States where this tool is being introduced;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 532 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to ensure consistency between the direct payments types of interventions and rural development types of interventions when addressing the objective of generational renewal which is of critical importance, a framework definition for ‘young farmer 'with the essential broad elements should be set out at Union level. , which must not be restrictive in order to facilitate new entrants into agriculture and reflect the realities on the ground in the Member States
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 539 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. The farm advisory services shall cover economic, environmental and social dimensions and deliver up to date technological and scientific information developed by research and innovation. In addition they shall they be cognisant of traditional farming practices and foster and incorporate these where appropriate. They shall be integrated within the interrelated services of farm advisors, researchers, farmer organisations and other relevant stakeholders that form the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 541 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) In order to give substance to the objectives of the CAP as established by Article 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), while protecting its commonality, as well as to ensure that the Union adequately addresses its most recent challenges, it is appropriate to provide for a set of general objectives reflecting the orientations given in the Communication on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’. A set of specific objectives should be further defined at Union level and applied by the Member States in their CAP Strategic Plans. While striking a balance across the dimensions of sustainable developmentbalanced territorial, development, that is environmentally sustainable, in line with the impact assessment, these specific objectives should translate the general objectives of the CAP into more concrete priorities and take into account relevant Union legislation, particularly with regard to climate, energy and environment.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 542 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that the farm advice given is independent, impartial and that advisors have no conflict of interest or are linked with other actors in the food chain.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 549 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) innovation support in particular for preparing and for implementing Operational Group projects of the European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability as referred to in Article 114; such support shall expended at a ratio of 80% to farmer/beneficiaries20% to service providers;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 555 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 (new)
(g) the use of best agroforestry practices on both agricultural and forest lands;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 565 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) A smarter, modernised and more sustainable CAP needs to embrace research and innovation, in order to serve the multi- functionality of Union agriculture, agroforestry, forestry and food systems, investing in technological development and digitalisation, as well as improving the access to impartial, sound, relevant and new knowledge.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 570 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the schemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 576 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) In order to foster a smart and resilient agricultural sector, direct payments that are credible, equitable, and fair keep on constituting an essential part to guarantee a fair income support to farmers. Likewise, investments into farm restructuring, strengthening the farmers position in the food chain, modernisation, innovation, diversification and uptake of new technologies are necessary to improve farmers’ market reward.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 583 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall reducelimit the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter for a given calendar year exceedingto EUR 60 000 as follows:
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 584 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) by at least 25 % for the tranche between EUR 60 000 and EUR 75 000;deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 588 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) In the context of greater market- orientation of the CAP, as outlined by the Communication on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’, market exposure, international trade agreements, climate change and associated frequency and severity of extreme weather events, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary crises, may lead to risks of price volatility and increasing pressures on incomes. Thus, although farmers are ultimately responsible for designing their on-farm strategies, a robust framework should be set up to ensure appropriate risk mitigation and management. To this aim, Member States and farmers may be able to draw on a Union-level platform on risk management for capacity-building in order to provide farmers with adequate financial instruments for investments and access to working capital, training, knowledge transfer and advice.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 589 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) by at least 50 % for the tranche between EUR 75 000 and EUR 90 000;deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 594 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) by at least 75 % for the tranche between EUR 90 000 and EUR 100 000;deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 597 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) by 100 % for the amount exceeding EUR 100 000.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 603 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 – point 1
As many rural areas, particularly peripheral areas, in the Union suffer from structural problems such as lack of attractive employment opportunities, skill shortages, underinvestment in connectivity, infrastructures and essential services, as well as youth drain, it is fundamental to strengthen the socio-economic fabric in those areas, in line with the Cork 2.0. Declaration, particularly through job creation and generational renewal, by bringing the Commission's jobs and growth to rural areas, promoting social inclusion, generational renewal and the development of ‘Smart Villages’ across the European countryside. As indicated in the Communication on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’, new rural value chains such as, short supply chains, innovative food products, renewable energy, the emerging bio- economy, the circular economy, and ecotourism can offer good growth and job potential for rural areas. In this context, financial instruments and the use of the InvestEU guarantee can play a crucial role for ensuring access to financing and for bolstering the growth capacity of farms and enterprises. There is a potential for employment opportunities in rural areas for legally staying third country nationals, promoting their social and economic integration especially in the framework of Community-led Local Development strategies.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 604 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. Before applying paragraph 1, Member States shall subtract from the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter in a given calendar year: (a) the salaries linked to an agricultural activity declared by the farmer, including taxes and social contributions related to employment; and (b) unpaid labour linked to an agricultural activity practiced by persons working on the farm concerned who do not receive a salary, or who receive less remuneration than the amount normally paid for the services rendered, but are rewarded through the economic result of the farm business. To calculate the amounts referred to in points a) and b), Member States shall use the average standard salaries linked to an agricultural activity at national or regional level multiplied by the number of annual work units declared by the farmer concerned.deleted the equivalent cost of regular and
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 618 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) The CAP should keep ensuring food security, which should be understood as meaning access to sufficient, affordable safe and nutritious food at all times. Moreover, it should help improving the response of Union agriculture to new societal demands on food and health, including environmentally sustainable agricultural production, healthier nutrition, food waste and animal welfare. The CAP should continue to promote production with specific and valuable characteristics, while at the same time helping farmers to proactively adjust their production according to market signals and consumers’ demands.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 623 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The estimated product of the reduction of payments shall primarily be used to contribute to the financing of the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability and thereafter of other interventions belonging to decoupled direct payments.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 627 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Member States may also use all or part of the product to finance types of interventions under the EAFRD as specified in Chapter IV by means of a transfer. Such transfer to the EAFRD shall be part of the CAP Strategic Plan financial tables and may be reviewed in 2023 in accordance with Article 90. It shall not be subject to the maximum limits for the transfers of funds from the EAGF to the EAFRD established under Article 90.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 631 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall set an area threshold and only grant decoupled direct payments to genuine farmers whose eligible area of the holding for which decoupled direct payments are claimed goes beyond this area threshold.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 634 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3
3. Without prejudice to Articles 19 to 24, the basic income support shall be granted for each eligible hectare declared by a genuine farmer.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 649 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 5
5. For the purposes of paragraph 4, Member States shall ensure that, for claim year 2026 at the latest, all payment entitlements have a value of at least 75100% of the average planned unit amount for the basic income support for claim year 2026 as laid down in the CAP Strategic Plan transmitted in accordance with Article 106 (1) for the Member State or for the territories as defined in accordance with Article 18(2).
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 652 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 7
7. The reductions referred to in paragraph 6 shall be based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. Without prejudice to the minimum set in accordance with paragraph 5, such criteria may include the fixing of a maximum decrease that may not be lower than 30%.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 653 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) The framework of standards of GAECs aims to contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the tackling of water challenges, the protection and quality of soil and the protection and quality of biodiversity. The framework needs to be enhanced to take into account in particular the practices set until 2020 under the greening of direct payments, the mitigation of climate change and the need to improve farms sustainability, and in particular the nutrients management. It is acknowledged that each GAEC contributes to multiple objectives. In order to implement the framework, Member States should define a national standard for each of the standards set at Union level taking into account the specific characteristics of the area concerned, including soil and climatic conditions, existing farming conditions, land use, crop rotation, farming practices and farm structures. Member States may also define in addition other national standards related to the main objectives laid down in Annex III in order to improve the environmental and climate delivery of the GAEC frameworkThese GAEC's should then become the benchmark and the predefined standard for designing and implementing the "eco schemes" to ensure that quantifiable climate change and adaption measures are embedded in conventional agriculture. As part of GAEC framework, in order to support both the agronomic and the environmental performance of farms, nutrient management plans will be established with the help of a dedicated electronic Farm Sustainability Tool made available by the Member States to individual farmers. The tool should provide on-farm decision support starting from minimum nutrient management functionalities. A wide interoperability and modularity should also ensure the possibility to add other electronic on-farm and e-governance applications. In order to ensure a level playing field between farmers and across the Union, the Commission may provide support to the Member States in the design of the Tool as well as with the data storage and processing services required.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 656 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that payment entitlements from the reserve be only allocated to genuine farmers.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 658 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) young farmers who have newly set up a holding for the first timefit the age and training criteria prescribed by the Member State, have newly set up a holding for the first time or, although currently engaged in an agricultural activity, have not been in receipt of installation aid or young farmers support in previous CAP reforms;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 659 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) farmers who have newly set up a holding for the first time, as head of the holding and with appropriate training or acquired necessary skills and knowledge as defined by the Member States for young farmers.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 661 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall allocate payment entitlements to, or increase the value of the existing payment entitlements of genuine farmers who are entitled by virtue of a definitive court ruling or by virtue of a definitive administrative act of the competent authority of a Member State. Member States shall ensure that those genuine farmers receive the number and value of payment entitlements established in that ruling or act at a date to be fixed by the Member State.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 663 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 7
7. Member States may lay down additional rules for the use of the reserve over and above the uses prescribed in paragraphs 4 and 5 and the cases that would trigger its replenishment by a linear reduction of the value of all payment entitlements.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 680 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) In order to ensure a fairer distribution of income support, the amounts of direct payments above a certain ceiling should be reduced and the product should either be used for decoupled direct payments and in priority for the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability, or be transferred to the EAFRD. In order to avoid negative effects on employment, labour should be taken into account when applying the mechanism.;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 686 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. As part of their obligations to contribute to the specific objective 'attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas' set out in point (g) of Article 6(1) and to dedicate at least 2% of their allocations for direct payments to this objective in accordance with Article 86(4), Member States may provide a complementary income support for young farmers who have newly set up for the first timefit the age and training criteria prescribed by the Member State, have newly set up for the first time or have not been in receipt of installation aid or young farmers support in previous CAP reforms and who are entitled to a payment under the basic income support as referred to in Article 17.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 695 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 3 – chapter 2 – section 2 – subsection 4 – title
Schemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 700 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – title
28 Schemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 704 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) Union legislation should provide that Member States should set requirements in terms of minimum area for receiving decoupled payments in their CAP Strategic Plan. Such requirements should relate to the need to avoid the excessive administrative burden caused by managing numerous payments of small amounts and to that of ensuring an effective contribution of the support to the objectives of the CAP to which the decoupled direct payments contribute. In order to guarantee a minimum level of agricultural income support for all genuine farmers, as well as to comply with the Treaty objective in ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, an annual area- based decoupled payment should be established as the type of intervention ‘basic income support for sustainability’. In order to enhance better targeting of this support, the payment amounts can be differentiated, by groups of territories, based on socio-economic and/or agronomic conditions. In view of avoiding disruptive effects for farmers' income, Member States may choose to implement the basic income support for sustainability based on payment entitlements. In this case, the value of payment entitlements before any further convergence should be proportional to their value as established under the basic payment schemes pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, taking also into account the payments for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. Member States should also achieve further convergence in order to continue to move progressively away from historical values.to full convergence by 2026
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 705 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall provide under direct payments support for voluntaa mandatory schemes for the climate and the environmental sustainability actions ('eco- schemes') under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans., these schemes shall be entry level schemes which shall be conditional for taking up more ambitious Rural Development commitments which shall be voluntary;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 715 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall support under this type of intervention genuine farmers who make commitments to observe, on eligible hectares, agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. Areas designated pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC shall automatically be regarded as eligible for the scheme;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 718 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) Small farms remain a cornerstone of Union agriculture as they play a vital role in supporting rural employment, particularly so in disadvantaged and peripheral areas, and contribute to balanced territorial development. In order to promote a more balanced distribution of support and to reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries of small amounts, Member States should have the option of offering to small farmers the possibility of replacing the other direct payments by providing a round someum payment for small farmers.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 731 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall establish thea list of agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. that will enhance its climate mitigation and adaption potential and increase its environmental sustainability. Member States shall ensure that these practices are in compliance with WTO agreements on agriculture, Annex 2 (5) (6);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 745 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4
4. Those practices shall be designed to meet one or more of the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives laid down in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1)., in order to ensure qualitative and quantitative outcomes to meet these objectives these practices shall be linked to specific actions designed to achieve, the already established prescribed standards set out in GAEC 1 to GAEC 10 of Annex III
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 754 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) The CAP should ensure that Member States increase the environmental delivery by respecting local needs and farmers' actual circumstances. Member States should under direct payments in the CAP Strategic Plan set up Eco-schemes voluntathat are mandatory for farmers, which should be fully coordinated with the other relevant interventions. They should be defined by the Member States as a payment granted either for incentivising and remunerating the provision of public goods by agricultural practices beneficial to the environment and climate or as a compensation for the introduction of these practices. In both cases they should aim at enhancing the environmental and climate performance of the CAP and should consequently be conceived to go beyond aligned withe mandatory requirementenvironment objectives already prescribed by the system of conditionality. Member States may decide to set up eco- schemes for agricultural practices such as the enhanced management of permanent pastures and landscape features, and organic farming. These schemes may also includeshould be regarded as ‘entry-level schemes’ which mayshould be a condition for taking up more ambitious rural development commitments.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 774 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) go beyondare consistent with and aligned to the commitments prescribed in point 4 of this Article go beyond the other the relevant statutory management requirements and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 774 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) Member States should be allowed to use part of their financial ceiling available for direct payments for coupled income support in order to improve competitiveness, sustainability, and/or quality in certain sectors and productions that are particularly vulnerable and are important for social, economic or environmental reasons and undergo certain difficulties. Furthermore, Member States should also be allowed to use an additional part of their financial ceiling available for direct payments to grant coupled income support specifically for the support of protein crop production in order to reduce the Union's deficit in this regard.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 780 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) go beyond the minimum requirements for the use of fertilisers and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other mandatory requirements established by national and Union law;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 790 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Support for the "eco-schemes" shall take the form of an annual25% of direct payments paid as an annual uniform flat rate payment per eligible hectare and it shall be granted as either:
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 797 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – point b
(b) payments compensating beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs incurred and income foregone as a result of the commitments as set pursuant to Article 65.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 814 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant coupled income support to genuine farmers under the conditions set out in this Subsection and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 818 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
(40) In order to ensure a fair income and a resilient agricultural sector across the Union territory, Member States may grant support to farmers in areas facing natural and other area-specific constraints. As regards payments for ANC, the designation of the 2014-2020 Rural Development policy should continue to apply. For the CAP to deliver enhanced Union added on the environment and reinforce its synergies with the financing of investments in nature and biodiversity, it is necessary to keep a separate measure aiming at compensating beneficiaries for disadvantages related to the implementation of Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directives. Support should therefore continue to be granted to farmers and forest holders to help address specific disadvantages resulting from the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC and in order to contribute to the effective management of Natura 2000 sites. Support should also be made available to farmers to help address disadvantages in river basin areas resulting from the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Support should be linked to specific requirements described in the CAP Strategic Plans that go beyondare aligned to the relevant mandatory standards and requirements. Member States should also ensure that payments to farmers do not lead to double funding with eco schemes. Furthermore, the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas should be taken into account by Member States in the overall design of their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 823 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Coupled income support may only be granted to the following sectors and productions or specific types of farming therein where these are important for economic, social or environmental reasons: cereals, oilseeds, protein crops, grain legumes, flax, hemp, rice, nuts, starch potato, milk and milk products, seeds, sheepmeat and goatmeat, beef and veal, olive oil, silkworms, dried fodder, hops, sugar beet, cane and chicory, and fruit and vegetables, short rotation coppice and other non-food crops, excluding trees, used for the production of products that have the potential to substitute fossil materials.. The coupled support outlined above may only be granted to target vulnerable regions within a Member State;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 828 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40 a (new)
(40 a) For the CAP to deliver enhanced Union added on the environment and reinforce its synergies with the financing of investments in nature and biodiversity, it is necessary to keep a separate measure aiming at compensating beneficiaries for disadvantages related to the implementation of Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directives. Support should therefore continue to be granted to farmers and forest holders to help address specific disadvantages resulting from the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC and Directive 92/43/EEC and in order to contribute to the effective management of Natura 2000 sites. Furthermore, the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas should be taken into account by Member States in the overall design of their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 838 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
(41) The objectives of the CAP should also be pursued through support for investments, productive as well as non- productive, on farm as well as off-farm. Such investments may concern, inter alia, infrastructures related to the development, modernisation or adaptation to climate change of agriculture and forestry, including access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, establishment of agro- forestry practices and the supply and savinginstallation of energy and water saving syatems. In order to better ensure the consistency of the CAP Strategic Plans with Union objectives, as well as a level playing field between Member States, a negative list of investment topics is included in this Regulation.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 843 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
(42) In the light of the need to fill the investment gap in the Union agricultural sector and improve access to financial instruments for priority groups, notably young farmers and new entrants with higher risk profiles, use of the InvestEU guarantee and combination of grants and financial instruments should be encouragedmade available, while respecting the norms of prudent lending and discouraging unsustainable borrowing. Since the use of financial instruments across Member States varies considerably as a result of differences in terms of access to finance, banking sector development, presence of risk capital, familiarity of public administrations and potential range of beneficiaries, Member States should establish in the CAP Strategic Plan appropriate targets, beneficiaries and preferential conditions, and other possible eligibility rules.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 850 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) research and experimental production, in particular focused on water savharvesting, energy generation and saving, ecological packaging, waste reduction, pest resilience, reduction of risks and impacts of pesticides use, promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), preventing damage caused by adverse climatic events and boosting the use of fruit and vegetable varieties adapted to changing climate conditions;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 854 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43
(43) Young farmers and new entrants still face significant barriers regarding, restrictive criteria on the definition of a "young farmer" which excludes them from support schemes, low market returns, access to land, high input prices and access to credit. Their businesses are more threatened by price volatility (for both inputs and produce) and their needs in terms of training in entrepreneurial and risk management skills are high. It is therefore essential to continue the support for the setting up of new businesses and new farms. Member States should provide for a strategic approach and identify a clear and coherent set of interventions for generational renewal under the specific objective dedicated to this issue. To this aim, Member States may set in their CAP Strategic Plans preferential conditions for financial instruments for young farmers and new entrants, and should include in their CAP Strategic Plan the ring-fencing of at least an amount corresponding to 2% of the annual direct payments' envelope. An increase of the maximum amount of aid for the installation of young farmers and rural business start-ups, up to EUR 100.000, which can be accessed also through or in combination with financial instrument form of support, should be established.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 857 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Agroforestry and integrated production systems;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 859 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) actions to conserve soilrebuild soil structure and enhance soil carbon;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 861 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) actions to improve pest resilience by promoting the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 863 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) actions to increase sustainability and efficiency of transport by promoting short supply chains, and of storage of products of the fruit and vegetables sector;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 888 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
(45) Support should enable the establishment and implementation of cooperation between at least two entities in view of achieving CAP objectives. Support can entail all aspects of such cooperation, such as the setting up of quality schemes; collective environmental and climate action; the promotion of short supply chain and local markets; pilot projects; Operational Group projects within the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability local development projects, Smart Villages, buyers' clubs and machinery rings; farm partnerships; forest management plans, development of agroforestry systems; networks and clusters; social farming; community supported agriculture; actions within the scope of LEADER; and the setting up of producer groups and producer organisations, as well as other forms of cooperation deemed necessary to achieve the specific objectives of the CAP.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 894 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
(i ) actions to enhance forage areas for pollinators;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 915 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a definition of a beehive and methods for calculating the number of beehives considered to be the equivalent of a livestock unit;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 924 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
(49) In order to facilitate the management of EAFRD funds, a single contribution rate for support from the EAFRD should be set in relation to public expenditure in the Member States. In order to take account of their particular importance or nature, specific contribution rates should be set in relation to certain types of operations, in addition a facility should be incorporated to allow Member States to increase their contributions to address specific circumstances while respecting the constraints of the single market. In order to mitigate the specific constraints resulting from the level of development, the remoteness and insularity, an appropriate EAFRD contribution rate should be set for less developed regions, the outermost regions referred to in Article 349 TFEU and the smaller Aegean islands.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 954 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
(53) The transfer of responsibility to Member States for assessing needs and achieving targets, while operating within a common European wide framework, goes hand in hand with an increased flexibility to set up the combination of both types of interventions in the form of direct payments, sectoral types of interventions and types of interventions for rural development. This should be supported by some flexibility to adjust the relevant national allocations of funds. When Member States estimate that the pre- allocated envelope is too low to have room for all intended measures, a certain degree of flexibility is therefore justified, while at the same time avoiding considerable fluctuations in the level of annual direct income support versus the amounts available for multi-annual interventions under EAFRD.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 967 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
(55) In order to ensure a clear strategic nature of these CAP Strategic Plans, and to facilitate the links with other Union policies, and notably with established long- term national targets deriving from Union legislation or international agreements such as those related to the Paris Agreement, climate change, forests, biodiversity, and water, it is appropriate that there should be one single CAP Strategic Plan per Member State.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 974 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
(56) In the process of development of their CAP Strategic Plans, Member States should analyse their specific situation and needs, set targets that are realistic, linked to the achievement of the objectives of the CAP and design the interventions which will allow reaching these targets while providing certainty for the final beneficiaries , while being adapted to the national and specific regional contexts, including the outermost regions pursuant to Article 349 TFEU. Such process should promote more subsidiarity within a common Union framework, while compliance with the general principles of Union law and the objectives of the CAP should be ensured. It is therefore appropriate to set rules on the structure and content of the CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 981 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) research and development of sustainable production methods, including pest resilienceIntegrated pest Management (IPM), agroforestry, innovative practices and production techniques boosting economic competitiveness and bolstering market developments; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (a), (c) and (i) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 982 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) promoting, developing and implementing methods of production respectful of the environment, of animal welfare standards, pest resilient and environmentally sound cultivation practices including the incorporation of clovers and other nitrogen fixing crops, production techniques and production methods, environmentally sound use and management of by-products and waste while respecting the "proximity principle", sustainable use of natural resources in particular protection of water, soil and other natural resources; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 983 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
(57) In order to ensure that the setting of targets by Member States and that the design of interventions is appropriate, achievable and realistic, and maximises the contribution to the objectives of the CAP, it is necessary to base the strategy of the CAP Strategic Plans on a prior analysis of the local contexts and an assessment of needs in relation to the objectives of the CAP.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 987 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) crisis prevention andproactive risk mitigation and prevention strategies coupled with risk management, aimed at avoiding and dealing with crises in the markets within one or more sectors referred to in point (f) of Article 39; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (a), (b) and (c). Article 6(1).
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 994 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) soil conservation and rebuilding soil fertility and structure, including the enhancement of soil carbon sequestration capabilities;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1007 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
(63) Considering the importance of the general objectives, of increasing environmental resilience, improving the primary producers position in the food chain and modernising the agricultural sector, and in view of its crosscutting nature, it is appropriate that Member States include in their CAP Strategic Plan a dedicated description of the contribution that such a Plan will make to thisese objectives.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1015 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
(64) In view of the concerns related to administrative burden under shared management, simplification, particularly for the final beneficiaries, should also be subject to a specific attention in the CAP Strategic Plan.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1027 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 67
(67) The timely approval by the Commission, and implementation by the Member State, of the CAP Strategic Plan by the Commission is ais crucial step in order to guarantee that the policy is implemented according to the common objectives. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the Commission should provide the Member States with appropriate guidance in presenting coherent and ambitious intervention logics.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1038 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) environmental, climate and other management commitmentscouraging environmental sustainability, climate mitigation and adaption measures including appropriate protection of wetlands and organic soils together with other management commitments beneficial to the environment;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1042 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Area-specific disadvantages resulting from certain mandatory requirements including the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1045 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) Risk mitigation, prevention and risk management tools;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1051 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant payments for environmental, climateto incentivise environmentally sustainable practices, climate mitigation and adaption measures and other management commitments beneficial to the environment under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1058 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 3
3. Member States mayshall make support under this type of interventions available throughout their territories, in accordance with their national, regional or local specific needs.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1078 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) go beyond the minimum requirements for the use of fertiliser and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other mandatory requirements established by national and Union law;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1083 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) coordination and governance as well as monitoring, reporting and, evaluation and appeals procedure.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1086 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 5 – point d
(d) are different fromgo beyond but are complementary to and build upon commitments in respect of which payments are granted under Article 28.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1096 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 6
6. Member States shall compensate beneficiaries for costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where necessary, they may also cover transaction costs. In duly justified cases, Member States may grant supportadvance payments to incentivise uptake in innovative measures, support may be granted as a flat-rate or as a one- off payment per unit. Payments shall be granted annually.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1107 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 7
7. Member States may promote and support voluntary collective schemes and result- based payments schemes to encourage farmers to deliver a significant enhancement of the quality of the environment at a larger scale and in a measurable way.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1112 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 9
9. Where support under this type of interventions is granted to agri- environment-climate commitments, commitments to convert to or maintain organic farming practices and methods as defined in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, the creation and regeneration of agroforestry systems, and forest environmental and climate services, Member States shall establish a payment per hectare.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1121 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for natural or other area-specific constraints under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view to supporting farmers in disadvantaged and peripheral areas, ensuring balanced territorial development, and tof contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1123 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. These payments shall be granted to genuine farmers in respect of areas designated pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 based on the severity of the multiple constraints identified by the biophysical criteria.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1124 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 3
3. Where Member States identify in their CAP Strategic Plans varying levels of constraint, they may decide to differentiate the amount of support per hectare granted to beneficiaries; the compensation shall be proportional to the severity of the constraints identified. Member States may only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the natural or other area-specific constraints in the area concerned. Member States shall ensure that the relevant calculations are adequate, accurate and established in advance on the basis of a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1126 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. Additional costs and income foregone as referred to in paragraph 3 shall be calculated in respect of natural or other area-specific constraints, in comparison to areas which are not affected by natural or other area-specific constraints., the method of calculation used shall be transparent adequate and verifiable;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1128 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for area-specific disadvantages imposed by requirements resulting from the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC or Directive 2000/60/EC under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view of contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1131 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
2. These payments mayshall be granted to farmers, forest holders and other land managers in respect of areas with disadvantages referred to in paragraph 1.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1134 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 4
4. Member States mayshall only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the area-specific disadvantages in the area concerned.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1135 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) in respect of constraints arising from Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter 1 of this Title of this Regulation as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1136 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) in respect of constraints arising from Directive 2000/60/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant statutory management requirements, with the exception of SMR 2 as referred to in Annex III, and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1140 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) 'agricultural activity' shall be defined in a way that it includes both the production of agricultural productgoods listed in Annex I to the TFEU in addition to the production of public goods and eco system services from the agricultural area, including cotton and short rotation coppice, and maintenance of the agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation, without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1141 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2
2. Member States may only grant support under this type of interventions for tangible and/or intangible investments, which contribute to achieving the specific objectives set out in Article 6. Support to the forestry sector shall be based on a forest management plan or equivalent instrument.s, targeting planting forests native to Member States and the practice of continuous cover;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1147 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) purchase of land with the exception of land purchase for environmental conservation or land purchased by young farmers through the use of financial instruments;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1154 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) 'agricultural area' shall be defined in a way that it is composed of arable land, permanent crops and, permanent grassland and agro forestry systems. The terms 'arable land', 'permanent crops' and 'permanent grassland' and "agroforestry systems" shall be further specified by Member States within the following framework:
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1155 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) interest rate on debt, except in relation to grants given in the form of an interest rate subsidy or guarantee fee subsidy;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1165 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) 'permanent crops' shall be non- rotational crops other than permanent grassland and permanent pasture that occupy the land for five years or more, which yield repeated harvests, including agroforestry systems, nurseries and short rotation coppice;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1175 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) 'permanent grassland and permanent pasture' (together referred to as 'permanent grassland') shall be land not included in the crop rotation of the holding for five years or more, used to grow grasses or other herbaceous forage naturally (self-seeded) or through cultivation (sown). It may include other species such as shrubs and/or trees whichThe framework definition of ‘permanent grassland 'should be set in a way that allows Member States to specify further criteria and allows them to include species other than grasses or other herbaceous forage that can be grazed or that may produce animal feed;, forage area for pollinators whether used for actual production or not.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1178 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Points (a), (b), (d) and (g) of the first subparagraph shall not apply where support is provided through financial instruments.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1182 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) establishment of agroforestry systems, afforestation and non-productive investments linked to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1193 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iii a) Agroforestry systems: land use systems in which trees are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1205 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallmay grant support for risk management tools under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1209 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – paragraph 2
Areas used for the production of hemp shall only be eligible hectares if the varieties used have a tetrahydrocannabinol content not exceeding 0,25 %;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1211 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shallmay grant support under this type of interventions in order to promote risk management tools, which help genuine farmers manage production and income risks related to their agricultural activity which are outside their control and which contribute to achieving the specific objectives set out in Article 6. , in addition risk mitigation strategies that increase farm resilience and reduce exposure to income instability should be supported and encouraged;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1223 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 (new)
(c ) financial contributions to measures which increase farm resilience, including but not limited to, crop diversification strategies and agroforestry systems;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1239 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant support for agricultural, agroforestry, forestry and rural business knowledge exchange and information under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1239 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) 'genuine farmers' shall be defined in a way to ensure that no support is granted to those whose agricultural activity forms only an insignificant part of their overall economic activities or whose principal business activity is not agricultural, while not precluding from support from pluri-active farmers. The definition shall allow to determine which farmers are not considered genuine farmers, based on conditions such as income tests, labour inputs on the farm, company object and/or inclusion in registers.et out in the framework definition at EU level;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1245 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, in the case of setting-up of farm advisory services, Member States may grant support in the form of a fixed amount of maximum EUR 200 000.deleted
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1248 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States may decide to notshall, in addition, apply selection criteria for investment interventions clearly targeting environmental purposes or realised in connection with restoration activities.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1257 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) a maximum age limit that mayshould be set at member state level to reflect the demographic situation that exists within the state but should not exceed 405 years;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1258 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 83 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 amending Annex IX to review the annual breakdown by Member State to take account of the relevant developments, including the transfers referred to in Articles 15 and 90, to make technical adjustments without changing the overall allocations, or to take account of any other change provided for by a legislative act after the adoption of this Regulation.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1264 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 85 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) 100% for operations receiving funding from funds transferred to the EAFRD in accordance with Articles 15 and 90 of this Regulation.
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1275 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
(iii) the appropriate training and/or skills required.and knowledge already acquired, subject to a skills audit;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1303 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food security, a viable income for those working the land and balanced territorial development;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1377 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) enhance market orientation and increase competitivenessenvironmental sustainability, including greater focus on research, technology and digitalisation;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1386 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) improve the farmers' position in the value chainfood chain both upstream and down stream;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1426 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) contribute to the protection of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services and preservtore habitats and landscapes;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1433 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) attract young farmers, new entrants to farming and facilitate business development in rural areas;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1453 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) promote employment, growth, social inclusion and local development in rural areas, including bio-agro forestry, bio- economy, the circular economy and sustainable forestry;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1462 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) there is an appropriate secure electronic system to record, maintain, manage and report statistical information on the plan and its implementation required for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation and, in particular, information required to monitor progress towards the defined objectives and targets;, in addition they shall ensure that a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising of the required expertise and stakeholder representation is established to provide legal certainty for beneficiaries:
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1463 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) are informed of their obligations resulting from the aid granted, and maintain either a separate accounting system or an adequate accounting code for all transactions relating to an operation;
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1474 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) improve the response of EU agriculture to societal demands on food and health, including safe, affordable, nutritious and sustainable food, minimising food waste, as well as improving animal welfare.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1498 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. When pursuing the specific objectives Member States shall ensure simplification and performanceequality to final beneficiaries, simplification and a reduction of the administrative burden in the delivery of the CAP support.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1506 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 123
1. attributed to Member States in the year 2026 to reward satisfactory performance in relation to the environmental and climate targets provided that the Member State concerned has met the condition set out in Article 124(1). 2. The performance bonus shall be equal to 5% of the amount per Member State for financial year 2027 as set out in Annex IX. Resources transferred between the EAGF and the EAFRD under Articles 15 and 90 are excluded for the purpose of calculating the performance bonus.Article 123 deleted Performance bonus A performance bonus may be
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1510 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 124
Attribution of the performance bonus 1. of the year 2026, the performance bonus withheld from a Member State’s allocation following the second paragraph of Article 123 shall be attributed to this Member State if the result indicators applied to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1) in its CAP Strategic Plan have achieved at least 90% of their target value for the year 2025. 2. months of the receipt of the annual performance report in the year 2026 adopt an implementing act without applying the Committee procedure referred to in Article 139 to decide for each Member State whether the respective CAP Strategic Plans have achieved the target values referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. 3. in paragraph 1 are achieved, the amount of the performance bonus shall be granted by the Commission to the Member States concerned and considered to be definitely allocated to financial year 2027 on the basis of the decision referred to in paragraph 2. 4. in paragraph 1 are not achieved, the commitments for financial year 2027 relating to the amount of the performance bonus of the Member States concerned shall not be granted by the Commission. 5. bonus, the Commission may take into consideration cases of force majeure and serious socio-economic crises impeding the achievement of the relevant milestones. 6. implementing acts laying down the detailed arrangements to ensure a consistent approach for determining the attribution of the performance bonus to Member States. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 139(2).rticle 124 deleted Based on the performance review The Commission shall within two Where the target values referred to Where the target values referred to When attributing the performance The Commission shall adopt
2018/12/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1537 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 amending Annex I to adapt the common output, result and impact indicators to take into account the experience with their application and, where needed, to add new indicators.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1558 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Member States shall ensure that interventions are set out on the basis of equality to final beneficiaries objective and non-discriminatory criteria, are compatible with the internal market and do not distort competition.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1565 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Member States shall establish tThe legal framework governing the granting of Union support to beneficiaries on the basis of the CAP Strategic Plan and in accordance with the principles and requirements set out in this Regulation and Regulation (EU) [HzR]. shall be set at Union level
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1607 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. In recognition of New Delivery Model Member States shall establish a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising the required expertise and stakeholder representation;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1614 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The legal acts referred to in Annex III concerning the statutory management requirements shall apply in the version that is applicable and, in the case of Directives, as implemented by the Member States., Member States shall ensure that such implementations are in compliance WTO agreements on agriculture, annex 2 (5) (6);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1627 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that all agricultural areas including land which is no longer used for production purposes, is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. Member States shall define in consultation with stakeholders, at national or regional level, minimum standards for beneficiaries for good agricultural and environmental condition of land in line with the main objective of the standards as referred to in Annex III, taking into account the specific characteristics of the areas concerned, including soil and climatic condition, existing farming systems, land use, crop rotation, traditional and evolving farming practices, and farm structures.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1651 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. In order to protect the commonality of the CAP and to ensure a level playing field respect of the main objectives laid down in Annex III Member States may not prescribe standards additional to those laid down in that Annex against those main objectives. HoweverIn addition, Member States shall not define minimum standards for main objectives other than the main objectives laid down in Annex III.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1668 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Member States shallmay establish a system for providing the Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients referred to in Annex III, with the minimum content and functionalities defined therein, to beneficiaries, who shallmay use the Tool. if existing structures are not already in place;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1688 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 2 – Requirements and standards
Appropriate protectionMaintain the area of wetland and peatland
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1691 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 2 – Main objective of the standard
ProRetecntion of the area of carbon-rich soils
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1693 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 supplementing this Regulation with rules for good agricultural and environmental condition, including establishing the elements of the system of the ratio of permanent grassland, the year of reference and the rate of conversion under GAEC 1 as referred to in Annex III, and also to authorise exemptions to compliance to conditionality, rules shall be established in cases of exceptional circumstances outside of beneficiaries control as well as incidences of "force majeure", the format and additional minimum elements and functionalities of the Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients. in member states where this tool is being introduced;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1711 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 5 – Requirements and standards
Use of Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients2 for farming systems with more than 40kgs of N/HA ______________________ 2 The Tool shall provide at least for the following elements and functionalities: a) Elements • Relevant farm information based on LPIS and IACS; • Information from the soil sampling, on an appropriate spatial and temporal scale; • Information on relevant management practices, crop history, and yield goals; • Indications regarding legal limits and requirements relevant to farm nutrients management; • A complete nutrient budget. b) Functionalities • Automatic integration of data from various sources (LPIS and IACS, farmer- generated data, soil analyses etc.) as far as possible, to avoid data input duplication for farmers; • Two-way communication between PA/MAs and farmers allowed; • Modularity and possibility to support further sustainability objectives (e.g. emissions management, water management) • Respect of EU data inter- operability, openness and re-use principles; • Guarantees for data security and privacy in line with best current standards.
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1718 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 6 – Requirements and standards
Tillage management reducing the loss of soil organic matter and the risk of soil degradation, including slope consideration
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1722 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. The farm advisory services shall cover economic, environmental and social dimensions and deliver up to date technological and scientific information developed by research and innovation. In addition they shall they be cognisant of traditional farming practices and foster and incorporate these where appropriate They shall be integrated within the interrelated services of farm advisors, researchers, farmer organisations and other relevant stakeholders that form the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1724 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III –GAEC 6 – Main objective of the standard
Minimum land management reflecting site specific conditions to limit erosion and to preserve carbon stock
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1735 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 7 – Requirements and standards
No bare soil in most sensitive period(s) with the exception of grazing in situ forage crops and supplementary feeding supporting year round grazing systems
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1737 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 7 – Main objective of the standard
Protection of soils in winter whilst allowing for traditional practices
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1751 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – SMR 3 – Requirements and standards
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7): Article 3(1), Article 3(2)(b), Article 4(1), (2) and (4) Article 9 (1) (a)
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1753 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – SMR 4 – Requirements and standards
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7): Article 2 (3), and Article 6(1) and (2)
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1753 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point e
(e) innovation support in particular for preparing and for implementing Operational Group projects of the European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability as referred to in Article 114, such support shall expended at a ratio of 80% to farmer/beneficiaries 20% to service providers;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1758 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 9 – Requirements and standards
 Minimum share of agricultural area  Retention of landscape features  Ban on cutting hedges and trees devoted to non-productive features or devoted to biodiverse features or areas areas including ponds and streams  Retention of landscape features  Ban on cutting hedges and trees during during the bird breeding and rearing the bird breeding and rearing season season As an option, measures for avoiding invasive plant species
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1764 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 9 – Main objective of the standard
Maintenance of non-productive features and areas to improve on-farm biodiversity
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1769 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)
(f a) agro ecological processes and interventions in agriculture, forestry and rural areas
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1770 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 10 – Requirements and standards
Ban on converting or pPloughing permanent grassland in Natura 2000 sites is an action requiring consent from the managing authority of the Member State
2019/01/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1771 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)
(f a) the use of best agroforestry practices on both agricultural and forest lands;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1813 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the schemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1849 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall reducelimit the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter for a given calendar year exceedingto EUR 60 000 as follows:
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1858 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) by at least 25 % for the tranche between EUR 60 000 and EUR 75 000;deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1872 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) by at least 50 % for the tranche between EUR 75 000 and EUR 90 000;deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1883 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) by at least 75 % for the tranche between EUR 90 000 and EUR 100 000;deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1901 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) by 100 % for the amount exceeding EUR 100 000.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1920 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. Before applying paragraph 1, Member States shall subtract from the amount of direct payments to be granted to a farmer pursuant to this Chapter in a given calendar year: (a) the salaries linked to an agricultural activity declared by the farmer, including taxes and social contributions related to employment; and (b) the equivalent cost of regular and unpaid labour linked to an agricultural activity practiced by persons working on the farm concerned who do not receive a salary, or who receive less remuneration than the amount normally paid for the services rendered, but are rewarded through the economic result of the farm business. To calculate the amounts referred to in points a) and b), Member States shall use the average standard salaries linked to an agricultural activity at national or regional level multiplied by the number of annual work units declared by the farmer concerned.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1984 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The estimated product of the reduction of payments shall primarily be used to contribute to the financing of the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability and thereafter of other interventions belonging to decoupled direct payments.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1993 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Member States may also use all or part of the product to finance types of interventions under the EAFRD as specified in Chapter IV by means of a transfer. Such transfer to the EAFRD shall be part of the CAP Strategic Plan financial tables and may be reviewed in 2023 in accordance with Article 90. It shall not be subject to the maximum limits for the transfers of funds from the EAGF to the EAFRD established under Article 90.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2019 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall set an minium area threshold and only grant decoupled direct payments to genuine farmers whose eligible area of the holding for which decoupled direct payments are claimed goes beyond this area threshold.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2025 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
When setting the minium area threshold, Member States shall aim at ensuring that decoupled direct payments may only be granted to genuine farmers if:
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2045 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3
3. Without prejudice to Articles 19 to 24, the basic income support shall be granted for each eligible hectare declared by a genuine farmer.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2096 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 5
5. For the purposes of paragraph 4, Member States shall ensure that, for claim year 2026 at the latest, all payment entitlements have a value of at least 75100% of the average planned unit amount for the basic income support for claim year 2026 as laid down in the CAP Strategic Plan transmitted in accordance with Article 106 (1) for the Member State or for the territories as defined in accordance with Article 18(2).
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2105 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 7
7. The reductions referred to in paragraph 6 shall be based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. Without prejudice to the minimum set in accordance with paragraph 5, such criteria may include the fixing of a maximum decrease that may not be lower than 30%.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2124 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) farmers who have newly set up a holding for the first time, as head of the holding and with appropriate training or acquired necessary skills and knowledge as defined by the Member States for young farmers.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2134 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall allocate payment entitlements to, or increase the value of the existing payment entitlements of genuine farmers who are entitled by virtue of a definitive court ruling or by virtue of a definitive administrative act of the competent authority of a Member State. Member States shall ensure that those genuine farmers receive the number and value of payment entitlements established in that ruling or act at a date to be fixed by the Member State.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2139 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 7
7. Member States may lay down additional rules for the use of the reserve over and above the uses prescribed in paras 4&5 and the cases that would trigger its replenishment by a linear reduction of the value of all payment entitlements.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2281 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 3 – chapter 2 – section 2 – subsection 4 – title
sSchemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2284 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – title
28 Schemes for the climate and the environmentmitigation and environmental sustainability actions;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2289 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall provide under direct payments support for voluntaa mandatory schemes for the climate and the environmental sustainability actions (‘eco- schemes’) under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans., these schemes shall be entry level schemes which shall be conditional for taking up more ambitious Rural Development commitments which shall be voluntary;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2312 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall support under this type of intervention genuine farmers who make commitments to observe, on eligible hectares, agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment., areas designated pursuant to Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC shall automatically be regarded as eligible for the scheme;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2334 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall establish thea list of agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment.that will enhance its climate mitigation and adaption potential and increase its environmental sustainability, Member States shall ensure that these practices are in compliance with WTO agreements on agriculture, annex 2 (5) (6);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2357 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4
4. Those practices shall be designed to meet one or more of the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives laid down in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1)., in order to ensure qualitative and quantitative outcomes to meet these objectives these practices shall be linked to specific actions designed to achieve, the already established prescribed standards set out in GAEC 1 to GAEC 10 of annex III
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2387 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) go beyondare consistent with and aligned to the commitments prescribed in point 4 of this Article go beyond the other the relevant statutory management requirements and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2394 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) go beyond the minimum requirements for the use of fertilisers and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other mandatory requirements established by national and Union law;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2435 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Support for the “eco-schemes shall take the form of an annual25% of direct payments paid as annual uniform flat rate payment per eligible hectare and it shall be granted as either:
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2447 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 6 – point b
(b) payments compensating beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs incurred and income foregone as a result of the commitments as set pursuant to Article 65.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2479 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant coupled income support to genuine farmers under the conditions set out in this Subsection and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2526 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Coupled income support may only be granted to the following sectors and productions or specific types of farming therein where these are important for economic, social or environmental reasons: cereals, oilseeds, protein crops, grain legumes, flax, hemp, rice, nuts, starch potato, milk and milk products, seeds, sheepmeat and goatmeat, beef and veal, olive oil, silkworms, dried fodder, hops, sugar beet, cane and chicory, fruit and vegetables, short rotation coppice and other non-food crops, excluding trees, used for the production of products that have the potential to substitute fossil materials.the coupled support outlined may be granted to target vulnerable regions only within a member state;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2671 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) investments in tangible and non- tangible assets, in particular focused on water savharvesting, energy generation and saving, ecological packaging and waste reduction;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2678 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) research and experimental production, in particular focused on water savharvesting, energy generation and saving, ecological packaging, waste reduction, pest resilience, reduction of risks and impacts of pesticides use, promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), preventing damage caused by adverse climatic events and boosting the use of fruit and vegetable varieties adapted to changing climate conditions;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2692 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) Agroforestry and integrated production systems;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2696 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) actions to conserve soilrebuild soil structure and enhance soil carbon;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2701 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) actions to improve pest resilience by promoting the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2707 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point k
(k) actions to increase sustainability and efficiency of transport by promoting short supply chains, and of storage of products of the fruit and vegetables sector;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2906 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) actions to enhance forage areas for pollinators;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2933 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a definition of a beehive and methods for calculating the number of beehives considered to be the equivalent of a livestock unit;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3111 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) research and development of sustainable production methods, including pest resilienceIntegrated pest Management (IPM), agroforestry, innovative practices and production techniques boosting economic competitiveness and bolstering market developments; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (a), (c) and (i) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3114 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) promoting, developing and implementing methods of production respectful of the environment, of animal welfare standards, pest resilient and environmentally sound cultivation practices including the incorporation of clovers and other nitrogen fixing crops, production techniques and production methods, environmentally sound use and management of by-products and waste while respecting the "proximity principle", sustainable use of natural resources in particular protection of water, soil and other natural resources; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3125 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) crisis prevention andproactive risk mitigation and prevention strategies coupled with risk management, aimed at avoiding and dealing with crises in the markets within one or more sectors referred to in point (f) of Article 39; those objectives relate to the specific objectives set out in points (a), (b) and (c). Article 6(1).
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3133 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) soil conservation and rebuilding soil fertility and structure, including the enhancement of soil carbon sequestration capabilities;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3257 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) environmental, climate and other management commitmentscouraging environmental sustainability, climate mitigation and adaption measures including appropriate protection of wetlands and organic soils together with other management commitments beneficial to the environment;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3265 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Area-specific disadvantages resulting from certain mandatory requirements including the implementation of Directives 92/43/ECC and 2009/147/EC;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3283 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) risk mitigation, prevention and risk management tools;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3302 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – title
Environmental, climate mitigation, adaption and other management commitments
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3305 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant payments for environmental, climateto incentivise environmentally sustainable practices, climate mitigation and adaption measures and other management commitments beneficial to the environment under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3316 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 3
3. Member States mayshall make support under this type of interventions available throughout their territories, in accordance with their national, regional or local specific needs.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3338 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) go beyond the minimum requirements for the use of fertiliser and plant protection products, animal welfare, as well as other mandatory requirements established by national and Union law;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3351 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 5 – point d
(d) are different fromgo beyond but are complementary and build upon commitments in respect of which payments are granted under Article 28.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3371 #

2018/0216(COD)

6. Member States shall compensate beneficiaries for costs incurred and income foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where necessary, they may also cover transaction costs. In duly justified cases, Member States may grant supportadvance payments to incentivise uptake in innovative measures, support may be granted as a flat-rate or as a one- off payment per unit. Payments shall be granted annually.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3389 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 7
7. Member States may promote and support voluntary collective schemes and result- based payments schemes to encourage farmers to deliver a significant enhancement of the quality of the environment at a larger scale and in a measurable way.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3409 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 9
9. Where support under this type of interventions is granted to agri- environment-climate commitments, commitments to convert to or maintain organic farming practices and methods as defined in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 creation and regeneration of agroforestry systems , and forest environmental and climate services, Member States shall establish a payment per hectare.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3428 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for natural or other area-specific constraints under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view to supporting farmers in disadvantaged and peripheral areas, ensuring balanced territorial development, and tof contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3435 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 2
2. These payments shall be granted to genuine farmers in respect of areas designated pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013. based on the severity of the multiple constraints identified by the biophysical criteria;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3443 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 3
3. Where member states identify in their CAP Strategic plans varying levels of constraint they may decide to differentiate the amount of support per hectare granted to beneficiaries; the compensation shall be proportional to the severity of the constraints identified. Member States may only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the natural or other area-specific constraints in the area concerned. Member States shall ensure that the relevant calculations are adequate, accurate and established in advance on the basis of a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3447 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 4
4. Additional costs and income foregone as referred to in paragraph 3 shall be calculated in respect of natural or other area-specific constraints, in comparison to areas which are not affected by natural or other area-specific constraints., the method of calculation used shall transparent adequate and verifiable;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3459 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall grant payments for area-specific disadvantages imposed by requirements resulting from the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC or Directive 2000/60/EC under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans with the view of contributing to the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 6(1).
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3466 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 2
2. These payments mayshall be granted to farmers, forest holders and other land managers in respect of areas with disadvantages referred to in paragraph 1.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3471 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 4
4. Member States mayshall only grant payments under this type of interventions in order to compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the area-specific disadvantages in the area concerned.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3473 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) in respect of constraints arising from Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter 1 of this Title of this Regulation as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3474 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) in respect of constraints arising from Directive 2000/60/EC, in relation to disadvantages resulting from requirements that go beyondcomplying with requirements of the relevant statutory management requirements, with the exception of SMR 2 as referred to in Annex III, and standards of good agricultural and environmental condition established under Section 2 of Chapter I of this Title as well as the conditions established for the maintenance of the agricultural area in accordance with point (a) of Article 4(1) of this Regulation.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3484 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2
2. Member States may only grant support under this type of interventions for tangible and/or intangible investments, which contribute to achieving the specific objectives set out in Article 6. Support to the forestry sector shall be based on a forest management plan or equivalent instrument.s, targeting planting forests native to Member States and the practice of continuous cover;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3494 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) purchase of land with the exception of land purchase for environmental conservation or land purchased by young farmers through the use of financial instruments;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3510 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) interest rate on debt, except in relation to grants given in the form of an interest rate subsidy or guarantee fee subsidy;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3546 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Points (a), (b), (d) and (g) of the first subparagraph shall not apply where support is provided through financial instruments.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3564 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) establishment of agroforestry systems, afforestation and non-productive investments linked to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1);
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3678 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallmay grant support for risk management tools under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3682 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shallmay grant support under this type of interventions in order to promote risk management tools, which help genuine farmers manage production and income risks related to their agricultural activity which are outside their control and which contribute to achieving the specific objectives set out in Article 6., in addition risk mitigation strategies should be supported and encouraged which increase farm resilience and reduce exposure to income instability;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3712 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(ba) financial contributions to measures which increase farm resilience, including but not limited to, crop diversification strategies and agroforestry systems;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3799 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may grant support for agricultural, agroforestry, forestry and rural business knowledge exchange and information under the conditions set out in this Article and as further specified in their CAP Strategic Plans.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3814 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 72 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, in the case of setting-up of farm advisory services, Member States may grant support in the form of a fixed amount of maximum EUR 200 000.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3848 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 73 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States may decide to notshall, in addition, apply selection criteria for investment interventions clearly targeting environmental purposes or realised in connection with restoration activities.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3913 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 83 – paragraph 2
2. 0,25% of the resources referred to in paragraph 1 shall be devoted to finance the activities of technical assistance on the initiative of the Commission referred to in Article 7 of the Regulation (EU) [HzR], including the European network for the Common Agricultural Policy referred to in Article 113(2) of this Regulation and the European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability referred to in Article 114 of this Regulation. Those activities may concern previous and subsequent CAP Strategic Plan periods.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3914 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 83 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 138 amending Annex IX to review the annual breakdown by Member State to take account of the relevant developments, including the transfers referred to in Articles 15 and 90, to make technical adjustments without changing the overall allocations, or to take account of any other change provided for by a legislative act after the adoption of this Regulation.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3986 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 85 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) 100% for operations receiving funding from funds transferred to the EAFRD in accordance with Articles 15 and 90 of this Regulation.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4044 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 86 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The EAFRD contribution may be increased to 6% for CAP Strategic plans where the total amount of Union support for rural development is up to EUR 90 million.deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4575 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) are informed of their obligations resulting from the aid granted, and maintain either a separate accounting system or an adequate accounting code for all transactions relating to an operation;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4586 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 110 – paragraph 2 – point 1 b (new)
(1b) a functionally independent mediation and appeals body comprising of the required expertise and stakeholder representation is established to provide legal certainty for beneficiaries.
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4643 #

2018/0216(COD)

1. At the initiative of a Member State, the EAFRD may support actions which are necessary for the effective administration and implementation of support in relation to the CAP Strategic Plan, including the establishing and operating of the national CAP networks referred to in Article 113(1). The actions referred to in this paragraph may concern previous and subsequent CAP Strategic Plan periods.;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4652 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 113
[...]deleted
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4668 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 114 – paragraph 3
3. The EIP shall contribute to achieving the specific objectives set out to in Article 6(1). by a ratio of 80% funding for farmers 20% funding for service providers;
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4814 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 123
Performance bonus 1. attributed to Member States in the year 2026 to reward satisfactory performance in relation to the environmental and climate targets provided that the Member State concerned has met the condition set out in Article 124(1). 2. equal to 5% of the amount per Member State for financial year 2027 as set out in Annex IX. Resources transferred between the EAGF and the EAFRD under Articles 15 and 90 are excluded for the purpose of calculating the performance bonus.Article 123 deleted A performance bonus may be The performance bonus shall be
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4841 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 124
Attribution of the performance bonus 1. of the year 2026, the performance bonus withheld from a Member State’s allocation following the second paragraph of Article 123 shall be attributed to this Member State if the result indicators applied to the specific environmental- and climate-related objectives set out in points (d), (e) and (f) of Article 6(1) in its CAP Strategic Plan have achieved at least 90% of their target value for the year 2025. 2. The Commission shall within two months of the receipt of the annual performance report in the year 2026 adopt an implementing act without applying the Committee procedure referred to in Article 139 to decide for each Member State whether the respective CAP Strategic Plans have achieved the target values referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. 3. in paragraph 1 are achieved, the amount of the performance bonus shall be granted by the Commission to the Member States concerned and considered to be definitely allocated to financial year 2027 on the basis of the decision referred to in paragraph 2. 4. in paragraph 1 are not achieved, the commitments for financial year 2027 relating to the amount of the performance bonus of the Member States concerned shall not be granted by the Commission. 5. bonus, the Commission may take into consideration cases of force majeure and serious socio-economic crises impeding the achievement of the relevant milestones. 6. implementing acts laying down the detailed arrangements to ensure a consistent approach for determining the attribution of the performance bonus to Member States. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 139(2).rticle 124 deleted Based on the performance review Where the target values referred to Where the target values referred to When attributing the performance The Commission shall adopt
2018/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5107 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 2
Appropriate protectionMaintain the area of wetland and peatland ProRetecntion of the area of carbon-rich soils
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5131 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 5 – Requirements and standards
Use of Farm Sustainability Tool for Nutrients for farming systems with more than 40kgs of N/HA
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5137 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 6
Tillage management reducing the loss of soil organic matter and the risk of soil degradation, including slope consideration Minimum land management reflecting site specific conditions to limit erosion and to preserve carbon stock
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5144 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 7
No bare soil in most sensitive period(s) Protection of soils in winterwith the exception of grazing in situ forage crops and supplementary feeding supporting year round grazing systems Protection of soils in winter whilst allowing for traditional practices
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5169 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – SMR 3
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7): Article 3(1), Article 3(2)(b), Article 4(1), (2) and (4) Article 9(1) (a)
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5170 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – SMR 4
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7): Article 2(3), Article 6(1) and (2)
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5180 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 9 – Requirements and standards – indent 1
- Minimum share of agricultural area devoted to biodiverse non-productive features or areas including ponds and streams
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5182 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 9 – Main objective of the standard
Maintenance of non-productive features and area to improve on-farm biodiversity
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5184 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 9 – Requirements and standards – indent 4
- As an option, measures for avoiding invasive plant speciesdeleted
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5195 #

2018/0216(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – GAEC 10 – Requirements and standards
Ban on converting or pPloughing permanent grassland in Natura 2000 sites is an action requiring consent from the managing authority of the Member State
2018/12/12
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) IRegrettably, in accordance with Articles 120 and 121 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('the Treaty'), Member States are required to conduct their economic policies with a view to contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Union and in the context of the broad guidelines that the Council formulates. The coordination of the economic policies of the Member States is therefore a matter of common concern.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Regrettably, Article 175 of the Treaty provides, inter alia, that Member States should coordinate their economic policies in such a way as to attain the objectives on economic social and territorial cohesion set out in Article 174.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0213(COD)

(3) ARegrettably, at Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States should develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion fund, the European Social Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevantdependent of those reform priorities.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The economic and financial crisis has shown that developing sound and resilient economies and financial systems built on strong economic and social structures helps Member States to respond more efficiently to shockconclusively that the launch of the euro when so many structural flaws were inbuilt was and recover more swiftly from them. The implementation of structural reforms is among the Union’s policy priorities because such reforms seek to set the recovery on a sustainable path, unlock the growth potential, strengthen the adjustment capacity and support the process of upward convergence. Pursuing structuipe for certain disaster, the subsequent rapid near- bankruptcy of several preforms can also contribute to strengthening economic and social cohesion, boosting productivity and investment viously solidly solvent Member States proof positive of the mandy creating good conditions for sustainable growth and employment in the Unionalamitous weaknesses in the new currency.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 9 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Structural reforms can contribute to achieving a high degree of resilience of domestic economies and sustainable convergence among Member States, which is crucial for successful and smooth participation in the Economic and Monetary Union. That high degree of sustainable convergence is particularly important for Member States, whose currency is not the euro, in their process of preparation to join the euro areahave come too late for most eurozone countries, their economies laid to waste by the absence of those structures in the euro currency as launched, their national debt increased to hitherto unheard-of and now unsustainable levels in those Member States, the public services in such as Ireland, Greece etc. reduced to a mere shadow of what existed before the year 2000.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The degree of implementation of structural reforms in the Member States ias still not sufficient across the Union. Experience wordained by the Trinity of the Commission, the Council and in support of both of those, the ECB, despithe the implementationsuffering imposed ofn the economic policy coordination mechanism under the European Semester shows that, in general, the implementation of structural reforms has been slow and uneven and that national reform efforts should be reinforced and incentivisedpeople across the euro area by the many austerity measures, is still not sufficient across the Union in the eyes of those Union Institutions, and never will be, given that the hugely-inflated national debt of those Member States can never be brought back to sustainable levels under those same austerity measures.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 12 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Regulation (EU) 2017/825 of the European Parliament and the Council19 established the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) for the period 2017 to 2020, with a budget of EUR 142 800 000. The SRSP was established to strengthen the capacity of Member States to prepare and implement growth-sustaining administrative and structural reforms, including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the Union funds, but is in fact simply paper to cover the cracks. Technical support under that programme is provided by the Commission, upon request from a Member State, and can cover a wide range of policy areas. Initial experience with the SRSP has shown a demand for technical support in the order of four times (in 2017) and five times (in 2018) its annual available budget. _________________ 19 Regulation (EU) 2017/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on the establishment of the Structural Reform Support Programme for the period 2017 to 2020 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 1305/2013 (OJ L 129, 19.5.2017, p. 1)
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Other Union instruments and programmes also provide a significant contribution to improving conditions underpinning certain investments in Member States, which can be conducive to or be part of such reforms. In particular, the Union Funds covered by Regulation (EU) No YYY/XX of the European Parliament and of the Council [CPR] link investment to enabling conditions (formerly known as ex-ante conditionalities), foresee a macroeconomic governance mechanism and may finance costs of structural reforms linked to investments in policy areas relevant for cohesion policy. However, currently, no instrument foresees direct financial support that provides incentives for the Member States to implement reforms in all policy areas, in response to challenges identified in the European Semester. Moreover, there is currently no instrument providing specific and targeted financial and technical support to Member States whose currency is not the euro in their efforts to implement reforms that are relevant for joining the euro areamore paper to cover even more cracks.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The Commission's Communication of 6 December 201720 , part of a package of initiatives to deepen the Economic and Monetary Union, proposed to create a reform delivery tool and a convergence facility as new budgetary instruments. The objective of such instruments was to strengthen resilience of domestic economies and unleash positive spillover effects across Member States by providing incentives for the implementation of structural reforms that contribute to those objectives and are essential for the stability of the Economic and Monetary UnionIn fact it is simply making a bad situation worse. _________________ 20 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the European Central Bank, new budgetary instruments for a stable euro area within the Union framework, COM(2017) 822 final
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 15 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Against that background, it is necessary to strengthen the current framework for the provision of support to Member States by offering direct financial support, alongmassidve technical support. To that end, a new Reform Support Programme ('the Programme') should be established to provide effective incentives to step up the implementation of structural reforms in the Member States. The Programme should be comprehensive and should also benefit from the experience gained by the Commission and the Member States from the use of the other instruments and programmes. The Programme should also continue the actions and the mode of operation of the SRSP, since they have been proven very useful, and have been appreciated by Member States, for strengthening the administrative capacity of national authorities in various policy domains. Tsovereign debt write-off to every eurozone Member State (including Germany) afflicted by the flaws in the currency, and direct financial support, alongside technical support. To that end, a new Reform Support Programme ('the Programme') should also include targeted support for reforms in Member States whose currency is not the euro and which have taken demonstrable steps towards adopting the single currency within a given time-frambe established. The Programme should be comprehensive.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) The Programme's overall objective is the enhancement of social and economic cohesion, competitiveness, productivity, sustainable growth, and gainful employment which respects all Union labour standards. For that purpose, it should provide financial incentives for addressing challenges of a structural nature, and should help to strengthen the administrative capacity of the Member States insofar as their institutions and economic and social sectors are concerned.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) With regard to the reform delivery tool, it is necessary to identify the types of reforms that should be eligible for financial support. To ensure their contribution to the objectives of the Programme, the eligible reforms should be those addressing the challenges identified in the context of the European Semester of economic policy coordination, including those proposed to address the country- specific recommendations.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) In order to ensure a meaningful incentive for Member States to complete structural reforms, it is appropriate to establish a maximum financial contribution available for them under the instrument for each stage of allocation and under each call. These structural reforms shall not include privatisation of existing vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications etc. That maximum contribution should be calculated on the basis of the population of Member States. To ensure that the financial incentives are spread throughout the whole period of application of the Programme, the allocation of funds to the Member States should be made in stages. In the first stage lasting twenty months, half (EUR 11 000 000 000) of the overall financial envelope of the reform delivery tool should be made available to Member States, during which they could receive up to their maximum allocation by submitting proposals for reform commitments.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) It is necessary to establish a process for the submission of proposals for reform commitments by the Member States, and the content thereof. With a view to ensuring the expediency of procedures, a Member State should submit the proposal for reform commitments together with its national reform programme, but in the form of a separate annex, which may also be submitted at a different point in time. While pParticipation in the Programme is voluntary, Member States experiencing excessive imbalances should be particularly encouraged to come forward with reform proposals under the reform delivery tool, which address the problems that led to such excessive imbalances.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) In order to ensure the ownership of and a focus on relevant reforms, the Member States should identify the reform commitments in response to challenges identified in the context of the European Semester (including those challenges identified in country specific recommendations) and propose a detailed set of measures for their implementation, which should contain appropriate milestones and targets and a timetable for implementation over a maximum period of three years. Close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States should be sought and achieved throughout the process.deleted
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) The Commission should assess the nature and the importance of the reform commitments proposed by the Member States and should determine the amount to be allocated on the basis of transparent criteria. To that effect, it should take into account the substantive elements provided by the Member States and assess whether the reform commitments proposed by the Member States are expected to effectively address challenges identified in the context of the European Semester, whether they represent a comprehensive reform package, whether they are expected to strengthen the performance and resilience of the national economy and whether their implementation is expected to have a lasting impact in the Member State where relevant by strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the Member State concerned. In addition, the Commission should assess whether the internal arrangements proposed by the Member States, including the proposed milestones and targets, and the related indicators, are expected to ensure effective implementation of the reform commitments during a maximum period of three years.deleted
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
(26) In order to contribute to the preparation of high quality proposals and assist the Commission in the assessment of the proposals for reform commitments submitted by the Member States and in the assessment of the degree of their achievement, provision should be made for the use of peer counselling and expert advice. In addition, the Council for Economic Policy Committee of the Council dealing with the European Semester, in consultation, where appropriate, with relevant Treaty-based committees, should be able to provide an opinion on the proposals for reform commitments as submitted by Member States. In the interest of simplification, the reporting by Member States on the progress made in the implementation of reform commitments should be made within the framework of the European Semester.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 30 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) The technical support instrument under the Programme should continue to support, the implementation of reforms undertaken at the initiative of the Member States, reforms in the context of economic governance processes or actions related to the implementation of Union law, and reforms in relation to the implementation of economic adjustment programmes. It should also provide technical support for the preparation and implementation of reforms to be undertaken under the other Programme instruments.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 32 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) The convergence facility should aim at providing both financial support and technical support to Member States (in addition to that already available under the two other instruments of the Programme), whose currency is not the euro and which have taken demonstrable steps towards adopting the single currency within a given time-frame, with a view to helping them prepare for membership in the euro area. To that effect, "demonstrable steps" should consist of a formal letter from the government of the Member State concerned to the Commission stating its clear commitment to join the euro area within a reasonable and defined timeframe and presenting a credible, time-bound roadmap, after consultation with the Commission, for implementing concrete measures to prepare for successful participation in the euro area, including steps to ensure full alignment of its national legislation with the requirements under Union law (including the Banking Union). However, any such expansion of the eurozone area should be put on hold until such time as all the necessary reforms and structures to support a currency are finally in place, including but not confined to a eurozone common Deposit Guarantee scheme. Additionally, and on the flip side, legislative measures should now be put in train to facilitate any Member State which wishes to leave the eurozone area, with similar financial measures in place to assist those Member States who take that decision - a divergence facility.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 34 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. ‘technical support’ means measures that help Member States to carry out institutional, administrative and growth- sustaining structural reforms, providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc., and including measures that help Member States, whose currency is not the euro, to prepare for participation in the euro area;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 35 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. ‘financial support’ means a financial contribution to a Member State for the purpose of the implementation of structural reforms identified in the context of the European Semester process in accordance with Article 2-a of Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/9728 (providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc.), and for the purpose of implementation of reforms that are relevant for preparation for participation in the euro area; _________________ 28 Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1)
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to contribute to addressing national reform challenges of a structural nature aimed at improving the performance of the national economies and at promoting resilient economic and social structures in the Member States, including by means of major national debt write-offs’, thereby contributing to cohesion, competitiveness, productivity, sustainable growth, and gainful employment which respects all existing Union labour rights; and
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 41 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) as regards the reform delivery tool, the Programme shall provide Member States with financial incentives with a view to achieving the milestones and targets of the structural reforms as set out in the reform commitments entered into by Member States with the Commission, providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c – point ii
(ii) support the efforts of national authorities of eligible Member States in improving their administrative capacity to design, develop and implement reforms relevant for preparation for euro-area participation (providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc.), including through exchange of good practices, appropriate processes and methodologies and more effective and efficient human resources management.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) institutional reform and efficient and service-oriented functioning of public administration and e-government, including, where appropriproviding such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc., but including through the simplification of rules (where appropriate), effective rule of law, reform of the justice systems and reinforcement of the fight against fraud, corruption and money laundering;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 46 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) business environment, including for small and medium-sized enterprises, re- industrialisation, private sector development, product and service markets, investment, public participation in enterprises, privatisation processes, trade and foreign direct investment, competition and public procurement, sustainable sectoral development and support for research and innovation and digitisation;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Pursuant to the objectives set out in point (a) of Article 4 and point (a) of Article 5(2), structural reforms eligible for financing under the Programme shall be those reforms aimed at addressing challenges identified in the context of the European Semester of economic policy coordination, providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 51 #

2018/0213(COD)

1. A Member State wishing to receive support under the reform delivery tool shall submit a proposal for reform commitments to the Commission. That proposal shall set out a detailed set of measures for the implementation of structural reforms in response to challenges identified in the European Semester processproviding such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc., and shall contain milestones, targets and a timetable for the implementation of the reforms over a maximum period of three years.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) the nature and importance of the structural reform proposed in the context of the challenges identified in European Semester;deleted
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 53 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 7 – point a – point 1
(i). are expected to effectively address challenges identified in the context of the European Semester, namely: – recommendations and in other relevant European Semester documents officially adopted by the Commission; or – Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure laid down by Regulation (EU) 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 ; _________________ 30 Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p.25)deleted in the country-specific where applicable, in the
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The decision shall lay down the period for implementation of the reform commitments, which shall be no later than three years after the adoption of the decision. It shall also establish: the detailed arrangements and timetable for implementation of the reform commitments and reporting thereon by the Member State concerned within the European Semester process; the relevant indicators relating to the fulfilment of the milestones and targets; and the modality for providing access by the Commission to the underlying relevant data.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 55 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14
Reporting by the Member State in the Without prejudice to the second subparagraph of Article 12(3), the Member State concerned shall report regularly within the European Semester process on the progress made in the achievement of the reform commitments. To that effect, Member States are invited to use the content of the national reform programmes as a tool for reporting on progress towards reform completion. The detailed arrangements and timetable for reporting, including the modality for providing access by the Commission to the underlying relevant data, shall be laid down in the decision referred to in Article 12(1).Article 14 deleted European Semester
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Taking into account the principles of transparency, equal treatment and sound financial management, and further to a dialogue with the Member State, including in the context of the European Semester, the Commission shall analyse the request for support referred to in paragraph 1 based on the urgency, breadth and depth of the problems identified, support needs in respect of the policy areas concerned, analysis of socioeconomic indicators and general administrative capacity of the Member State.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 57 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member State national debt write- offs related to the euro launch and the subsequent and predictably consequent banking crisis, particularly the bank bailout costs, can be negotiated at Council and Commission level with and through the European Central Bank;
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 58 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The convergence facility for euro- area membership is available to any eligible Member State as referred to in Article 2(6), but shall be suspended until such time as all necessary reform and structures for the currency are finally put in place. Support shall consist of the following two components:
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 59 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Structural reforms eligible for financing under the convergence facility shall be reforms that help eligible Members States in their preparation to join the euro area, providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc. Those reforms shall be aimed at addressing challenges identified in the context of the European Semester of economic policy coordination.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 60 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. An eligible Member State shall submit a proposal for reform commitments under the financial support component of this convergence facility, in accordance with Article 11, providing such reforms do not include the privatisation of vital public services such as water, energy, health, communications infrastructure etc.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 61 #

2018/0213(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
For the purpose of the reporting on the financial support activities referred to in subparagraph 1, the Commission may use the content of the relevant documents officially adopted by the Commission under the European Semester, as appropriate.deleted
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 38 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) It is necessary to establish a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for the 2021-2027 period. That fund should aim to target funding from the Union budget to support the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the Union's maritime policy and the Union's international commitments in the field of ocean governance. Such funding, which must be distributed equitably and must cater especially for small-scale fishing Producer Organisations, is a key enabler for sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine biological resources, for food security through the supply of seafood products, for the growth of a sustainable blue economy and for healthy, safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed seas and oceans.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) As a global ocean actor and the world's fifth largest producer of seafood, the Union has a strong responsibility to protect, conserve and sustainably use the oceans and their resources. Preserving seas and oceans is indeed vital for a rapidly growing world population. It is also of socio-economic interest for the Union: a sustainable blue economy boosts investments, jobs and growth, fosters research and innovation and contributes to energy security through ocean energy. Moreover, safe and secure seas and oceans are essential for an efficient border control and for the global fight against maritime crime, thereby addressing citizens' security concerns.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 48 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The multiannual financial framework set out in Regulation (EU) xx/xx6 provides that the Union budget must continue to support fisheries and maritime policies. The EMFF budget should amount, in current prices, to EUR 6 140 000 000. EMFF resources should be split between shared, direct and indirect management. EUR 5 311 000 000 should be allocated to support under shared management and EUR 829 000 000 to support under direct and indirect management. In order to ensure stability in particular with regard to the achievement of the objectives of the CFP, the definition of national allocations under shared management for the 2021- 2027 programming period should be based on the EMFF 2014-2020 shares. Specific amounts should be reserving-fenced for the outermost regions, control and enforcement and collection and processing of data for fisheries management and scientific purposes, while amounts for permanent cessation and extraordinary cessation of fishing activities should be capped. _________________ 6 OJ C […], […], p. […].
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 49 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) Europe's maritime sector employs over 5 million jobs generating almost EUR 500 billion a year, with a potential to create many more jobs, though fish species stocks must continue to be monitored and over-fishing guarded against through suitable measures. The output of the global ocean economy is estimated at EUR 1.3 trillion today and this could more than double by 2030. The need to meet CO2 emissions targets, increase resource efficiency and reduce the environmental footprint of the blue economy has been a significant driving force for innovation in other sectors such as marine equipment, shipbuilding, ocean observation, dredging, coastal protection and marine construction. Investment in the maritime economy has been provided by Union structural funds, in particular the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the EMFF. New investment tools such as InvestEU must be utilised to meet the growth potential of the sector.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) The United nNations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identified conservation and sustainable use of oceans as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14). The Union is fully committed to that goal and its implementation. In that context, it has committed to promote a sustainable 'blue economy' which is consistent with maritime spatial planning, the conservation of biological resources and the achievement of good environmental status, tohe prohiobition of certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, tohe eliminateion of subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to refraining from introducing new such subsidies. This outcome should result from the World Trade Organisation fisheries subsidies negotiation. In addition, in the course of World Trade Organisation negotiations at the 2002 World Summit of Sustainable Development and at the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the Union has committed to eliminate subsidies contributing to fisheries overcapacity and overfishing.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 63 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) Much has been achieved over the last few years by the CFP in bringing fish stocks back to healthy levels, in increasing the profitability of the Union's fishing industry and in conserving marine ecosystems. However, much has also been neglected and substantial challenges remain to achieve the socio- economic and environmental objectives of CFP. This requires continued support beyond 2020, notably in sea basins where progress has been slower.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of many coastal communities in the Union, in particular where small-scale coastal fishing plays an important role. With the average age in many fishing communities being over 50, generational renewal and diversification of activities remain a challenge, and a major focus of this fund should be towards addressing that challenge.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 70 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) Support from the EMFF should aim to achieve and maintain sustainable fishing based on the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and to minimise the negative impacts of fishing activities on the marine ecosystem. That support should include innovation and investments in low-impact, climate resilient and low-carbon fishing practices and techniques, and should exclude any investment in electric pulse- fishing methods.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 76 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The landing obligation is one of the main challenges of the CFP. It has implied significant changes in fishing practices for the sector, sometimes with an importequally significant financial cost. It should therefore be possible for the EMFF to support innovation and investments that contribute to the implementation of the landing obligation, with a higher aid intensity rate than the one that applies to other operations, like investments in selective fishing gears, in the improvement of port infrastructures and in the marketing of unwanted catches. It should also grant a maximum aid intensity rate of 100% to the design, development, monitoring, evaluation and management of transparent systems for exchanging fishing opportunities between Member States ('quota swaps'), in order to mitigate the 'choke species' effect caused by the landing obligation.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 77 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
(21 a) The landing obligation should be monitored equally across the entire spectrum, from small-scale to large-scale fishing vessels, in every Member State of the Union.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 92 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) Under shared management, it should be possible for the EMFF to support the protection and restoration of marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystems. For that purpose, support should be available to compensate the collection by fishers of lost fishing gears and marine litter from the sea and for investments in ports to provide adequate reception facilities for lost fishing gears and marine litter. Support should also be available for actions to achieve or maintain a good environmental status in the marine environment as set out in Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ('Maritime Strategy Framework Directive')11 , for the implementation of spatial protection measures established pursuant to that Directive and, in accordance with the prioritised action frameworks established pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC ('Habitats Directive')12 , for the management, restoration and monitoring of NATURA 2000 areas as well as for the protection of species under Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ('Birds Directive')13 . Under direct management, the EMFF should support the promotion of clean and healthy seas and the implementation of the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy developed in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 16 January 201614 , in coherencembination with the objective of achieving or maintaining a good environmental status in the marine environment. _________________ 11 Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19). 12 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, p. 7). 13 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.01.2010, p. 7). 14 COM(2018) 28
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 97 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) It shouldWhile taking full account the possible negative effects on the environment and on local communities, it should nevertheless be possible for the EMFF to support the promotion and the sustainable development of aquaculture, including freshwater aquaculture, for the farming of aquatic animals and plants for the production of food and other raw material. Complex administrative procedures in some Member States remain in place, such as difficult access to space and burdensome licensing procedures, which make it difficult for the sector to improve the image and competitiveness of farmed products. Support should be consistent with the multiannual national strategic plans for aquaculture developed on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. In particular, support for environmental sustainability, productive investments, innovation, acquisition of professional skills, improvement of working conditions, compensatory measures providing critical land and nature management services should be eligible. Public health actions, aquaculture stock insurance schemes and animal health and welfare actions should also be eligible. However, in the case of productive investments support should be provided only through financial instruments and through InvestEU, which offer a higher leverage on markets and are therefore more relevant than grants to address the financing challenges of the sector.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 101 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) FWhile the producers - the fishers in this case - are the primary source and thus also of primary importance, food security also relies on efficient and well- organised markets, which improve the transparency, stability, quality and diversity of the supply chain, as well as consumer information. For that purpose, it should be possible for the EMFF to support the marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, in line with the objectives of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council ('CMO Regulation')15 . In particular, support should be available for the creation of producer organisations, the implementation of production and marketing plans, the promotion of new market outlets and the development and dissemination of market intelligence. _________________ 15 Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1184/2006 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 1).
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 104 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) Job creation in coastal regions relies on a locally driven development of a sustainable 'blue economy' that revives the social fabric of those regions. OWhile recognising that in a finite world, growth is itself finite, ocean industries and services are likely to outperform the growth of the global economy and make an important contribution to employment and growth by 2030. To be sustainable, 'blue' growth depends on innovation and investment in new maritime businesses and in the bio- economy, including sustainable tourism models, ocean-based renewable energy, innovative high-end shipbuilding and new port services, which can create jobs and at the same time enhance local development. Whilst public investment in the sustainable 'blue economy' should be mainstreamed throughout the Union budget, the EMFF should specifically concentrate on enabling conditions for the development of the sustainable 'blue economy' and on removing bottlenecks to facilitate investment and the development of new markets and technologies or services, while also maintaing all Union standards (labour rights, environmental protection, etc.). Support for the development of the sustainable 'blue economy' should be delivered through shared, direct and indirect management.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 113 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
(42) With regard to security and defence, improved border protection and maritime security are essential. Under the European Union Maritime Security Strategy adopted by the Council of the European Union on 24 June 2014 and its Action Plan adopted on 16 December 2014, information sharing and the European Border and Coast Guard cooperation between the European Fisheries Control Agency, the European Maritime Safety Agency and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency are key to deliver on those objectives. The EMFF should therefore support maritime surveillance and coastguard cooperation under both shared and direct management, including by purchasing items for multipurpose maritime operations. It should also allow the relevant agencies to implement support in the field of maritime surveillance and security through indirect management.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 118 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point 10
(10) 'maritime security and surveillance' means the activities to understand, prevent wherever applicable and manage in a comprehensive way all the events and actions related to the maritime domain which would impact the areas of maritime safety and security, law enforcement, defence, border control, protection of the marine environment, fisheries control, trade and economic interest of the Union;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 162 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) operations that include any form of electrical pulse-fishing;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 199 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The EMFF may support the development and implementation of a Union fisheries control system as provided for in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and further specified in Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009. This system must be fair and equitable, must treat all sectors equally, from small-scale to large-scale.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 207 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. The EMFF may support the promotion of a sustainable aquaculture as provided for in Article 34(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, with particular regard taken of the possible negative environmental impacts of all such developments. It may also support animal health and welfare in aquaculture in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 and Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council33 . _________________ 32 Regulation (EU) No 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ('Animal Health Law') (OJ L 84, 31.03.2016, p. 1). 33 Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material, amending Council Directives 98/56/EC, 2000/29/EC and 2008/90/EC, Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 882/2004 and (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Decisions 66/399/EEC, 76/894/EEC and 2009/470/EC (OJ L 189, 27.06.2014, p. 1).
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 217 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The EMFF may support the collection (including from local fishers), management and use of data to improve the knowledge on the state of the marine environment, with a view to:
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 224 #

2018/0210(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 1
The EMFF shall support the development and dissemination by the Commission of market intelligence for sustainably- produced fishery and aquaculture products by the Commissiongoods in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Union environmental, climate and relevant clean energy policy and legislation have delivered substantial improvements to the state of the environment. However, this is clearly insufficient; major environmental and climate challenges remain, which if left unaddressed, will have significant negative consequences for the Union and the well- being of its citizens.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 67 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), established by Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council6 for the period 2014 to 2020 is the latest in a series of Union programmes over 25 years which support the implementation of environmental and climate legislation and policy priorities. It, all of which have been clearly lacking in scope, ambition and implementation. This Programme was positively assessed in a recent mid- term evaluation7 as being on track to be effective, efficient and relevant. The 2014- 2020 LIFE Programme should therefore be continued with certain modifications identified in the mid-term evaluation and subsequent assessments. Accordingly, a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) (the ‘Programme’) should be established for the period starting 2021. _________________ 6 Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the establishment of a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 614/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 185). 7 Report on the Mid-term Evaluation of the Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)(SWD(2017) 355 final).
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 70 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Pursuing the achievement of the Union's objectives and targets set by environmental, climate and related clean energy legislation, policy, plans and international commitments, the Programme should contribute to the shift towards a clean, circular, energy-efficient, low- carbon and climate-resilient economy, to the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment and to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, either through direct interventions or by supporting the integration of those objectives in other policies. A problem yet to be acknowledged by the Commission, however, never mind being addressed, is the very real negative environmental effect that major trade deals such as TTIP, CETA, Mercosur etc. that it is currently negotiating/completing will have, the increased global transport of goods those deals will inevitably bring. At the very least those potential impacts must be independently studied and quantified, then balanced against the expected benefits of those trade deals.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 82 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The Programme should contribute to sustainable development and to the achievement of the objectives and targets of the Union environment, climate and relevant clean energy legislation, strategies, plans and international commitments, in particular the United Nations 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development8 , the Convention on Biological Diversity9 and the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change10 ("Paris Agreement on Climate Change"). _________________ 10To this end, comprehensive independent studies must be commissioned into the environmental impact of 'fracking', with a view to assessing whether the negative effects make this a viable option under the Paris Agreement. _________________ 10 OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4. OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4. 8 Agenda 2030, Resolution adopted by UN GA on 25/09/2015. 9 93/626/EEC: Council Decision of 25 October 1993 concerning the conclusion of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (OJ L 309, 13.12.1993, p. 1).
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 94 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The transition to clean energy, including through domestic production and use, is an essential contribution to the mitigation of climate change with co- benefits for the environment. Actions for capacity building supporting the clean energy transition, funded until 2020 under Horizon 2020 and including the above- mentioned domestic energy production via solar/wind etc., should be integrated in the Programme since their objective is not to fund excellence and generate innovation, but to facilitate the uptake of already available technology that will contribute to climate mitigation. The inclusion of these capacity building activities into the Programme offers potential for synergies between the sub-programmes and increases the overall coherence of Union funding. Therefore, data should be collected and disseminated on the uptake of existing research and innovation solutions in the LIFE projects, including from the Horizon Europe programme and its predecessors.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 96 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The impact assessments of the Clean Energy legislation estimate that the delivery of the Union's 2030 energy targets will require additional investments of EUR 177 billion annually in the period 2021- 2030. The biggest gaps relate to the investments in buildings decarbonisation of buildings (energy efficiency and small- scale renewable energy sources), where capital needs to be channelled towards projects of a highly distributed nature. One of the objectives of the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme is to build capacity for projects development and aggregation, thereby also helping to absorb funds from the European Structural and Investment Funds and catalyse investments in clean energy also using the financial instruments provided under InvestEU.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 103 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) Halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including in marine ecosystems, requires support for the development, implementation, enforcement and assessment of relevant Union legislation and policy, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 202022 , Council Directive 92/43/EEC23 and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council24 and Regulation (EU) 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council25 , in particular by developing the knowledge base for policy development and implementation and by developing, testing, demonstrating and applying best practices and solutions on small -scale enterprises, or tailored to specific local, regional or national contexts, including integrated approaches for the implementation of the prioritised action frameworks prepared on the basis of Directive 92/43/EEC. The Union should track its biodiversity-related expenditure to fulfil its reporting obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Requirements for tracking in other relevant Union legislation should also be met. _________________ 22 COM(2011) 244 final. COM(2011) 244 final. 23 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7). 24 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7). 25 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35).
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 120 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Directive 2000/60/EC established a framework for the protection of the Union’s surface waters, coastal waters, transitional waters and groundwater. In this regard a comprehensive and independent study is needed to establish the impact on such waters of 'fracking' for oil. The objectives of the Directive are supported by the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources27 which calls for better implementation and increased integration of water policy objectives into other policy areas. The Programme should therefore support projects which contribute to the effective implementation of Directive 2000/60/EC and of other Union water legislation that contributes to achieving a good status of the Union’s water bodies through applying, developing and replicating best practices, as well as through mobilising complementary actions under other Union programmes or financial sources. _________________ 27 COM(2012) 673 final.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 126 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) The improvement of governance on environmental, climate change and related clean energy transition matters requireswill not succeed without buy-in and the total involvement of civil society. This can be achieved by raising public awareness, by consumer engagement, and by the broadening of stakeholder involvement, including non-governmental organisations, in consultation on and implementation of related policies.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 134 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) The Programme should prepare and support market players for the shift towards a clean, circular, energy-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy by testing new business opportunities, upgrading professional skills, facilitating consumers' access to sustainable products and services, engaging and empowering influencers and testing novel methods to adapt the existing processes and business landscape. To support a broader market uptake of sustainable solutions, general public acceptance and consumer engagement should be promoted. It should also include a drive at Union level in both production and consumption towards a more climate-friendly plant-based diet, with a parallel reduction in both production and consumption of meat.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 157 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
(34) TSubject to fully complying with all its rules and regulations, the Programme should be open to third countries in accordance with the agreements between the Union and those countries establishing the specific conditions for their participation;
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 158 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) TSubject to fully complying with all its rules and regulations, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 170 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
(6a) 'fracking' shall be defined as the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc. so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas;
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 244 #

2018/0209(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. TSubject to fully complying with all its rules and regulations, the Programme shall be open to the following third countries:
2018/10/23
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0208(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Justice, Rights and Values Fund and its two underlying funding programmes will focus primarily on people and entities which contribute to make our common values, rights and rich diversity alive and vibrant. The ultimate objective is to nurture and sustain our rights-based, equal, inclusive and democratic society. That includes a vibrant civil society, encouraging people’s democratic, civic and social participation and to fostering the rich diversity of European society, also based on our common history and memory, and the lessons to be learned from the violent colonial elements of that history. Article 11 of the EU Treaty further specifies that the institutions shall, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0208(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) For the gradual establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice for all, the Union is to adopt measures relating to judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters based on the principle of mutual recognition of judgments and judicial decisions, which is a cornerstone of judicial cooperation within the Union since the Tampere European Council of 15 and 16 October 1999. Mutual recognition requires a high level of mutual trust among Member States. Measures to approximate the laws of the Member States in several areas have been adopted to facilitate mutual recognition and foster mutual trust. A well-functioning area of justice, where obstacles in cross-border judicial proceedings and access to justice in cross- border situations are eliminated, is also key to ensure economic growth.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0208(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Respect for the rule of law is essential for a high level of mutual trust in the area of justice and home affairs, in particular for effective judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters which is based on mutual recognition. This applies particularly to those whose duty it is to implement and enforce those laws - if trust in the police force breaks down, trust in the entire system is called into question. The rule of law is one of the common values enshrined in Article TEU 2, and the principle of effective judicial protection provided for in Articles 19(1) TEU and 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights is a concrete expression of the rule of law. Promoting the rule of law by supporting the efforts to improve the independence, quality and efficiency of national justice systems enhances the mutual trust which is indispensable for judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2018/0208(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) TSubject to complying with all its rules and regulations, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. Third countries may also participate on the basis of other legal instruments. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2018/0208(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
TSubject to full compliance with all its rules and regulations, the Programme shall be open to the following third countries:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of those reform priorities. Those strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevant.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 26 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The Council of […] adopted revised guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States to align the text with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, with a view to improving Europe's competitiveness and making it a better place to invest, create jobssustainable meaningful jobs which fully respect Union labour rights, and foster social cohesion. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF+ with the objectives of these guidelines, particularly as regards employment, education, training and the fight against social exclusion, poverty and discrimination, the ESF+ should support Member States, taking account of the relevant Integrated Guidelines and relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and, where appropriate, at national level, the national reform programmes underpinned by national strategies. The ESF+ should also contribute to relevant aspects of the implementation of key Union initiatives and activities, in particular the "Skills Agenda for Europe" and the European Education Area, relevant Council Recommendations and other initiatives such as the Youth Guarantee, Upskilling Pathways and on Integration of the long- term unemployed.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, the management of migration flows and the increased security threat, clean energy transition, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions, experienced especially by SMEs. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in the growth of local and circular economies, in the relevant skills, in making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 34 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In view of this wider scope of the ESF+ it is appropriate to foresee that the aims to enhance the effectiveness of labour markets and promote access to quality employment which fully respects all existing Union labour rights, to improve the access to and the quality of education and training as well as to promote social inclusion and health and to reduce poverty are not only implemented under shared management, but also under direct and indirect management under the Employment and Social Innovation and Health strands for actions required at Union level.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Support through the ESF+ should be used to promote equal access for all, in particular for disadvantaged groups (which means especially the removal of financial barriers ), to quality, non-segregated, and inclusive education and training, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, thereby fostering permeability between education and training sectors, preventing early school leaving, improving health literacy, reinforcing links with non-formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all. Synergies with the Erasmus programme, notably to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged learners in learning mobility, should be supported within this context.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) The ESF+ should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, especially by removing any financial barriers, and by tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children, marginalised communities such as the Roma, and the working poor. The ESF+ should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF+ should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable, sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services. The ESF+ should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 48 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The ESF+ should support policy and system reforms in the fields of employment, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care, and education and training. In order to strengthen alignment with the European Semester, Member States should allocate an appropriate amount of their resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to implement relevant country-specific recommendations relating to structural challenges which it is appropriate to address through multiannual investments falling within the scope of the ESF+. The Commission and the Member States should ensure coherence, coordination and complementarity between the shared- management and Health strands of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. In particular, the Commission and the Member State should ensure, in all stages of the process, effective coordination in order to safeguard the consistency, coherence, complementarity and synergy among sources of funding, including technical assistance thereof.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 49 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) In the light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training, it is necessary that those Member States continue to invest sufficient resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management towards actions to promote youth employment including through the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes. Building on the actions supported by the Youth Employment Initiative in the 2014-2020 programming period targeting individual persons, Member States should further promote employment and education reintegration pathways and outreach measures for young people by prioritising, where relevant, long-term unemployed, inactive and disadvantaged young people including through youth work, and by focusing especially on trade apprenticeships, an area in which there is a growing shortfall in many Member States. Member States should also invest in measures aimed at facilitating school-to- work transition as well as reforming and adapting employment services with a view to providing tailor-made support to young people. Member States concerned should therefore allocate at least 10% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to support youth employability.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 52 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that in accordance with Article 8 TFEU, ESF+ contributes to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 TFEU tofor all genders and fosters equality of treatment and opportunities between women and men in all areas, including regarding participation in the labour market, terms and conditions of employment and career progression. They should also ensure that the ESF+ promotes equal opportunities for all, without discrimination in accordance with Article 10 TFEU and promotes the inclusion in society of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These principles should be taken into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and equal opportunities. The ESF+ should also promote the transition from residential/institutional care to family and community-based care, in particular for those who face multiple discrimination. The ESF+ should not support any action that contributes to segregation or to social exclusion. Regulation (EU) No [future CPR] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions with regard to the ESF+ strand under shared management.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 62 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) Evidence and the common values and principles in European Union Health Systems as set out in the Council Conclusions of 2 June 2006 should support the decision-making processes for planning and managing innovative, efficient and resilient affordable-to-all health systems, promoting tools for ensuring universal access to quality healthcare, and the voluntary wider scale implementation of best practices.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 71 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) The Health strand of the ESF+ should contribute to disease prevention throughout the lifetime of the Union's citizens, and to health promotion by 1), addressing health risk factors such as tobacco use and passive smoking, harmful use of alcohol, consumption of illicit drugs andharmful drugs both licit and illicit, and 2), reduction of drugs-related health damage, unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity and foster supportive environments for healthy lifestyles in order to complement Member States action in line with the relevant strategies. The Health strand of the ESF+ should mainstream effective prevention models, innovative technologies and new business models and solutions to contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems of the Member States and facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for European citizens.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 73 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) Non-communicable diseases are responsible for over 80 % of premature mortality in the Union, and thus an effective prevention entails multiple cross- border dimensions. In parallel, the European Parliament and the Council underlined the need to minimise the public health consequences of serious cross- border threats to health, such as communicable diseases and other biological, chemical, environmental, and unknown threats, by supporting preparedness and response capacity building.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 74 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States develop their own national multiannual investment strategies in support of thoseeir reform priorities. Those strategies should be presented alongside the yearly National Reform Programmes as a way to outline and coordinate priority investment projects to be supported by national and/or Union funding. They should also serve to use Union funding in a coherent manner and to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received notably from the programmes supported by the Union under the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Investment Stabilisation Function and InvestEU, where relevant.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 75 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from the many destructive elements of economic globalisation, the management of migration flows and the increased security threat, clean energy transition, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions, experienced especially by SMEs. Taking into account the changing realities of the world of work, the Union should be prepared for the current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills, making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Support through the ESF+ should be used to promote equal and affordable access for all, in particular for disadvantaged groups, to quality, non- segregated and inclusive education and training, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, thereby fostering permeability between education and training sectors, preventing early school leaving, improving health literacy, reinforcing links with non-formal and informal learning and facilitating learning mobility for all. Synergies with the Erasmus programme, notably to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged learners in learning mobility, should be supported within this context.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The ESF+ should promote affordable, flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, notably digital skills and key enabling technologies, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technological change, innovation and social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular low-skilled and/or poorly qualified adults, in line with the Skills Agenda for Europe.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 85 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) The ESF+ should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children, marginalised communities such as the Roma, and the working poor. The ESF+ should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF+ should be also used to enhance timely and equal access to affordable-for-all, sustainable and high quality services such as healthcare and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services. The ESF+ should contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The ESF+ should contribute to the reduction of poverty by supporting national schemes aiming to alleviate food, shelter and material deprivation and promote social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion and the most deprived. With a view that at Union level at least 4% of the resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management supports the most deprived, Member States should allocate at least 2% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to address the forms of extreme poverty with the greatest social exclusion impact, such as homelessness, child poverty and food deprivation. Due to the nature of the operations and the type of end recipients, it is necessary that simpler rules apply to support which addresses material deprivation of the most deprived.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
(48) TSubject to complying with all the rules and regulations of the various programmes, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 87 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) In light of the persistent need to enhance efforts to address the management of the migration flows in the Union as a whole and in order to ensure a coherent, strong and consistent support to the solidarity and responsibility-sharing efforts, the ESF+ should provide support to promote the socio-economic integration of third -country nationals complementary to the actions financed under the Asylum and Migration Fund.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 89 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The ESF+ should support policy and system reforms in the fields of employment, social inclusion, healthcare and long-term care, and education and training. In order to strengthen alignment with the European Semester, Member States should allocate an appropriate amount of their resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to implement relevant country-specific recommendations relating to structural challenges which it is appropriate to address through multiannual investments falling within the scope of the ESF+. The Commission and the Member States should ensure coherence, coordination and complementarity between the shared- management and Health strands of ESF+ and the Reform Support Programme, including the Reform Delivery Tool and the Technical Support Instrument. In particular, t, so long as those policy reforms do not include privatization of existing public services such as water, energy, health etc. The Commission and the Member State should ensure, in all stages of the process, effective coordination in order to safeguard the consistency, coherence, complementarity and synergy among sources of funding, including technical assistance thereof.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 91 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) In the light of persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity in a number of Member States and regions, in particular affecting young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training, it is necessary that those Member States continue to invest sufficient resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management towards actions to promote sustainable and gainful youth employment including through the implementation of Youth Guarantee schemes, with full adherence to existing Union labour laws and rights. Building on the actions supported by the Youth Employment Initiative in the 2014-2020 programming period targeting individual persons, Member States should further promote employment and education reintegration pathways and outreach measures for young people by prioritising, where relevant, long-term unemployed, inactive and disadvantaged young people including through youth work. Member States should also invest in measures aimed at facilitating school-to-work transition as well as reforming and adapting employment services with a view to providing tailor-made support to young people. Member States concerned should therefore allocate at least 10% of their national resources of the ESF+ strand under shared management to support youth employability.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 92 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) improving access to employment ofsustainable employment which fully respects all Union labour rights and regulations, for all jobseekers, in particular for youth and long- term unemployed, and ofor inactive people, promoting self-employment and the social economy;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 93 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that ESF+ contributes to the promotion of equality between women and mengenders in accordance with Article 8 TFEU to foster equality of treatment and opportunities between women and mengenders in all areas, including regarding participation in the labour market, terms and conditions of employment and career progression. They should also ensure that the ESF+ promotes equal opportunities for all, without discrimination in accordance with Article 10 TFEU and promotes the inclusion in society of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These principles should be taken into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and equal opportunities. The ESF+ should also promote the transition from residential/institutional care to family and community-based care, in particular for those who face multiple discrimination. The ESF+ should not support any action that contributes to segregation or to social exclusion. Regulation (EU) No [future CPR] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions with regard to the ESF+ strand under shared management.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 95 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point ii
(ii) modernising labour -market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs, and ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support to labour -market matching, transitions, and mobility;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 96 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
(34) Social investment market players, including philanthropic actors, can play a key role in achieving several ESF+ objectives, as they offer financing as well as innovative and complementary approaches to combatting social exclusion and poverty, reducing unemployment and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, philanthropic actors such as foundations and donors should be involved, as appropriate and so long as those foundations and donors do not have a political or social agenda in conflict with Union ideals, in ESF+ actions in particular in those aimed at developing the social investment market ecosystem.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 97 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) In accordance with Article 168 TFEU, a high level of human health protection is to be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. The Union is to complement and support affordable-for-all national health policies, encourage cooperation between Member States and promote the coordination between their programmes, in full respect of the responsibilities of the Member States for the definition of their health policies and the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) The Health strand of the ESF+ should contribute to disease prevention throughout the lifetime of the Union's citizens and to health promotion by a: (1) Addressing health risk factors such as tobacco use and passive smoking, harmful use of alcohol, consumption of illicit drugs and rharmful drugs both licit and illicit; (2) Reduction of drugs-related health damage, unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity and f; (3) Fostering supportive environments for healthy lifestyles in order to complement Member States action in line with the relevant strategies. The Health strand of the ESF+ should mainstream effective prevention models, innovative technologies and new business models and solutions to contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems of the Member States and facilitate access to better and safer healthcare for European citizens.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 98 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point iii
(iii) promoting women’s labour -market participation, with an emphasis on: Ø a better work/life balance including access to childcare,; Ø a healthy and well–adapted working environment, which addressinges health risks, and the adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change, and; Ø active and healthy ageing;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 100 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point v
(v) promoting equal access to and completion of, quality and inclusive education and training, in particular for disadvantaged groups, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training, and to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, including facilitating learning mobility for all; this will mean in particular the removal of any financial barriers to such progress;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 103 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
(48) TSubject to complying with all the relevant rules and regulations, third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorising officer responsible, the European Anti- Fraud Office as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 105 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The ESF+ aims to support Member States to achieve high employment levelgainful and sustainable employment levels that comply with all existing Union Labour laws and rights, fair social protection and a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the future world of work, in line with the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 17 November 2017.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 106 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) improving access to employmentgainful and sustainable employment that meets all existing Union Labour laws and rights of all jobseekers, in particular youth and long- term unemployed, and of inactive people, promoting self-employment and the social economy;
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 107 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point ix
(ix) enhancing the equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services; modernising social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection; improving affordable-to-all accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care services;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 112 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point xi a (new)
(xia) provision of low-cost accommodation to those most vulnerable and most in need of these programmes;
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 114 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Under the Health strand, the ESF+ shall support health promotion and disease prevention, contribute to the effectiveness, accessibility and resilience of health systems, make healthcare affordable-for- all, safer, reduce health inequalities, protect citizens from cross-border health threats, and support EU health legislation.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 117 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall concentrate the ESF+ resources under shared management on relevant interventions that address the challenges identified in their national reform programmes, in the European Semester as well as in the relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU, and take into account principles and rights set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 127 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to provide specific support services to employers and job-seekers with a view to the development of integrated European labour markets that offer all existing Labour laws and rights, ranging from pre- recruitment preparation to post-placement assistance to fill vacancies in certain sectors, professions, countries, border regions or for particular groups (e.g. vulnerable people);
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 130 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In addition to the criteria set out in Article [197] of the Financial Regulation, and providing they meet all rules and regulations of the programme, the following criteria shall apply for entities to be eligible:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 133 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall concentrate the ESF+ resources under shared management on interventions that address the challenges identified in their national reform programmes, in the European Semester as well as in the relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU, and take into account principles and rights set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 134 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In addition to the criteria set out in Article 197 of the Financial Regulation, and providing they meet all rules and regulations of the individual programme, the following criteria shall apply for entities to be eligible:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 136 #

2018/0206(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall allocate an appropriate amount of their ESF+ resources under shared management to address challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU and Article 148(4) TFEU and in the European Semester falling within the scope of the ESF+ as set out in Article 4.deleted
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2018/0205(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) It is necessary that, while accessibility to data should ensure thatmust remain paramount, the administrative burden on all entities remainsshould be as limited as possible. It requires active dissemination at national level in accordance with Directives 2003/4/EC47 and 2007/2/EC48 of the European Parliament and of the Council and their implementing rules, to ensure the appropriate infrastructure for public access, reporting and data-sharing between public authorities. _________________ 47 Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (OJ L 41, 14.2.2003, p. 26). 48 Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) (OJ L 108, 25.4.2007, p. 1).
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In its ‘White Paper on the Future of Europe’19 - which has since then almost disappeared from all discussion fora - the Commission expresses concerns regarding isolationist movements, growing doubts over the benefits of open trade and the Union’s social market economy in general. _________________ 19 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/white- paper-future-europe-reflections-and- scenarios-eu27_en.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) In its ‘Reflection Paper on Harnessing Globalisation’20 the Commission identifies the combination of trade fails to investigate, never mind identify, the negative implications - from an environmental perspective especially, but also from the perspective of probable increased centralization of food production and of manufacturing - of all the major trade deals now in the process of being negotiated; it does, however, identify the combination of trade-related globalisation and technological change as the major drivers of an increased demand for skilled labour and a reduced number of jobs that require lower qualifications. Despite the overall tremendous advantageLooking thus at the implications of more open trade and further integration of world economies, these negative side effects need to be tackled. As the current benefits of globalisation are already unequally distributed among people and regions, causing a significant impact on those adversely affected, there is a danger that the ever faster evolving technological advances will further fuel these effects. Therefore, in line with the principles of solidarity and sustainability, it will be necessary to ensure that the benefits of globalisation will be shared more fairly by reconciling economic opening and technological advance with social protection. _________________ 20 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publicatio ns/reflection-paper-harnessing- globalisation_en.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) In its ‘Reflection Paper on the Future of Union Finances’21 the Commission underlines the need to reduce economic and social divergences between and within Member States. Therefore, a key priority is to invest in fairer wealth distribution, equality, social inclusion, education and training as well as health. _________________ 21 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publicatio ns/reflection-paper-future-eu-finances_en.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Globalisation and technological change is likely to further increase the interconnectedness and interdependence of world economies. Labour reallocation is an integral and inevitable part of such economic change. If the benefits of change are to be distributed fairly, offering assistance to displaced workers and those threatened by displacement is of utmost importance. The ‘EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring’22 , is the Union policy instrument that sets the framework of best practice for anticipating and dealing with corporate restructuring. It offers a comprehensive framework on how the challenges of economic adjustment and restructuring and their employment and social impact should be addressed by adequate policy means. ItWhere corporate opportunism in the guise of relocation is established, however, a means must be found to ensure that the companies/corporations laying off such workers must share the cost of those adjustment. The EU Quality Framework also calls upon Member States to use EU and national funding in a way to ensure that the social impact of restructuring, especially the adverse effects on employment, can be cushioned more effectively. The main Union instruments to assist workers affected are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which is designed to offer assistance in an anticipatory way, and the EGF, which is designed to offer assistance in the case of unexpected major restructuring events in a reactive manner. _________________ 22 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring, (COM(2013)882 final, 13.12.2013).
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The EGF was established by Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council23 for the multiannual financial framework from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.The EGF has been set up to enable the Union to show solidarity towards workers who lost their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisand the financial opportunism of global corporations, due to globalization. _________________ 23 Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1).
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The scope of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 was broadened in 2009 by Regulation (EC) No 546/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan to include workers who lost their jobs as a direct consequence of the endemic greed and systemic weaknesses in the finance and banking sector worldwide, itself facilitated by deregulation, and which led directly to the global financial and economic crisis. _________________ 24 Regulation (EC) No 546/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 167, 29.6.2009, p. 26).
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
(13) The Commission underlines the continuing importance of the role of the EGF as a flexible fund to support workers who lose their jobs in large-scale restructuring events and to help them to find another job as rapidly as possible. However, consideration must also be given to imposing financial penalties/cost- sharing on the companies and corporations involved in those mass layoffs. The Union should continue to provide specific, one-off support to facilitate the re- integration into employment of displaced workers in areas, sectors, territories or labour markets suffering a shock of serious economic disruption. Considering the interplay and mutual effects of open trade, technological change or other factors like the transition to a low carbon economy, and therefore considering that it is increasingly difficult to single out a specific factor that causes job displacements, the mobilisation of the EGF shall in the future only be based on the significant impact of a restructuring event. Given its purpose, which is to provide support in situations of urgency and unexpected circumstances, complementing the more anticipatory assistance offered by the ESF+, the EGF shall remain a flexible and special instrument outside the budgetary ceilings of the Multiannual Financial Framework, as set out in the Commission's communication.' A Modern Budget for a Union that Protects, Empowers and Defends - The Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021 – 2027'and its annex27 . _________________ 27 Commission SWD (2018) 171 final and its annex COM (2018) 321 final.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
The EGF shall contribute to a better distribution of the benefireducing the negative impacts of globalisation and technological advance by helping displaced workers adapt to structural change. As such, the EGF shall contribute to the implementation of the principles defined under the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhance social and economic cohesion among regions and Member States.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the programme is to demonstrate solidarity with and offer support to displaced workers and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the course of unexpected major restructuring events resulting from globalisation, referred to in Article 5.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The specific objective of the EGF is to offer assistance in case of unexpected major restructuring events, particularly those caused by globalisation-related challenges, such as outsourcing by global corporations and others of jobs from the European Union to cheaper labour markets, changes in world trade patterns, trade disputes, major trade deals, financial or economic crises, the transition to low- carbon economy or as a consequence of digitisation or automation. Particular emphasis shall lie on measures that help the most disadvantaged groups.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. TUnless in extraordinary circumstances, the applicant Member State shall submit an application to the Commission within 12 weeks of the date on which the criteria set out in Article 5(2) or (3) are met.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. A financial contribution from the EGF shall notever replace measures which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 74 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
11 Equality between men and womenthe genders and non-discrimination
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 75 #

2018/0202(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that equality between men and womenthe genders and the integration of the gender perspective are an integral part of, and are promoted during, the various stages of the implementation of the financial contribution from the EGF.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In order to support the harmonious development of the Union's territory at different levels, the ERDF should support cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation, maritime cooperation, outermost regions’ cooperation and interregional cooperation under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg). In the case of Ireland post- Brexit, and though one side of the border will then technically be outside the Union, such support should still be in place to support communities on both sides of the border.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) Objective and transparent criteria for designating eligible regions and areas should be established. To that end, the identification of eligible regions and areas at Union level should be based on the common system of classification of the regions established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council26 . _________________ 26 Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154, 21.6.2003, p. 1).
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Within the context of the unique and specific circumstances on the island of Ireland, and with a view to supporting continued North-South cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement post-Brexit, a new 'PEACE PLUS' cross-border programme should continue and build on the work of previous programmes between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Taking into account its practical importance, it is necessary to ensure that, where the programme is acting in support of peace and reconciliation, the ERDF should also contribute to promoting social, economic and regional stability in the regions concerned, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities. Given the specificities of the programme it should be managed in an integrated manner with the United Kingdom contribution being integrated into the programme as external assigned revenue. Furthermore, certain rules on the selection of operations in this Regulation should not apply to that programme in relation to operations in support of peace and reconciliation.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) Pursuant to Article [63(9)] of Regulation (EU, Euratom) [FR-Omnibus] sector-specific rules are to take account of the needs of European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) programmes, as regards, in particular the audit function. The provisions on the annual audit opinion, the annual control report and the audits of operations should therefore be simplified and adapted to those programmes involving more than one Member States.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) A clear chain of financial liability in respect of recovery for irregularities should be established from sole or other partners via the lead partner and the managing authority to the Commission. Provision should be made for liability of Member States, third countries, partner countries or Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), where obtaining recovery from the sole or other or lead partner is not successful, meaning that the Member State reimburses the managing authority. Consequently, under Interreg programmes there is no scope for irrecoverable amounts on the level of beneficiaries. It is, however, necessary, however, to clarify the rules, should a Member State, third country, partner country or OCT not reimburse the managing authority. The obligations of the lead partner for recovery should also be clarified. In particular, the managing authority should not be allowed to oblige the lead partner to launch a judicial procedure in a different country.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) Although Interreg programmes with the participation of third countries, partner countries or OCTs should be implemented under shared management, outermost regions’ cooperation may be implemented under indirect management. Specific rules should be set out on how to implement those programmes as a whole or partially under indirect management.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the adoption or amendment of Interreg programmes, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. However, where applicable, external cross- border cooperation programmes should respect, where applicable, Committee procedures established under Regulations (EU) [IPA III] and [NDICI] with regard to the first approval decision of those programmes.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 6
6. Where a third country or partner country contributing to an Interreg programme with national resources, which does not constitute the national cofinancing of support from the ERDF or from an external financing instrument of the Union, reduces that contribution during the implementation of the Interreg programme, either globally or with regard to joint operations already selected and having received the document provided for in Article 22(6), the participating Member State or Member States shall request one of the options set out in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. The ERDF, within its scope as set out in Article [4] of Regulation (EU) [new ERDF], and, - where applicable, - the external financing instruments of the Union, shall contribute to the policy objectives set out in Article [4(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] through joint actions under Interreg programmes.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall assess each Interreg programme and its compliance with Regulation (EU) [new CPR], Regulation (EU) [new ERDF] and this Regulation and,; in the case of support from an external financing instrument of the Union and where relevant, its consistency with the multi-annual strategy document under Article 10(1) or the relevant strategic programming framework, the Commission shall assess its compliance under the respective basic act of one or more of those instruments.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The composition of the monitoring committee of each Interreg programme shall be agreed in an open and transparent manner by the Member States and, where applicable, by the third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in that programme and shall ensure a balanced representation of the relevant authorities, intermediate bodies and representatives of the programme partners referred to in Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] from Member States, third countries, partner countries and OCTs.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Subject to being fully vouched and to complying with all Union Labour laws and rights, staff costs shall consist of gross employment costs of staff employed by the Interreg partner in one of the following ways:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Office and administrative costs shall be limited to the following elements and must all be fully vouched:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Travel and accommodation costs shall be limited to the following elements, and must all be fully vouched:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
External expertise and service costs shall be limited to the following services and expertise provided by a public or private law body or a natural person other than the beneficiary of the operation, and must all be fully vouched:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Costs for equipment purchased, rented or leased by the beneficiary of the operation other than those covered by Article 39 shall beall be fully vouched, and limited to the following:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2018/0199(COD)

(ca) The cost is fully vouched.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Costs for infrastructure and works shall be limited to the following, and fully vouched:
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1
1. Member States and, where applicable, third countries, partner countries and OCTs participating in an Interreg programme shall agree on theindependent and transparent arrangements for carrying out the accounting function.
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2018/0199(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 6
6. Following its assessment of the results of audits of operations selected pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall calculate a global extrapolated error rate with regard to the Interreg programmes included in the population from which the common sample was selected, for the purposes of its own assurance process. This 'global extrapolated error rate' shall be adjusted only on a proportional basis for any corrections that occurred in the sample;
2018/10/23
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2018/0198(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) The triggering of Article 50 TEU by the United Kingdom government following the vote on Brexit has created an unprecedented situation for the European Union in the border regions between the Republic of Ireland and the Six-County/Northern Ireland region of the United Kingdom, whereby the close cooperation that has been established there over the past several decades is now threatened. Regardless of the provisions of any final agreement, a means should be found whereby this close cooperation is maintained in the post-Brexit situation.
2018/09/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In order to support the efforts of Member States and regions in facing new challenges and ensuring a high level of security for their citizens as well as the prevention of radicalisation, while relying on the synergies and complementarities - including religious freedom - with other Union policies, investments under the ERDF should contribute to security in areas where there is a need to ensure safe and secure public spaces and critical infrastructure, such as transport and energy.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In addition, investments under the ERDF should contribute to the development of a comprehensive high- speed digital infrastructure network throughout the Union, including in rural areas where it is a vital contributor to SMEs, and to promoting clean and sustainable multimodal urban mobility.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) The ERDF should help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union and to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions including those facing challenges due to the decarbonisation commitments. ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal should therefore be concentrated on key Union priorities in line with policy objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/xxx [new CPR]. Therefore support from the ERDF should be concentrated on the policy objectives of 'a smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation' and 'a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk prevention and management'. That thematic concentration should be attained at national level while allowing for flexibility at the level of individual programmes and between the three groups of Member States formed according to respective gross national income. In that regard also cognizance should be taken of the negative impact in rural areas especially of the major trade deals being negotiated by the European Union. In addition, the methodology to classify Member States should be set out in detail taking into account the specific situation of the outermost regions.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) Trans-European transport networks projects in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 shall continue to be financed from the Cohesion Fund via both shared management and the direct implementation mode under the Connecting Europe Facility ('CEF') with a particular emphasis on rail networks, and area in which the European Union is sadly lacking.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016, there is a need to evaluate the Funds on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, canshould include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Funds on the ground.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) Specific attention should be paid to outermost regions, namely by adopting measures under Article 349 of the TFEU providing for an additional allocation for the outermost regions to offset the additional costs incurred in these regions as a result of one or several of the permanent restraints referred to in Article 349 of the TFEU, namely remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products, the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development. In this regard, it should be noted that with the United Kingdom having taken a decision to leave the European Union, and regardless of the terms of the final agreement, many areas of Ireland both north and south will now be further isolated from mainland Europe, and with traffic of goods in both directions now probably having to travel through a different jurisdiction, this will bring additional problems to those regions, problems which will need additional funding. This allocation can cover investments, operating costs and public service obligations aimed at offsetting additional costs caused by such restraints. Operating aid may cover expenditure on freight transport services and start-up aid for transport services as well as expenditure on operations linked to storage constraints, the excessive size and maintenance of production tools, and the lack of human capital in the local market. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, and as is the case for all operations co-financed by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, any ERDF support to the financing of operating and investment aid in the outermost regions should comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.
2018/09/25
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Article 176 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') provides that the European Regional Development Fund ('ERDF') is intended to help to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union. Under that Article and the second and third paragraphs of Article 174 of the TFEU, the ERDF is to contribute to reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and to reducing the backwardness of the least favoured regions, among which particular attention is to be paid to regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions. Within these parameters, cognisance must now be taken also of the possible – even probable – negative impact of Brexit on many regions in Ireland, but in particular on the border region;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 26 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) In order to support the efforts of Member States and regions in facing new challenges and ensuring a high level of security for their citizens as well as the prevention of radicalisation, while relying onfor their citizens while maximising the synergies and complementarities with other Union policies, investments under the ERDF should contribute to security in areas where there is a need to ensure safe and secure public spaces and critical infrastructure, such as transport and energy.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 42 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) Within the framework of sustainable urban development, it is considered necessary to support integrated territorial development in order to more effectively tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas, including functional urbannd rural areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-rural linkages. The principles for selecting the urban areas where integrated actions for sustainable urban development are to be implemented, and the indicative amounts for those actions, should be set out in the programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal with a minimum target of 6% of the ERDF resources allocated at national level for that purpose. It should also be established that this percentage should be respected throughout the programming period in the case of transfer between priorities within a programme or between programmes, including at the mid- term review.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 49 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
(iii) enhancing growth and competitiveness of SMEs in rural areas;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 57 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) promoting renewable energy that benefits local populations and respects the "proximity principle";
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) developing smart energy systems, smart grids and storage at local level;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and natural disaster resilience;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 66 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) enhancing biodiversity, green infrastructure in the urban and rural environment, and reducing pollution;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
(i) enhancing digital connectivity, particularly so in rural areas with lower population densities that are not as attractive to commercial operators;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
(i) enhancing the effectiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social innovation and infrastructure that encourages balanced territorial development across the whole EU ;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 88 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
(iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, farmers and fishermen living in isolated areas, migrants and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing and social services;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 89 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iii
(iii) increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities, migrants and disadvantaged groups, through integrated measures including housing, educational and social services;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 92 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – point iv
(iv) ensuring equal access to health care through developing infrastructure, including primary care and maternity care particularly so in peripheral rural areas;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 95 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point i
(i) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental development, including cultural heritage and security in urban areas;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 99 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii
(ii) fostering the integrated social, economic and environmental local development, and cultural heritage and security, including for rural and coastal areas also through community-led local development.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 120 #

2018/0197(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) investment in broadband infrastructure in areas in which there are at least two broadband networks of equivalent category;deleted
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The outermost regions and the northern sparsely populated regions should benefit from specific measures and from additional funding pursuant to Article 349 of the TFEU and Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the 1994 Act of Accession.; allowance must also be made for the fact that post- Brexit, many regions in Ireland north and south, but especially in the border areas, will be severely negatively impacted, with new measures necessary to alleviate that impact;
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) In order to allow for flexibility in programme implementation and reduce administrative burden, limited financial transfers - those limits to be pre-set - should be allowed between priorities of the same programme without requiring a Commission decision amending the programme. The revised financial tables should be submitted to the Commission in order to ensure up-to-date information on financial allocations for each priority.
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) In order to examine the performance of the programmes, the Member State should, in a transparent manner, set up monitoring committees. For the ERDF, the ESF+ and the Cohesion Fund, annual implementation reports should be replaced by an annual structured policy dialogue based on the latest information and data on programme implementation made available by the Member State.
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) To enable immediate implementation of flat-rates, any flat rate established by Member States in the 2014- 2020 period based on a fair, equitable and verifiable calculation method should continue to be applied for similar operations supported under this Regulation without requiring a new calculation method, albeit with due allowance made for inflation.
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
(52) A reduction of verifications and audit requirements should be possible where there is assurance that the programme has functioned effectively for the latest two consecutive years since this demonstrates that the Funds are being implemented effectively and efficiently over a prolonged period of time, while retaining the possibility of random and unannounced checks.
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
(66) Within the context of the unique and specific circumstances on the island of Ireland, and with a view to supporting North-South cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, a new 'PEACE PLUS' cross-border programme should continue and build on the work of previous programmes, Peace and INTERREG, between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Taking into account its practical importance, this programme should be supported with a specific allocation to continue support for peace and reconciliation actions, and that an appropriate share of the Irish allocation under the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg) should also be allocated to the programme. Given that the negative impact of Brexit on those border regions (and beyond) isn't yet quantifiable, it may be necessary to increase the allocation for those regions and plans should be made sooner rather than later to incorporate that possibility;
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
(70) It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out transparent and appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
2018/09/26
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
(66) Within the context of the unique and specific circumstances on the island of Ireland, and with a view to supporting North-South cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement beyond Brexit and the uncertainty it creates, a new 'PEACE PLUS' cross-border programme should continue and build on the work of previous programmes, Peace and INTERREG, between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Taking into account its practical importance, this programme should be supported with a specific allocation to continue support for peace and reconciliation actions, and that an appropriate share of the Irish allocation under the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg) should also be allocated to the programme.
2018/09/10
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 57 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) To better mobilise potential at the local level, it is necessary to strengthen and facilitate CLLD. It should take into account local needs and potential, as well as relevant socio-cultural characteristics, and should provide for structural changes, build community capacityhuman capital and knowledge and stimulate innovation. The close cooperation and integrated use of the Funds to deliver local development strategies should be strengthened. Local action groups, representing the interests of the community, should be, as an essential principle responsible for the design and implementation of CLLD strategies. In order to facilitate coordinated support from different Funds to CLLD strategies and to facilitate their implementation, the use of a 'Lead Fund' approach should be facilitated.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 58 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
(29) To ensure availability of comprehensive up-to-date information on programme implementation, more frequentgular electronic reporting on quantitative data should be required.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) In order to support the preparation of related programmes and activities of the next programming period, the Commission should carry out a mid-term assessment of the Funds. At the end of the programming period, the Commission should carry out retrospectiveex post evaluations of the Funds, which should focus on the impact of the Funds.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 60 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
(31) Programme authorities, beneficiaries and stakeholders in Member States should raise awareness of the achievements of Union funding and inform the general public accordingly. Transparency, and communication and visibility activities are essential in making Union action visible on the ground and should be based on true, accurate and updated information. In order for these requirements to be enforceable, programme authorities and the Commission should be able to apply remedial measures in case of non- compliance.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
(39) With a view to improving complementarities and simplifying implementation, it should be possible to combine support from the Cohesion Fund and the ERDF with support from the ESF+ in joint programmes under the Investment for jobs and growth goal. whilst avoiding "double funding";
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 66 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
(41) Financial instruments should not be used to support refinancing activities, such as replacing existing loan agreements or other forms of financing for investments which have already been physically completed or fully implemented at the date of the investment decision, but rather to support any type of new investments in line with the underlying policy objectives.;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 69 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
(66) Within the context of the unique and specific circumstances on the island of Ireland, and with a view to supporting North-South cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, a new 'PEACE PLUS' cross-border programme should continue and build on the work of previous programmes, Peace and INTERREG, between the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Taking into account its practical importance, this programme should be supported with a specific allocation to continue support for peace and reconciliation actions, and that an appropriate share of the Irish allocation under the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg) should also be allocated to the programme. In addition given its unique geographic location extra provision should be made to allocate resources to address connectivity and related issues which may arise post Brexit;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 132 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) for the ERDF support under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, and for the Cohesion Fund support: 2,54 %;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 133 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) for the ESF+ support: 4% and for programmes under Article 4(1)(c)(vii) of the ESF+ Regulation: 54 %;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 134 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) for the EMFF support: 6 4%;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 135 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) for the AMIF, the ISF and the BMVI support: 64 %.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 136 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 5
5. Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall notalso apply to programmes under Article [4(c)(vi)] of the ESF+ Regulation and related technical assistance.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 138 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) the implementation of communication and visibility actions;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 149 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 7
7. The managing authority shall annually publish all evaluations on the website referred to in Article 44(1).
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 150 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 4 – chapter 3 – title
Visibility, tTransparency and communication
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 151 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Title 4 – chapter 3 – section 1 – title
VisibilityTransparency and communication of support from the Funds
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 152 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – title
VisibilityTransparency and communication
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 153 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the visibilittransparency of support in all activities relating to operations supported by the Funds with particular attention to operations of strategic importance;
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 154 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 42 – paragraph 1
Member States, managing authorities and beneficiaries shall use the emblem of the European Union in accordance with Annex VIII when carrying out visibility, transparency and communication activities.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 155 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Each Member State shall identify a communication coordinator for visibility, transparency and communication activities in relation to the support from the Funds, including programmes under the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) where that Member State hosts the managing authority. The communication coordinator shall coordinate communication and visibility measures across programmes.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 156 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – introductory part
The communication coordinator shall involve in the visibility, transparency and communication activities the following bodies:
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 157 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall run a network comprising communication coordinators, programme communication officers and Commission representatives to exchange information on visibility, transparency and communication activities.
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 161 #

2018/0196(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 3
3. Where the beneficiary does not comply with its obligations under Article 42 or paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Member State shall apply a financial correction by cancelling up to 5 % of the support from the Funds to the operation concerned.deleted
2018/10/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 6 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Following the accession of the Union to the Geneva Act, the Commission may on its own initiative or at the request of a Member State or of an interested group of producers or of the single producer using a geographical indication protected and registered in the Union, the Commission may adopt implementing acts in order to file an application for international registration of a geographical indication protected and registered under Union law and pertaining to a product originating in the Union with the International Bureau.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
(2) Where, bBased on the assessment carried out pursuant to paragraph 1, where the Commission considers that the conditions laid down in that paragraph are prima facie fulfilled, it shall publish the geographical indication proposed for protection in the Union together with the product type and country of origin in the Official Journal of the European Union, C series.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Where, bBased on the assessment carried out pursuant to paragraph 1, where the Commission considers that the conditions laid down in that paragraph are not fulfilled, it shall take a decision to refuse protection of the geographical indication by means of an implementing act adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 13(2). In respect of geographical indications covering products not falling within the competence of the Committees provided in Article 13(1) the decision will be adopted by the Commission without application of the examination procedure referred to in Article 13(2).
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 9 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
(1) Within two months from the date of publication of the name of the geographical indication in the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with Article 4(2), tany or all of the following may lodge an opposition with the Commission, in one of the official languages of the Union: 1) The authorities of a Member State, or of a third country other than the Contracting Party of Origin, or a; 2) A natural or legal person having a legitimate interest and established in the Union, or in a third country other than the Contracting Party of Origin may lodge an opposition with the Commission, in one of the official languages of the Union.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
(2) Such opposition shall be admissible only if 1) it is lodged within the time limit set out in paragraph 1 and 2) if it contains one or more of the following claims:
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) that the protection in the Union of the geographical indication registered in the International Register would infringe a prior trade mark right;
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 12 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) that the protection in the Union of the geographical indication proposed would jeopardise tany or many of the following: * The use of an entirely identical or partly identical name or t; * The exclusive nature of a trade mark or t; * The economic value of products which have been legally placed on the market for at least five years preceding the date of the publication of the name of the geographical indication in the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with Article 4(2);
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – title
Decision on protection in the Union of third -country geographical indications registered in the International Register
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the geographical indication, is no longer protected in the Contracting Party of Origin;
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 15 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – title
Relation to trade marks
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
(1) The protection of a geographical indication shall not prejudice the validity of a prior trade mark applied for or registered in good faith, or acquired through use in good faith in the territory of the Union.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 17 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
(2) A geographical indication registered in the International Register shall not be protected in the territory of the Union where in the light of a trade mark's reputation and renown and the length of time it has been used, protection of the said geographical indication in the territory of the Union would be liable to mislead the consumer as to the true identity of the product.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 18 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
(3) Without prejudice to paragraph 2, a prior trade mark applied for or registered in good faith in the territory of the Union, or acquired through use in good faith the use of which would contravene the protection of a geographical indication, may continue to be used and renewed for the product concerned notwithstanding the protection of a geographical indication provided that no grounds for invalidity or revocation exist under Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council9 . In such cases the use of the geographical indication shall be permitted as well as use of the trade mark concerned. _________________ 9 Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the European Union trade mark (OJ L 154 of 16.07.2017, page 1).
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Those Member States which were members of the Special Union before the accession of the Union to the Geneva Act may grant protection to a third -country contracting party to the Lisbon Agreement of 1958, or to that Agreement as revised at Stockholm on July 14, 1967 and amended on September 28, 1979 by means of a national protection system, with effect from the date on which the Union becomes a contracting party to the Geneva Act, as regards geographical indications registered as at that date under the Special Union, or with effect from the date on which the international registration in the International Register of the geographical indication is notified to the Member State by the Commission.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
(2) Where a third -country name is not registered under this Regulation, the consequences of such a national protection system shall be the sole responsibility of the Member State concerned.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
TAs specified in the Common Regulations, the fees to be paid under Article 7 of the Geneva Act, as specified in the Common Regulations, for the filing of an application with the International Bureau for the international registration of a geographical indication, in the International Register, and for the supply of extracts, attestations, or other information concerning the contents of this register, shall be borne by the Member State in which the geographical indication originates.
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) for wine-sector products falling within the scope of Article 92(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, by the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets established by Article 229 of that Regulation;
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 23 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) for aromatised wine products as defined in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council10, by the Committee on aromatised wine products established by Article 34 of that Regulation; _________________ 10 Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of aromatised wine products and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 (OJ L 84, 20.3.2014, p. 14).
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) for spirit drinks as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council11, by the Committee for Spirit Drinks established by Article 25 of that Regulation; _________________ 11 Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89 (OJ L 39, 13.2.2008, p. 16).
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2018/0189(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) for products falling within the scope of the first subparagraph of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, by the Agricultural Product Quality Policy Committee established by Article 57 of that Regulation;
2018/10/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a new global sustainable development framework: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development24 , having at its core the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Commission's Communication of 2016 on the next steps for a sustainable European future25 links the SDGs to the Union policy framework to ensure that all Union actions and policy initiatives, within the Union and globally, including all future trade deals, take the SDGs on board at the outset. The European Council conclusions of 20 June 201726 confirmed the commitment of the Union and the Member States to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in a full, coherent, comprehensive, integrated and effective manner and in close cooperation with partners and other stakeholders. __________________ 24 Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN 2015). 25 26COM(2016) 739 final. COM(2016) 739 final. 26 CO EUR 17, CONCL. 5. CO EUR 17, CONCL. 5.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Sustainability and the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient, more resource-efficient and circular economy, as opposed to an over-emphasis on major trade deals with their resultant increased mass production and mass transport, are key in ensuring long-term competitiveness of the Union economy. Sustainability has long been at the heart of the Union project and the Union Treaties give recognition to its social and environmental dimensions.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 4 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) In March 2018, the Commission published its Action Plan 'Financing Sustainable Growth'28 , setting up an ambitious and comprehensive strategy on sustainable finance. One of the many welcome objectives of that Action Plan is to reorient capital flows towards sustainable investment to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth. __________________ 28 COM(2018) 97 final.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) Achieving SDG objectives in the Union requires the channelling of capital flows towards sustainable investments. It is important to exploit fully the potential of the internal market for the achievement of those goals. In that context, it is crucial to remove obstacles to the efficient movement of capital into sustainable investments in the internal market and to prevent such expected obstacles from emerging, though not at the cost of facilitating easy movement of illicit capital.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) A wide variety of indices is currently grouped together as low carbon indices. Those low carbon indices are used as benchmarks for investment portfolios and products that are sold across borders. The quality and integrity of low carbon benchmarks affect the effective functioning of the internal market in a wide variety of individual and collective investment portfolios. Many low carbon indices used as performance measures for investment portfolios, in particular for segregated investment accounts and collective investment schemes, are provided in one Member State but used by portfolio and asset managers in other Member States. In addition, portfolio and asset managers often hedge their carbon exposure risks by using benchmarks produced in other Member States. Through all of this, however, it should be stressed that climate change measures should not fall prey to the whim of the finance markets.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Therefore, to maintain the proper functioning of the internal market, to further improve the conditions of its functioning, and to ensure a high level of consumer and investor protection, it is appropriate to adapt Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 to lay down a regulatory framework for harmonised low carbon benchmarks at Union level, bearing in mind at all times that the ultimate aim of these measures is to effect positive climate change, and not simply as a money- making instrument for the financial markets.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2018/0180(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) A variety of benchmark administrators claim that their benchmarks pursue environmental, social and governance (‘ESG’) objectives. The users of those benchmarks do, however, do not always have the necessary information on the extent to which the methodology of those benchmark administrators takes into account those ESG objectives. The existing information is also often scattered and does not allow for effective comparison for investment purposes across borders. To enable market players to make well- informed choices, benchmark administrators should be required to disclose how their methodology takes into account the ESG factors for each benchmark or family of benchmarks that is promoted as pursuing ESG objectives. That information should also be disclosed in the benchmark statement. The administrators of benchmarks that do not promote or take into account the ESG objectives, should not be subject to this disclosure obligation.
2018/10/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2018/0179(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The transition to a low-carbon, more sustainable, resource-efficient and circular economy, as opposed to an economy based on environment-damaging all-encompassing major trade deals which inevitably promote mass movement of goods that are better produced locally, is key to ensuring long- term competitiveness of the economy of the Union. The Paris Climate Agreement (COP21) as ratified by the Union on 5 October 201631 and entered into force on 4 November 2016, seeks to strengthen the response to climate change, among other means, by making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate- resilient development. __________________ 31 Council Decision (EU) 2016/1841 of 5 October 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 1).
2018/09/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0179(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In the absence of harmonised Union rules on sustainability-related disclosures to end-investors, it is likely that diverging measures will continue to be adopted at national level and different approaches in different financial services sectors might persist. Such divergent measures and approaches would continue to cause significant distortions of competition resulting from significant differences in disclosure standards. In addition, a parallel development of market-based practices, based on commercially-driven priorities that produce divergent results currently causes further market fragmentation and might even further exacerbate the functioning of the internal market in the future. Divergent disclosure standards and market-based practices make it very difficult to compare between different financial products and services and create an uneven playing field between these products and services and between distribution channels, and erect additional barriers to the internal market. Such divergences can also be confusing for end- investors and can distort their investment decisions. In ensuring compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement, Member States are likely to adopt divergent national measures which could create obstacles to the smooth functioning of the internal market and be detrimental to financial market participants and financial advisors. In addition, the lack of harmonised rules relating to transparency makes it difficult for end-investors to effectively compare different financial products and services in different Member States as to their environmental, social and governance risks and sustainable investment targets. It is therefore necessary to address existing obstacles to the functioning of the internal market and to prevent likely future obstacles.
2018/09/05
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 130 #

2018/0178(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) Major trade deals such as TTIP, CETA, JEFTA etc and the resultant increased mass transit of goods can have a major negative environmental impact;
2018/12/17
Committee: ECONENVI
Amendment 203 #

2018/0178(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) Some economic activities have a negative impact- such as major trade deals - have a negative impact not just on local manufacturers, who often cannot compete with lower-cost production bases from outside the European Union, but also on the environment, and a substantial contribution to one or more environmental objectives can be achieved by reducing that negative impact. For those economic activities, it is appropriate to set out technical screening criteria that require a substantial improvement in environmental performance compared to, inter alia, the industry average. Those criteria should consider also the long term impact of a specific economic activity.
2018/12/17
Committee: ECONENVI
Amendment 208 #

2018/0178(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) An economic activity should not be considered environmentally sustainable if it causes more harm to the environment than the benefits it brings, and in this regard major trade deals should all have an independent impact study completed before they are implemented. The technical screening criteria should identify the minimum requirements necessary to avoid a significant harm to other objectives. When establishing and updating the technical screening criteria, the Commission should ensure that those criteria are based on available scientific evidence and are updated regularly. Where scientific evaluation does not allow for the risk to be determined with sufficient certainty, the precautionary principle should apply, in line with Article 191 TFEU.
2018/12/17
Committee: ECONENVI
Amendment 285 #

2018/0178(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Major trade deals between the European Union and any other major country or conglomerate, and investments arising therefrom;
2018/12/17
Committee: ECONENVI
Amendment 292 #

2018/0178(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) Major trade deals shall mean any trade deal between the European Union and entities such as the USA, Canada, Japan, the Mercosur countries, etc.;
2018/12/17
Committee: ECONENVI
Amendment 106 #

2018/0170(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) WithNotes the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council3 and Council Regulation (EU) 2017/19394 , the Unionwhich has substantially strengthenaltered the means available to protect the financial interests of the Union by means of criminal law. The European Public Prosecutor's Office ("EPPO") will have the power to carry out criminal investigations and bring indictments related to criminal offences affecting the Union budget, as defined in Directive (EU) 2017/1371, in the participating Member States. _________________ 3Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, p. 29). 4Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’) (OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1).
2019/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 107 #

2018/0170(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Thereforeo faciliate this new arrangement, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 should be amended following the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939. The provisions governing the relationship between the EPPO and the Office in Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 should be reflected and complemented by the rules in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 to ensure the highest level of protection of the financial interests of the Union through synergies between the two bodies. _________________ 5 Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EURATOM) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p.1).
2019/02/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 116 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The water resources of the Union are increasingly coming under pressure, leading to water scarcity and quality deterioration. IAccount must be taken here of the many and increasing number of bottled-water supply companies that are tapping into both underground and overground water-supply sources, and who - further - are direct contributors to the huge and increasing plastic-bottle volumes and their attendant environmental problems. Beyond that, and in particular, climate change and drought are contributing significantly to the strain on the availability of freshwater, arising from urban development and agriculture.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 125 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The Union’s ability to respond to the increasing pressure on water resources could be enhanced by wider and more effective and efficient reuse of treated waste water. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council15 mentions the reuse of water as one of the supplementary measures Member States may choose to apply to achieve the Directive’s objectives of good qualitative and quantitative water status for surface waters and groundwaters. Council Directive 91/271/EEC16 requires that treated waste water be reused whenever appropriate. __________________ 15 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1). 16 Council Directive 91/271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment (OJ L 135, 30.5.1991, p. 40).
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 127 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) A particular problem in many areas is the age and poor condition of the treated-water distribution infrastructure, leading to huge loss of that treated water and the attendant waste of the finance invested in that treatment; an upgrading of all such pipe infrastructure should thus be a priority.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 167 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to effectively protect the environment and human health, and subject to occasional and unannounced tests by the competent authority, reclamation plant operators should be primarily responsible for the quality of reclaimed water. For the purposes of compliance with the minimum requirements and any additional conditions, set by the competent authority, reclamation plant operators should monitor the quality of reclaimed water. It is therefore appropriate to establish the minimum requirements for monitoring, consisting of the frequencies of the routine monitoring and the timing and performance targets for validation monitoring. Certain requirements for routine monitoring are specified in accordance with Directive 91/271/EEC.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 213 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down minimum requirements for water quality and monitoring and the obligation to carry out specified key risk management tasks, including but not limited to the monitoring and timely repair of leakage from the distribution system, for the safe reuse of treated urban waste water in the context of integrated water management.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 225 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The purpose of this Regulation is to guarantee that reclaimed water is safe for its particular intended use, thereby ensuring a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment, addressing water scarcity and the resulting pressure on water resources in a coordinated way throughout the Union, thus also contributing to the efficient functioning of the internal market.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 285 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 11 a (new)
11a. ‘distribution system’ means the pipe network necessary to carry the treated water from the treatment plant to the individual end-user;
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 311 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. For the purposes of producing and supplying reclaimed water, and subject to occasional and unannounced spot-checks by the competent authority, risk management shall be undertaken by the reclamation plant operator in consultation with the following actors:
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 345 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. AWhile it is preferable that such supply should be left largely in the ownership and control of public authorities, any supply of reclaimed water destined for a use specified in section 1 of Annex I, shall be subject to a permit.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 376 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. The permit shall be reviewed regularly and at least every fivthree years and, if necessary, modified.
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 396 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Without prejudice to Directives 2003/4/EC and 2007/2/EC, Member States shall ensure that adequate, freely-available, and up-to-date information on reuse of water is available online to the public. That information shall include the following:
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 410 #

2018/0169(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that natural or legal persons or their associations, organisations or groups, in accordance with national legislation or practice, have access to a review procedure before a court of law or another independent and impartial body established by law, such court or independent body to be ultimately subject to the European Court of Justice, to challenge the substantive or procedural legality of decisions, actions or omissions related to the implementation of Articles 4 to 8, when one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
2018/11/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the MFF 2021-2027 should facilitate a true European added value budget with sufficient funding to achieve its ambitions, and a strengthened focus on performance and results, leading to better and more effective spending and increased accountability and transparency in relation to the Union’s funds;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Notes that as pointed out in Paragraph 3 above, even after taking inflation etc. into account, there is a real increase of 5% in this MFF over MFF 2014-2020, but that despite this increase the Commission proposes to reduce funding by 16 % for the MFF heading ‘Natural Resources and Environment’, which means in particular:
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Notes that the spending proposed for the heading ‘Cohesion and Values’ is set to increase by 1 %, but that there are major changes at programme level as, when taken together, the three funds that currently make up cohesion, namely the European Regional Development Fund (ERFD), the Cohesion Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF), are to be cut by 10 %, whicheventhough again, as pointed out in Paragraph 3 above, even after taking inflation etc. into account, there is a real increase of 5% in this MFF over MFF 2014-2020; those proposed cuts means:
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the Commission’s proposed reprioritisation focuses on the headings ‘Migration and Border Management’ and ‘Security and Defence’ that will rise to make up nearly 5 % of the budget as a whole, from the current level of 1 %, and that spending under ‘Single Market, Innovation and Digital’ will rise to 15 % from the current level of 11 %; regrets that this 'reprioritisation' means that the European Union focus has shifted now from feeding to fighting;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that a significant share of the proposed 50 % budget increase for LIFE+ for 2021-2027 is directed towards the new Clean Energy Transition sub-programme; supports the establishment of a comprehensive programme for energy transition, but considers that this should not be to the detriment of funding for nature and biodiversity, the circular economy, and climate adaptation and mitigation; reiterates, therefore, its call for the financial resources for these priorities to be doubled, at least;
2018/09/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that the Europe 2020 strategy will end before the start of the new MFF period, and that no new set of strategic EU goals has been decided on yet; stresses once again that public budgets are to be determined after the setting of political objectives and the designing of policies, and therefore regrets that the new MFF proposal has become a vehicle for shaping the EU’s political objectives after 2020 rather than simply reflecting them;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the proposed increase in the budget earmarked for Horizon Europe and, in particular, the dedicated envelopes for research and innovation in Health (EUR 6.83 billion), Climate, Energy and Mobility (EUR 13.31 billion), and Food and Natural Resources (EUR 8.87 billion); reiterates, however, its call for the 9th Framework Programme to be financed more heavily, with a budget of at least EUR 116.895 billion, with those extra costs possibly being raised through a Financial Transaction Tax;
2018/09/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that the new programmes will be grouped in policy clusters, which will be reflected in the titles of the annual budget, and proposes that given its rapidly-increasing significance, 'Security and Defence' should be one such cluster, treated on its own; expresses its hope that this will provide greater clarity on how they will contribute to policy goals;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses serious concern overDeplores the proposed reduction in funding for the health programme; reiterates its call for the health programme to be restored as a robust stand-alone programme with increased funding in the next MFF 2021- 2027, in order to ensure an ambitious health policy, including in particular a thorough increase in common EU efforts in the fight against cancer and easier access to cross-border healthcare;
2018/09/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates the risk of falling short of the current climate-related spending target and notes the proposed increase of this target to at least 25 % of the EU budget for 2021-2027; callin light of the many recent cataclysmic climate events, however, calls for a far more ambitious increase in climate-related spending to 30 % by 2027 at the latest and for the development of a reliable and transparent tracking method;
2018/09/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 33 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 33
33. Is deeply concerned by the cuts proposed by the Commission in the CAP and cohesion, especially in light of the fact that, as pointed out in Paragraph 3 above, 'after taking inflation, the amounts attributable to UK beneficiaries during the MFF 2014-2020 and the incorporation of the European Development Fund (EDF) into the budget into account, the real increase is 5 %' - in other words, even with a bigger budget, a deliberate decision is being taken to reduce the investment in the most vulnerable link in the quality food- production chain in the European Union, the producers;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 36
36. Asks, once again, for the Commission and the Member States to rectify this anomaly, and stresses that the CAP financing schemes should focus more on farmers operating under special constraints, more specifically small farms, ecologically and geographically challenging areas and sparsely populated regions; this could be achieved by front- loading such schemes, for example with a sliding scale based on hectares, the amount per hectare reducing with the size of the overall holding;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the proposal for an own- resource based on non-recycled plastic packaging waste and calls for its revenues to be directed as a priority towards fostering the packaging waste recycling targets; stresses that the steering effect of a possible contribution must be coherent with the waste hierarchy and give, with priority given to the prevention of waste generation; calls for effective registration and control mechanisms and a clarification of the calculation method;
2018/09/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 47 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 39
39. WelcomNotes the three new categories of own resources that include a share of the common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB), a 20 % share of the revenue generated by the emissions trading scheme and a national contribution calculated on the amount of non-recycled plastic packaging waste in each Member State;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2018/0166R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 46
46. Notes with concern that the legislative proposal on the CCCTB has still not been adopted and that there is no time estimate for when it will be agreed on in the Council; is of the opinion that the CCCTB cannot be considered as a true own resource for the next programming period for that reason; urges the Council to reach an agreement in this context;
2018/10/05
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2018/0161(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) BWhile regrettable in an overall context, by providing for a period of supplementary protection of up to five years, Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 seeks to promote, within the Union, the research and innovation that is necessary to develop medicinal products, and to contribute to preventing the relocation of pharmaceutical research outside the Union to countries that may offer greater protection.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 31 #

2018/0161(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The absence of any exception in Regulation (EC) No 469/2009 to the protection conferred by a supplementary protection certificate has had the unintended consequence of preventing manufacturers of generics and biosimilars established in the Union from manufacturing such products, even for the exclusive purpose of exporting to third country markets in which such protection does not exist or has expired. A further unintended consequence is that the protection conferred by the certificate makes it more difficult for those manufacturers to enter the Union market immediately after expiry of the certificate, given that they are not in a position to build up production capacity until the protection provided by the certificate has lapsed, by contrast with manufacturers located in third countries where protection does not exist or has expired.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #

2018/0161(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The exception should not cover placing the product made for the exclusive purpose of export on the market in the Member State where a supplementary protection certificate is in force, either directly or indirectly after export (except when such medicines are imported for personal use by private individuals), nor should it cover re-importation of the product to the market of a Member State in which a certificate is in force. Moreover, it should not cover any act or activity for the purpose of import of medicinal products, or parts of medicinal products, into the Union merely for the purposes of repackaging and re-exporting.
2018/10/17
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The transport sector accounts for a third of Union energy consumption, with the strong possibility that this percentage will rise as the Union signs up to more and more major trade deals and this will inevitably entail additional road transport. Road transport was responsible for about 22% of the Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. Tyres, mainly because of their rolling resistance, account for 5% to 10% of vehicles’ fuel consumption. A reduction of the rolling resistance of tyres would therefore contribute significantly to the fuel efficiency of road transport and thus to the reduction of emissions.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Tyres are characterised by a number of interrelated parameters that are interrelated. Improving one parameter such as rolling resistance may have an adverse impact on others such as wet grip, while improving wet grip may have an adverse impact on external rolling noise. Tyre manufacturers should be encouraged to optimise all parameters beyond the standards already achieved., while remaining cognizant also of any negative environmental impact such changes would have during the manufacturing process;
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Tyres are characterised by a number of interrelated parameters that are interrelated. Improving one parameter such as rolling resistance may have an adverse impact on others such as wet grip, while improving wet grip may have an adverse impact on external rolling noise. Tyre manufacturers should be encouraged to optimise all parameters beyond the standards already achieved.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council13 lays down minimum requirements for the rolling resistance of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to decrease energy losses due to tyre rolling resistance significantly beyond those minimum requirements. To reduce the environmental impact of road transport, it is therefore appropriate to update the provisions for tyre labellingtyre labelling should be updated to encourage end-users to purchase more fuel- efficient tyres by providing updated harmonised information on that parameter. __________________ 13 Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (OJ L 200, 31.7.2009, p. 1).
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 12 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Traffic noise is a significant nuisance and has a harmful effect on health. Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 lays down minimum requirements for the external rolling noise of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to reduce external rolling noise significantly beyond those minimum requirements. To reduce traffic noise, it is therefore appropriate to update the provisions for tyre labellingtyre labelling should be updated to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with lower external rolling noise by providing harmonised information on that parameter.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 lays down minimum requirements for the wet grip performance of tyres. Technological developments make it possible to improve wet grip significantly beyond those requirements, and thus to reduce wet braking distances. To improve road safety, it is therefore appropriate to update the provisions for tyre labellingtyre labelling should be updated to encourage end-users to purchase tyres with high wet grip performance by providing harmonised information on that parameter.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 15 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) In order to provide end-users with information on the performance of tyres specifically designed for snow and ice conditions, it is approprityre labelling should be updated to require the inclusion on the label of information requirements on snow and ice tyres.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2018/0148(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) The need for greater information on tyre fuel efficiency and other parameters is relevant for all end-users, including purchasers of replacement tyres, purchasers of tyres fitted on new vehicles, and fleet managers and transport undertakings, who cannot easily compare the parameters of different tyre brands in the absence of a labelling and harmonised testing regime. It is therefore appropriate to require the labellingTyre labelling reflecting all the above should therefore be required ofn tyres delivered with vehicles at all times.
2018/09/27
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The introduction of event (accident) data recorders storing a range of crucial vehicle data over a short timeframe before, during and after a triggering event (for example, the deployment of an airbag) is a valuable step in obtaining more accurate, in-depth accident data. Motor-vehicles should therefore be required to be equipped with such recorders. It should also be a requirement that such recorders are capable for recording and storing data in such a way that the data can be used by Member States to conduct road safety analysis and assess the effectiveness of specific measures taken, including the cost- effectiveness.
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Historically, Union rules have limited the overall length of truck combinations which resulted in the typical cab-over-engine designs as they maximise the cargo space. However, the high position of the driver led to an increased blind spot area and poorer direct visibility around the truck cab. This is a major factor for truck accidents involving vulnerable road users. The number of casualties could be reduced significantly by improving direct vision. Requirements should therefore be introduced to improve the direct vision. In any event, where a blind spot still exists this should be addressed by video electronic means such that the driver can see fully all such spots.
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) Automated and connected vehicles may be able to make a huge contribution in reducing road fatalities since in the region of 90 per cent of road accidents are estimated to result from human error. As automated vehicles will gradually be taking over tasks of the driver, harmonised rules and technical requirements for automated vehicle systems should be adopted at Union level. Such automated vehicles must first have been independently fully tested and proven to meet all operating safety regulations.
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 9 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
(24) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market through the introduction of harmonised technical requirements concerning the safety and environmental performance of motor vehicles and their trailers, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. Additionally, this Regulation should also apply to motor vehicles and their trailers entering the European Union from non Member States for the collection and/or the delivery of goods.
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 10 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
1. for the type-approval of vehicles, and systems, components and separate technical units designed and constructed for vehicles, with regard to their general characteristics and safety, and to the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, and applies particularly to those vehicles operating within the European Union, whether based inside or outside the Union borders;
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. Manufacturers shall ensure that vehicles are designed, constructed and assembled so as to minimise the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users. This applies particularly to the elimination of 'blind spots', by video electronic means if necessary, for the protection of vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists;
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2018/0145(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) systems to replace the driver’s control of the vehicle, including steering, accelerating and braking, all of which must be independently tested and proven;
2018/09/26
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2018/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) TNotwithstanding that bad law has been and continues to be written, the rule of law is meant to be one of the essential values upon which the Union is founded. As recalled by Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, these values are common to the Member States.
2018/11/09
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 59 #

2018/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The rule of law requires that all public powers - including representatives of institutions such as the European Central Bank - act within the constraints set out by law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the control of independent and impartial courts. It requires, in particular, that the principles of legality7 , of legal certainty8 , of the primacy of law over even international standards, of prohibition of arbitrariness of the executive powers9 , of separation of powers10 , and of effective judicial protection by independent courts11 are respected12 . _________________ 7 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 29 April 2004, CAS Succhi di Frutta, C- 496/99 PECLI:EU:C:2004:236, paragraph 63. 8 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 12 November 1981, Amministrazione delle finanze dello Stato v Srl Meridionale Industria Salumi and others Ditta Italo Orlandi & Figlio and Ditta Vincenzo Divella v Amministrazione delle finanze dello Stato. Joined cases 212 to 217/80, ECLI:EU:C:1981:270, paragraph 10. 9 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 21 September 1989, Hoechst, Joined cases 46/87 and 227/88, ECLI:EU:C:1989:337, paragraph 19. 10 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 10 November 2016, Kovalkovas, C-477/16, ECLI:EU:C:2016:861, paragraph 36; Judgment of the Court of Justice of 10 November 2016, PPU Poltorak, C-452/16, ECLI:EU:C:2016:858, paragraph 35; and Judgment of the Court of Justice of 22 December 2010, DEB,C-279/09, ECLI:EU:C:2010:811, paragraph 58. 11 Judgment of the Court of Justice of 27 February 2018, Associação Sindical dos Juízes Portugueses v Tribunal de Contas C- 64/16, ECLI:EU:C:2018:117, paragraphs 31, 40-41. 12 Communication from the Commission "A new EU Framework to strengthen the Rule of Law", COM(2014) 158 final, Annex I.
2018/11/09
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 65 #

2018/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The rule of law is a prerequisite for the protection of the other fundamental values on which the Union is founded, such as freedom, democracy, equality and respect for human rights. Respect for the rule of law is intrinsically linked to respect for democracy and for fundamental rights: there can be no democracy and respect for fundamental rights without respect for the rule of law and vice versa. This applies particularly where a Member State has elected a sovereign government with a democratic mandate with which the senior officials of the various European Union institutions may not agree.
2018/11/09
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 68 #

2018/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Whenever the Member States implement the Union’s budget, and whatever method of implementation they use, respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition to comply with the principles of sound financial management enshrined in Article 317 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In this regard, and whether implementing their own or the Union's budget, Member States with a democratic mandate with which senior officials of the various European Union institutions do not agree should not be prevented by any of those institutions from carrying out that mandate.
2018/11/09
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 70 #

2018/0136(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) Sound financial management can only be ensured by the Member States if public authorities act in accordance with the law, and if breaches thereof are effectively pursued by investigative and prosecution services, and if decisions of public authorities can be subject to effective judicial review by independent courts and by the Court of Justice of the European Union. This also extends to breaches of the law by the Union's own institutions, such as those which may have occurred in the ECB's dealings with Greece and the elected government led by Syriza.
2018/11/09
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 92 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) It should be noted, however, that prior to the banking collapse in Ireland, a whistleblower from one particular bank reported personally to the then Regulator1, whose office was in the Central Bank, his serious concerns re major breeches of Financial Regulations; if acted on at the time, he claims this could have exposed what was happening right across the Irish banking sector; instead, there was no action taken and he was subsequently squeezed out of the industry; 1 https://www.irishtimes.com/business/finan cial-services/jonathan-sugarman-ireland- has-destroyed-the-lives-of-whistleblowers- 1.3047366
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 100 #

2018/0106(COD)

(24) Persons need specific legal protection where they acquire the information they report through their work- related activities and therefore run the risk of work-related retaliation (for instance, for breaching the duty of confidentiality or loyalty - these must not be accepted as reason for retaliation in any form). The underlying reason for providing them with protection is their position of economic vulnerability vis-à- vis the person on whom they de facto depend for work. When there is no such work-related power imbalance (for instance in the case of ordinary complainants or citizen bystanders) there is no need for protection against retaliation.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
(25) Effective enforcement of Union law requires that protection is granted to the broadest possible range of categories of persons, who, irrespective of whether they are EU citizens or third-country nationals, by virtue of work-related activities (irrespective of the nature of these activities, whether they are paid or not), have privileged access to information about breaches that would be in the public’s interest to report and who may suffer retaliation if they report them. This protection should be likewise extended to those reporting on activities of EU institutions or their agents/agencies, when those activities take place outside the EU. Member States should ensure that the need for protection is determined by reference to all the relevant circumstances and not merely by reference to the nature of the relationship, so as to cover the whole range of persons connected in a broad sense to the organisation where the breach has occurred.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 108 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
(33) Whistleblowers are, in particular, important sources for investigative journalists. Providing effective protection to whistleblowers from retaliation increases the legal certainty of (potential) whistleblowers and thereby encourages and facilitates whistleblowing also to the media. In this respect, protection of whistleblowers as journalistic sources is crucial for safeguarding the ‘watchdog’ role of investigative journalism in democratic societies. In this context also, investigative journalists who use whistleblower sources must themselves be given the same protection as their whistleblower sources;
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 119 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 49
(49) LAlong with the very real and very reasonable fear of retaliation, lack of confidence in the usefuleffectiveness of reporting is one of the main factors discouraging potential whistleblowers. This warrants imposing a clear obligation on competent authorities to diligently follow-up on the reports received, and, within a reasonable timeframe, give feedback to the reporting persons about the action envisaged or taken as follow-up (for instance, closure based on lack of sufficient evidence or other grounds, launch of an investigation and possibly its findings and/or measures taken to address the issue raised; referral to another authority competent to give follow- up) to the extent that such information would not prejudice the investigation or the rights of the concerned persons.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 124 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 60
(60) To enjoy protection, the reporting persons should reasonably believe, in light of the circumstances and the information available to them at the time of the reporting, that the matters reported by them are true. This reasonable belief shouldall be presumed unless and until proven otherwise. This is an essential safeguard against malicious and frivolous or abusive reports, ensuring that those who deliberately and knowingly report wrong or misleading information do not enjoy protection. At the same time, it ensures that protection is not lost where the reporting person made an inaccurate report in honest error. In a similar vein, reporting persons should be entitled to protection under this Directive if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the information reported falls within its scope.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 127 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 62
(62) As a rule, reporting persons should first use the internal channels at their disposal and report to their employer. However, it may be the case that internal channels do not exist (in case of entities which are not under an obligation to establish such channels by virtue of this Directive or applicable national law) or that their use is not mandatory (which may be the case for persons who are not in an employment relationship), or that they were used but did not function properly (for instance the report was not dealt with diligently or within a reasonable timeframe, or no action was taken to address the breach of law despite the positive results of the enquiry)., or that the reporting persons fear that the use of such channels exposes them to the risk of retaliation (see next paragraph);
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 131 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 63
(63) In othersome cases, internal channels could not reasonably be expected to function properly, for instance, where the reporting persons have valid reasons to believe that they would suffer retaliation in connection with the reporting; that their confidentiality would not be protected; that the ultimate responsibility holder within the work-related context is involved in the breach; that the breach might be concealed; that evidence may be concealed or destroyed; that the effectiveness of investigative actions by competent authorities might be jeopardised or that urgent action is required (for instance because of an imminent risk of a substantial and specific danger to the life, health and safety of persons, or to the environment. In all such cases, persons reporting externally to the competent authorities and, where relevant, to bodies, offices or agencies of the Union shall be protected. Moreover, protection is also to be granted in cases where Union legislation allows for the reporting person to report directly to the competent national authorities or bodies, offices or agencies of the Union, for example in the context of fraud against the Union budget, prevention and detection of money laundering and terrorist financing or in the area of financial services.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 133 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 66
(66) Where retaliation occurs undeterred and unpunished, it has a chilling effect on potential whistleblowers. A clear prohibition of retaliation in law has an important dissuasive effect, furtherand must be strengthened by provisions for personal liability and penalties for the perpetrators of retaliation., and for those in management positions who facilitate and/or ignore such retaliation;
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 137 #

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 70
(70) Retaliatory measures are likely to be presented as being justified on grounds other than the reporting and it can be very difficult for reporting persons to prove the link between the two, whilst the perpetrators of retaliation may have greater power and resources to document the action taken and the reasoning. Therefore, once the reporting person demonstrates prima facie that he/she made a report or disclosure in line with this Directive and suffered a detriment, the burden of proof shouldall shift to the person who took the detrimental action, who shouldmust then demonstrate that their the action taken was not linked in any way to the reporting or the disclosure.
2018/09/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2018/0091M(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that with every such new major trade deal, there are accompanying probably major negative environmental impacts, especially in the transport sector, given the increase in traffic flow on land, on sea and in the air; urges that these impacts should be independently measured and costed against any perceived financial gains;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 197 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive applies to certain unfair trading practices which occur in relation to the sales of food products by a supplier that is a small and medium-sized enterprise to a buyer that is not a small and medium-sized enterprise.;
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 381 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) A buyer engages in "below cost selling" or "predatory pricing" in order to drive out competition or to increase market share by offering products for sale at below the price agreed in the supply contract;
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 469 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States shall ensure that the following trading practices are prohibited, if they are not agreed in clear and unambiguous terms at the conclusion of the supply agreemencontract:
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 488 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) a supplier pays for the promotion or advertising of food products sold by the buyer. Prior to a promotion and if that promotion is initiated by the buyer, the buyer shall specify the period of the promotion and the expected quantity of the food products to be ordered;
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 526 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Each Member State shall designate an independently funded, transparent public authority to enforce the prohibitions laid down in Article 3 at national level ("enforcement authority").
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 580 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Where the enforcement authority considers that there are insufficient grounds for acting on a complaint, it shall informset out in writing, and forward to the complainant about the reasons. for arriving at its decision;
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 624 #

2018/0082(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) to put in place a system of independent appeal where complainants can ask for a review of their case in a timely manner;
2018/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 12 #

2018/0081(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
(12) With regard to cadmium, a limit value of 0,001 mg/m3 may be difficult to be complied with in some sectors in the short term. A transitional period of seven years should therefore be introduced during which the limit value 0,004 mg/m3 should apply. for the first three years, then 0,003 mg/m3 for the following two years, and 0,002 mg/m3 for the final two years, reducing permanently thereafter to 0,001 mg/m
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2018/0081(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
(14) With regard to beryllium, a limit value of 0,0002 mg/m3 may be difficult to be complied with in some sectors in the short term. A transitional period of five years should therefore be introduced during which the limit value of 0,0006 mg/m3should apply. for the first three years, reducing then to 0,0004 mg/m3 for the following two years, and finally and permanently thereafter to 0,0002 mg/m3;
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2018/0081(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
(23) In implementing this Directive, while bearing in mind at all times that worker safety is paramount, Member States should avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings. Member States are therefore invited to assess the impact of their transposition act on SMEs in order to make sure that SMEs are not disproportionately affected, with specific attention for micro-enterprises and for administrative burden, and to publish the results of such assessments.
2018/09/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 7
7. Recalls the importance of transparency in building and maintaining public trust in medicines; recommends in that vein the importance a) of commissioning independent trials and studies of all vaccinations, and b) publication of the results of those trials and studies;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 55 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 12
12. Condemns the spread of unreliable, misleading and unscientific information on vaccination aggravated by media controversies; calls on Member States and the Commission to take effective steps against the spread of such misinformationcounter the spread of such misinformation by publishing the results of any and all independent studies verifying the effectiveness of the most controversial vaccines, and to further develop awareness and information campaigns, especially for parents, including the creation of a European platform aimed at increasing vaccination coverage;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 61 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned about the high prices of somemany life-saving vaccines and condemns this profiteering from misery; calls on the Commission and the Member States to implement the measures called for in the European Parliament’s report of 14 February 2017 on EU options for improving access to medicines;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 68 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned that high vaccine prices disproportionately affect low and middle income countries, including countries that are losing donor support through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; calls on the Commission and Member States to take measures to help facilitate cheap access to vaccines in those countries;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 82 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Member States and on the Commission to promote awareness- raising campaigns among physicians who provide vaccinations, underlining their obligations, including providing patients (or patients’ legal guardians) with sufficient information about recommended vaccines so that they can make an informed decision;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 91 #

2017/2951(RSP)


Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission to facilitate a more harmonised schedule for vaccination across the EU, to share best practice, ensure even coverage across Europe and reduce costs and health inequalities;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2922(RSP)


Recital E
E. whereas Article 11 requires a product information file to be maintained for every product placed on the market, to include data on any animal testing performed relating to the development and/or safety assessment of the cosmetic product or its ingredients;
2017/12/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2017/2922(RSP)


Paragraph 1
1. Notes that Europe has a thriving and innovative cosmetics sector that provides around two million jobs, and is the largest market for cosmetics products in the world; stresses that the EU ban on animal testing has not jeopardised the sector’s development, though even if this had not been the case, the ban on such tests is still justified;
2017/12/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2017/2922(RSP)


Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the EU’s landmark ban on animal testing for cosmetics sent a strong signal to the world about the value it attaches to animal protection, and has successfully shown that the phasing-out of animal testing for cosmetics isn't just possible, it has also proven to have little or no negative impact on the industry - the opposite in fact, as people react positively to the fact that the product they are using hasn't required any such animal suffering;
2017/12/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 30 #

2017/2922(RSP)


Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that animal testing can no longert be justified for cosmetics, and never could be;
2017/12/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 63 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that the implementation of the directive must be comprehensive and cover all the required aspects, and that the partial implementation of certain elements but not others is insufficient to realise the directive’s overarching purpose of achieving the sustainable use of pesticides; underlines the fact that the implementation of IPM practices, combined with educational measures to increase the awareness of the benefits of IPM, plays a particularly important role in efforts to achieve this objective;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 86 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that in many Member States there is no real commitment to IPM practices, which are the cornerstone of the directive; underlines the fact that rigorous implementation of IPM is one of the key measures to reduce dependency on pesticide use in sustainable agriculture, which is environmentally friendly, economically viable and socially responsible and contributes to Europe’s food security while strengthening biodiversity and human and animal health, boosting the rural economy and reducing costs for farmers by facilitating the market uptake of low-risk and non-chemical alternatives; stresses that additional financial incentives and educational measures are needed to strengthen the uptake of IPM practices by individual farms;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 106 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned that very little progress has been made in promoting and incentivising the uptake of low-risk and non-chemical alternatives to conventional pesticides; notes that a mere handful of NAPs contain incentives for the registration of such alternative products;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 121 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the common agriculture policy (CAP), in its current form, is not capable of reducing farms’ dependency on pesticides; considers that specific policy instruments in the post- 2020 CAP are required in order to help change farmers’ behaviour as regards pesticide use, such as fiscal measures at national level, cross-compliance between IPM and CAP direct payments, promotion of organic farming etc.;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 144 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises the fundamental importance of biodiversity and robust ecosystems, most notably bees and other pollinating insects, for ensuring a healthy and sustainable agricultural sector, calls for dedicated ring-fenced funding for this sector in the new CAP;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 185 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Member States to adhere to the established timelines for delivering revised NAPs; urges those Member States that have not yet delivered revised NAPs to do so without further delay, this time with the clear overall objective of an immediate and long-term reduction in pesticide use, expressed either through a quantity- or risk-based approach, including clearly defined annual reduction targets and with special attention for the possible effects on pollinators and the uptake of alternative techniques, such as Agroforestry and Organic farming, in the agricultural sector;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 219 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take all the requisite measures to promote and incentivise low- risk pesticides and to prioritise non- chemical options and methods which cause the least harm to health and nature;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 233 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to place greater emphasis on the promotion of the development, research and marketing of low-risk biological alternatives in addition to the promotion of farming systems which require less intensive inputs;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 247 #

2017/2284(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to carefully consider all the measures available to ensure compliance, including infringemreorientate its agricultural policy which currently proceedings against Member States that fail to comply with the obligation to fully implement the directivemotes industrial agricultural to compete on the world commodity markets, to one that is based on self sufficiency for the European Union which would allow farmers to practice a less intensive more sustainable agricultural model;
2018/11/21
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2017/2274(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Takes note of China’s decision to ban imports of solid waste, which highlights the importance of the process of designing, producing, repairing, reusing and recycling products, with a particular emphasis on the production and use of plastic; recalls China’s recent attempt to ban exports of rare earth elements and asks the Commission to take into consideration the interdependence of the global economies when prioritising EU policies;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 2 #

2017/2273(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Maintains that effective application of EU law, across all areas and including by the EU institutions themselves, is essential in order to realise the benefits which EU policies bring to citizens and businesses and that uniform application of EU law in all Member States is central to the EU’s success;
2018/03/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 23 #

2017/2273(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission closely to monitorto monitor closely any and all environment- related infringement cases with a cross- border dimension, including correct transposition and application of EU law in future Member States;
2018/03/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2017/2273(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the number of infringement proceedings concerning the environment fell in 2016 compared with 2015, but is concerned that there was an increase in the number of procedures in the area of health and food safety, and calls on the Commission to bring particular attention to bear on that point;
2018/03/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas transport by air, sea and land is a major contributor to carbon emissions and by extension, to climate change, and their increase is a direct consequence of any and all proposed major trade deals such as Mercosur, TTIP, CETA, etc.;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 112 #

2017/2272(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the importance of the EU speaking with a single and unified voice in all international forums and calls on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Commission to coordinate a joint EU effort to ensure its commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement; insists on the need to develop a comprehensive strategy for EU climate diplomacy and to integrate climate into all fields of EU external action, including trade, development cooperation, humanitarian aid and security and defence; calls in this context for independent climate impact assessments to be carried out in tandem with all proposed trade deals involving the Union, focusing in particular (though not exclusively) on the effect of the consequent increase in transport emissions;
2018/04/25
Committee: AFETENVI
Amendment 27 #

2017/2257(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that for this purpose it will be necessary to increase the use of electro-mobility and alternative fuels, as road transport is responsible for one fifth of EU emissions, and this figure is increasing, but with an eye also to the contrary carbon emissions and environmental impact in the production of these alternative energy sources; underlines the need to reduce the gap between stated decarbonisation targets and real on-road emissions;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2017/2257(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that, according to WHO figures, road transport contributes to air and noise pollution, with a negative impact on citizens’ health, especially in urban areas; encourages the implementation of an effective strategy to reduce the level of pollutants such as NOx, NO2 and particulate matter; encourages also an increase in local production of everyday consumables items such as food, clothing etc, with a resultant reduction in the need for such heavy transport, refrigerated transport especially with its heavier energy consumption; in that spirit, calls for a full objective examination of the social and environmental effects of globalisation both positive and negative;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health issue that requires proactive, coordinated action; underlines the importance of taking a holistic approach to tackling AMR through the one-health approach, by ensuring coherence and coordination between human health, animal health, food production and the environment, as it can serve as a reservoir of antibiotic- resistance genes;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take an ambitious approach to ensuring that the targets set out in their respective Action Plans are fully and effectively achieved in a coordinated manner across the EU to ensure their effectiveness, and to strictly monitor the results that have been achieved;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 61 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Firmly believes that the most effective means of combatting AMR which is linked to the intensification of farming is the promotion of short supply chains in the food industry and the creation of local quality brands, these can bring benefits such as; Improved negotiating positions for farmers; These supply chains offer farmers greater power during negotiations, especially during those with retailers, Increased communication between producer and consumer; Short supply chains can lead to job creation, especially in rural areas, Reduced transportation costs; Short supply chains typically serve a local area, reducing the energy costs, transportation costs, and CO2 emissions, Increased transparency; It’s easier to make short supply chains with few or no intermediaries transparent than it is longer and more complex ones, Reduced risk; A short supply chain reduces the risk of damage, contamination, Increased quality; Doing business and transporting goods locally increases their overall quality by reducing the need for freezing and use of preservatives, Greater profits; Short supply chains offer farmers with greater profits while keeping the end-price more or less the same for consumers;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas nature provides us with a plethora of powerful antibiotics, a source which could be harnessed to a far greater degree than is presently the case;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 88 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure adequate funding for on-farm investments, such as in quality housing, ventilation, cleaning, disinfection, the use and application of manures on land, vaccination and bio-security;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 99 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises the crucial role of education and training programmes ins, calls for funding to be made available to raisinge awareness about antimicrobial resistance and the prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine for farmers and those involved in livestock farming;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 133 #

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in food-producing animals has been banned in the EU since 2006; calls on the Commission to enforce this ban as an ex ante conditionality to all food imports from third countries through Free Trade Agreements;
2018/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 152 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to explore the possibility of expanding the development and use of natural antibiotics;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 168 #

2017/2254(INI)

6. Emphasises that prevention is better than cure; infection prevention, biosecurity measures and control practices are critical in the control of all infectious microorganisms as they reduce the need for antimicrobials and consequently opportunities for microorganisms to develop and spread resistance;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 183 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop public health messages to raise public awareness on the cause and effect of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and in doing so, to promote a change in behaviour towards the use of antibiotics; underlines the importance of promoting ‘health literacy’, since it is crucial that patients understand healthcare information and are able to follow treatment instructions accurately;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 216 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Is aware that the cost of rapid diagnostic tools (RDT) may exceed the price of antibiotics; calls on the Commission to propose incentives for the industry to develop effective and efficient testing methods and calls on health insurance carriers to cover the extra cost arising from the use of RDT, given the long-term benefits of preventing the unnecessary use of antimicrobials, and the subsequent major cost savings for the health insurance industry;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 232 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to restrict or stop the sale of antibiotics by those doctors or veterinarians who over-prescribe them;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 255 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Highlights the value of vaccines in combating AMR; highlights further the need to fully inform and reassure the public on the safety of those vaccines through industry-independent studies, given that the lower the uptake of vaccines, the greater the risk of the spread of that disease; recommends integration of targets for life-long vaccination as a key element of national action plans on AMR;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 372 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. calls on the Commission to ensure that in any situation in which it has invested EU funds, the possibility for excess private profit extraction is minimised;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 418 #

2017/2254(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Notes that AMR is of serious concern in many poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs), including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (TB); highlights that about 29 % of deaths caused by AMR are due to drug-resistant TB, and calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their support to research for health tools to address PRNDs affected by AMR and to ensure that, should those new health tools be developed, prices of those new drugs are kept at a reasonable level;
2018/03/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 18 #

2017/2226(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the initiative of the European Commission in launching the web portal on health promotion and disease prevention which provides up-to date information on topics related to the promotion of health and well-being, an important source of clear and reliable information for citizens; stresses that this portal should be fully accessible to all EU citizens, including those suffering from dyslexia and other such difficulties;
2017/12/15
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2017/2226(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the European Commission to create a real sustainable management and protection strategy for forests to help to fight the effects of climate change., with the emphasis on 'sustainable' and an added emphasis on the species of trees grown in those forests; calls further for the Commission to implement and incentivize a project to encourage tree and shrub growth along the banks of streams and rives, thus helping to alleviate the effect of prolonged heavy precipitation;
2017/12/15
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 17 #

2017/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomNotes the adoption of the Directive on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law (the PIF Directive), whose scope includes VAT;
2018/02/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2017/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. WelcomNotes the decision of 20 Member States to proceed with the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor’s Office through enhanced cooperation and looks forward to fruitful cooperation between OLAF and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; regrets however that not all EU Member States have been willing to participate in this initiative, and underlines the importance of maintaining equivalent fraud detection efficiency rates in all Member States;
2018/02/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2017/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Emphasises the important role of whistleblowers in fraud prevention, detection and reporting and the need to protect them; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure a minimum level oflegislate for complete protection for whistleblowers within the EU;
2018/02/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2017/2216(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Is of the opinionBelieves that investigative journalism plays a key role in fostering the necessary level of transparency in the EU and the Member States, and that it must be encouraged and supported by legal mean; believes further that investigative journalism must be fostered, encouraged, supported and protected through legislative measures both in the Member States and within the EU;
2018/02/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2017/2211(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the transition to a circular economy canwould reduce waste (an ever-increasing problem), create new jobs, increase the competitiveness of SMEs, strengthen the development of clean technologies and reduce Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials and energy;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2017/2211(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Supports the strengthening of producer responsibility requirements and calls for a major reduction of plastic in packaging and the setting-up of reusable packaging schemes by large retail chains as a practical waste prevention tool; highlights that further steps must be taken to extend the durability and encourage the re-use and recyclability of products, including the introduction of financial penalties for excess packaging;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 34 #

2017/2211(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned aboutNotes China’s new restrictive approach to European waste, as this will but accepts that the EU should be responsible for the disposal of its own waste and in that spirit, accepts also that this will ultimately have a negapositive impact on EU waste management; welcomes in this context the Commission’s new plastic strategy;
2018/03/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2017/2191(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas Article 39(1)(b) TFEU sets as one of the objectives of the common agricultural policy (CAP) that of ensuring a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, in particular by increasing the individual earnings of persons engaged in agriculture, believes that EU policy in respect of FTAs which include agricultural products is a contradiction of that;
2017/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 10 #

2017/2191(INI)

C. whereas, due to economic hazards in the farming sector, a solely market- oriented CAP needs to provide support to farmers and grant additional time-limited exemptions from competition ruleshas demonstrated its inability to provide farmers a fair return from the market place and needs to recognize the inherent inequality of asking famers in the EU to compete against others producing to lower standards with a lower cost base;
2017/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 44 #

2017/2191(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that, in general, competition policy only defends consumers’ interests, but does not take account of agricultural producers’ specific interests and difficulties, also believes to have credibility in addressing producers interests the inequality within the CAP payment structure must be addressed as a first step;
2017/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 80 #

2017/2191(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the need for the progressive development of the EU competition framework to include the mregulatory actioni toring of combat the inequality in the food supply chain, the evolutions in the position of primary producers and the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (SAFA) indicators.
2017/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2190(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
L a. whereas while the EIB - by its nature - must involve itself on occasion with private profit- driven enterprise, its primary role is to serve the interests of the citizens of the EU above the interests of any private enterprise, company or corporation;
2018/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2190(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the fact that because of their impact and importance to economies both local and national, investment in SMEs, start-ups, research, innovation, the digital economy and energy efficiency is the most essential tofactor in driving economic recovery in the EU and to promoting the creation of quality jobs;
2018/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2177(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with appreciation the decision of the Management Board of the Office on 6 June 2018 to release the Executive Director from his duties with immediate effect; welcomes the designation of an ad interim Executive Director, not subject to the OLAF investigation; regrets, however, that the Management Board didn't take this action of its own initiative much earlier in the process, thus obviating the delay in discharge;
2018/09/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2173(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that in March 2015 the Authority’s Executive Director mandated investigators to conduct an administrative inquiry following allegations of harassment made by an external IT consultant against a staff member and that the inquiry was completed in March 2016; notes with satisfaction that the evidence collected did not support the allegations of harassment; notes also that no other cases of harassment were reported, investigated or taken before the Court in 2016;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2173(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that the Authority began, in the course of 2016, the Authority began to publish a register of staff meetings with external stakeholders;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2173(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that in 2016 the Authority received six requests for access to documents pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents12 to which the Authority granted a full access in four cases while in two cases the Authority decided to grant only partial access to the documents due to protection of privacy and the integrity of the individual and to protection of the purpose of inspections, investigations and audits; _________________ 12calls on the Authority to treat all such requests with as much openness as possible, in the spirit of transparency and accountability; _________________ 12 OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43. OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43.
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2017/2173(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Takes note that the Court performed a performance audit on the supervision of Credit Rating Agencies in the Authority and published its final report in February 2016; acknowledges that the Authority set up an action plan following the audit in order to implement the Court’s recommendations; notes with satisfaction that seven, of the eight recommendations made by the Court, have already been addressed and one is ongoing;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2017/2173(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Notes from the Court’s report that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union mightwill certainly affect the Authority’s activities since the most significant supervised entities are currently located there; takes note that a future decrease in the Authority’s revenue resulting from the Unites Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the Union is possiblelikely;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2172(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes from the Authority that it ran 26 recruitment campaigns in 2016 and filled 95,7 % of its establishment plan positions at the year-end, lower than the Authority’s target of 100 %; acknowledges from the Authority that the target was not reached mainly due to an unsatisfactorily high turnover rate, to unsuccessful recruitment campaigns and to non- acceptance of contract offers by selected candidates, in themselves all worrying factors that need examining and improving;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2172(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that an audit on ‘Oversight Capability’ was performed by the Internal Audit Service (IAS) in 2016; notes with satisfaction that none of the recommendations made by the IAS were categorised as critical or very important; acknowledges - also with satisfaction - from the Authority that, in response to the audit report, it developed an action plan, which was subsequently adopted by its Management Board, in order to address all recommendations made by the IAS,;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2172(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes that a future decrease in the Authority’s revenue resulting from the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the Union is possiblelikely;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2171(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes from the Establishment plan that 126 posts (out of 127 posts authorised under the Union budget) were occupied on 31 December 2016, compared to 118 in 2015; notes that the staff or the Authority consists of 50,3 % females and 49,7 % males; observes with satisfaction that the breakdown of the staff by gender is becoming more balancedpractically as balanced as it could be, being an improvement in comparedison to previous years;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2171(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes with concern that, on average, each member of the Authority’s staff was on sick leave for 7,45 days in 2016 and recommends that a workplace survey should be carried out to establish if any of this is due to workplace stress; observes with satisfaction that the Authority organised well-being activities, such as health and safety sessions and annual medical examinations;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2171(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes with concern that 17 reported cases of conflicts of interest were reported; notes that they concerned two types of situations: either holding of shares, or former employment; notes moreover that in the case of holding of shares in institutions, all staff members who so reported had acquired them before joining the Authority and were asked to disinvest; acknowledges that a screening of those situations has taken place again in 2017 and confirmed that, in all cases, the shares have been sold; notes that in the case of previous employment of staff, three cases were investigated in 2016, and it was decided to put in place measures whereby the concerned staff would not be involved in cases concerning the competent authorities from where they were on unpaid leave;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2171(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Notes that the Authority signed a 12-year-lease with an end date of 8 December 2026 and that, under normal contractual conditions, there is a liability to pay the full rent for the entire period; observes, however, that the Authority has negotiated a break-out clause at the midway point of the contract, meaning that if the clause is exercised, the Authority would be relieved of the obligation to pay the rent for the final six years; notes however that the Authority has the obligation to repay half of the incentive (16 months rent) it had received at the beginning of the contract and which was based on the full 12 years term of the contract (32 months rent free) and that the re-instatement of the building to the initial condition has to be performed by the end of the occupancy, regardless of when the tenant leaves; recommends that lessons should be learned from this experience in the negotiation of any and all future rental contracts;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2170(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that, according to the Court’s report, the Institute launched an open call for tender for a framework contract on the maintenance and update of its gender statistics tools and resources for a maximum amount of EUR 1 600 000 in 2016; highlights moreover that the call was split into two lots without indicating the respective amounts per lot; highlights that, following a question from one tenderer, the Institute clarified on its website that the maximum amount per lot was estimated at EUR 800 000; observes from the Institute’s reply that it was an administrative error due to which the amount specified was not amended accordingly and that it had no budget implication; notes furthermore, with regret, that, according to the Court’s report, price competition in the call for tender was based on daily rates only and not also on the time needed to complete the tasks, which did not allow the Institute to identify and choose the most economically advantageous offers and did not ensure the best value for money; notes from the Institute’s reply that it has amended the relevant templates of technical specifications and will mitigate the risk by putting a maximum number of working days in future requests for specific services;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2170(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets that, especially in regard to an Agency with the words 'Gender Equality' in its title, having regard to the number of all posts occupied on 31 December 2016, gender balance has not been achieved since the ratio is 72 % female to 28 % male, with a ratio imbalance of more than two to one - 72 % female to 28 % male; calls for the Agency to address and redress this imbalance as a matter of urgency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2170(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that work-life balance should be part of the Institute’s staff policy; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounted to EUR 36 437, corresponding to 2,25 days per staff; observes that the average number of sick days per staff in 2016 was 2,17 days in the case of those not justified by a medical certificate and 8,23 days in the case of those supported by a medical certificate, which combined is a total of 10,4 days per staff, or in excess of two weeks; calls on the Agency to examine the reasons behind those numbers with a view especially to establishing whether workplace stress is a factor;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Deeply regrets that,having regard to the number of all posts occupied on 31 December 2016, gender balance has not been achieved since the ratio is more than two to one - 32,4 % female to 67,6 % male - and that, even more alarming, female staff represented only 14 % in senior specialist / senior analyst positions and that moreover, with the worst ratio of all, the percentage of female staff in business manager and equivalent or higher positions was only 6,1 % (two members of staff); calls on Europol to be more proactive, and to take the gender balance issue into account as a matter of urgency when recruiting new staff and to inform the discharge authority during the next discharge procedure of the progress made at the end of 2017;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with satisfaction that the Europol’s staff spent an average of only 1,2 % of the working days in 2016 on sick leave; observes with some concern that the number of days spent per member of staff on wellbeing activities in 2016 was less than one day; notes that Europol did not name different wellbeing activities put in place in 2016, as requested by Parliament, but reported on the costs spent per staff on the medical provider and related costs; calls on Europol to report on the sick leave overview counted in days and introduce additional wellbeing activities for its staff and invites the whole staff to take part in it;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the Internal Audit Function carried out a review of the implementation of the Internal Control Standards in Europol in the first semester of 2016; notes that Europol prepared an action plan to address 15 out of the 40 recommendations by the end of 2016 and; notes with real concern that, out of those recommendations, 20 were graded as “very important” and one was considered “critical”, namely a recommendation related to the adoption of an anti-fraud strategy, which was endorsed by the management board on 31 January 2017; calls on Europol to address those problems fully and promptly, and to report on the results to the discharge authority;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes with satisfaction that 83 % of all audit recommendations by the Court, the Internal Audit Service (IAS), the Europol Joint Supervisory Body, the Commission’s data protection officer, and the Internal Audit Function, graded as “critical” or “very important”, were addressed in 2016, but notes also that 17% of the recommendations, graded as "outstanding", is still a substantial number;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that in 2016 Europol received 107 requests for access to documents (related to 138 documents) and that Europol granted full access to 39 documents, partial access was granted to 20 documents and access was refused to 79 documents; calls on Europol to be as open as possible in addressing those requests, bearing in mind the legal constraints but also the duty to openness and transparency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with satisfaction that Europol has, in cooperation with Eurojust, Europol has formalised a combined approach for the ISO14001/EMS Certification; acknowledges the fact that Europol has put in place numerous measures to ensure a cost-effective and environmentally friendly workplace and to further reduce or offset CO2 emissions;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2017/2169(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that, according to Europol’s answers, there are substantial financial and operational risks due to the Brexit; calls on Europol to remain proactive in identifying and addressing those risks, and to keep the discharge authority fully informed of the future impact of the Brexit on Europol;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with appreciation that by the number of posts occupied on 31 December 2016, gender balance has been met since theis practically perfect, with a ratio isof 53 % female to 47 % male;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the redesign of the Agency’s dissemination portal and the launch of a microsite for informing consumers about chemicals, which were carried out under the Agency’s transparency policy; notes that for the benefit of those with dyslexia and other such difficulties, this site should also include full audio and audio/visual information;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that on average the Agency’s staff was on sick leave for 7,9 days in 2016; calls for the Agency to examine the reasons for these absences, with a view particularly to establishing whether workplace stress is a major factor and if so, to address and eliminate it; observes with some concern that the number of days spent per member of staff on well-being activities in 2016 has been less than one day; notes that the Agency did not name different well-being activities put in place in 2016 as requested by the discharge authority;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes that the Court of Auditors has announced that the transactions underlying the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2016 were legal and regular in all material respects, while noting the Court of Auditors' comments that 'Carry-overs of committed appropriations remained high for Title III (REACH operational expenditure) at 10,1 million euro, i.e. 39 % (2015: 7,3 million euro, i.e. 32 %) and are even higher for Title IV (Biocides operational expenditure) at 1,3 million euro, i.e. 68 % (2015: 1,5 million euro, i.e. 74 %). Such high level of carry-overs is in contradiction with the budgetary principle of annuality.'; recommends that the Agency should take on board the following Court of Auditors' advice: 'The Agency may consider increasing the use of differentiated budget appropriations to better reflect the multi annual nature of operations and unavoidable delays between the signature of contracts, deliveries and payments.';
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Notes that in 2016 the Agency received 85 requests for access to which the Agency granted a full access to 11 requests, 23 requests were granted only partial access and for six requests the access to documents were refused; call on the Agency to ensure that these requests are addressed in the proper spirit of openness and transparency, and treated accordingly;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Acknowledges the fact that the Court of Auditors’ report states that, unlike most other agencies, the Agency’s founding regulation does not explicitly require periodical external evaluations of its activities, which are key elements to assess performance; notes however from the Agency’s reply that the Commission commissioned an external performance evaluation study in 2016 and that the consultant’s report has already been published on the Commission website; calls on the Agency to facilitate, on a voluntary basis, any and all such external evaluations, particularly by the Court of Auditors, until such time as the requisite legislation is put in place;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2167(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the Union also poses operational risks for the Agency since the Union chemicals legislation which the Agency manages (REACH, BPR, CLP and PIC Regulations) are also internal market regulatory laws; notes that reducing the jurisdiction to which these regulations apply to EU-27 will create an additional workload for providing advice and assistance to United Kingdoms’ companies which will be in a ‘third country’ as well as a transitional workload caused by transferring regulatory work from the United Kingdom to the EU-27; notes that as all regulatory processes are IT- supported, the Agency’s IT tools will require re-tooling; notes moreover that the potential loss of United Kingdom citizens currently employed as experts will also have an operational impact; calls on the Agency to proactively plan and prepare for any and all such potential losses;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes with concern that the overall percentage of male staff members is 62 % and of female staff is 38 %, a ratio imbalance of almost two to one; calls on the Agency to address and redress this imbalance as soon as possible;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2166(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency; notes that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to EUR 138,14 per staff; observes that the average amount of sick leave per staff is 3,7 days, well below the usual for EU agencies;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges with approval that, at year-end, the College had paid 91 % of all its financial commitments on time, thereby exceeding the objective of 85 % of all payments being paid within the legally set timeframe; notes with satisfaction that no interest was charged by suppliers for late payments;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with concern that a number of staff members brought a legal claim against the College disputing the conditions in which the relocation was carried out and its financial impact on their income; notes that an amicable settlement has been reached with some staff members and the payments were made to this end in 2015 and 2016; notes furthermore that some staff appealed the court judgement, which is expected in 2018; calls on the College to report to the Discharge Authority on the outcome of the appeal;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Observes that, as a consequence of the relocation from the United Kingdom to Hungary, due to the significantly lower correction coefficient applied to staff salaries in the new location, the number of resignations has increased; notes that a number of mitigating actions have been implemented; notes, however, that the low grading of posts combined with low correction coefficient, does not encourage foreigners (especially from West and Northern Europe) to move to Hungary; therefore, the geographical balance is not always ensured; notes with concern from the Court’s report that the high staff turnover may impact business continuity and the Agency’s ability to implement the activities foreseen in its work programme and points out this problem needs to be addressed;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that with regards to external remunerated experts, the College publishes on its website, as part of the annual list of contractors, the expert contracts awarded by the College; notes, however, that the declarations on conflicts of interest and confidentiality for the remunerated experts are not published on the website - this lapse needs to be rectified; acknowledges that the College will revisit its arrangements on the publication of such declarations; calls on the College to report to the discharge authority on the measures taken;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that in November and December 2016 the Internal Audit Service audited the College on ‘Training Needs Assessment, Planning and Budgeting’ with focus on the core business activities; notes, moreover, that the draft audit report of March 2017 concludes that while the audit did not result in the identification of any critical or very important issues, the Internal Audit Service considers that there is room for improvement in the utilisation of the Justice and Home Affairs Training Matrix to avoid overlap with training courses organised by other justice and home affairs agencies - this issue should be addressed as soon as possible;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2017/2163(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Notes with concern - given the fast-reducing time-line - from the College’s answers that for the time being the College does not have sufficient information to allow a thorough preparation for carrying out future activities after Brexit; notes that Brexit will limit the College’s access to the United Kingdom law enforcement expertise and ability to organise training with United Kingdom officials; notes that these aspects might negatively impact the development of common practices, information exchange and ultimately cross- border cooperation on fighting and prevention of crime and thus recommends that measures be implemented to maintain - at least - the current level of cooperation; calls on the Commission and the College to update the Discharge Authority on the Brexit related risks management;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2162(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes with regret that 62 % of its staff is male and 38 % is female, an almost two to one imbalance; recalls that, regarding the gender balance in the management and Executive Boards, the members are proposed and appointed by the Member States but recommends that this issue should nevertheless be addresses as a matter of urgency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2162(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to EUR 228,7 per staff and a staff away day was organised in 2016; observes that the average number of sick leave per staff is 3,2 days, well below the average in most other agencies;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2162(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Regrets however that the Agency does not use the input indicators to further improve the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and recommends that this should change;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2162(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes with satisfaction that the Agency is now certified ISO 9001;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2017/2160(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Centre’s support provided during the sudden outbreak of the Zika virus and, noting, though, that there are lessons to be learned from the reaction to that outbreak, per the conclusions of a relevant UNESCO workshop 1, as well as during the large multi-country outbreak of Salmonella; notes that the Centre improved its disease surveillance system, particularly by expanding the online Surveillance Atlas of Infectious Diseases, and promoted access to up-to- date information on European public health issues, through different tools; 1 https://en.unesco.org/news/media-and- humanitarians-crisis-situations-lessons- learned-zika-outbreak
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 4 #

2017/2160(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that, as a Union agency, the Centre has a budget which is denominated in euro; however, since its seat is outside the Euro-zone (in Sweden), a lot of its expenses are incurred in Swedish krona (SEK); furthermore, the Centre is exposed to exchange rate fluctuations since not only does it have bank accounts in Swedish krona but also carries out certain transactions in other foreign currencies; recommends that a means of reducing this exposure should be examined;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the Authority should continue paying special attention to public opinion, and commit itself to openness and transparency; welcomes, in this respect, that in 2016, the Authority’s scientific data warehouse provided access to more of the evidence that underpins its scientific assessments, as several data collections were published, on pesticides, contaminants, chemical hazards, food composition, molecular typing and botanicals;believes that this data warehouse should also contain details of those who commissioned all such reports, to ensure complete openness and transparency; the Authority’s journal migrated to an international scientific publisher, in order to increase publishing quality and outreach; the Authority’s authorship guidelines for scientific outputs were reviewed to increase transparency and openness; the Authority launched ‘Knowledge Junction’, an open repository for the exchange of evidence and supporting materials used in food and feed safety risk assessments; encourages the Authority to further progress on this path;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that by the 6. number of all posts occupied on 1 August 2017, the gender balance ratio is almost two to one - 60,7 % female to 39,3 % male; notes alsowith even more concern, however, that for senior posts (senior manager and management board) the gender balance ratio iswings the other way but to an even greater extent - 75 % male and 25 % female, or three to one; calls on the Authority as a matter of urgency to do everything in its power to establish a more gender-balanced staff composition especially at the senior posts level;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the Court of Auditors´ report on the annual accounts of the Authority for the financial year 2016;welcomes particularly the unqualified assurance provided on both the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the transactions underlying those accounts;welcomes also the commitment by the Authority to implement the action plan recommended by the Court of Auditors to 'introduce an organisation-wide IT risk management framework and risk register and to separate the information security function from the IT Unit';
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 9 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that on average the Authority’s staff was on sick leave 7,4 days in 2016 and calls on the Authority to examine those absences with a view to establishing if any are workplace stress- related; welcomes the fact that the Authority organised a staff-away day, health and safety matters’ days and well- being activities; calls on the Authority to invite the staff to participate in even greater number;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that in 2016 the Authority received 99 new requests for access to documents (and handled 118 requests) to which the Authority granted a full access in 23 cases while in 76 cases the Authority decided to grant only partial access to the documents and refused access in 19 cases; calls on the Authority to approach all such requests in a spirit of openness and transparency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Observes that according to the IAC, the Authority’s internal control system in place provides reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the business objectives set up for the processes audited; notes that one ‘very important’ recommendation on the disclosure and transparency of the scientific decision- making processes was issued; calls on the Authority to ensure that this recommendation is carried through, and reported to the discharge authority;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2017/2159(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Notes that a close cooperation with DG SANTE is well on track towards its preparation relating to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the Union; notes however that a critical uncertainty remains on the future availability of resources hampering thereby the thorough preparation of the Authority for its programming post 2020; calls on the Authority to remain proactive on this issue, anticipating and planning for any likely problems, rather than waiting and reacting;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/2158(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency; stresses that the budget spent for team building and social and sport activities amounts to EUR 176 207,54; notes that the Agency organised 14,5 days of team building events; observes that the average number of sick leave is 8 days per staff; calls on the Agency to examine that number and the reasons behind it, with a view especially to determining whether workplace stress is a major factor;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2158(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Deeply regrets the gender imbalance within the Agency management board members; acknowledges from the Agency that the representatives are nominated directly and independently by the Member States and the industry and are therefore not under the control of the Agency itself; regrets that by reference to the number of all posts occupied on 31 December 2016, gender balance has not been met since the ratio is 34 % female to 66 % male; calls on the Agency to address and redress this imbalance at every level as a matter of urgency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2158(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that the Commission’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) performed two audit engagements in 2016 whereby they assessed the design and the effective and efficient implementation of the management and internal controls systems of the Rulemaking and the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) activities; notes with satisfaction that during the audit of rulemaking, no findings classified as “critical” or “very important” were raised by the IAS;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2017/2158(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Highlights that, according to the Court’s report, 70 % of the Agency’s 2016 budget was financed by fees from the aviation industry and 30 % from the Union funds; stresses that a future decrease of the Agency’s revenue resulting from the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the Union is possiblelikely and might have a considerable impact on the Agency business plan; calls on the Agency to plan accordingly;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2157(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern a significant gender imbalance of 20%/80% : 80 in favour of men within the Agency’s Management Board, showing no improvement from last year; acknowledges from the Agency that the nomination of those members does not fall under its remit;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2157(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to a significant EUR 7841,70 per staff; observes that the average number of sick leave per staff is 5,9 days;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2157(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the fact that the Agency has a general implementing rule in place on the prevention of psychological and sexual harassment in place; calls on the Centre to support the organisation of training and information sessions in order to increase the awareness of the staff;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2156(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Observes from the Establishment plan that 89 posts were occupied on 31 December 2016, compared to 90 in 2015; regrets that by the number of posts occupied on 31 December 2016 gender balance has not been achieved, since the ratio is over two to one, 67,94 % female to 32,06 % male; recommends that this imbalance should be addressed as a matter of urgency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2156(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Foundation; stresses that the budget spent per staff on well-being activities amounts to EUR 883 and two staff away days were organised in 2016; stresseregrets that the average number of sick leave per staff is 15 days (11,5 days without medical part-time), which is one of the highest number among the Union agencies; recommends that this should be examined to establish the reason, particularly whether it is related to workplace stress;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2156(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets that the transparency register is not applicable to the work of the Foundation and recommends that this policy should be changed, on a voluntary basis with immediate effect but on a legislative basis in the medium to long term;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2017/2156(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Regrets, however, that the Agency does not use the activity/output indicators to improve the use of the KPIs and recommends that this policy should change;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that Eurojust signed 30 contracts with a value above EUR 15 000, representing an increase of 30 % compared with 2015; observes that open procurement procedure was used for 80 % of the contracts, representing 92,50 % of the procured amount;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that Eurojust’s vacancy rate at 31 December 2016 was 3,4 % compared toincreased to 3,4 % from 2,4 % on 31 December 2015, a trend that needs to be monitored; notes with satisfaction that 96,6 % of the 2016 establishment plan was executed; observes from the establishment plan that 196 posts (out of 203 posts authorised under the Union general budget) were occupied on 31 December 2016, compared to 200 in 2015;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Regrets that by the numberwith a ratio of 69% female to 31% male ofn all posts occupied on 31 December 2016, - more than two to one - gender balance has not been met since the ratio is 69 % female to 31 % male;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Notes with concern that from 13 April 2015 to 13 April 2017 the network of confidential counsellors has been approached by 26 members of staff; notes that out of the 26 contacts, 16 cases were closed after only one session; notes again with concern however that 9 cases have been classified by the confidential counsellors as harassment cases and 2 informal procedures have been initiated; observes that other cases concerned conflicts, work related stress or information seeking;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Acknowledges the fact that Eurojust’s draft internal rules on the protection of whistleblowers were prepared in 2016 and a first discussion took place in the College on 4 October 2016; notes with concern however that the adoption of the internal rules was put on hold when, at the beginning of 2016, the Commission informed agencies that a model decision for the agencies is being prepared; looks forward to the finalisation of the draft and its implementation by Eurojust;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges from Eurojust’s annual report the fact that the Commission’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) conducted an audit on “Monitoring and Reporting/Building Blocks of Assurance” in January 2016; notes that the IAS issued two recommendations categorised as “very important” and four recommendations rated as “important”; notes with satisfaction that Eurojust implemented corrective action for these recommendations thus proving the value of such a service;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2017/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Notes with concern - given the fast-reducing time frame - from Eurojust’s answers that for the time being there is no information exchange between Eurojust and the Commission with regard to the preparation for carrying out Eurojust's future activities after Brexit; calls on both Eurojust and the Commission to ensure an efficient flow of the necessary information bearing in mind that a cooperation agreement with the United Kingdom will need to be put in place;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2017/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Notes with regret the numerous criticisms of the Agency contained in the European Court of Auditors (ECA) Report on the annual accounts of the European Medicines Agency for the financial year 2016;notes also with regret the Agency's tepid response to those criticisms and recommends that it should be far more receptive of the constructive criticisms and recommendations offered by the Court, and act accordingly to take whatever corrective and preventative measures are necessary;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2017/2153(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Observes that, according to the establishment plan, 195 posts (out of 197 posts authorised under the Union budget) were occupied in 2016, the same figure as it was in 2015; notes with concern that, based on the number of posts occupied on 31 December 2016, the gender imbalance was 61,64 % female to 38,36 % male in 2016, a ratio imbalance of almost two to one; recommends that this imbalance should be addressed and redressed as soon as possible;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/2153(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Centre; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to EUR 13 754; observes that the average number of sick leave days taken per staff was a worrying 13,04 days in 2016, more than two weeks per individual; recommends that the underlying reasons for this level of sick days should be examined, particularly with workplace stress as a possible cause in mind;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2153(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes with concern that the Centre opted to publish the declarations of interest without curricula vitae due to management problems associated pertaining to the size of its management board (approximately 130 members and alternate members); notes that the director’s declaration of interests and curricula vitae are published on the Centre’s website;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes from the Court’s report that the level of committed appropriations carried over to 2017 was high for Title II (administrative expenditure) at EUR 417 279, i.e. 30 % (2015: EUR 364 740, i.e. 26 %); notes that those carry-overs mainly concern IT services which had not been fully delivered or invoiced by the end of the year; notes, moreover, that the committed appropriations carried over under Title III amounted to EUR 3 370 616, i.e. 43 % (2015: EUR 3 383 052, i.e. 41 %); notes that those carry-overs mainly concern research projects and studies with a duration of more than one year; acknowledges from the Court that the Agency may consider introducing differentiated budget appropriations to better reflect the multi-annual nature of operations and unavoidable delays between the signature of contracts, deliveries and payments; notes from the Agency’s reply that it will study this possibility in order to see if theand ensure that budget management can beis improved;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with approval that during the financial year 2016, 11 budgetary transfers, totalling EUR 319 240, were carried out in order to reallocate resources from areas where budgetary savings were identified towards areas of scarce resources, to ensure the achievement of the year’s objectives;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes from the Court’s report that, in 2014, the Agency signed a framework contract (FWC) for the provision of IT consultancy services in the period 2014 to 2017 for a total amount of EUR 1 100 000; notes with regret that although specific contracts signed in 2016 to implement this FWC clearly define project deliverables, consultants were engaged on an open “time and means” basis where price is not fixed and directly linked to the delivery, but instead results from the number of working days spent; notes moreover that in 2016 some 50 % of the IT consultancy services were carried out offsite the Agency’s premises, limiting the Agency’s means to monitor the efficient implementation of the contracts; notes that payments made under this framework contract in 2016 amounted to some EUR 400 000; acknowledges from the Agency’s reply that it applies the Court’s advice to its new ICT and consultancy framework contracts by making use of specific “Quoted Times and Means” contracts when appropriate;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Regrets that among the number of posts occupied on 31 December 2016 gender balance has not been achieved, with a ratio of over two to one, 72 % female to 28 % male; notes that this issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to approximately EUR 194 per staff corresponding to three days per staff; observes with concern that the average number of days' sick leave is 11 days per staff, namely, more than two working weeks; stresses that the high number days' sick leave must be investigated and the reasons therefor established and addressed;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the new conflict of interests declarations and summaries of CVs are in the process of being collected and analysed, since a new board has been in place from late 2016; notes, moreover, but is concerned about the length of time that this process is taking; notes that the Agency collected 131 complete files, corresponding to 70 from board members (80 %), 52 from board member alternates (60 %) and 12 from observers and observer alternates (48 %) but points out that this is still deficient; welcomes the fact that none of the files assessed demonstrates any situation that could qualify as a conflict of interests within the meaning of the Agency’s policy;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2152(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Strongly regDeplorets the fact that the Agency has yet to implement internal rules on whistleblowing; notes that the Agency is awaiting guidelines from the Commission but considers this not to be an adequate explanation for the failure to implement such rules; notes, moreover, that, in the meantime, the Agency refers to the Commission´s guidelines on whistleblowing of 2012; urges the Agency to report to the discharge authority when its whistleblowing rules have been established and implemented;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that, since its creation, the Agency, together with its European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET), has been an information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating Union environment and climate policies, as well as sustainable development policies, and also been an information source for the general public; recommends that all this information should also be made available to those suffering from dyslexia and other such difficulties with the written word, through full audio and audio-visual access;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes with concern a significant and unacceptable gender imbalance in the Agency’s senior management team ; acknowledgnotes from the Agency that it only has seven heads of unit positions available, which limits the potential speed of a transition towardsbut that is not an excuse for not achieving a better man/woman ratio,; notes that a woman candidate was last recruited for a head of unit position;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes that the Court of Auditors has announced that the transactions underlying the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2016 were legal and regular in all material respects; commends the Agency on the implementation of all recommended corrective actions for the years 2012 to 2015, inclusive;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Agency and that the budget spent on well- being activities amounts to approximately EUR 560 per staff, corresponding to two working days; observes that the average sick leave amounts to 13,8 days per member of staff, which amounts to an average of almost three working weeks; calls on the Agency as a matter of urgency to examine this issue with a view to ascertaining and addressing the major causes, to establish in particular whether workplace stress plays any role;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Takes note that the Commission’s IAS carried out an audit on data/information management, including an IT component, which was finalised in 2015; acknowledges that, in order to address the recommendations of the IAS in relation to that audit, an action plan was drawn up covering the coming years; notes with satisfaction that in 2017 the majority of the recommendations have been closed by the IAS, demonstrating that appropriate measures have been implemented to ensure proper handling of a higher volume of data;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Notes with concern from the Court’s report that, even if the Agency updated its security policy in 2016, many other internal procedures are outdated; notes that the senior management approved an action plan which includes the review and update of the business continuity plan and that the Agency also intends to review its document management policy, which it adopted in 2009, in line with the new security policy; notes moreover that the Agency envisages to review and update its internal control standards, where necessary; calls on the Agency to report to the discharge authority on the implementation of this action plan;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls with concern that from the Court’s report that, in 2014, the Commission, on behalf of more than 50 Union institutions and bodies (including the Agency), the Commission signed a framework contract (FWC) with one contractor for the acquisition of software, licences and the provision of related IT maintenance and consultancy; notes that the framework contractor acts as an intermediary between the Agency and suppliers and that for these intermediary services the framework contractor is entitled to uplifts of two to nine percent of the suppliers’ prices; notes moreover that the FWC explicitly stipulates that it does not confer any exclusive right to the contractor; observes that, in 2016, the Agency used this FWC to purchase software licences for a total of EUR 442 754; notes that most of those purchases were for products belonging to a particular category that should only be used on an exceptional basis, for which prices were neither quoted during the tender process nor in the FWC; acknowledges from the Court’s report that this procedure does not ensure sufficient competition and the application of the most economical solution; acknowledges moreover that the uplifts charged by the framework contractor were not adequately checked: the largest order concerned the renewal of software licences provided by an exclusive Scandinavian reseller (EUR 112 248); expresses its concern that in this instance, there was no justification for the use of the FWC which resulted in an unnecessary uplift cost; acknowledges the Agency’s reply to the comment from the Court;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2150(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Observes from the establishment plan that 73 posts (out of 79 posts authorised under the Union budget) were occupied on 31 December 2016, compared to 74 in 2015; notes with appreciation that by the number of all posts occupied on 31 December 2016, the gender balance has been met since theis practically perfect, with a ratio isof 53,47 % female to 46,53 % male;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2150(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes with concern that, according to the Court´s report, in its audit report of January 2016, the Commission’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) highlighted a strong need to improve the Centre’s management of IT projects; notes moreovis concerned further that the IAS concluded in particular that there is no overarching long- term strategic vision for the IT systems supporting the Centre’s core operational processes, that its IT project management methodology was only partially adapted to its needs and that the process to manage system requirements is inadequate; notes that the Centre and the IAS agreed on a plan to take corrective action; calls on the Centre to report to the discharge authority on the progress made;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2148(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes from the Court’s reportRegrets that in the Court’s 2014 report, it reported underpayments to staff for the period 2005 to 2014 in relation to the transition to the new Union Staff Regulations in 2005, particularly in light of the fact this is the 'European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions'; notes that, although the reasons for the underpayments (2014: non-respect of minimum guaranteed salaries; 2015: wrong multiplication factor on salaries) are different, the Court has again found underpayments (EUR 43 350) and some overpayments (EUR 168 930), affecting 30 active and previous staff members; notes that the Foundation corrected all underpayments, but will not recover the overpayments (in line with Article 85 of the current Staff Regulations); calls on the Foundation to analyse again any possible mistakes in relation to the transition to the 2005 Staff Regulations, carry out a full evaluation of its payroll function and report its findings to the discharge authority; acknowledges from the Foundation that a comprehensive internal audit of the payroll function took place in April 2017; notes that the Foundation is awaiting the final report and due regard will be given to any recommendations made; calls on the Foundation to report to the discharge authority on the corrective measures that will be taken;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2148(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that work-life balance should be a part of the Foundation’s staff policy; stresses that the budget spent per staff on well-being activities amounts to EUR 80,21; observes that the average number of sick leave per staff is 6,5 days - lower than in many other EU Agencies but still worrying, and worthy of examination to see if workplace stress is a factor - and that no member of staff was on full- year sick leave;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2017/2148(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Notes from the Court’s report that, in its audit report dated December 2016, the internal audit service (IAS) highlighted a need to improve the Foundation’s management of projects, mainly in relation to governance arrangements, monitoring and reporting; notes, moreo with satisfaction, however, that the Foundation and the IAS agreed on a plan to take corrective action;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the Centre was able to utilise additional savings resulting from the downward adjustment in the salary weighting factor from 79,9 % to 79,3 %; observesnotes with satisfaction that the Centre transferred the ensuing savings in personnel costs to operational activities and successfully managed to commit them before the year end;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with appreciation the fact that the Centre remained committed to supporting equal opportunities in recruitment and employment, and; notes that there was a gender balance of 60 % female to 40 % male staff; welcomes, which could be improved; welcomes, however, the fact that women are well represented at all grades, including - especially, because it isn't always the case - at management level;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2147(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that work-life balance should be part of the staff policy of the Centre; stresses that the budget spent on well-being activities amounts to approximately EUR 46 000, corresponding to 0,5 day per staff; observes that the average number of sick leave days is 7,9 days per staff and recommends that this should be examined with a view to establishing whether workplace stress is a factor;
2018/03/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2017/2138(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
1. Grants/Refuses to grant the Secretary- General of the Council discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Council and of the Council for the financial year 2016;
2018/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2138(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that the Council has not replied to the observations made by Parliament in its discharge resolution of 18 April 20187 following the trend from previous years; _________________ 7 and has thus, again, shown its disdain for Parliament and the role it is obliged to play on behalf of all Union citizens; _________________ 7 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0125 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0125
2018/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2138(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Looks forward to constructive bilateral negotiations that, by maintaining the distinction between the differentin which Council finally and completely acknowledges and accept the vital roles of Parliament and the Council in the discharge procedure, will find a mutually acceptable solutionss, leading to an end to this impasse;
2018/09/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. With respect to the overall error rate of the section “Rural Development, fisheries, environment and climate”, notes with regret only a slight reduction of the error rate in the report of the Court of Auditors ('the Court') for 2016, with 4,9 % against 5,3 % in 2015 and 6,2 % in 2014, still well above the 2% acceptable error rate; notes that, for the environment, climate action and fisheries, the three quantifiable errors identified in the transactions examined by the Court were due to ineligible expenditure;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the first full year of 2. ´greening´ implementation has not apparently impacted the error rate; but shares the Commission´s view that it is still too early to draw conclusions on the precise environmental outcomes; believes that the "greening" concept is fundamental to build credibility in CAP and it should be retained as an integral part of pillar I payment;
2017/11/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 8 #

2017/2136(DEC)

8. StressNotes that internal audits also showed that there were delays in the implementation of one very important IT security related recommendation (on the management of the security of the EU ETS IT system), which exposes the DG to the risk of security breaches, and stresses that this is not satisfactory;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 9 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that the budget of DG CLIMA is mainly implemented through direct centralised management, and that the 2016 commitments and payment appropriations amounted to EUR 118,1 million and EUR 59,25 million respectively; highlightnotes that while the implementation rate of commitment appropriations amounted to 99,72 %, it was only 70,49 % for payment appropriations, due to the signature only at the end of December 2016 of three new operations under the financial instrument Private Finance for Energy Efficiency (PF4EE), and stresses that this is not satisfactory;
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
15. Is of the opinion, on the basis of the data available - which shows an error rate more than double the acceptable rate - and the implementation report, that discharge can be grantedthe decision on granting discharge to the Commission with respect to expenditure in the areas of environmental and climate policy, public health and food safety for the financial year 2016, should be postponed.
2017/12/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that a small number of beneficiaries receive the largest payments and that 4 % of direct payments are divided amongst more than half of the current beneficiaries who receive less than EUR 1250 per year; believes that it is essential for the credibility of the CAP that there is convergence of payments to beneficiaries both, between member states and within member states;
2017/11/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the fall in the error rate for rural development to 4,9 % from 6 % in 2015, and 6 % in 2014; recognises that rural problems require complex investment programmes, and that the error rate springs from the different objectives for addressing economic, rural infrastructure, environmental, and animal health challenges, contrasting with the EAGF rate of 1,7 %; regrets therefore that the focus of simplification is on pillar I when it is acknowledged that there is more complexity in pillar II believes also that rural development investments are a core part of the policy to be maintained alongside proven sound and beneficial risk management models; is concerned at falling employment in agriculture and believes that Pillar 2 investments are key for rural development and infrastructure;
2017/11/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 20 #

2017/2136(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that there is a significant difference in types and scale of error, and regrets that, even if the investment was effective, expenditure is still judged 100 % ineligible by the ECA in the event of public procurement errors; stresses therefore that further rationalisation in the error calculation method is desirable. ; is concerned that the over emphasis on error rates, while acknowledging the need for oversight in the use of public money, may have the unintended consequence of lowering the ambition and innovation of program measures which are inherently more risky;
2017/11/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 35 #

2017/2131(INL)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to incentivise Member States to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and, in case Member States are not willing, spending of Union funds should be suspended.deleted
2018/04/12
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that an implementation report for Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 is being undertaken with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection of both human and animal health as well as the environment, while safeguarding the competitiveness and sustainability of the EU’s agriculture sector by providing access to a broad range of active substances and Plant Protection Products (PPP)that have no adverse side effects for all farmers and producers, irrespective of the Members States they are operating in;
2018/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2017/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of a science-basedobjective, peer-reviewed evidence, derived from an open independent, and multidisciplinary scientific approach in authorising any active substance, in line with the EU’s risk analysis principles and the precautionary principle as established in the General Food Law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002), further believes that the commercial formulations in PPPs must be assessed and analyzed as research has shown that exposure to the "cocktail effect" can be much more hazardous than exposure to the single active ingredient;
2018/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 131 #

2017/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the contribution that the authorisation of low-risk PPPsnatural PPPs based on natural products can makes to a sustainable EU farming sector, and draws attention to the importance of contributing to a better functioning agricultural ecosystem and a sustainable farming sector, while pointing outhat that the lack of availabilityis category should not be used as a loophole for GMOs and mainstream chemical pesticides to avoid the authorization process, also points out that the overuse of PPPs could jeopardise the diversification of agriculture and cause harmful organisms to become resistant to PPPs.
2018/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 140 #

2017/2128(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. believes as a complement to low risk PPPs Integrated pest management should be mainstreamed into EU agriculture, this means careful consideration of all available plant protection methods and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of populations of harmful organisms and keep the use of plant protection products and other forms of intervention to levels that are economically and ecologically justified and reduce or minimise risks to human health and the environment.'Integrated pest management' emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms. The prevention and/or suppression of harmful organisms should be achieved or supported among other options especially by: crop rotation, use of adequate cultivation techniques (e.g. stale seedbed technique, sowing dates and densities, under-sowing, conservation tillage, pruning and direct sowing), use, where appropriate, of resistant/tolerant cultivars and standard/certified seed and planting material, use of balanced fertilisation, liming and irrigation/drainage practices, preventing the spreading of harmful organisms by hygiene measures (e.g. by regular cleansing of machinery and equipment), protection and enhancement of important beneficial organisms, e.g. by adequate plant protection measures or the utilisation of ecological infrastructures inside and outside production sites.
2018/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2017/2118(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the EU needs towhile in principle an increase itsn production in the EU aquaculture sector, while taking quality, sustainability and environmental aspects into account and being a is welcome, it should not be at the expense of quality, sustainability and most especially, the environmental impact of this sector, all of which should be independently measured and monitored; believes further that the EU should be a world role model in this regard;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 41 #

2017/2118(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the way to a sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector is through independently determining the carrying capacity of the environment, in particular in open marine farming, which is the main precondition for allocation of space and the provision of licences or permits;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 51 #

2017/2118(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that scientific evidence, independently verified, should be followed to formulate and monitor management and production practices in relation to environmental impact, sanitary and veterinary conditions and food safety;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 72 #

2017/2118(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that investments are necessary in order to use the enormous potential of the aquaculture sector, and calls therefore for an increase in funding for independent research, innovation and quality- orientated, sustainable production projects.
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 12 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas sheep- and goat-farming are low-profit-making sectors, particularly so in peripheral areas, with incomes that are among the weakest in the EU, chiefly as a result of high operating and regulatory costs, sometimes exceeding sales prices, causing many farmers to leave the sectors;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 29 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas sheep- and goat-farming can play an important role in ensuring environmental sustainability if realistic supports are introduced, being as they are present in 70% of geographically disadvantaged areas and contribute to maintaining the landscape, preserving biodiversity and combating soil erosion, the build-up of unwanted biomass, avalanches and forest fires;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 45 #

2017/2117(INI)

D. whereas these sectors contribute to the conservation of areas of high ecological value if correct grazing regimes are adhered to, such as dehesa pastureland, as well as less fertile land;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas the amount of sheepmeat produced in the EU fails to cover around 13% of needs, and imports from third countries, chiefly New Zealand, eat into the competitiveness of EU products inat the most price sensitive times of the year (Easter and Christmas) and therefore should be restricted at these times;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 68 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas, in recent years, New Zealand has increased exports of fresh or chilled meat, reducing its traditional exports of frozen meat, thus having a greater impact on the EU fresh-meat market, believes that this must be taken into consideration in the upcoming FTA with New Zealand;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 72 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas, in many instances, EU producers do not compete on a level playing field with imports from third countries, which have often have less rigorous quality standards and, regulatory requirements, and environmental standards to adhere to;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 110 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas the sheep- and goatmeat market is highly fragmented and there is little transparency in the reporting of market prices; whereas imbalances in the food chain aggravate the vulnerability of these sectors, regrets that thus far the Commission has failed to take the necessary regulatory action called for by the Parliament;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 133 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Endorses the recommendations published by the 2016 EU Sheepmeat Forum, held under the aegis of the Commission, in particular the need to compensate the sector for the environmental role it plays by meaningful payments in Pillar I; takes the view that these recommendations are equally valid for the sectors of goatmeat and ewe’s and goat’s milk products;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 141 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to step up support for innovation and the promotion of sheep- and goatmeat in the internal market, emphasising not only traditional products, but also newer cuts marketed to younger consumers and new emerging eastern markets for cull ewes;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 189 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Supports convergence of payments in Pillar I, in addition to, maintaining or, where possible, increasing coupled aid for sheep- and goat-farming in the forthcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with a view to arresting the drain of farmers from these sectors in the EU, in view of the high rate of dependence of sheep- and goat-farmers on direct payments;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 282 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Asks the Commission to ascertain what the post-Brexit sheepmeat market will look like, and to do everything in its power, including setting up a contingency fund, to prevent severe market disturbances;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 348 #

2017/2117(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Invites the Commission and Member States to consider rural development measures to protect herds from attack from predators and look into reviewing the Habitats Directive, with the aim of controlling the spread of predators particularly wolves and bears, in certain grazing areas;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 71 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas the nitrogen needed to feed plants and manufacture vegetable proteins is today mainly provided by synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers, which are costly to produce and generate pollution of both water and air;, it has been estimated that fertilizer production accounts for approximately 1.2% of the world's energy, of which about 93% is consumed by nitrogen-based fertilizers, unlike two other essential soil nutrients, phosphorous and potassium, nitrogen does not persist in the soil long after application, making frequent reapplication of nitrogen-based fertilizers necessary
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas in order to reduce dependence on outside suppliers, it is necessary to focus on not only protein-rich crops but also on all other crops (including in forage and grassland areas) which, while they have a lesser protein content, are extensively cultivated throughout the Union; whereas, in order to reduce dependence on imported proteins, cattle breeding techniques need to be in line with, and to reflect the type of forage that is produced in the EU;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 98 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas the proteins research policy should be stepped up and extended over the long term with a focus home grown leguminous crops that have a similar protein profile to soya;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 118 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that it is time to implement a major strategic European vegetable protein supply plan based on the sustainable development of all the crops grown throughout the EU; further takes the view that, given the failure of current production systems to deliver a viable return to primary producer, this change implies a substantial alteration of our production systems to meet the livelihood requirements of farmers and the requirements of the circular economy and of agroecology;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 178 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for greater attention to be paid to the management of grassland and clover crops which, given the extensive areas they occupy, make a major contribution to meeting protein needs for animal feed;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 184 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. HopBelieves that crops such as lucerne, clover, sainfoin, and many other legumes mayshould be reintroduced into large-scale cultivation and forage systems;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 192 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Considers it advisable to develop regional protein production and processing chains by creating closer links between cereal farmers and livestock farmers (supply and exchange contracts), and deems it useful, to that end, to assist risk- taking by operators entering smallhort supply chains for protein-based food and feed;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 277 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it important for the CAP to support protein crop cultivation by means of the voluntary coupled payment (which, if not restricted to crops and regions in difficulty, would give scope for more action) and the greening payment, and by means of the second pillar, particularly through agro-environmental measures on organic farming, investment quality, in Pillar1 also in advice, training and of course innovation via the EIP;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 294 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Feels it is relevant to the future of the CAP to: consider additional proposals to support proteins, such as those for three- year-minimum rotation systems; create an ecosystem payment that is more flexible than the greening payment so as to encourage sustainable agricultural practices; provide risk-taking mechanisms for innovators; and open up a proteins sub-priority in the rural development policymainstreams a protein policy in Pillar 1;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 320 #

2017/2116(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that it is necessary to secure our soya supplies by cooperating more closely with our neighbourhood, in particular with Ukraine, which has opted for Europe and which produces soya that could be brought into the EU via the Danubmatch our agricultural output to the forage available within the EU as the current model is unsustainable, based on the importation of feed leading to environmental degradation elsewhere;
2017/11/16
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 21 #

2017/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that while selection can help prevent certain health scourges it must not lead to an impoverishment of the genetic heritage of bees, particularly of local species, and thus all such selection processes should be carefully monitored and controlled;
2017/10/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 31 #

2017/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the fact that the widespread use of chemical pesticides, particularly on melliferous plant species, threatens the survival of bees, and recommends that such use - and its effects - should be monitored, controlled and - as much as is possible and as soon as is possible - reduced;
2017/10/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 67 #

2017/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to include, as one of the objectives of the common agricultural policy (CAP), to include limits on the objective of increasing productivity to circumscribe crop intensification, in order to provide sufficient and healthy living space for bees;
2017/10/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 89 #

2017/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it appropriate to support the development of biological pesticides which have been proven harmless to bees;
2017/10/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 96 #

2017/2115(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for support for the training of beekeepers across all Member States in order to promote a non- intrusive European surveillance of bees by developing indicators for the vitality of colonies;
2017/10/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 17 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas the shortage of young people pursuing careers in farming is jeopardisa direct result of an agricultural policy that has undermined the profitability of most farming enterprises to the extent, that farmers, despite making huge increases in output, working long hours, are still unable to generate a viable income from their enterprise and is jeopardizing the economic and social sustainability of rural areas;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas supporting young farmersall farmers and encouraging generational renewal is a prerequisite for preserving agriculture across the EU and for keeping rural areas alive;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas the Cork 2.0 Declaration of 6 September 2016 expresses concerns about rural exodus and youth drain, and the need to ensure that rural areas and communities (countryside, farms, villages, and small towns) remain attractive places to live and work by improving access to services andsuch as Schools, Hospitals including maternity services, broadband and recreational amenities together with opportunities for rural citizens andto fostering entrepreneurship in traditional rural domains as well as new sectors of the economy;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 92 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Recommends that the limit placed on access to supports (currently five years from the establishment of the business) as well as other criteria such as age and previous involvement in agriculture should be reviewed in order to encourage generational turnover;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 104 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. WelcomNotes the creation of an agricultural guarantee instrument, proposed by the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in March 2015, which should make it easier for young farmers to access credit; recommends that access to finance be improved through subsidised interest rates on loans for new entrants; calls for improved cooperation with the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) to foster the creation of financial instruments dedicated to young farmers across all Member Statebelieves however that the core issue is lack of farm profitability and encouraging farmers to take on unsustainable debt is not in their best long term interests;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 113 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Draws attention to the opportunities for young farmers offered in the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds to design and implement financial instruments in the form of loan, guarantee or equity funds in order to provide access to financeStructural and Investment (ESI) Funds to provide access to finance in the form of a loan to those in need;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 125 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that the norms of prudent lending should apply and unsustainable debt should not be encouraged;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 168 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Notes that access to land is the largestn addition to lack of realistic returns in most farming enterprises are the main barrier to new entrants to farming in Europe and is limited by the low supply of land for sale or rent in many regions, as well as by the competition from other farmers, investors and residential users; considers that the land access problem is exacerbated by the current direct payment structure, which requires minimal active use of the land and allocates subsidies largely on the basis of land ownership; believes that the existing farmers are incentivised to retain land access in order to retain subsidy access instead of ensuring the best use of the land; recommends increasing the activity levels required to receive payments and to target subsidy payments towards the achievement of particular outcomes (e.g. production of specific environmental or social goods);
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 210 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that in many Member States the generational renewal and the access of young people to agricultural land is hindered by late succession; considers that the current CAP lacks any incentives for older farmers to pass their businesses to younger generations particularly so in Member States where payments are based on historical data; recommends reconsidering the implementation of measures that would motivate older holders to pass their farms to young farmers, such as the ‘farm-exit scheme’ and other incentives for retirement;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 256 #

2017/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that there is a need to modernise the vocational training provided in rural regions that is funded separate from the CAP budget; believes that access to the European Social Fund (ESF) should be facilitated and an increased budget given to vocational training in rural areas;
2018/01/26
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2017/2087(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G
G. whereas it is estimated that a sizeable 10-25 % of products on the market do not comply with the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives, leading to a loss of around 10 % of envisaged energy savings and to unfair competition;
2018/03/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 58 #

2017/2087(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that coordination with initiatives connected to the circular economy would further enhance the effectiveness of the directive; calls, therefore, for an ambitious plan on ecodesign and the circular economy, including also non-energy using products, providing both environmental benefits and opportunities for growth and jobs;
2018/03/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 112 #

2017/2087(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Believes, therefore, that the implementation of the Ecodesign Directive – in addition to continued efforts to improve energy efficiency – must now address the full life cycle of the products within its scope, with the setting up of minimum resource criteria covering, inter alia, robustness, repairability and upgradeability, but also sharing potential, reuse, scalability, recyclability and use of recycled materials, and covering also the cost of disposing of non-recyclable goods or elements of goods;
2018/03/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 144 #

2017/2087(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the Commission has postponed action on information and communication technologies (ICT) such as mobiles and smartphones, pending further assessments and given the rapid technological changes in this product group; considers, however, that these products have a clear potential for improvements, in particular in terms of resource efficiency, and that ecodesign criteria should therefore be applied to them at the earliest opportunity;
2018/03/09
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2017/2084(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that citizens represent one of the main channels for society’s uptake of low-carbon innovative solutions, which have a substantial impact on levels of green energy consumption; calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to focus more efforts on facilitating and enhancing citizens’ access to such solutions, including at domestic and - especially - at community level;
2017/07/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 32 #

2017/2084(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the burden of environmental degradation, air pollution and health costs stemming from extracting and burning fossil fuels is not carried by the industry but paid for by society; considers that fossil fuel subsidies present a major obstacle to clean energy innovation and at least a partial redirection of these will have an enormous impact on financing and the uptake of low-carbon innovation which is in line with the Union’s long-term climate and energy goals; calls on the Commission and the Member States to jointly develop a roadmap for the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies by 2020, replaced by commensurate subsidies for domestic and community-based clean energy projects, with strict timelines and country-specific and measurable outcomes;
2017/07/14
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 7 #

2017/2067(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) as a common framework of action; strongly supports a legislative instrument establishing a framework for the deployment of C-ITS at EU level, including for Member States not attached to mainland Europe, such as Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, countries which must not be overlooked when these policies are being formulated;
2017/12/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 34 #

2017/2067(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Underlines that cooperation at local and regional level on the development and implementation of C-ITS across the EU - including in those Member States not attached to the mainland, island nations such as Ireland, Malta, Cyprus - is crucial;
2017/12/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2017/2067(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that substantial funding for cooperative, connected and automated vehicles has already been made available at EU level; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the provision of the necessary funding for the deployment of C-ITS in the long term., including in island nations such as Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, not mentioned in the C-ITS plan;
2017/12/04
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 120 #

2017/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Asks the Commission and the Member States to reduce the focus on massive trade deals such as CETA, TTIP and Mercosur, which because of the added maritime traffic have such a destructive impact on the environment generally and on the seas and oceans in particular, and to instead focus its efforts on promoting local and regional production and manufacturing of items that would be imported under those deals;
2017/07/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 141 #

2017/2055(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the forthcoming strategy on plastic by the Commission as well as the other measures aimed at combating marine litter and expresses its deep concern about the scale of the issue; recommends as a matter of urgency that the Commission should bring in legislation penalizing the use of plastic in one-off use items such as cups, cutlery etc., through a levy on every such item; recommends further that the use of glass in place of plastic should be encouraged through a return reward system; finally, recommends that a means should be established whereby those such as water companies who use plastic in huge quantities should be charged a levy on every such usage, that levy then to be used in maritime environmental protection measures;
2017/07/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls for an in-depth reform of the existing own-resources system, including new own resources (ORs) that could reduce the share ofbelieves that GNI-based contributions (which accounted for 65.4 % of the Union’s revenue in 2016) andre the most transparent system of funding EU programs, (though Ireland’s GNI-based contribution should be calculated on GNP rather than the multinational-skewed GDP); also calls for a phase-out of all forms of rebate; stresses that the current system includes complex and opaque correction mechanisms andthat contributes to the lack of sufficient payment appropriations each year;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 9 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that own resources should focus on projects that can generate the highest European added value (EAV), while recognizing that some such areas, as for example the social impact, do not lend themselves to easily defined measurement; emphasises that expenditure should be focused on areas for which funding at European level is indispensable, or where funding at national level would be insufficient to achieve the European goal;
2017/10/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the report of the High Level Group on Own Resources (HLGOR) put forward new proposals, including reforming the VAT own resource and the EU emissions trading system, a CO2 levy, transport taxation, electricity taxation and revenues deriving from the digital single market; emphasisbelieves that the concept of own resources moves the European Union away from a union of states cooperating with each other for the common good, to an unaccountable super state which goes against the wishes of the majority of its citizens; also believes that the introduction of new ORs could lead to greater policy incoherence and a lack of transparency between the revenue and expenditure sides of the budget;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the use of own resources should be oriented to public EU goods that can benefit all Member States equally; notes two areas of increased EAV that also enjoy a high approval rating among citizens, namely research and development, and both internal and external security;
2017/10/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Invites all parties to draw the appropriateir own independent conclusions from the HLGOR’s report and to analyse the feasibility of the recommendations to help make the Union budget more stable, simple, autonomous, fair and predictablewhich would not have the support of many of the Member States;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses its conviction that own resources expenditure on internal and external security projects will meet with a positive response among citizens, therefore increasing their EAV; is concerned about the low level of expenditure in some key security areas, such as preparatory actions for defence and security cooperation and research;deleted
2017/10/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that these new types of ORs are essential to financsome of the more recent Union priorities such as migration, and internal security and defence and to offset thecombined with a potential loss in revenue of EUR 9 to 12 billion a year which could result from Brexit; notes also that new ORs are needed to avoid th will require new resources, believes that an increase in GNI contributions is the most equitable and transparent way to achieve this (though Ireland’s GNI-based contribution should be calculated on GNP rather than the multinational-skewed GDP); notes that this would also mitigate potential spending cuts to the common agricultural policy (CAP) presented in the Commission’s ‘Reflection Paper on the Future of EU Finances;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 39 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Points out that the policies which would benefit all EU citizens and provide more EAV are not attractive in terms of net balances; believes, therefore, that a new method of measuring the value of projects should be developed, including the social impact - positive and negative- of such projects, and streamlined reporting should be introduced;
2017/10/31
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that agricultural duties are both a policy instrument and a financing tool for the CAP; notes that the HLGOR’s report recommends that they be retained within the CAP budget in future since they are a simple, efficient and genuine own resource for the Union;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 54 #

2017/2053(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the CAP’s added value in strengthening the Union’s long-term food security through more stable farm incomes and rural development measures to prevent rural depopulation; emphasiszes the potential ofat in order to build credibility and a rationale for continued support with the non- farming public the CAP musto provide more environmental public goods and ensure a more equitable distribution of payments between Member States and within Member States, also stresses the need to safeguard the contribution of agricultural duties to EU finances.;
2017/11/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 5 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the seven-year duration of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is not synchronised with the five- year mandates of Parliament and the Commission, nor aligned with the Union’s 10-year strategic planning cycle and the Europe 2020 strategy; is of the opinion that this lack of synchronisation could undermines the Union’s democratic legitimacy and the efficiency of its political governance, given that situations may arise where Parliament and the Commission are bound by agreements on political objectives and finances made in the previous framework period; stresses that this could creates an impression that the European elections are somewhat irrelevant in the context of long-term budgetary and strategy planning;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls Parliament’s view that the duration of the MFF should be reduced from seven to five years so that it is aligned with the political mandate periods of Parliament and the Commission1 ; points out that in 2020 there will be an opportunity to bring the long-term strategy cycle in line with the budgetary cycle, and strongly recommends that this opportunity be taken; considers that the Commission should also examine the possibility of introducinge a rolling programme in which each MFF, while having the same duration as now, would partially cover the previous one, on the premise that overlapping could help mitigate naturally existing peaks and troughs; __________________ 1 See paragraph 73 of its resolution of 6 July 2016 on the preparation of the post electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament’s input ahead of the Commission’s proposal (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309) and paragraph 5 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the European Court of Auditors has highlighted, in its annual and special reports2 , has highlighted many instances where EU spending could have been planned more strategically and achieved better results; regrets, in this regard, that the resources allocated to major spending programmes and schemes were often not aligned with the political objectives set out in the 10- year strategic planning cycle; __________________ 2 See e.g. the European Court of Auditors’ Special Reports 4, 8, 19 and 23 of 2016.
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the oldest pan-EU policies, and is fundamental for food security, the preservation of rural populations and sustainable development; regrets that the CAP, which once accounted for 75 % of the EU budget is now only 38 % as laid down in the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), while food requirements have increased, as h; notes that agriculture has been assigned many new roles that are not remunerated by the market such as the need to develop environmentally friendly farming practices and to mitigate the effects of climate change; urges the Commission to increase, or at least to maintain at its current level, the CAP budget post-2020;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 15 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – indent 1
- the allocation of resources in the EU budget reflects the EU’s strategic priorities and opportunities to add value, in particular in policies that have been shown to drain a lot of resources while serving merely redistributive functions, such as the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), and in recent priority policy fields that have shown to have insufficient budget measures in times of variable circumstances, such as immigration policy and external action, and the extent to which;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 – indent 2
- EU programmes and schemes contribute to the achievement of strategic priorities, provide value for money and control the risk of irregularity, as proposed in the European Court of Auditors’ briefing paper of 3 November 2016 on the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-20203;. __________________ 3 See point 55.
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to take the spending review’s results carefully into account when drafting the MFF proposal or any proposal for a future EU strategy; insists, in this regard, that the Commission ensures that the administrative and control mechanisms are reliable at all levels and in all phases of the EU budget framework, and that frauds and irregularities can be detected and prevented efficiently; calls on the Commission to move towards a risk- based evaluation whereby control resources could be focused more on those regions and policy fields where the risks of irregularities have proven to be more significant;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that Union policies may have different short-, medium- and long-term objectives, the realisation of which cannot necessarily be determined by a single MFF; believes that consideration needs tomust be given to a new balance between political agenda setting, policy implementation and financial framework needs;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates Parliament’s call to integrate the European Development Fund into the EU budget in order to be able to control and tackleliminate the root causes of excessive migration in a better way, and one that is in line with Union policies and strategies, using tools and methods deriving from the Union’s budgetary competence; considers that common European challenges in development policy could be better mastered through common administration from the EU budget;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to continue defending farmers and to fund information campaigns on the CAP budget since the amount of aid publicised can be misleading, given that the public is unaware of the fact that the bulk of the CAP is financed at EU level and replaces national spending; stresses that the CAP delivers not only good quality products at very affordable prices to Europeans but also there is the hidden benefit of ensuring that consumers have extra disposable income which drives other sectors of the economy;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 57 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
15. Points out that a new balance is needed between, on the one hand, the CAP and Cohesion Policies, and, on the other hand, the other EU internal policies and a reinforced external capacity of the Union, including the elements of security and defence; encourages the Commission to emphasise cooperation in security and defence when preparing its proposal for MFF post-2020, and when reforming and implementing financial instruments of the EU such as the European Fund for Strategic Investments (ESIF); supports the idea of further European integration and concrete initiatives in the field of security and defence;deleted
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that Brexit will have a projected impact of between EUR 3.8 and EUR 4.1 billion a year on the CAP, and in addition to a disruption of trade flows; calls therefore on the Commission to find alternative forms of financing, for example by increasing Member States’ contributions as a percentage of gross national income; stresses the need to increase funding in line with responses to the various cyclical crises in sensitive sectors such as milk, pork, fruits and vegetables, and to create instrumetake into accounts that can mitigate price volatilitye negative effect Free Trade Agreements have on these sectors;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 62 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls its remarks5 of the unsustainable structure of CAP expenditure: Notes with concern that 44.7 % of all Union farms had an annual income of less than EUR 4000, and; notes with even greater concern that on average 80 % of the beneficiaries of CAP direct support received around 20 % of the payments and recommends that the Commission should mandate a cap on CAP payments such that this anomaly is rectified; points out that in times of volatility or crisis, larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms do, since they often benefit from potential economies of scale that are likely to make them more resilient; considers that the CAP financing schemes could focus more on farmers under special constraints: small farms, climatically and geographically challenging areas and sparsely populated regions; __________________ 5 See paragraph 207 of its resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 66 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
17. Calls upon the Commission, as it reflects on a simplified and modernised CAP, to assess whethermandate a different policy design, or a different model of distribution of direct payments, couldto provide a better means of targeting public funds to agri- environment and climate action objectives; stresses, however, the need to provide balancing financial compensation to cover the costs of maintaining high standards in food production, and the high production costs associated with the challenging climate condition in some geographical areas, as the farmers in Europe often struggle with global competition;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 21
21. Asks the Commission and the Member States to significantly modernise and redesign the EU budget along the principles of performance-based budgeting - with the social impact of such budgeting also assessed and always taken into account - in order to fit the new priorities that have been agreed on at the EU-27 level, and to back up a fiscal stabilisation function for the euro area using own resources;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that in its resolution accompanying the discharge 20156 , Parliament called on the Commission to fundamentally reconsider the design and delivery mechanism for the ESIFs and to foresee, for the next programming period, more manageable and measurable performance indicators, including the social impact of such programmes; insists that all future expenditure should focus on programmes, with proven EU added value, designed to deliver results at minimum cost, and that performance should be at the centre of the next generation of all programmes and schemes; __________________ 6 See paragraph 190 of the resolution of 27 April 2017 with observations forming an integral part of the decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015, Section III – Commission and executive agencies (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0309).
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to keep direct payments intact as they help to avoid distortions of competition between Member States, and to maintain them without any national co-financing; urges the Commission to continue the process of convergence of direct payments between Member States and insists on convergence of payments to beneficiaries within states;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 91 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 26
26. Considers that while the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the Union is an unfortunate event that will have a negative influence on the future of the lives of citizens in the UK and in the remaining Member States, it also creates an opportunity to redefine and reform the EU-27’s political ambitions and the needed budget tools and methods; considers thatalso the EU-27 should be ambitious in its budget reform and aim to maintain an annual EU budget similar in size to that of the EU-28recent rise of extreme nationalism in many Member States - reflected in national election results across the EU - should equally give pause to those who wish to accelerate the process of ever-closer union, an acceleration that is contributing to the rise of that extreme nationalism;
2017/10/30
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for continueda reorientation of payments to ensure genuine support for those most in need, including family farms and small and medium-sized farms, as well as the most disadvantaged, mountain and outermost regions; calls on the Commission to envisage increasing the envelope for programmes of options specific to isolation and insularity (POSEI), as called for by Parliament;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 116 #

2017/2052(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to ensure the necessary financial and legal framework for the food supply chain, in order to combat unfair trading practices; regrets that the Commission has not, that far, taken the necessary regulatory action in this area as called for by the Parliament;
2017/11/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the main objective of the 2018 draft budget will be to ensure that the Union budget is provided with the means it requires to fully deliver its reinforced contribution to jobs, growth, investment and solidarity, (with full labour rights and protections), sustainable growth, targeted investment and solidarity across all Member States - large and small, struggling and thriving - and to respond to new developments, and their impact on immigration, humanitarian aid and security;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the programme statements of operational expenditures accompanying the draft budget 2018 COM (2017) 400 that provide information according to Article 38 of the Financial Regulation, encompassing both ex-ante estimations in terms of future outputs and results and the ex-post information on programmes’ performance;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that the statement corresponds in parts to the request made by the Parliament concerning the performance-based budget1 but notes with regret that those statements complement the usual activity-based budgeting method with some performance data instead of basing the budget activities on firstly defined political objectives; _________________ 1 In its report on the Integrated Internal Control adopted on 3 June 2013 the Parliament calls for the establishment of a performance-based public budgeting model in which each budget line is accompanied by objectives and outputs to be measured by performance indicators.
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets that not all indicators are available on an annual basis and that the reporting frequency varies from one programme to another; recommends that this should be corrected as soon as possible, with all indicators available annually and a common reporting frequency established;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that any revenue to the Union budget deriving from any assigned revenues or repayments of irregularities from agriculture in previous years should remain under Heading 2, calls for the creation of a new crisis reserve that does not rely on an annual financial discipline mechanism for its funding in order that it can react in a timely manner to crisis situations that emerge;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 12 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that administrative costs have to be secured for the Common Agricultural Policy, especially to guarantee timely payments and to maintain adequate levels of effective control; insists that further cuts in administrative staff numbers can lead to higher delays and risks of error, nevertheless believes that despite commitments on simplification the delivery of the Common Agricultural Policy remains overly bureaucratic;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 14 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Appreciates that the new approach of 'Budget Focused on Results approach' has for the first time been integrated into the internal budgetary preparation of the Commission in order to review the expenditure based on experience achieved so far and identify possible adjustments;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. DStrongly disapproves of staff reductions in EEA (-3 posts), ECHA (-2), ECDC (-2), EFSA (-4) and EMA (-5), which could negatively impact their work; highlights, given that the tasks and duties of those agencies are growing , will almost inevitably negatively impact their work; demands that they should receive adequate human and financial resources;
2017/07/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Committee on Budget of the European Parliament, in coordination with the sectorial committees of this Parliament, to promote a real culture of results in respect of the optimisation of the use of expenditure by removing expenditures from programmes showing low performance, unless those programmes are shown to have areas where performance is difficult to measure or quantify, and/or those programmes can be shown to have a value above and beyond the measurable;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the importance of the rural development commitments and spending and their potential for the creation of jobs in areas of higher uneconomic activity and jobs, particularly so in peripheral areas where there is little existing employment, especially for the younger generations;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 21 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that for smaller farms particularly, direct payments under the common agricultural policy (CAP) may not fully play their role as a safety net mechanism for stabilising farm income, particularly for smaller farms, given that the current distribution of payments leads to 20 % of all farms in the Union receiving 80 % of all direct payments;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 14
14. Asks the Commission to assess whether the CAP direct payment scheme is properly designed to stabilise farm income of all farms or whether a different Union- wide model of distribution of direct payments could result in a better adjustment of public funds to that objective and further, asks the Commission to assess whether or not this new method of distribution should be made mandatory; notes that this assessment should have an impact on the budgetary proposals regarding the market measures;
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that Brexit could have a significant financial impact on agriculture; calls on the Commission to take into consideration the higher budgetary risk, particularly so for the Republic of Ireland given the interconnected nature of the industry in both Ireland and the UK; calls on the Commission to consider all avenues to maintain the CAP budget in the next MFF;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission to present a detailed estimate, including an explanation of the method of calculation, for the costs generated by the decision of the UK Government to leave the European Union;calls further for the Commission to publish as soon as possible an outline of how it plans to cope with the combination of reduced budget income after Brexit and increased spending on items such as security and migration.
2017/07/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that it is essential that funds earmarked for research in the agri- food sector, in particular from the Horizon 2020 budget, remain fully available as such in order to stimulate innovation and smart solutions in the agricultural and rural development sectorsin the food and drink sector with an emphasis on developing niche branded products for high value markets which have the capacity to deliver better returns to the primary producer;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 45 #

2017/2044(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the increase in appropriations intended to combat animal diseases and plant pests to EUR 40 million, as the Union is facing significant risks and increases in outbreaks of diseases such as Xylella fastidiosa, nodular dermatosis and Bird Influenza., believes that extra funding should be made available to EFSA to carry out independent research into the carcinogenic and other adverse health effects of pesticides and herbicides cleared for use in the EU market;
2017/07/19
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of agriculture and rural development in delivering a number of EU objectives, such as in the areas of food security, job creation, the environment anprotection and balanced territorial balancedevelopment, and the fact that agriculture and rural development constitute an important part of the overall EU budget; recalls that spending on agriculture has declined in relative terms and now accounts for around 38 % of the EU budget, while at the same time it has been assigned new roles in climate change mitigation and the provision of public goods, and now accounts for around 38 % of the EU budget; also notes as a pan European policy this funding replaces much of the national funding for the sector;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 10 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Requests that all available margins under Heading 2 be reserved for the agricultural sector and that these margins be protected and maintained in the next MFF; calls for consistent application of the principle that all revenue derived from agriculture remains within the agriculture budget;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 11 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Insists that any funds from the 2017 budget that are allocated to the agricultural sector crisis reserve through the financial discipline mechanism and are left unspent be made available in full as direct payments in the 2018 budget in accordance with Article 26(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, believes however that a crisis reserve that does not rely on an annual financial discipline mechanism to provide its funding should be set up to better respond to crisis situations that arise;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the active farmers clause set out in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 ensures that any reputational risk associated with EU funds is eliminated; asks the Commission to ensurreduced, notes however that the unequal distribution of the CAP funds to beneficiaries has undermined the reputation of CAP ; asks the Commission to address this inequality in addition to ensuring the uniform application of the active farmers clause;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 30 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to incentivise the creation of producer organisations as one of several means of, short supply chains, and local quality brands as a range of measures to tacklinge unfair trading practices in the food supply chain, and recalls its repeated requests for EU legislation in this regard;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that opportunities offered by ‘smart’ solutions should be further analysed and exploited while recognizing their limitations for many smallholdings without economies of scale to benefit from new technologies;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 51 #

2017/2043(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the creation of new market observatories for crops and sugar; considers that new observatories covering fruits and vegetables would be beneficial to those sectors and, together with the milk and meat observatories, providing accurate timely information, would make agricultural markets more transparent;
2017/04/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 26 #

2017/2040(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the sea of the Adriatic and Ionian region is threatened by various sources of pollution, including untreated waste, marine litter and eutrophication from agricultural runoff and fish farms; points out that many bays and inlets up along the west coast of Ireland are likewise suffering from fish farm pollution; calls therefore on the participating countries to further step up their efforts in tackling these environmental challenges;
2017/07/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the 2030 Agenda and its sustainability goals; stresses that, although the EU farming industry is already making a valuabl the successive market-driven reforms of the CAP have contributioned to sustainability, through the Common Agricultural Policy and stringent environmental requirements, it still needs to adapt better to the many challenges facing itmore intensive production, thereby compromising these goals, and agri-environmental measures are very far from offsetting this trend;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Rejects the idea that more production and growth whatever the cost could be compatible with sustainable development or could serve the purpose of combating the problem of hunger and malnutrition in the world;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Recalls the role and importance of agriculture in guaranteeing access to varied and healthy diets, in keeping with cultural values; urges that emphasis be placed on growing food with a high nutritional content instead of on crops produced in abundance which have a high calorie content, as opposed to nutritional content (maize, sugar), since this strategy could cause dietary nutrient deficiencies;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 27 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Notes that food security should be defined as a guarantee that families have regular and permanent physical and economic access to a basic set of foodstuffs in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their nutritional needs;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 28 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 f (new)
1f. Notes that healthy food is defined as a food pattern that meets the biological and social needs of individuals in keeping with the various stages in their lives; notes that this concept considers food practices to have a cultural reference point and attaches value to the consumption of healthy regional food, while always taking into account behavioural and emotional aspects linked to food practices, which are incompatible with the practices of agro- industry, intensive farming and monoculture;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 h (new)
1h. Draws attention to the fact that guaranteeing and complying with the right to food and nutrition and combating hunger are incompatible with the goal of maximising profits, the abuse of market power and pricing dominance, the occupation of land, poor working conditions and pesticide use;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 36 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 i (new)
1i. Condemns the imposition by rich countries of agricultural models designed to further the interests of large agro- industry multinationals, as has been occurring with free-trade agreements;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 52 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Takes the view that every farmer should receive a decent income resulting primarily from the sale of his product;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 53 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Stresses the need to enter into commitments enabling workers to enjoy social protection and a decent income from their output, guaranteeing a minimum income sufficient to cope with hunger and pay for proper food;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 66 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Believes that a sustainable future entails ending the subordination of agriculture and food production to the market and competitiveness;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 70 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Rejects attempts of any kind to patent life, plants and animals, genetic material, or essential biological processes, especially where native strains and species are concerned;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 71 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Stresses that a sustainable future for farming and the environment means safeguarding and promoting access to seeds and agricultural inputs for smallholder farmers and marginalised groups, and promoting and safeguarding the exchange of seeds and their public ownership, and sustainable traditional techniques that guarantee the human right to proper food and nutrition;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 72 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Underlines the need to counter intensive export models, giving priority to regional and local production and consumption, promoting a different energy-related and environmental rationality, and giving preference to the ownership of land by local communities as an effective way of guaranteeing food quality and security;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 136 #

2017/2009(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Points out that public facilities for the withdrawal of products – such as silos, collective milking barns, slaughterhouses, refrigerated storage, and dryers – have played an important part in guaranteeing small farmers’ incomes and calls for their reactivation;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2017/0353(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Strengthening the Single Market for goods through further enhancing efforts to keep non-compliant products from being placed on the Union market was identified as a priority in the Communication from the Commission ‘Upgrading the Single Market: more opportunities for people and businesses’24 . This should be achieved by, amongst others, strengthening market surveillance, providing the right incentives to economic operators, intensifying compliance controls and promoting closer cross-border cooperation among enforcement authorities, including through cooperation with customs authorities. _________________ 24 COM(2015) 550 final of 28 October 2015.
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 39 #

2017/0353(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) Union legislation on packaging and packaging waste, as for example Directive 94/62/EC1a, as recently amended, should be taken into account as regards the rules and procedures for compliance on products laid down in this Regulation. _________________ 1aEuropean Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste(OJ L 365 31.12.1994, p. 10).
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 49 #

2017/0353(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
(18) Market surveillance activities should be thorough and effective, to ensure that Union harmonisation legislation on products is applied correctly. Given that controls may represent a burden for economic operators, market surveillance authorities should organise and conduct inspection activities, taking their interests of those operators into account, and limiting the said burden to what is necessary for the performance of efficient and effective controls. Furthermore, market surveillance activities should be performed with the same level of care by the competent authorities of the Member State irrespective of whether non- compliance of the given product is relevant on the territory of that Member State or is likely to have an impact on the market of another Member State.
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2017/0353(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
(23 a) Market surveillance authorities should be able to advise on packaging and order changes in practice where they find situations in conflict with Union legislation.
2018/05/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Since the economic governance of theEuropean Union funds contributes to economic, social and territorial cohesion, it should then also be possible for the Union to support reform commitments undertaken by Member States to implement relevant Council recommendations , and/or to maximise the growth and competitiveness impact of the cohesion policy funds as a specific form of support implemented in direct management.
2018/10/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) In order to facilitate reforms conducted by the Member States in the context of the economic governance process, it ismay be necessary to open the possibility to partially or fully allocate the performance reserve set up by Article 20 of the Regulation (EU) 1303/20133 to support reform commitments undertaken by those Member States. _________________ 3 OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p.320
2018/10/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Since the economic governance of the Union is meant to contributes to economic, social and territorial cohesion, it should be possible to support reform commitments undertaken by Member States to implement relevant Council recommendations or to maximise the growth and competitiveness impact of the cohesion policy funds as a specific form of support implemented in direct management.
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 3 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Any reallocation from the performance reserve should be subject to the fulfilment of commitments with respect to implementing reforms identified in the European Semester process. Priority should be given for the implementation of structural reforms which are expected to contribute most to the resilience of domestic economies and have positive spill-over effects on other Member States. These include positive reforms in product and labour markets, tax reforms, the development of capital market which fully respect and enhance labour rights, tax reforms that do not impinge on the rights of Member States to control their own tax system, the development of capital markets in line with European Union standards, reforms to improve the business environment as well as investment in human capital and public administration reforms.
2018/10/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) It is appropriate tharecommended that relevant Member States propose a detailed set of measures for the implementation of the structural reforms which should contain milestones and targets and a timetable of not more than a suggested three years.
2018/10/02
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/0336(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Any reallocation from the performance reserve should be subject to the fulfilment of commitments with respect to implementing reforms identified in the European Semester process. Priority should be given for the implementation of structural reforms which are expected to contribute most to the resilience of domestic economies and have positive spill-over effects on other Member States. These include reforms in product and labour markets, tax reforms, the development of capital markets, reforms to improve the business environment as well as investment in human capital and public administration reforms, providing those reforms do not result in reduced standards and conditions in either the labour markets, in production or in the products themselves.
2018/03/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas, as outlined in the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation on the establishment of the European Monetary Fund'(1), Explanatory Memorandum, Point 1 - CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL, 'The financial and economic crisis that hit Europe in 2008, the consequences of which are still felt to this day, did not start in the euro area but it laid bare some of its institutional weaknesses.' (1) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52017 PC0827.
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas the cost of those 'institutional weaknesses' was borne directly by those Member States worst affected by that financial and economic crisis, the critical support structures for a new currency marked only by their absence during those catastrophic early years;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas had a European Monetary Fund or some such mechanism existed at that time, the cost of that crisis would have been shared proportionately across the entire eurozone;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas those countries who had thus been adversely affected by that crisis, should now retroactively be compensated from this new European Monetary Fund;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital A e (new)
A e. whereas within ten years of its launch, five Member States of the eurozone - Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain - were in major financial difficulties, where ten years earlier they had been financially healthy;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas in terms of what the European Central Bank did in countries such as Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece after the onset of the financial and economic crisis was not transparent;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the parliamentary dimension of the future EMF should be clearly ensured by mirroring current practices at the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organisation and the World Bank, including in the area of debt forgiveness and/or writedown, with parliamentary networks or dialogues;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Recital E
E. whereas Member States and national authorities cannot address on their own the systemic risks generated by a Member State to the financial stability of the Union, nor should they be expected to bear the entire cost of such risks;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Committee on Budgetary Control intends to reject the proposal of the European Commission to create a European Monetary Fund and, to this end, calls on both the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as the committees responsible, to propose rejection of the proposal.
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the new set of measures proposed by the Commission to complete the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in line with Parliament’s longstanding position on the integration of the ESM into the EU legal framework; consider but notes also the ongoing major difficulties in completing that EMU; notes that each of the three pillars of the Banking Union should deepen the global financial architecture but notes further that the third of those pillars, the European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS), has still not been completed, with no prospect in sight that it will be;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2017/0333R(APP)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. WelcomNotes the transformation of the eurozone’s ESM rescue fund into a European Monetary Fund (EMF) within the Union legal framework, this institutional anchoring constituting a key step in the evolution of the overall reform and deepening of the EMU;
2018/11/22
Committee: CONT
Amendment 120 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
(2) Directive 98/83/EC set the legal framework to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. This Directive should pursue the same objective, with the added aim that such uncontaminated potable water should be available to all and should not be dependent on affordability. To that end, it is necessary to lay down at Union level the minimum requirements with which water intended for that purpose must comply. Member States should take the necessary measures to ensure that water intended for human consumption is free from any micro- organisms and parasites and from substances which, in certain cases, constitute a potential danger to human health, and that it meets those minimum requirements.
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 124 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) the The Human Right to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) was recognised as a human right by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 28 July 2010 and that thus, access to clean potable water should not be restricted due to unaffordability by the end user;
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 135 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
(4) Following the conclusion of the European citizens' initiative on the right to water (Right2Water)71 , a Union-wide public consultation was launched and a Regulatory Fitness and Performance (REFIT) Evaluation of Directive 98/83/EC was performed72 . It became apparent from that exercise that certain provisions of Directive 98/83/EC needed to be updated. Four areas were identified as offering scope for improvement, namely the list of quality-based parametric values, the limited reliance on a risk-based approach, the imprecise provisions on consumer information, and the disparities between approval systems for materials in contact with water intended for human consumption. In addition, the European citizens' initiative on the right to water identified as a distinct problem the fact that due to the fact that they cannot afford the charges imposed for supply, part of the population, especially marginalised groups, has nolimited access to water intended for human consumption, which is also a; this is in conflict with the commitment under Sustainable Development Goal 6 of UN Agenda 2030. A final issue identified is the general lack of awareness of water leakages, which are driven by underinvestment in maintenance and renewal of the water infrastructure, as also pointed out in the European Court of Auditors' Special Report on water infrastructure73 . _________________ 71 COM(2014) 177 final 72 SWD(2016) 428 final 73 Special report of the European Court of Auditors SR 12/2017: "Implementing the Drinking Water Directive: water quality and access to it improved in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, but investment needs remains substantial".
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 198 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
(16) Apart from the issue of how water supply is paid for by the end users, whether through general taxation or through individual charges, Member States should no longer be authorised to grant derogations from this or any associated Directive. Derogations were initially used to allow Member States up to nine years to resolve a non-compliance with a parametric value. This procedure proved to be burdensome for Member States and Commission alike. In addition, in some cases, it led to delays in remedial actions being taken, as the possibility for derogation was considered as a transitional period. The provision on derogations should therefore be deleted. For reasons of protection of human health, when parametric values are exceeded, the provisions related to remedial actions should apply immediately without the possibility of granting a derogation from the parametric value. Derogations granted by Member States pursuant to Article 9 of Directive 98/83/EC and still applicable at the date of entry into force of this Directive should, however, continue to apply until the end of the derogation but should not be renewed.
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 203 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
(17) The Commission, in its reply to the European citizens’ initiative ‘Right2Water’ in 201483 , invited Member States to ensure access to a minimum water supply for all citizens, in accordance with the WHO recommendations. It also committed to continue to "improve access to safe drinking water […] for the whole population through environmental policies"84 . This isBecause this is a) 'a minimum water supply' and can thus mean charges for usage above that minimum for those who can't least afford it, and b) does not include the word 'equitable', this is not in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the associated target to "achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all". The concept of equitable access covers a wide array of aspects such as availability (due for instance to geographic reasons, lack of infrastructure or the specific situation of certain parts of the populations), quality, acceptability, or financial affordability. Concerning affordability of water, it is important to recall that, when setting water tariffs in accordance with the principle of recovery of costs set out in Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States may have regard to the variation in the economic and social conditions of the population and may therefore adopt social tariffs or take measures safeguarding populations at a socio-economic disadvantage. Because of the word 'may' as opposed to the more powerful 'shall', this also doesn't go far enough to ensure full access to potable water for all, especially for those who can't afford the individual charges. This Directive deals, in particular, with the aspects of access to water which are related to quality and availability. To address those aspects, as part of the reply to the European citizens' initiative and to contribute to the implementation of Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights85 that states that "everyone has the right to access essential services of good quality, including water", Member States should be required to tackle the issue of access to water at national level whilst enjoying some discretion as to the exact type of measures to be implemented. It should be emphasised however that access in itself is not sufficient; this access should not be restricted due to affordability. This can be done through actions aimed, inter alia, at improving access to water intended for human consumption for all, for instance with freely accessible fountains in cities, and promoting its use by encouraging the free provision of water intended for human consumption in public buildings and restaurants. _________________ 83 COM(2014)177 final 84 COM(2014)177 final, p. 12. 85 Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights (2017/C 428/09) of 17 November 2017 (OJ C 428, 13.12.2017, p. 10).
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 235 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
(21) The principles to be considered in the setting of water tariffs, namely recovery of costs for water services (which can also be achieved through general taxation, where a Member State decides to do so) and polluter pays, are set out in Directive 2000/60/EC. However, the financial sustainability of the provision of water services is not always ensured, sometimes leading to under-investment in the maintenance of water infrastructure. With the improvement of monitoring techniques, leakage rates – mainly due to such under- investment – have become increasingly apparent and reduction of water losses should be encouraged at Union level to improve the efficiency of water infrastructure. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, that issue should be addressed by increasing transparency and consumer information on leakage rates and energy efficiency.
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 250 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Directive concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption and the access to such water.
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 255 #

2017/0332(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The objective of this Directive shall be to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and at the same time, ensuring universal and affordable access to such water for all in the Union.
2018/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2017/0328(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- Having regard to Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the European Medicines Agency should take its new seat as from the date on which the Treaties cease to apply to the United Kingdom or from 30 March 2019, whichever is the earlier, provided the new premises are fit and ready for purpose; if not, and to avoid unnecessary further disruption for those involved, allowances should be made for those services of the European Medicines Agency for which offices have not been fully readied to remain based in London until the new premises are ready.
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 18 #

2017/0328(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the budgetary authorities and the Commission to ensure that the costs relating to the change in the seat of EMA will beRegardless of the negotiating directives of the Council of 22 May 2017 for the negotiation of an agreement with the United Kingdom setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal from the European Union, which states the the United Kingdom should fully cover the specific costs related to the withdrawal process; given that the United Kingdom withdrawal is partially the result of the European Union's own refusal to listen to reasoned and reasonable argument against the direction in which it is headed, towards a full federal USA-style union, arguments now likewise being heard from various other Member States across the European Union, and likewise being ignored, and in line with the Joint report on the Brexit withdrawal negotiation approved on December 08th, where paragraph 86 reads as fuolly covered by the current host country;ows: “The Commission welcomes the United Kingdom Government's offer to discuss with Union Agencies located in London how they might facilitate their relocation, in particular as regards reducing the withdrawal costs”, the cost of this relocation should be shared between the United Kingdom and the European Union, proportionate to Gross National Product.
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2017/0328(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. To ensure the proper functioning of the European Medicines Agency in its new location, a headquarters agreement should be concluded before the European Medicines Agency takes up its new seat; the building contract should include an 'end of lease' clause which stipulates that should the Member State leave the European Union, the contract is automatically terminated on the exit date; this should become standard practice for all such building leases henceforth, and should also be negotiated into all existing building leases;
2018/01/31
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 72 #

2017/0293(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The Commissions Communications "Europe on the move"17 and "Delivering on the European Strategy for low-emission mobility A European Union that protects the planet, empowers its consumers, and defends its industry and workers"18 are clear contradictions. While it does highlight that the CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are a strong driver for innovation and efficiency and will contribute to strengthening competitiveness of the automotive industry and pave the way for zero and low-emission vehicles in a technology-neutral way, this is countered by the move towards centralisation of work opportunities, when the focus should be on localisation. __________________ 17 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions EUROPE ON THE MOVE An agenda for a socially fair transition towards clean, competitive and connected mobility for all (COM(2017) 283 final). 18 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions […]
2018/05/28
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 32 #

2017/0291(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
(1) The Union i's committedment to a sustainable, competitive, secure and decarbonised energy system19. T is contradicted by its rampant globalisation policy, evidenced in part by its determination to have major unrestricted trade deals. While the Energy Union and the Energy and Climate Policy Framework for 2020 to 203020 establish ambitious commitments for the Union to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 % by 2030 as compared with 1990, to increase the proportion of renewable energy consumed by at least 27 %, to make energy savings of at least 27 %, and to improve the Union’s energy security, competitiveness and sustainability, these plans are in part undermined when the increase in road transport traffic as a result of major trade deals are taken into account. _________________ 19 European Council Conclusions of 24 October 2014. 20 Commission Communication on a policy framework for climate and energy from 2020 to 2030 (COM(2014)0013)
2018/06/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2017/0291(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Any and all proposed new major trade deals will inevitably affect road transport and heavy goods traffic.
2018/06/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2017/0290(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Increased road transport is a negative side-effect of globalisation, which tends to centralise manufacturing and production.
2018/04/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2017/0290(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) The proposed new major trade deals (Mercosur, TTIP, CETA etc.), if agreed and implemented, will inevitably result in a considerable increase in heavy- truck road-traffic.
2018/04/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 80 #

2017/0290(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
(22) SinceOne of the objectives of this Directive to furtheris to promote the shift from road transport to more environmentally friendly modes of transport, and hence reduce the negative externalities of the Union transport system,. Because this cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of the primarily cross-border nature of freight combined transport and interlinked infrastructure, and of the problems this Directive is intended to address, can rather be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives;
2018/04/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 81 #

2017/0290(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 22 a (new)
(22a) However, what should not be overlooked in this Directive is the additional negative impact on road transport of any and all proposed major trade deals and with this in mind, independent assessments and estimates of those negative impacts on climate change targets etc. should be carried out in tandem with those negotiations, measured against the projected positive results, and where the negatives outweigh the positives, decisions should be taken accordingly.
2018/04/13
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 62 #

2017/0114(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
(4) TBy their very nature, time-based user charges do by nature not accurately reflect infrastructure costs actually induced and, for similar reasons, are not effective when it comes to incentivising cleaner and more efficient operations, or reducing congestion. They should therefore be gradually replaced by distance-based charges, which are fairer, more efficient and more effective.
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 65 #

2017/0114(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
(5) In order to secure user acceptance of future road charging schemes, Member States should be allowed to introduce adequate systems for the collection of charges as part of a wider package of mobility services. Such systems should ensure a fair distribution of infrastructure costs and reflect the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Such toll systems, however, should also be monitored to ensure they do not cause that which they are designed to reduce - traffic jams and back-up. Any Member States introducing such a system should ensure that it complies with the provisions of Directive 2004/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council16 . _________________ 16 Directive 2004/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L 166, 30.4.2004, p. 124–143
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 88 #

2017/0114(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
(13) Road congestion, to which all motor vehicles contribute in different proportions, represents a cost of about 1% of GDP. A significant part of this cost can be attributed to interurban congestion. A specific congestion charge should therefore be allowed, on condition that it is applied to all vehicle categories. In order to be effective and proportionate, the charge should be calculated on the basis of the marginal congestion cost and differentiated according to location, time and vehicle category. In order to maximise the positive effect of congestion charges, corresponding revenues should be ring-fenced and allocated to projects addressing the sources of the problem.
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 95 #

2017/0114(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
(17) In case a Member State introduces a system of road charging, compensations granted may, according to the case, result in the discrimination ofagainst non-resident road users. The possibility to grant such compensation at such occasion should therefore be limited to the cases of tolls and should no longer be available in the case of user charges.
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 100 #

2017/0114(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
(19) Road charges can mobilise resources that contribute to the financing of the maintenance and development of high quality transport infrastructure. It is therefore appropriate to incentivise Member States to uring-fence and use those revenues from road charges accordingly and, to this end, to require that they adequately report on the use of such revenues. That should in particular help identifying possible financing gaps, and raising the public acceptance of road charging.
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 35 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Greenhouse gas emissions from lorries, buses and coaches, i.e. heavy-duty vehicles, currently represent around a quarter of road transport emissions in the Union and are expected to increase further by 2030. Effective measures to independently control and curb emissions from heavy-duty vehicles need to be introduced in order to contribute to the necessary emission reductions in the transport sector.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 41 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) In its 2014 Communication on a Strategy for reducing Heavy-Duty Vehicles’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions13, the Commission recognised that a prerequisite to introducing such measures is a regulated procedure for the determination of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. _________________ 13; all such emission and fuel consumption claims by the manufacturing sector need to be independently measured and verified. _________________ 13 COM(2014) 285 final. COM(2014) 285 final.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 49 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) Information on a vehicle’s performance in terms of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption need to be independently verified and should be made publicly available to enable all vehicle operators to take well-informed purchasing decisions. All vehicle manufacturers will be able to compare their vehicles’ performance with those of other makes. This will increase the incentives for innovation and therefore increase competitiveness. That information will also provide policy makers at Union and Member State level with a sound basis for developing policies to promote the uptake of more energy-efficient vehicles. It is therefore appropriate that the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption values determined for each new heavy-duty vehicle pursuant to Commission Regulation (EU) […/…]15 [Opoce to include correct reference] are monitored, reported to the Commission and made available to the public. _________________ 15 Commission Regulation (EU) […/…] implementing Regulation (EU) No 595/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the determination of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 (OJ L…,..,..).
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 55 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) In order to acquire a complete knowledge on the configuration of the heavy-duty vehicle fleet in the Union, its development over time and potential impact on CO2 emissions, it is appropriate to independently monitor and report data on the registration of all new heavy-duty vehicles and all new trailers, including data on the powertrains as well as the relevant bodywork.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 58 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) Data on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption will be available for certain new heavy-duty vehicles that are registered in [2019]. Starting from that date, the competent authorities of the Member States should therefore be required to provide data on new registrations and manufacturers should be required to provide the independently verified technical data relating to those vehicles.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 66 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Technical data essential for determining the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption performance of a vehicle should be publicly available to increase the transparency of the vehicle specifications and the related performance, and to foster competition among manufacturers. Only data that are sensitive on the grounds of personal data protection and fair competition should not be published. However, it is clearly in the public interest that technical data essential for determining the performance of vehicles is available. Such data should thereforeIt is necessary, therefore, that such data is not be exempt from public access.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 93 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the independently- verified monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from new heavy-duty vehicles in the Union, cannot be achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 94 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation lays down the requirements for the independently- verified monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions from and fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles registered in the European Union.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 96 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
This Regulation shall apply to the independently-verified monitoring and reporting by Member States and manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles of data on new vehicles.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 122 #

2017/0111(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The competent authorities and manufacturers shall be responsible for the correctness and quality of the data they report pursuant to Articles 4 and 5; all such data relating to CO2 emissions and to fuel consumption shall be independently verified. They shall inform the Commission of any errors detected in the data reported without delay.
2017/11/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Experience has shown that, in the vast majority of cases, the appeal committee repeats the outcome of the examination committee and results in no opinion being delivered, resulting in disproportionate responsibility being placed on the Commission. The appeal committee has therefore not helped in providing clarity on Member State positions.
2018/01/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The system established by Regulation (EC) No 182/2011 has, overall, proven to work well in practice with some limitations and struck an appropriate institutional balance as regards the roles of the Commission and the other actors involved. That system should therefore continue to function unchanged except for certain targeted amendments concerning specific aspects of procedure at the level of the appeal committee whose functioning is unsatisfactory. These amendments are intended to ensure wider political accountability and ownership of politically sensitive implementing acts without, however, modifying the legal and institutional responsibilities for implementing acts as organised by Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) In a number of specific cases, Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 provides for referral to the appeal committee. In practice, the appeal committee has been seizedabdicated its responsibilities in cases where no qualified majority, either in favour or against, was attained within the committee in the context of the examination procedure and thus no opinion was delivered. In the majority of cases this happened in relation to genetically modified organisms and genetically modified food and feed and plant protection products.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 25 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Experience has shown that, in the vast majority of cases, the appeal committee repeats the outcome of the examination committee and results in no opinion being delivered. The appeal committee has therefore not helpedperformed its function in providing clarity on Member State positions.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 30 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) While the Commission is empowered to decide in such cases, due to the particular sensitivity of the issues at stake a "no opinion" should mean that the authorisation cannot be granted, Member States should alsomust fully assume their responsibility in the decision- making process. This, however, is currently not the case when Member States are not able to reach a qualified majority, due to, amongst others, a significant number of abstentions or non-appearances at the moment of the vote.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) In order to increase the added value of the appeal committee its role should therefore be strengthened by providing for the possibility of holding a further meeting of the appeal committee whenever no opinion is delivered. The appropriate level of representation at the further meeting of the appeal committee should be ministerial level, to ensure a political discussion. To allow the organisation of such a further meeting the timeframe for the appeal committee to deliver an opinion should be extended while respecting the need for timely decision-making.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The voting rules for the appeal committee should be changed in order to reduce the risk of no opinion being delivered and to provide an incentive for Member State representatives to take a clear position. To this end only Member States which are present or represented, and which do not abstain, should be considered as participating Member States for the calculation of the qualified majority. In order to ensure that the voting outcome is representative a vote should only be considered valid if a simple majority of the Member States are participating members of the appeal committee. If the quorum is not reached before expiry of the time-limit for the committee to take a decision, it will be considered that the committee delivered no opinion, as is the case today.deleted
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 39 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The voting rules for the appeal committee should be changed in order to reduce the risk of no opinion being delivered and to provide an incentive for Member State representatives to take a clear position. To this end only Member States which are present or represented, and which do not abstain, should be considered as participating Member States for the calculation of the qualified majority. In order to ensure that the voting outcome is representative a vote should only be considered valid if a simplequalified majority of the Member States are participating members of the appeal committee. If the quorum is not reached before expiry of the time-limit for the committee to take a decision, it will be considered that the committee delivered no opinion, as is the case today.
2018/01/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 45 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Transparency on the votes of Member State representatives at the appeal committee level should be increased and the individual Member State representatives' votes and attendance at the appeal committee should be made public.
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 48 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) Transparency on the votes of Member State representatives at the appeal committee level should be increased and the individual Member State representatives'’ attendance at the appeals committee and their votes should be made public.
2018/01/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 6 – paragraph 1
(a) in paragraph 1, the following second subparagraph is added: ‘However, only members of the appeal committee who are present or represented at the time of the vote, and do not abstain from voting, shall be considered as participating members of the appedeleted Or. en (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- committee. The majority referred to in Article 5(1) shall be the qualified majority referred to in Article 238(3) (a) TFEU. A vote shall only be considered to be valid if a simple majority of the Member States are participating members.;’ ntent/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32011R0182&from=fr#d1e399-13-1)
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 65 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) the voting results including, in the case of the appeal committee, the votes expressed by the representative of each Member State; ; (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32011R0182&from=fr)and the attendance at the appeals committee of each Member State and the written rational for the decisions taken; Or. en
2020/03/11
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 75 #

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) the voting results including, in the case of the appeal committee, the votes expressed by, and the attendance of, the representative of each Member State;
2018/01/22
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 5 #

2017/0024(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) It is therefore necessary to amend the Statutes in order to enable BIC and its constituent entities to deliver the financial contribution for the full amount set out in Article 12(4) of the Statutes, allowing those contributions to be made not only as payments to the BBI Joint Undertaking but also as financial contributions to indirect actions funded by the BBI Joint Undertaking and to be reported to the BBI Joint Undertaking,. A follow-up audit should, however, be conducted as soon as possible in order to ensure that the BIC continues to meet its commitments following implementation of this Regulation.
2017/07/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2017/0004(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
(3) The Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (‘the Committee’)55 assists the Commission, in particular, in evaluating the latest available scientific data and in proposing occupational exposure limit values for the protection of workers from chemical risks, to be set at Union level pursuant to Council Directive 98/24/EC56 and Directive 2004/37/EC. Other sources of scientific information, adequately robust and in the public domain were also considered.; in order to build public trust in the SCOEL committee and to provide independent data and analysis to it, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) should be empowered and resourced to carry out independent research on the risks to human and environmental health that can result from exposure to chemicals, to complement its existing analysis of industry studies; __________________ 55 Commission Decision 2014/113/EU of 3 March 2014 on setting up a Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Agents and repealing Decision 95/320/EC (OJ L 62, 4.3.2014, p. 18). 56 Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 131, 05.05.1998, p. 11).
2017/06/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2016/2302(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas the second pillar of the common agricultural policy (rural development) is a crucial element in preserving and strengthening social and territorial cohesion and must be protected and enhanced in the next round of CAP reform;
2017/01/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 11 #

2016/2302(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the current crisis in the agricultural sector, a lack of profitability with income losses and increased price instability, has led many farm has its roots in the inequality in the food chain; whereas this must be addressed in a meaningful manners to give up farming, and this sector requires more supportunderpin the viability of farming;
2017/01/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2016/2302(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the potential advantages offered by the financial instruments available under the European Fund for Rural Development, whether in the form of loans, guarantees or capital funds, believes however that the norms of prudent lending should not be abandoned;
2017/01/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 24 #

2016/2302(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that in many situations access to credit poses an obstacle to investmenthe first instance, lack of profitability in the farming enterprise poses an obstacle to investment, in addition to a lack of access to credit, in particular for young farmers, either because of the high costs or because of the guarantees that the financial system requires;
2017/01/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 43 #

2016/2302(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that, up to now, the level of use made of CAP financial instruments has been low, and calls for consideration to be given to this area with the aim of ensuring that these instruments are better suited to the agricultural sector and further simplifying the procedures, and creating public advice platforms, believes however that consideration must be given to the substantial loans that farmers already draw down to complement funds received under the second pillar;
2017/01/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 32 #

2016/2270(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas tax avoidance and tax evasion schemes have deprived countries of revenue that is essential for a robust social state and public welfare policies, leading to worsening poverty; these schemes are operating right around the globe, including within the EU itself, and those negative impacts are likewise felt right around the globe, and likewise also within the EU itself;
2017/05/10
Committee: ECON
Amendment 70 #

2016/2270(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that urgent practical steps need to be taken to eradicate poverty and social exclusion and promote the fair distribution of income and wealth;to greatly reduce the current hugely unequal distribution of income and wealth, with just eight men owning the same wealth as the 3.6 billion people (half the world's population), according to a Jan 2017 report by Oxfam1. 1 https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/econ omy-99
2017/05/10
Committee: ECON
Amendment 9 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Points to the importance of the ruling handed down on 15 December 2015, in which the Court of Justice established that Article 349 TFEU is the proper legal basis for adopting and adjusting EU legislative measures, thereby consolidating the status of the outermost regions (ORs) and confirming the need for all EU policies to differentiate in their favour, taking account of the structural, social and economic situation of these areas, in order to mitigate the permanent intrinsic constraints affecting them;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 11 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that farming plays a key role in stimulating the economies of the ORs, maintaining their economic and social cohesion, and safeguarding the environment, biodiversity, and ecological values, notes however that the traditional export sectors (e.g. bananas and sugar for some outermost regions and milk/meat for the Azores) are mostly well supported, while the so-called diversification sectors, such as fruit and vegetables as well as animal production, are lagging behind despite their potential;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 19 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Maintains that POSEI is enabling agriculture to develop and survive in the ORs; draws attention to the Commission’s POSEI implementation review, published on 15 December 2016, which makes the point that POSEI is consistent with the aims of the CAP, and; nevertheless draws attention to the fact, highlighted in the review, that the fruit and vegetable sectors and the meat and milk sectors have been struggling to ensure adequate funding under the POSEI scheme and that, as a consequence, France and Spain sought to provide additional support in the form of state aid for these sectors; calls for the basic features of the scheme to be preserved intact so as to avert the danger that agricultural production might be abandoned, with all the harmful consequences which that would entail for employment, the environment, and the territorial dimension of the ORs;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 31 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Maintains that globalization of the food supply in addition to, the abolition of market management tools in the milk sector, the loss of business opportunities resulting from the Russian embargo, growing price volatility, and the prevailing crisis are undermining the sustainability of milk production in the Azores, one of the main driving forces within the region’s socio-economic fabric; points, therefore, to the need to take measures, backed by the necessary resources, in order to help milk production continue in the Azores and to offset the effects of deregulation and the difficulty of selling production;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 40 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Warns of the potential impact of free trade agreements on traditional OR products (including milk, meat, sugar, and bananas) andnoting that, as the EU has progressively dismantled many market protection measures on agricultural and food products and signed numerous preferential access agreements with developing countries, the advantage provided by customs duty exemption is decreasing; urges the Commission to honour the commitment arising from the POSEI Regulation to gauging the impact of trade negotiations on matters affecting ORs and to involving the ORs in, and informing them about, negotiating processes; reiterates the importance of the support schemes for the banana and sugar sectors and maintains that special sugars must be excluded from trade negotiations;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 57 #

2016/2250(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for POSEI to be strengthened in order to ensure that it continues to fulfil its role in supporting agriculture in the EU's outermost regions while integrating and adapting important aspects of the reformed CAP, and for the necessary funding to thbe earmarked in the negotiations on the future multi-annual financial framework.;
2017/03/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2016/2242(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the youth unemployment rate in the EU has decreased in the past few years; regrets, however, that in many instances, in countries such as Ireland1, Greece and Portugal particularly, too much of this decrease is because so many young people have been forced to seek employment outside the EU, a loss that will be sorely felt in future decades; regrets further that in mid-2016, 18.8 % of young people in the EU were still unemployed; urges the Member States to utilise available EU support in order to tackle this longstanding issue; 1 https://www.ft.com/content/552b8340- 52b5-11e4-9221-00144feab7de?mhq5j=e1
2017/07/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2016/2242(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Is strongly concerned that NEETs are disconnected from the education system and the labour market, in many cases through no fault of their own; understands that this demographic is the hardest to reach through existing operational programmes that implement youth unemployment funding schemes, too many of which do not offer proper sustainable remuneration or proper working conditions; considers that, for the 2017-2020 period, the focus should be on this demographic so as to ensure that the main YG objectives are achieved;
2017/07/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2016/2242(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that in order to achieve the goal of securing an offer of quality and continuous employment for all young people aged 24 and under, considerably more resources are required at human, technical and financial level; welcomes the fact that several Member States have raised the maximum age of young people eligible for YG support to 30 and recommends that all Member States should do likewise;
2017/07/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 73 #

2016/2242(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Recognises the significant efforts made by themany Member States to implement the YG and exhorts all to follow suit; observes, however, that most reforms have not yet been fully implemented, in particular in the forging of partnerships with social partners and young people and in supporting those facing multiple barriers; concludes that considerable efforts and financial resources are needed in the long term to achieve the YG objectives;
2017/07/11
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the courage of those who, notwithstanding their personal and professional risks, report or disclose information in the public interest is such that the public authorities owe them adequate legal safeguards and protection, and also financial support, in cases where whistle-blowers have lost their jobs and - because of their whistle-blowing act and through no fault of their own - are unable to secure new and suitable employment; this may involve (but is not limited to) full support for retraining, including further education;
2017/06/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission to take all necessary steps to implement the resolution on the role of whistle-blowers in the protection of EU’s financial interests and, in particular, to submit legislative proposals aimed at establishing a minimum level of protection across the Union for European whistle- blowers and an effective and comprehensive European whistle- blower protection programme;
2017/06/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses the view that the adoption of sector-specific legislation, such as in the field of the protection of the financial interests of the EU, cshould be fast- tracked and should not have to wait for the adoption of more general legislation on the protection of whistle-blowers.
2017/06/28
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that proper legislation in this area will also help to rebuild trust in scientific expertise; Whistle blower legislation encourages those with scientific and technical knowledge to assert the facts which might otherwise remain hidden;
2017/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Deplores the fact that too few Member States have put protection for whistleblowers in place and insists that protection is required at EU level to ensure that whistleblowers are afforded equal legal protection in all Member States; Environmental issues are by their nature transnational and as such legislation must reflect this; whistleblower protection should be afforded across the Union irrespective of where the whistle blower resides and irrespective of where crimes have been committed;
2017/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 61 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Commission to put forward a proposal without delay for a whistleblower protection directive or any other EU instrument to the same effect; urges the Commission to take stock of the results of its public consultation and to move forward to draft legislation in the coming months;
2017/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 94 #

2016/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that the EU whistle blower protection legislation should be horizontal and that the definition of a whistleblower should not be narrow or restricted to certain fields, and that whistleblowers in the public and private sectors should be afforded equal protection;
2017/06/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1 Notes that the Draft Opinion includes in its title, resource efficiency, reducing food waste, and improving food safety; believes that the current model of industrial agriculture: is neither resource efficient, in that current agricultural practices are consuming the earth's natural resources at an unsustainable rate leading to environmental degradation; does not contribute to reducing food waste, in that current agricultural policy promotes mass production of products often below the cost of production, to be sold on again at discounted prices which encourages over consumption and waste; neither does it improve food safety, as within a globalized food chain there is a lack of transparency in the origin of food stuffs and increased difficulty in regulating the products within it;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 7 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that farmers’ livelihoods depend on getting produce to the market and realizing a return for their produce and that loss of produce at farm level equates to loss of investment and income;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 14 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that around 88 million tonnes of food are wasted in the EU every year, with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros; stresses that reducing food waste is one of the key strategies to combat hunger in the world;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Stresses that food wastage has huge environmental consequences, contributes to climate change and represents a waste of limited resources such as land, energy and water;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 49 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the importance of cooperation, for example via Producer Organisations, for increased access to finance for innovation and investment in treatment technologies such as composting and anaerobic digestion or further processing of products which could allow farmers to access new market and customers; believes that it is essential that this is done at local or regional level to respect the proximity principle and also so that local populations can retain control of and benefit from new income streams that might be generated;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 58 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the benefits of access to data and forecasts and developing advance production programmes for farmers, enabling them to better match supply to demand and minimise wastage; believes that short supply chains can play a vital role in reducing food waste, reducing food miles, providing higher quality food, transparent food chains and in doing so underpin the economic viability of rural communities;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 69 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls for a tailor-made approach in the EU agricultural production, so that production is adjusted to the demand in order to avoid over-supply and food wastage, with positive effects also on the environment;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 85 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Encourages Member States and the Commission to promote local and organic food and short food supply chains which can contribute to the reduction of the food waste;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 97 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on all stakeholders in the food production, supply and consumption chains, from consumers and retailers to the food processors and producers, including farmers, to use various best practices from the EU Member States to combat food losses and prevent food waste generation on different levels along the food production, supply and consumption chains;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 106 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that farmer-led initiatives that tailor production to demand can offer viable economic solutions and provide valuereduce production for products which might otherwise go to waste, and highlights the potential of farmer-led social innovation projects such as gleaning and donation of excess foodstuffs to food banks;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 124 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that some wastage at farm level is also due to the role played by retailers in relation to retailer standards regarding product specifications, cancelled orders owing to changes in consumer demand, and over-production as a result of requirements to meet seasonal demands.; further believes that the practice of retailers in using staple food items as "loss leaders" to increase market share is damaging across the entire food chain in that firstly, it encourages purchases that are not necessary and secondly it implants in consumers mind the illusion that food is cheap to produce and plentiful in supply;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 147 #

2016/2223(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the EU Commission and Member States to launch a campaign to raise awareness among the EU citizens on the serious economic, social and environmental implications of food wastage;
2017/02/09
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 140 #

2016/2222(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the phasing-out of all land-based biofuels, such as palm oil biodiesel, that drive deforestation and compete directly against food production for land or do not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emission, while recognizing that in a planned rotation there are dual benefits from certain crops as both feed and energy providers;
2016/11/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the unusual fact that the ECA Statement of Assurance is split into two parts, a) Audit of the reliability of the accounts, and b) Audit of the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the findings and recommendations of the Court of Auditor’s (the “Court”) Special Report No 18/2015: Financial assistance provided to Member States in difficulties; believes this should be given its proper title, Financial loans provided to Member States, given that all that 'assistance' must be repaid and with interest;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Regrets that the Court has not included in this report all the Member States that received financial assistanceloans since the beginning of the financial crisis, including the programme for Greece, in order to facilitate a comparison;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Draws attention to the fact that the Court limited the audit to the very short term and concrete scenario of financial assistanceloans as decided by the Council without taking into consideration other potential solutions to the fiscal imbalances that were already part of public and academic debate, such as the mutualisation of sovereign debt or debt relief; regrets the fact that the Court failed to draw attention to the fact that had the fundamental structures necessary for any new currency been in place when the euro was launched (ESM, Single Supervisory Mechanism, Single Resolution Mechanism, Banking Union etc), it would have prevented many of the bank collapses that subsequently happened;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Draws attention to the fact that the Court limited the audit to the very short term and concrete scenario of financial assistanceloans as decided by the Council without taking into consideration other potential solutions to the fiscal imbalances that were already part of public and academic debate, such as the mutualisation of sovereign debt or debt relief;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that the report limits its focus to the management of the assistanceloans but does not analyse, nor question, the programme's content and the conditions negotiated for financial assistanceloans;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 7 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note that the objectives of the financial assistanceloans programmes - all of which are to be repaid - were for the assisted countries to return to financial markets, achieve sustainable public finances, and return to growth and reduce unemployment; regrets that the Court's findings has not fully analysed the results of the programme against these objectives;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the Court primarily focused its conclusions on the Commission as the manager of the financial assistanceloans, but considers that for a better understanding, further attention should have been brought to the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank (ECB) which initially supported the Commission in the preparation and monitoring of the programmes;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Shares the view of the Commission that the role of the Council and other partners has been underestimated in the establishment and management of the programme; asks the Court and Commission to analyse the relevance of the measures adopted by the Council, and the role of the ECB, and whether these were appropriate to meet the objectives of the programme and contributed to the Union's objectives, including phasing out of the economic crisis, more jobs and growth; further, asks the Court and the Commission to analsyse the effect on all eurozone countries of the catastrophic absence of even the most basic of support structures for a new currency, structures that now, after the fact and after the collapse of multiple banks and the collapse or near-collapse of several eurozone national economies, are in the process of being added, viz. Single Supervisory Mechanism, Single Resolution Mechanis, ESM, Full Banking Union, Full Monetary Union, etc etc.
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights that some of the reforms indicated in the programmes (i.e. reform of labour markets) can only lead to results in competitiveness only in the very long term, while assistance programme seek mainly and even then, can lead to lowering of labour rights and conditions, while assistance programmes, in the main, are more short-sighted, seek more immediate, short-term results;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights that financial 'assistance' provided to the Member States in difficulties took the form of loans borrowed on the capital markets using the Union budget as a guarantee; regrets that in the case of Ireland particularly these loads were originally given at exorbitant rates, the EU making excessive profit off the back of a Member State's misery; considers that the role of the Parliament as budgetary authority in these programmes has been undermined, thus further reducing the democratic legitimacy of the financial assistance provided;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it of major importantce to study the role of the European Central Bank during the crisis, to study in particular the assertions and accusations, confirmed by IMF representatives who were involved at the time, of coercion by the ECB in its dealings with the then Irish government; further, to study the role of the ECB in indirectly helping Member States to meet their objectives and on the wider support to the financial architecture of the Union during the time of the financial programmes;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that at the onset of the crisis it was difficult to have predicted some abrupt imbalances with devastating effects in some Member States; considers further that a major cause of the crisis was the incomplete nature of the euro as a currency at its launch, lacking as it did even the most basic currency support structures; highlights the difficulty of predicting the magnitude and nature of the 2007-2008 global financial crises which was unprecedented;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Shares the Court’s view that the attention paid to the pre-crisis surveillance legal framework was not adequate in identifying the risk in the underlying fiscal positions in times of severe economic crisis and that as a result of this lack of oversight and surveillance the ECB must accept responsibility for its role in the cause of the crisis;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 16 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. WelcomNotes the approval by the legislators of the 'six' and 'two' pack introduced as a result of the financial crisis which partially addressed the surveillance weakness that the crisis revealed; considers however that the reform of the Union Economic governance framework in the past years has not lead to a complete phase- out of the crisis and calls on the Commission to further analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the new framework compared to other similar economies (i.e. US, Japan and other OECD countries) and to propose new reforms, if necessary;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission to follow the Court's recommendation to further improve the quality of its macroeconomic and fiscal forecasts, which have been consistently wrong to an unacceptable degree;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Takes note of the Court’s conclusion that the Commission achieved in difficult time constraints and limited experience ex novo duties to manage the financial assistance programmes; highlights the Court's conclusion that but takes note also that a) had the proper support structures been in place for a new currency right from the start the crisis, if it had occurred at all, would not have been as severe, and b) notes also that with proper foresight and planning all such problems would have been foreseen and planned for; nevertheless, accepts the Court's conclusion that given the circumstances that DID prevail, this was an achievement taking into consideration the environmental constraints;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the decision to allow the management of financial assistanceloans to be the responsibility of the Commission instead of other financial partners, allowing tailored assistanceloans that takes into consideration particularities and ownership of the Member States;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Underlines that in the early phase of the programmes, the Commission was operating under severe time and political pressure in the face of uncertain risks that challenged the stability of the whole financial system with unpredictable consequences in the economy; underlines also that the affected Member States were similarly under severe time and political pressure; points out that as a result of all the pressure decisions were taken which now, in retrospect and at more leisure, can and should be revisited, decisions such as the €31bn Promissory Note bank- debt assumed by Ireland in 2010 to bail out two insolvent non-systemic banks and thus prevent a domino-effect bank collapse across the EU, at a time when none of the necessary currency pillars (such as Single Resolution Mechanism or the ESM) were in place;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that, whilst not having prior experience on financial assistance, the Commission 'learnt by doing' and managed to properly put in place relatively quickly those programmes and improved its management for the later ones, though the very real cost of that inexperience was borne - and is still being borne - by the Member States affected;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 22 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Notes that at the time this working document is being drafted, the Commission has already presented its proposal for the establishment of the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP); welcomes that the Commission has evidently taken the recommendations from the Court into consideration and hopes the SRSP will emerge as a strong tool for TA based on the lessons learned from the TFGR; notes that in drawing its lessons and conclusions, the TFGR makes no effort to include the social cost of the various programmes on the people of Greece, which has been considerable;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Regrets that the beneficiary Member State as well as the task force did not provide the Commission with regular activity reports; points out that the Commission should insist on receiving quarterly activity reports without excessive delay and a comprehensive final report in the form of an ex-post evaluation within a reasonable timeframe after the conclusion of the work of the TFGR; requests the Commission to monitor the implementation of TA systematically in order to adjust for a results-oriented TA; requests further that the TA and the TFGR should include in their various reports an accounting of how and where exactly the so-called 'bailout' funds for Greece were disbursed;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
49. Considers also necessary also the strengthening of the political and policy dialogue, aid conditionality and the logical chain framework in order to ensure both the coherence between decision and preconditions of payments or disbursements in financing agreements by clearly linking payments to the achievement of actions and results as well as the relevance of selected objectives and indicators;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 25 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
51. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the connection between evaluations and policy formulation is effective by taking into account all lessons learned in the decision- making process;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 26 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 70
70. Recognises the importance of rural infrastructure investments supported by Union funds and, especially by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for needs, whose benefits go beyond agriculture, which otherwise may have not been funded given significant economic challenges and scarcity of financing faced by rural areas;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 71
71. Notes that EAFRD funding to infrastructure projects is based on shared manage -ment where Member States are responsible for management, monitoring and control as well as for selection and implementation of projects, while the role of the Commission is to supervise the proper functioning of the management and control systems in Member States, believes that these roles should be more clearly defined so that beneficiaries are clear as to which areas monitoring bodies have competence over; underlines that both the Commission and Member States must respect the principles of sound financial management;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 28 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73
73. Strongly recommends that the EUnion investments in rural infrastructure are targeted explicitly toat projects that allow improvement of public services and/or contribute to jobs’the creation of jobs and economic development in rural areas, and for which there is a demonstrable need for public support and which deliver added value, while also ensuring that these funds are additional investments, and are not used as a replacement of national funding to essential services;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
83. Requests that Member States to set a reasonable timeframe for processing grant and payment applications and respect it, as in most cases beneficiaries have already drawn down bridging loans to complete works;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113
113. Emphasises that a multiannual grant agreement between the EIT and the KICs and the multiannual strategy of the KICs should not be a stand in the way for anof the KICs' annual reporting of the KICs;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118
118. Understands the EIT’s mission to promote cooperation among higher education, research and innovation; takes the view that companies may be in the end the main beneficiary as being the legal owner of the innovate product being brought to the market and have the financial profits; stresses the need in this situation to incorporate in the cooperation- model a structure in which given funds will flow back to the EIT, along with an agreed (suggested equal share) of the profits;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 122
122. WelcomNotes the Court's report, endorses and its recommendations and is pleased that the Commission accepts these and will take them into account in future;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 124
124. Stresses that the services market has not achieved its full potential and that the impact on growth and jobs of successful implementation of the Services Directive is high; whilenotes, however, that essential services such as water provision - how it is supplied and how it is paid for - should be a matter for individual Member States, and that keeping it in public ownership is the preferred option; notes further that the potential economic benefit or otherwise of full implementation of the Directive is still not known, and that the Commission should develop aorder a fully independent study in order to estimate the output gains or losses in the most possibly reliabley quantitative terms;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125
125. EWhere marked by the result of an independent study of the full implications and possible outcomes of a more complete imposition of the Services Directive, where it is shown to be socially beneficial, encourages subsequent inclusion of more sectors in order to achieve a broader removal of sectorial obstacles to market integration with a final goal of removing of barriers in the internal market for services and developing full Union potential for growth, competitiveness and job creation;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126
126. Considers that Member States could have made better use of the measures provided by the Commission to support transposition, implementation and enforcement specially by sharing the problems faced in the different stages of the procedure, discussing possible common solutions and exchanging best practices, especially where those best practices suggest a move away from the privatisation of essential services back towards public ownership;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 38 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152
152. Considers the rail freight transport one of the key aspects of the single market for goods and invitgiven its massive positive potential in terms of climate change targets and reducing road transport usage, urges the Commission to give it a new impetus within the single market strategy; asks for a rail freight transport strategy to be put in place;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160
160. Calls on the Commission to evaluate all of the Court’s observations and to take the requested measures to avoid making the same mistakes during 2014- 2020 migration policy; calls for application of all the Court’s recommendations;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 161
161. Believes that the use of funds should be guided by improved monitoring and evaluation systems based on baseline indicators, progressive benchmarks and measurable and realistic objectives, all of which should ultimately have the best interests of those most affected - the migrants - at heart; calls on the Commission to review all indicators, benchmarks and objectives provided by the actual migration programs;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164
164. Calls on the Commission to engage constructively for a better coordination between instruments, mechanisms and relevant stakeholders, including in particular representatives of the migrants themselves, to achieve migration crisis prevention;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 166
166. Believes, in this context, that due care should be given to the appropriate targeting of aid to different and evolving external migration’s issues while also ensuring the adequacy of oversight of disbursed funds in order to avoid the risk of misappropriation of funds and double financing;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 167
167. Considers that there is a crucial need to reconcile the demand onfor better results with the availability of sufficient funds to ensure a high level of ambition in the design of the Union’s comprehensive and sustainable response to current and future challenges induced by the migration crisis; believes that the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) mid-term revision is the appropriate forum to address these challenges, with a view to increasing the budget for those funds;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 179
179. WelcomNotes the findings and recommendations of the Court Special Report N° 10/2016 on further improvements needed to ensure effective implementation of the excessive deficit procedure;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 180
180. Recommends that the Commission should improve transparency ofdispense with the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) through regular communication of its country assessments on compliance with structural reforms proposed under EDP and through greater transparency in the application of the rules, given that its implementation has been patchy at best, discriminatory at worst, with the Union's larger economies given free rein; given also that EDPs are simply an extension of the so-called two-pack and six-pack economic strait-jacket;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 181
181. Believes that following consultation with Member States, the Commission should regularly report to the European Parliament on the progress of country-specific EDPs;deleted
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 182
182. Recommends the Commission to continue its progress of involving national fiscal councils and ensure that the European Fiscal Board takes a formal role under the EDP; takes note that transparency under the EDP has improved in recent years and recognises that certain information of a politically sensitive nature cannot always be put into the public domain;deleted
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 48 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 183
183. Recommends that the EDP should focus more closely on the reduction of government debt; notes that as of end- 2014 only 13 Member States had debt-to- GDP levels below 60%; points out that several Member States now find themselves heavily indebted, despite the fact that the EU is benefiting from a modest recovery and public debt levels are higher now than they were in 2010;deleted
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 186
186. Considers that the Commission should ensure that the application of EDP rules should be closely coordinated with structural reform measures agreed through the European semester.deleted
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 196
196. Welcomes that the Commission has established projects focused on civil society organisations; calls on the Commission to continue this practice and to establish strong relationships with the local NGOs;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 198
198. Notes from the Court that although many of the projects were well-managed, the results were not always sustainable or even achieved; further notes that the projects did not always fall into a coherent approach towards strengthening administrative capacity building; calls on the Commission to improve strategic planning and to secure sustainability and viability of the projects by setting it as a pre-condition of the projects;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 66 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 230
230. Notes that the projects partially contributed towards strengthening of public administration, however they were not always in line with the Moldovan administration’s needs or objectives; calls on the Commission to focus the projects more specifically in line with the concrete national needs;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 239
239. Points out that the integration of Roma depends on their inclusion and the extent to which they can enjoy the same rights as the entire body of European citizens, of which Roma fully faorm part;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 68 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 22
Part XXII – Special Report No 17/2016 of the Court of Auditors entitled “The EU institutions can fordo more to facilitate access to their Public Procurement”
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 279
279. Calls onfor increased transparency of public procurement within Union institutions, as well as at national level, through public availability of documents and data on public procurement; considers that the visibility of the Union institutions’ procurement activities on the internet is poor, the information is insufficient, unclear and spread over many different websites;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 300
300. Notes with regret that the Commission’s recognition procedure does not take account of some of the key aspects of sustainability and fair trade, such as a) mega trade deals (CETA and TTIP being just two examples) that will lead to decreased localised production, increased centralised production and thus increased produce transport and also increased air pollution, b) land tenure conflicts, c) forced or child labour, d) poor working conditions for farmers, e) dangers to health and safety and the impact of indirect land- use changes, all of which in different contexts are considered extremely relevant; considers this to represent an inconsistency in the Commission´s policies; calls on the Commission to redevelop its assessment procedures in a more comprehensive manner and to include these aspects in its verification procedure for the voluntary schemes; calls on the Commission to require voluntary schemes to report once a year on the basis of their certification activities and relevant information concerning the abovementioned risks;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 307
307. Welcomes the fact that the Commission issues guidance notes to the voluntary schemes which contribute to promoting best practice and to increased effectiveness; notes, however, that the notes are not binding and are not fully implemented; invites the Commission to consider makingmake the guidance notes binding for the voluntary schemes in order to ensure that the requirements are fulfilled;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 74 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 314
314. Stresses the high levels of management costs and fees compared to the actual financial support to final recipients; points out that wherever possible, specific ERDF and ESF funds size should be revised to take, wherever possible, advantage of the significant economies in the cost of operating funds;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 75 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 315
315. Considers that the Commission is in a privileged position to provide additional guidance to Member States on how to set up such financial instruments within Member States or at Union level (which are managed directly or indirectly by the Commission); stresses the importance of the importance of ensuring that financial instruments are not subject to unacceptable tax avoidance schemes;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 317
317. Shares the view that lessons learnted from the audited programming period (2007-2013) be reflected when setting up the financial instruments for the European Structural and Investment Funds; considers in particular that proposals should be oriented towards performance and results rather than mere compliance;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 111 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 364
364. Recommends that, with the support of the Commission, the Member States, in the current CAP period, the Member States should develop and set up a framework for assessing the cost of running and updating of their LPISs. This should enable the Member States to measure the performance of their LPISs and the cost-effectiveness of system improvements.
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 112 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 365
365. Recommends that the Member States ensure that, using their LPISs, they reliably identify and, register, and then effectively monitor, ecological focus areas, permanent grassland and new categories of land. They should also assess the cost versus benefits ofdo a cost/benefit analysis, including in their LPISs all landscape elements protected under cross-compliance or agri-environmental schemes, in order to further enhance the monitoring and protection of such elements beneficial for the environment and for biodiversity.
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 113 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 371
371. Asks that for the CAP post-2020 that, the Commission envisages toshould ameliorate the rules regarding cross-compliance on- the- spot checks and will call on the Member States to carry out their existing administrative checks in an efficient way by a) using all relevant information available, and b) reducing the number of agencies involved in such checks to a minimum, thus ensuring that farmers are not placed in a situation as currently prevails in Ireland for example, where several different agencies are involved, all of which can have their own priorities, all of which can call at any given time, and all of which are ultimately subjective. This would allow a more effective targeting of key control points.
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 114 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 373
373. Encourages the Commission to develop a standard methodology of assessing cross-compliance with a view to reducing subjectivity/inspector bias in those assessments, this standard is to be developed across all Member States; further encourages the Commission to also develop a standard methodology to measure the costs of cross-compliance after the report on the performance of the CAP due by the end of 2018.
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 118 #

2016/2208(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 385
385. RegretNotes that Member States have not acted collectively to speed up the joint procurement of the pandemic influenza vaccine and; recognises that influenza is an issue that affects health services in individual Member States on an annual basis but recommends that, given the cost of the annually-changing vaccines, a comprehensive fully independent (especially of the drug companies themselves) study should be carried out on the effectiveness of those vaccines. A co-ordinated approach across Member States will benefit the health of Union citizens and reduce costs;
2017/03/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Citation 8
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance4 as to a) the reliability of the accounts and b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 4 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 2 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 1
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Commission discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015; until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form- filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 2
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance11 as to a) the reliability of the accounts and b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 11 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 2
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015; until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form-filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 3
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance21 as to (a) the reliability of the accounts and (b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 21are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 21 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147. OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 3
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium- sized Enterprises discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015 until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form- filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 4
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance31 as to a) the reliability of the accounts and b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 31are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 31 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147. OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 4
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015; until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form- filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 14 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 5
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance42 as to a) the reliability of the accounts and b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 42are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 42 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147. OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 5
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the European Research Council Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015 until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form-filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 6
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance52 as to a) the reliability of the accounts and b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 52 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 6
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the Research Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015 until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form- filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 7
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance62 as to (a) the reliability of the accounts and (b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 62 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 21 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 7
Paragraph 1
1. GPostpones its decision on grantsing the Director of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2015 until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form-filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 23 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 8
Citation 7
– having regard to the fact (unusual) that the statement of assurance72 as to (a) the reliability of the accounts and (b) the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2015, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, _________________ 72are separate accounts, which can and does cause confusion over whether or not the EU accounts have in fact been signed off; _________________ 72 OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147. OJ C 380, 14.10.2016, p. 147.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Proposal for a decision 8
Paragraph 1
1. ApprovPostpones the closure of the accounts of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2015 until such time as the confusion over the split reports on the Statement of Assurance is cleared up, and until such time also as the Parliament (and by extension the EU public) is provided with a clear and unambiguous statement of affairs vis-à-vis funds that cannot be fully accounted for either because of fraud and/or negligence, as opposed to simple bureaucratic form-filling error, where funds were properly spent but simply improperly accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 27 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas Europe is facing a crisis of confidence in its institutions, a situation for which each individual institution of the EU must accept its own share of responsibility, and which thus requires Parliament to be particularly rigorous when scrutinising the accounts of the Commission;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas while the percentages involved in the EU budget as a) a portion of the overall aggregate Member States' expenditure, and b) the unaccounted for/misspent/wasted element of that budget, are small, the actual amounts involved are considerable and thus justify intense scrutiny;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas when the Parliament grants discharge to the Commission it checks – within reason – whether or not funds have been used correctly and policy goals achieved;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the 10 political priorities set out by President Juncker on the other side, while also responding to a number of crisis situations: refugees, insecurity in Europe and its neighbourhood, financial instability in Greece and the economic impact of the Russian ban exports;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets that the current budgetary arrangements do not facilitate the translation of social and political aspirations into useful operational objectives for spending programmes and schemes;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 46 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that there will be an opportunity in 2020 to bring the long term strategy and policy-making in to line with the budgetary cycle and recommends that this opportunity should be availed of;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 50 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Endorses the suggestion made by the Court of Auditors (the “Court”) in its “Briefing paper on the mid-term review of 28.10.2016” (points 39 and 40) of the multiannual financial framework that it is time for the Commission to explore other options, for example:
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 1
– a rolling budgeting programme with a five years planning horizon, clause(s) of revision by objectives and policies and rolling evaluation programme;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 2
– determining the duration of programmes and schemes on policy needs rather basing it on the length of the financial planning period and; requiring Member States and the Commission to present well -justified needs for (a) Union funding and (b) results to be achieved, before spending is set;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to put on the agenda of the next experts’ meeting on Budget Focused Results (BFOR) the suggestions made by the Court in its “briefing paper on mid-term review” of 28. 10.2016 (points 39 and 40) in order to prepare the next 'Conference on EU Budget focused on Results' initiative that could debate on the policy areas in which the Union budget should be spent before deciding upon the financial framework;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 64 #

2016/2151(DEC)

10. Points out the increasing use of financial instruments principally composed of loans, equity instruments, guarantees and risk sharing instruments under indirect management for the 2014-2020 period, and points out further that the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group managed almost all of the financial instruments under indirect management;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 70 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to propose measures to make EUnion Funding arrangements - which include, in particular, structural funds, trust funds, strategic investment funds, guarantee funds, facilities, financial instruments and macro-financial assistance instruments - clearer, simpler, more coherent and better equipped to ensure sufficient transparency, accountability and public understanding of how Union policies are funded and the benefits they bring (see points 50 and 56 of the Court’s “briefing paper on mid-term review” of 28. 10.2016); those EU Funding arrangements include, in particular, structural funds, trust funds, strategic investment funds, guarantee funds, facilities, financial instruments and macro-financial assistance instruments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Asks the Commission to re- evaluate the ex-ante assessment for the Connecting Europe Facility debt instrument in the light of the creation of the EFSI, and also to consider the impact of EFSI on other Union programmes and financial instruments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 77 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes Commissioner Oettinger’s intention to bring the various shadow budgets, in the long run, back under the Union budget but proposes that this should be done sooner rather than later; Ccalls on the Commission to prepare a communication on this issue;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that this situation may indeed pose a significant challenge as in some Member States the unclaimed Union contribution, together with required co- financing, exceeds 15% of the total general government expenditure; this means that because of their own internal budgetary restrictions, those Member States most in need of EU contributions to improve their infrastructure are also the Member States who lose most – this anomaly needs to addressed and ended;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 88 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that five Member States (Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Poland and Romania), all of whom badly need access to the Structural Funds, account for more than half of the unused commitments of Structural Funds that have not led to payment;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 94 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Finds iunadmissicceptable that by the end of 2015 fewer than 20% of the national authorities responsible for European sStructural and Investment funds - with the exception of the European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development (EAFRD) had been designated by the Member States which is; those designations are a necessary step for Member States' authorities to submit statements of expenditure to the Commission;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Notes that the Commission adopted in March 2015 a payment plan presenting short term measures to reduce the level of unpaid bill, but points out that while those measures seek to improve shorter term cash -flow management, dealing with the high level of outstanding commitments requires a longer term perspective;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 105 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Requests that the Commission takes measures to reduce outstanding commitments including,: (1) faster closure and earlier decommitment of the 2007-2013 programmes,; (2) wider use of net correction in cohesion,; (3) a reduction of cash held by fiduciaries and (4) the compilation of payment plans and forecasts where outstanding commitments are significant;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 107 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
25. Requests once again that the Commission establish annually an updated long-term cash-flow forecast, spanning a seven- to -ten -year time horizon covering budgetary ceilings, payments needs, capacity constraints and potential de commitments, in order to better match payments needs and funds available;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 110 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
26. Requests that as a matter of urgency, given the poor situation in which several Member States now find themselves, the Commission considers in its budgetary and financial management the capacity constraints of certain Member States, in order to avoid the underutilisation of funds and to increase the absorption rates, especially in the area of the ESI funds;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 118 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Points out that unused amounts of financial instruments remain relatively high, 80% of which were at the end of 2014 concentrated in five Member States at the end of 2014 (of which Italy constituted 45% of the total);
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 119 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. WelcomNotes the fact that the Court gives a clean opinion on the reliability of the accounts for 2015 as it had done since 2007, that the Court concluded that revenue was free from material error in 2015 and notes with satisfaction that the commitments underlying the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2015 are legal and regular in all material respects; notes also, however, that this 'clean opinion' can give rise to confusion among the general population as to whether or not this means that the Court is giving a 'clean opinion' on the overall accounts of the Commission - given the vast sums involved, absolute clarity is needed and while the accuracy of the book-keeping is important, in any proper auditing process it is the underlying accounting that is paramount, i.e. whether all income and expenditure is legal, proper and (within the accepted parameters) fully accounted for;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 120 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Deeply regrets that for the 22nd year in a row payments are materially affected by error because of the fact that the supervisory and control systems are only partially effective and points out that this, in fact, is the true result of the various ECA audits and that based on that result, discharge should be withheld;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 121 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Regrets that payments are affected by a most likely error -rate of 3,8% and notes that this error-rate is unacceptable; recalls that the most likely error -rate for payments was estimated in the financial year 2014 at 4,4%, in the financial year 2013 at 4,7%, in the financial year 2012 at 4,8% and in the financial year 2011 at 3,9%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 126 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Notes with concern that if the corrective measures taken by the Member States and the Commission had not been applied to the payments audited by the Court, the overall estimated level of error would have been 4,3 % rather than 3,8%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 127 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that the Court found highest estimated levels of error in spending under ‘Economic, social and territorial cohesion’ (5,2%) and for “Competitiveness for growth and jobs” (4,4%) whilst “Administrative expenditure” had the lowest estimated level of error (0,6%); recommends that the Court should initiate a Special Report examining and comparing those areas with a view to producing a concise 'best- practice' document;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 129 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
37. Notes that the different risk patterns of reimbursement schemes and entitlement schemes have had a major influence on the level of errors in the different spending areas; where the Union reimburses eligible costs for eligible activities on the basis of cost declarations made by beneficiaries the level of error is 5,2% whilst where payments are made on meeting conditions rather than reimbursing costs the error rate is 1,9%; recommends that the Court should examine and compare those areas with a view to concluding a Special Report on Best Practice;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 130 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
39. Stresses that the Commission recognises that spending is affected by a material level of error, as it presentsed in its 2015 annual and management performance report, COM (2016) 446, the amount at risk asbeing in a range from EUR 3,3 to 4,5 billion, which represents between 2,3% and 3,1% of the payments; notes that the Commission estimates that it will in the future years identify and correct errors for between EUR 2,1 to 2.,7 billion;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 131 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
40. Shares the view of the Court that the Commission’s methodology for estimating its amount at risk error has improved over the years but that individual DGs’ estimations of the level of irregular spending are not based on a consistent methodology (see in particular paragraph 1.38 of the 2015 Court annual report); recommends that this practice should be regularized and standardized as soon as possible;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 133 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
42. Points in particular to the fact that for more than three quarters of 2015, expenditure Commission dDirectorates gGeneral base their estimates of amount at risk on data provided by national authorities, whilst it appears from the annual activity reports of the concerned Commission directorates general (DG AGRI and DG REGIO) that the reliability of Member States' control reports remains a challenge, although the data reporting of Member States has improved;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 137 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. Emphasises, in this context, that if the Commission were sure of the effectiveness of its corrective capacity the dDirector gGenerals should not issue any financial reservation in their annual activity reports;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 139 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
45. Points out that the Commission reports78 a total implemented financial corrections and recoveries amounting to EUR 3,9 billion; that around EUR 1,2 billion of the corrections and recoveries were at source (applied before the Commission accepted expenditure) and that of the remainder:ing EUR 2,7 billion, around EUR 1,1 billion represents withdrawals by Member States applied after accepting expenditure by replacing ineligible amounts with new cohesion projects; _________________ 78 see paragraph 1.39 of the 2015 ECA annual report
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 141 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
47. Shares the view expressed by the Court in its sSpecial rReport 27/2016 that the distinction introduced by the Kinnock- Prodi reform between the “political responsibility of Commissioners” and the operational responsibility of dDirectors- gGeneral means that it has not always been made clear whether ‘political responsibility’ includes taking responsibility for the dDirectorates-gGeneral budget execution, or whether it is distinct from it (see point 5 of the executive summary of ECA special report 27/2016);
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 143 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 50
50. Calls again on the Commission to issue, on an annual basis, a single, proper "Statement of aAssurance" based on the directors-general annual activity reports and to produce its own statistically estimate of the level of error; asks the Commission to evaluate separately the amount of EU money it envisages to recuperate as recoveries or financial corrections linked to the financial year 2015;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 145 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Deeply regretNotes that the director general of Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, as in previous years, continues to issue a horizontal reservation covering all payments and cost claims under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7); calls on the director general to develop, at long last, a more meaningful, risk based approach and use specific reservations when needed;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 154 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 66
66. Points out that there remain a number of weaknesses in the performance indicators used in Horizon 2020, such as 1) in relation to the balance of indicators which measure only inputs or outputs rather than results and impact81 , 2) the absence of baselines orand 3) a lack of ambition in targets; _________________ 81 see paragraph 3.29 of the ECA annual report
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 155 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 68
68. Notes with satisfaction that, as to the proposals and grant agreements examined by the Court, sufficient emphasis had been put on performance in the objectives, when required by the Commission, and that the same applies for the evaluation process of these proposals;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 163 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 72
72. Regrets thate observations made by the Court noted that many of the objectives used in management plans and annual activity reports of the DGs for agriculture and rural development (AGRI) for Climate Action (CLIMA), for Environment (ENVI) and for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE) were taken directly from policy or legislative documents and lacked the level of detail necessary for management and monitoring purposes;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 164 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 73 – indent 1
– assess the performance of work programmes and calls, by translating high- level objectives set out in the Horizon 2020 legislation into operational objectives at work programme level;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 167 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 74
74. WelcomNotes the fact that the Court overall audit evidence indicates that revenue is not affected by a material level of error and, in particular, that the examined systems are effective for GNI and VAT -based own resources, that the examined systems are overall effective for the traditional own resources, the key internal controls in Member States visited by the Court being nevertheless partially effective and that the Court found no errors in the transactions tested; notes also, however, that as has been known for many years but that as was highlighted in 2016 when there was an almost overnight increase of 26%, Ireland's GDP is hugely distorted by the presence and activities of many major multinationals corporations (MNCs), this distorted GDP then used to overestimate Ireland's contribution to the EU budget; given that the major distortion announced in 2016 related to Ireland's 2015 GDP, a refund is surely due to Ireland for that year;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 168 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 75
75. Recalls that a reservation is a means by which a doubtful element in GNI data submitted by a Member State is kept open for possible correction and welcomnotes the fact that the Court did not identify serious problems in the lifted reservations reviewed in 2015; advises, however, that in light of the gross distortion of Ireland's GDP for 2015, caused by the activities of its many major multinational corporations (MNCs), such a reservation is now needed for Ireland for 2015;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 169 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78
78. Regarding the traditional own resources, notes that at the end of 2015, the Commission also had a list of 325 open points concerning non-compliance with Union customs rules that they had identified through inspections in Member States;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 170 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
79. Points out that the Court found - as to the customs duties and sugar levies statements -, the Court found inefficiencies in the management of the amounts receivable (known as the B accounts) in the Member States and that the Commission identified similar shortcomings in 17 of the 22 Member States they visited;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 171 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
81. Stresses that the impact of the major revisions to the GNI balances could be smaller if a common Union revision policy harmonising the time table for major revisions had been in place;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 172 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 82
82. Deplores that structural and legal elements having led to the political incident which occurred by the end of October 2014 as to the contributions of some Member States are still in place;deleted
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 173 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83 – indent 5 a (new)
– reassess Ireland's EU 2015 budget contribution with a view to changing the basis for assessment from GDP to the more accurate GNP, which in the case of the vast majority of countries are far more closely aligned than in Ireland and which would reflect a truer measure of Ireland's national production;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 182 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 92
92. Regrets that that the target to invest 3% of Member States’ gross domestic product (GDP) into research by 2020 will most likely not be met; recommends that in the case of Ireland, where GDP is hugely distorted by the presence and activities of many major multinational corporations, GNP rather than GDP should be used as the basis for such calculations;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 185 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 94
94. Welcomes also that the share of Horizon 2020 funds allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises increased from 19,4% in 2014 to 23,4% in 2015 and recommends that this trend should be proactively encouraged;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 187 #

2016/2151(DEC)

97. Notes that the responsibility to implement the research framework programmes is shared amongst different Commission directorate-generals, to Executive Agencies, Joint Undertakings and so called Article 185 bodies (partnerships with the Member States), all of which requires close coordination;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 188 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 98
98. Clarifies that the Court’s audit concerned almost exclusively concerned payments under the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7);
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 189 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 103
103. Regrets that most of the quantified errors which the Court found (33 out of 38) concerned the reimbursement of ineligible personnel and indirect costs declared by beneficiaries; almost all of the errors we found in cost statements were due to beneficiaries misinterpreting the complex eligibility rules or incorrectly calculating their eligible costs which leads to the obvious conclusion that those rules need to be simplified;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 193 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 105
105. RegretNotes that the director general of DG R&I issued again, as in previous years, a horizontal reservation concerning all cost claims under FP7 (EUR 1,47 billion); is of the opinion that horizontal reservations in general cannot be considered as instrument of sound financial management;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 196 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 109
109. Is concerned about the Court’s findings that multiannual programmes setting political objectives like EU 2020 or Horizon 2020, while they advance in parallel and, they do not have a real link87 ; _________________ 87 European Court of Auditors, Annual Report 2015, point 3.19
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 204 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 113
113. Calls on the Member States to make an extra effort with the view to meeting the target of 3% GDNP being invested in research; this would boost excellence and innovation;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 205 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 115
115. Calls on the Commission to follow- up in particular the 16 cases of quantifiable errors, in which Commission, national authorities or independent auditors had sufficient information to prevent or detect and correct the errors before accepting the expenditure; and further, to inform its competent committee in detail about the corrective measures taken before the end of October 2017;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 212 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 119
119. WelcomNotes the fact that, according to the ex-post evaluation of the ERDF/CF 2007- 201392 , EUR 1 of cohesion policy investment will generate EUR 2,74 of additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2023; swelcomes the fact that Structural and cCohesion fFunds invested mainly in small and medium enterprise innovation (EUR 32,3 billion), generic enterprise support (EUR 21,4 billion), in research and technology development (RTD) infrastructure (EUR 17,5 billion), transport investments (EUR 82,2 billion), energy investment (EUR 11,8 billion), environmental investment (EUR 41,9 billion), culture and tourism investments (EUR 12,2 billion) and urban and social infrastructure (EUR 28,8 billion); _________________ 92 SWD(2016) 318 final SWD(2016) 318 final
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 214 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 120
120. WelcomNotes that ERDF/CF were able, to a certain extent,to a limited extent, ERDF/CF were able to counter- balance the effects of the 2007-2008 financial crises, indicating that without structural funds’ intervention the economic divergence among European regions would have grown even more than it has;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 226 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 122
122. Regrets that it is not informed about the measures, which the Commission asked Member States to undertake in the context of the European semester
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 227 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 124
124. Welcomes the fact that the Court has aligned the chapters in its Annual Report to the heading under the MFF; is , however, of the opinion, however, that the funds under this heading are of such financial importance (- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): EUR 28,3 billion,; Cohesion Fund (CF): EUR 12,1 billion,; European Social Fund (ESF): EUR 10,3 billion) - that the Court’s audit strategy should keep the ERDF and the CF, one the one hand, and the ESF, on the other, identifiable;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 229 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 125
125. Is concerned that Member States, in particular towards the end of a programming period, Member States focussed on absorption funds available under national envelops rather than on achievement of policy objectives;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 231 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 126
126. Is anxious that the 16 Member States, which that have not yet transposed the directive on public procurement, and the 19 Member States whichthat have not transposed the directive on award of concession contracts, and the 17 Member States, which that have not yet transposed the directive on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors, do so as swiftquickly as possible, as the directives aim at further simplification; calls on the Commission to verify progress in these areas;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 232 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 127
127. Highlights the importance of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI); by the end of November 2015, close to 320,000 young people had been included in actions supported by the YEI and 18 out of 22 Member States had launched actions under it; 28 % of the available YEI funding had been committed,; 20 % had been contracted out to beneficiaries and 5 % had been paid to beneficiaries; three Member States had not yet committed any funding by the end of November 2015 (ES, IE, UK-Scotland);
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 235 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 129
129. Notes that, in 2015, more than 80% of the payments were interim payments to operational programmes (OPs) of the 2007- 2013 programming period, whose eligibility period ended 31 December 2015; the advance payments to the 2014-2020 programming period amounted to around EUR 7,8 billion;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 237 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 131
131. Notes with regret that the Court quantified the estimated level of error at 5,2% (2014: 5,7%); is alarmed that the Court, as in previous years, had to conclude that “In 18 cases of quantifiable errors made by beneficiaries, national authorities had sufficient information to prevent or detect and correct the errors before declaring the expenditure to the Commission. If all this information had been used, the estimated level of error for this chapter would have been 2,4 percentage points lower.”94 _________________ 94 European Court of Auditors, Annual Report concerning the financial year 2015, point 6.36
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 238 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 132
132. Takes note that in the area of ERDF/CF expenditure, the Court identified that the main risks to regularity were, in the area of ERDF/CF expenditure, that beneficiaries, on the one hand, that on the one hand, beneficiaries declare costs whichthat are ineligible according to national eligibility rules and/or the less numerous eligibility provisions in the EU structural funds regulations, or, on the other hand, noncompliance with EU and/or national public procurement rules when awarding contracts; the Commission estimated the risk of error in this policy area between 3% and 5,6%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 240 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 133
133. Takes note that in the area of ESF expenditure, the Court identified that the main risk to regularity related, in the area of ESF expenditure, to the intangible nature of the investments in human capital, and the involvement of multiple, often small-scale, partners in the implementation of projects; the Commission estimated the risk of error in this policy area between 3% and 3,6%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 241 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 135
135. Welcomes thate fact that Member States’ annual control reports became, more reliable over the years, more reliable: in only 14 cases (ERDF/CF) adjusted the Commission error rate reported by Member States upwards by more than 2%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 248 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 146
146. Is deeply concerned that, in Hungary, the European Court of Auditors and DG REGION discovered serious irregularities related to the construction of metro line four4 in Budapest; based on an OLAF administrative enquiry, which began in 2012 and which was only recently concluded due to the complex nature of the case, the Commission may have to recover EUR 228 million and the European Investment Bank may have to recover EUR 55 million; the mismanagement was discovered at project level; the OLAF case report also recommends judicial follow-ups in Hungary and the United Kingdom; calls on the Commission to keep its competent committee regularly informed on the progress made and measures taken;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 250 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 147
147. Deplores the adoption of two ordinances by the Romanian Parliament, of two ordinances which could impede an effective fight against corruption and which, in addition, could offer the possibility of pardoning politicians who may have been implicated in illegal acts; such new legislative measures could have a very negative impact on the Commission's endeavour to protect the Union's financial interests as Romania is an important recipient of structural funds; calls on the Commission to inform its competent committee about the measures taken by the Commission to address the situation in time for the 2015 discharge vote;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 252 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 149
149. Asks the Court that, given their financial importance, its audit strategy should keep the ERDF and the CF, one the one hand, and the ESF, on the other, separately identifiable given their financial importance;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 253 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150 – indent 1
to make sure that the management and control systems concerned in the 15 Member States97 , which showed weaknesses, are reinforced, and report on its effort to its competent committee in writing before October 2017; _________________ 97 European Court of Auditors, Annual Report concerning the financial year 2015, point 6.9, footnote 8
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 255 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 150 – indent 4
– in line with the Court’s recommendation, when making its legislative proposal for the next programming period, to fundamentally reconsider the design and delivery mechanism for the ESI funds, (including political and financial frameworks), when making its legislative proposal for the next programming period taking also into account also the suggestions of the high level simplification group; calls on the Commission to prepare a communication on this issue at an early stage;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 258 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 151
151. Fully supports Commissioner Oettinger when he said that financial instruments and “shadow budgets” must be brought back, in the long run, eventually under the roof of the Union budget (and the sooner the better), as the Commission would be answerable to the European Parliament; calls on the Commission to prepare a communication on this issue before November 2017;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 259 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 152
152. Recalls that the direct aid schemes introduced by the 2013 CAP Reform only entered into force in claim year 2015 and that the present report relates to the expenditure of budget year 2015, corresponding to the direct aid applications lodged in 2014, the last year of the old CAP schemes; also notes that much of the expenditure in rural development are in multi annual programs and as such cannot be assessed accurately on an annual basis;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 261 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154
154. Points out that for “Market and direct support”, the estimated error of the Court is 2,2%, slightly above the materiality threshold of 2% (same level as in 2014) whilst in “Rural development and other policies”, the estimated level of error remains high at 5,3% but is lower than the 6% estimated last year; regrets therefore that the focus of the simplification agenda being pursued by the Commission is on Pillar one while Pillar two which is known to have a higher error rate due to the complexity of the schemes within it is not receiving priority;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 262 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 154
154. Points out that for “Market and direct support”, the estimated error of the Court is 2,2%, slightly above the materiality threshold of 2% (same level as in 2014), whilst in “Rural development and other policies”, the estimated level of error remains high at 5,3% but is lower than the 6% estimated last year;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 263 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155
155. Stresses that errors in direct support area were nearly all due to an overstated number of eligible hectares despite the fact that the reliability of data in the Land Parcel Identification System has been constantly improving over recent years and, believes however that there is room for further improvement in particular in developing a consistent approach to identifying landscape features, trees and hedges; points out that in rural development half of the errors were caused by the ineligibility of the beneficiary or project, 28% by procurement issues and 8% by infringements to agri-environmental commitments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 264 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 155
155. Stresses that errors in direct support area were nearly all due to an overstated number of eligible hectares despite the fact that the reliability of data in the Land Parcel Identification System has been constantly improving over recent years, and points out that in rural development, half of the errors were caused by the ineligibility of the beneficiary or project, 28% by procurement issues, and 8% by infringements to agri-environmental commitments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 266 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 157
157. Welcomes the fact that the Commission significantly reduced the number of open conformity procedures: from 192 in 2014 to 34 in 2015, and that following changes in legislation designed to streamline the procedure, the Commission now monitors the audit cycle more closely in order to comply with the internal and external deadlines;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 267 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point a
(a) for EAGF, the LPIS, the administrative controls, the quality of on- the-spot inspections, the lack of consistency in defining the parameters for maintaining land in Good Agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) and the recovery procedures for incorrect payments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 268 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point a
(a) for EAGF, t: * The LPIS, the administrative controls, t; * The quality of on- the-spot inspections and t; * The recovery procedures for incorrect payments;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 269 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 158 – point b
(b) for rural development support, d: * Deficiencies in administrative checks related to eligibility conditions, in particular those concerning public procurement;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 270 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 159
159. RegretNotes that despite the fact that in 2015in 2015, for the first time, the certification bodies were, for the first time required to ascertain the legality and regularity of the expenditure,; regrets that the Commission could use the work of those bodies only to a limited extent due to significant weaknesses in methodology and implementation such as: i* Inadequate audit strategies, small s; * Samples being drawn that were too small, i; * Insufficient skills and legal expertise of Certification Bodies’ auditors;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 272 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160 – point a
(a) in Direct payments,: * DG AGRI made adjustments (top ups) for 12 out of 69 paying agencies with an error rate above 2 % - (but none above 5 % -) while only one paying agency had initially qualified its declaration; * DG AGRI has issued a reservations for 10 paying agencies: 3 for Spain, one each for France, Bulgaria, Cyprus Italy (Calabria), Romania, and one each for Spain and France as to POSEI (Programme d'Options Spécifiques à l'Éloignement et à l'Insularité for the ultra-peripheral regions).
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 274 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 160 – point b
(b) in rural area,: * DG AGRI made adjustments (top ups) for 36 out of 72 paying agencies and in 14 cases the adjusted error rate was above 5;%; * DG AGRI issued a reservation for 24 Paying agencies comprising 18 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy (4 paying agencies), Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Spain (3 paying agencies) and the United Kingdom (2 paying agencies; i* In addition DG AGRI issued reservations concerning public procurement for 2 Member States: Germany and Spain;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 276 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 162
162. Notes that as in 2014, the Court examined performance -related issues for selected rural development transactions and is concerned by the facts that there was insufficient evidence that costs were reasonable in 44 % of projects, and that there were deficiencies in targeting measures and selecting projects, including weak links to Europe 2020 objectives.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 277 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – introductory part
163. Is concerned about the reliability of the data used by the Commission to measure Key performance indicator 1 as defined by DG AGRI concerning the agricultural factor income; believes that the current trend in part time farming due to low commodity prices is not accurately accounted for, notes in particular that:
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 278 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 163 – introductory part
163. Is concerned about the reliability of the data used by the Commission to measure Key pPerformance iIndicator 1 (KPI 1) as defined by DG AGRI concerning the agricultural factor income; notes in particular that:
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 279 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 164
164. Fears that the Commission is not well equipped to yearly provide comprehensive yearly data as to key performance indicatKPI 1, nor 1 ands a result – to precisely and comprehensively monitor the evolution of farmer income;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 280 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 165
165. Considers that key performanceKPI 4 on the employment rate in rural development is not relevant as, given that the employment rate in rural development is not solely influenced by the CAP measures and as, given also that the objective of maintaining and creating rural jobs is shared with many other instruments, notably other ESI funds;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 281 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 167
167. Takes note that the director general of DG AGRI reported in one page of its Annual activity report for 2015 on the “Trends in the distribution of direct payments” and stressed once again that it is up to the Member States to use the options offered by the 2013 CAP reform to redistribute the CAP subsidies; recommends that: * Given the fact that this is one of the biggest areas of EU funding; * Given also the fact that under the current system in certain Member States (Ireland and the UK in particular), many large farms/estates are receiving vast annual sums from CAP, giving rise to much public criticism (justified) and putting at those funds at risk for al; The Commission should control the distribution of those funds such that they are properly targeted at those who are meant to receive them, with a binding cap on CAP payments to any individual farm, adjusted to the Consumer Price Index in each individual Member State;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 282 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 167
167. Takes note that the director general of DG AGRI reported in one page of its Annual activity report for 2015 on the “Trends in the distribution of direct payments” and stressed once againbelieves that the Commission has abdicated its duties in ensuring a fair distribution of CAP by stressed that it is up to the Member States to use the options offered by the 2013 CAP reform to redistribute the CAP subsidies which is in stark contrast to its willingness to engage directly with Member States and insist regulations be followed where it feels there is funds to be recovered;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 285 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168
168. Considers that direct payments may not fully play their role as a safety net mechanism for stabilising farm income, particularly for smaller farms, given that the current distribution of payments leads to 20% of all farms in the EU receiving 80% of all direct payments which does not reflect the level of production and is a legacy of Member States continuing to base payments on historic criteria; is the opinion that larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms in times of income volatility crisis since they may benefit of potential economies of scale which are likely to make them more resilient;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 286 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 168
168. Considers that direct payments maydo not fully play their role as a safety net mechanism for stabilising farm income, particularly for smaller farms, given that the current unbalanced distribution of payments leads to 20% of all farms in the EU receiving 80% of all direct payments; is the opinion that larger farms do not necessarily need the same degree of support for stabilising farm incomes as smaller farms in times of income volatility crisis, since they may benefit of potentialfrom economies of scale which are likely to make them more resilient;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 287 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 171
171. Is concerned by the conclusions of the Court that six major changes potentially affecting the LPIS were introduced in May 2015 and that the complexity of the rules and the procedures required to deal with those changes has further increased the administrative burden for Member States; recommends that those six changes should be revisited with a view to simplification;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 290 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point b
(b) annually monitor the results of the LPIS quality assessment performed by Member States and check that all Member States with negative assessments actually take the necessary remedialhave the skills and competency to ensure accurate implementation of the schemes;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 291 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point c
(c) re-examine the current legal framework in order to simplify and streamline the LPIS related rules for the next CAP period, e.g. by re considering the need for the 2 % stability threshold and the 100-tree rule in light of the clear benefits identified in practicing Agroforestry;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 293 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point h
(h) redefine KPI 4 relating to employment in rural area in order to stress the specific impact of the CAP measures on the employment in those areas;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 294 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point i
(i) trigger regular debates between the Member States in the Council regarding the implementation of the provisions introduced by the 2013 CAP reform for redistributing the direct payments between beneficiaries and to fully report on the progress made in this regard in the annual activity report of DG AGRI;104 _________________ 104 Member States must reduce the differences between per-hectare payment levels to beneficiaries on their respective territories (this is referred to as "internal convergence"). In principle (exceptions apply), they must also reduce by at least 5 % the receipts above EUR 150 000 which any beneficiary obtains from the basic payment scheme or the single area payment scheme. In addition, Member States have the option to redistribute up to 30% of their direct payments national envelope to the first 30 ha on every farm ("redistributive payment"), as well as to set an absolute upper limit on each beneficiary's receipts from the basic payment scheme or the single area payment scheme ("capping"). and to make this information widely and publicly available to the farming community;04
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 295 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 174 – point l a (new)
(la) recommends that: * Given the fact that this is one of the biggest areas of EU funding; * Given also the fact that under the current system in certain Member States (Ireland and the UK in particular), many large farms/estates are receiving vast annual sums from CAP, giving rise to much public criticism (justified) and putting at those funds at risk for al; The Commission should control the distribution of those funds such that they are properly targeted at those who are meant to receive them, with a binding cap on CAP payments to any individual farm, adjusted to the Consumer Price Index in each individual Member State;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 298 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 177
177. Notes that if all the information detaingathered by the Commission - and the auditors appointed by the Commission - had been used to correct errors the estimated error rate for the chapter Global Europe would have been 1,6% points lower;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 299 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 179
179. Points out that the most significant type of error, representing 33% of the estimated level of error, concerns expenditure not incurred: i.e. expenditure not incurred at the moment the Commission accepted and in some cases cleared it;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 300 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 180
180. Points out that the most frequent type of error, representing 32% of the estimated level of error, concerns ineligible expenditure:, i.e.; (a) expenditure related to activities not covered by a contract or incurred outside the eligibility period,; (b) non- compliance with the rule of origin,; (c) ineligible taxes and indirect costs wrongly charged as direct costs;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 301 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 181
181. Recalls that in his declaration of assurance, the director general of DG NEAR considers that for both of the financial instruments managed by DG NEAR: - European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) and Instrument Pre Adhesion (IPA) - the financial exposure from the amount at risk is below the materiality threshold of 2% and the average determined error rate for the whole DG is 1,12%;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 302 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 184
184. Stresses that the Court found that the calculation of the RER as to the management mode “indirect management by beneficiary countries”, which combines results from non-statistical sampling by the audit authorities with the historical RER calculated by DG NEAR, is not sufficiently representative and does not provide accurate information on the amount of payments at risk; points out that according to the Court there is a risk that the calculation underestimates the level of error and may potentially impact on the assurance provided by the director General;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 303 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 187
187. Notes that DG DEVCO assessed two spending areas as high risk: g(1) Grants in direct management and i; (2) Indirect management with international organisations; but shares the views expressed by the Court that a reservation could have been justified as regards indirect management with beneficiary countries in particular because grants implemented indirectly by beneficiary countries should require a similar level of risk analysis as grants implemented directly;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 304 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 188
188. Points out that according to the findings of the Court (see paragraphs 48- 50 of the Court’s 2015 annual report on the EDF), the corrective capacity of DG DEVCO has been overestimated by not excluding recoveries of pre financing and earnestd interest and cancellations of recovery orders from the calculation of the average annual amount of recovery order issued for errors and irregularities between 2009 and 2015;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 305 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 190
190. Regrets once again that the external assistance management reports (EAMR) issued by the heads of Union Delegation are not annexed to the annual activity reports of DG DEVCO and DG NEAR as it is foreseen by article 67. 3 of the Financial Regulation; regrets that they are systematically considered as confidential whilst in accordance with article 67.3 of the Financial Regulation , "they shall be made available to the European Parliament and the Council, having due regard, where appropriate, to their confidentiality";
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 306 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 192 – point c
(c) the share of projects with implementation problems has de-creased from 53,5% to 39,7%.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 308 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 193
193. Stresses that 1) the Instrument for Stability (IFS), 2) the MIDEAST Instrument and 3) the European Development Fund are still the programs with worryingly high levels of implementation difficulties and that an unacceptable 3 of 4 EUR spent with the European Development Fund are at risk of not reaching their objectives or of to bebeing delayed;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 309 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 194 – introductory part
194. Notes that information on 3782 projects haves been reported by the Heads of Delegation for EUR 27.41 billion of commitments and that:
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 310 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 195
195. Welcomes that for the first time the Commission questioned the Heads of Union Delegations about the a priori risk of projects which may offer a first step into a centralized risk management process; recommends that on the basis of the information available regarding the difficulty field in which delegation may operate the Commission intensifies its dialogue with the delegations on how to manage this risk during the implementation phase of the project;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 311 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 197 – point d
(d) Improve performance of all delegations with less than 60% of their KPIs “green” in 2015, in particular through the adoption of action plans and DEVCO information systems.
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 313 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 199
199. Recalls that one important aspect of the Union external relations is that the fight against poverty should have as indirect impactalso aim to create the conditions of preventing the uncontrolled arrival of irregular migrants in Europe;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 314 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 200
200. Endorses the main findings reported by the Court in its special report 9/2016 concerning “EU external migration spending in Southern Mediterranean and Eastern neighbourhood countries until 2014” and stresses in particular that the existing fragmentation of instruments, hinders parliamentary oversight onf 1) the way funds are implemented and 2), the identification of responsibilities, and therefore makes it difficult to assess the financial amounts actually spent to support external action on migration;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 317 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 201
201. In light of the alarming information provided by Politico on 2 December 2016 regarding “Conflict of interest fears over Georgieva’s World Bank dealings”, recalls that the Parliament called on the Commission in its last resolution of the Commission discharge for 2014 to review the code of conduct for Commissioners by the end of 2017, including by defining what constitutes a conflict of interest;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 318 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 202
202. Considers that the new funding arrangement concluded by the Commission with the World bank106 replacing a flat management fee with a more complex formula, and foreseeing in particular that certain projects directly carried out by the World Bank may be subject to a 17% charge on the cost of personnel and consultants ma, will probably be detrimental forto the budget of the Union and could result in payments exceeding athe 7% cap on management fees forbidden by article 124.4 of the Union Financial Regulation; _________________ 106 Commission decision of 12.4.2016 amending Commission Decision C(2014) 5434 authorising the use of reimbursement on the basis of unit costs for activities implemented by a World Bank Group entity under the Framework Agreement with the Union
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 321 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 204 – indent 4
– DG DEVCO to revise the estimate of its future corrective capacity by excluding from the calculation recoveries of unspent pre financing and earned interests and cancellation of recovery orders previously issued;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 322 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 204 – indent 7
– the Commission to c(1) Clarify objectives, d; (2) Develop, expand and improve the performance measurement framework of its migration and asylum policies in neighbourhood countries, to f; (3) Focus available financial resources on clearly defined and quantified target priorities and to f, (4) Further consolidate the link between development and migration;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 323 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 204 – indent 8
– the Commission t(1) To includes in the code of conduct for Commissioners the definition of what constitutes a conflict of interests , that the Commission, and further, to outline the punishment for those who do not then declare such conflicts of interest, up to and including dismissal; (2) To fundamentally reconsiders the need to foresee in its funding arrangements with international organisations and entrusted entities provisions regarding their remuneration for staff cost linked to activities that are at the core of their mission, and that the Commission(3) To fully reports to the European Parliament by the end of 2017 on its reflections ion this regardese issues but also on the impact of the application of the new cost recovery policy;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 326 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 208
208. Recalls that deficiencies were detected by DG HOME in the management and control systems of the European Refugees Fund, Return Fund, and European fund for integration of third- country nationals and the External Borders Fund for the period 2007-2013 by Czech Republic, Germany, France and Poland;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 329 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 212 – point d
(d) provides the budget and budgetary control authority with the most possible precise data as to the cost paid for migrants/asylum seekers in order to solidly justify the amounts of budgetary requests for funding programmes, while acknowledging the unquantifiable value of any and all human life;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 331 #

2016/2151(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 213
213. Notes that an official can be appointed to a senior expert or a senior assistant post which opens the possibility to be promoted to the AD 14 grade or AST 11, and that, once an official is appointed to a senior expert post, there is no possibility to move him/her back to an administrator job; regrets the inconsistency between this measure and those aiming to reduce administrative expenses or reinforce the link between grade and function; calls on the Commission to end this practice;
2017/03/10
Committee: CONT
Amendment 3 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Is of the opinion that the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) are crucial investment tools, including for rural areas, and thatwhich includes the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) isare crucial investment tools, and should be the main financing vehicle for boosting rural development in many Member States; believes however that the complexity of the overlapping funds within the ESI Fund undermines its effectiveness and its implementation at local level;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 25 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the budget initially allocated for the current programming period under Pillar II was EUR 99.6 billion, which represents a decrease in real terms compared with the previous period, but because of provisions for additional national financing, variable co-financing rates and the possibility of fund-switching between CAP pillars, the final amount shows a slight overall increase at presentthis coupled with the economic downturn, which has been aggravated by geo- political decisions has led to a situation in many member states where there is a substantial decrease in the roll out of programs on the ground due to co- funding obligations at national level;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 36 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Is concerned by the long adoption process of the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs); expects the Commission and the Member States to have drawn lessons from this processbelieves that a clear distinction should be made between essential over arching elements which require Commission approval and those which, under the principle of subsidiarity could be implemented at Member State level in a more timely manner with a view to preventing similar delays in the future;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 47 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the higher allocation by the Member States of funds for environmental measures and for physical investments aimed at boosting competitiveness; expects that those measures will have a long-lasting impact and ; believes however that future multiannual environmental measures must be implemented for the entire funding period i.e. seven years instead of five, to ensure that gains made while participating in environmental measures are built upon in subsequent funding tranches; is of the opinion that physical investments aimed at boosting competitiveness should be undertaken in a realistic manner whigch economic leveragewill not undermine the financial viability of the enterprise with unsustainable debt levels;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 82 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Member States to avoid gold-plating or adding unnecessary guidelines and procedures which could interfere with efficient implementation of the EAFRD; asks the Commission to continue the simplification of the CAP and, where feasible and necessary, to adapt the basic legislation to this effect; regrets that discussion on simplification of the CAP has centered on "greening" in pillar I, while ignoring the situation alluded to in the study prepared for the CONT Committee in 2014 titled, " "Gold- plating" in the EAFRD: To what extent do national rules unnecessarily add to complexity and, as a result increase the risk of errors? ", which has highlighted the problems in pillar II; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that sufficient resources are dedicated to successful fulfilment of remaining ex-ante conditionalities;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 99 #

2016/2148(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that the Directorate- General for Agriculture and Rural Development has the necessary technical knowledge and overview of rural and agricultural issues and is therefore the natural manager of the RDPs, and urges the Commission to ensure that staffing levels are in place to ensure proper implementation and auditing of the CAP; believes however that as the CAP has evolved, while it is still centrally about farmers and food production, it has been allocated the extra tasks of care for the environment and a broader rural development beyond the farm gate, failure to understand this and engage fully with these additional concept and external issues undermines the claim to be the sole manager of the RDP as it is implemented under the broader aims of the ESI Fund;
2016/09/06
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
A a. It is regrettable that the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014- 2020, the European Commission's communication published in September 2016, makes no reference to the implementation of the gender mainstreaming, so that we don't have a clear gender equality strategy with specific objectives, concrete targets and allocations;
2016/12/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas within the EU's own budgetary oversight institution, the European Court of Auditors, there is a major gender imbalance, an imbalance perpetuated with every new nominee this calendar year;
2016/12/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
D a. having regard also the fact that within the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), approximately €5.85bn will be spent in the period 2014- 20 on measures promoting gender equality, of which 1.6% falls under the European Social Funds (ESF) for specific investment priority "Equality between men and women in all areas including access to employment, career progression, reconciliation of work and private life and promotion of equal pay for equal work";
2016/12/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas EU funding for gender equality in the area of fundamental rights, equality and citizenship via the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) 2014- 2020 programme has an overall budget of €439.5m, out of which 35% is earmarked for the two gender equality objectives related to gender equality and to the Daphne programme for combatting violence against women;
2016/12/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2016/2144(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Suggests that particular attention should be paid to ESIF measures supporting investments in educational, social and healthcare services, having in mind that these services are facing reductions in public funding at national and local level;
2016/12/15
Committee: CONT
Amendment 78 #

2016/2114(REG)

Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 2 – paragraph 1
Members of the European Parliament shall exercise their mandate independently. They shall not be bound by any instructions from political parties in their respective Member States or in the Union, and shall not receive a binding mandate.
2016/09/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 1 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular Articles 39, 42 and 101 to 109 thereof,
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 5 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
A a. Whereas article 102 of the TFEU indicates clearly, that directly or indirectly imposing unfair trading practices on other sectors of the food chain constitutes a breach of this regulation;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 7 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the most recent reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) sought to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain through a series of derogations and exemptions from the provisions of Article 101 TFEU, not withstanding this, the reform failed to address the anti competitive elements of the Common Agricultural Policy inherent in itself where farmers receive vastly differing levels of payments based on historic criteria which are no longer justified;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 14 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that competition policy must attach the same importance to defending the interests of agricultural producers as it does to defending consumers’ interests, ensuring that the conditions for competition are fair so asbelieves that "own brand" labelling leads to less competition in the market place and in the long term acts as a disincentive to fostering investment, employment and innovation in agricultural markets;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 30 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that the current crisis situation in farming calls for fresh initiatives to ensure that competition policy takes better account of the specific nature of agriculturea better understanding of agricultural markets, acknowledging that the overarching EU policy of "cheap food" coupled with direct income supports resulting in below cost production where farmers are not remunerated from the market place creates a situation unlike other sectors of the economy, which must be taken into consideration by competition policy;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 37 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Article 102 of the TFEU indicates clearly, that directly or indirectly imposing unfair trading practices on other sectors of the food chain constitutes a breach of this regulation;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 43 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Finds it regrettable that the scope of the current derogations is unclear and that national competition authoriare not maximized by the Member States in order to strength the position of the primary producer, further regrets that the Commission is unwilling to take regulatory action to combat the clearly identified and recognized unfair trading practices do not apply them in a uniform wayin the food chain, calls on the Commission to now act on the parliaments call for binding regulatory action in this area;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 47 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to broaden its approach in terms of criteria for determining whether an agricultural undertaking, or a number of such undertakings linked by a horizontal agreement, is deemed to be in a ‘dominant position’, taking into consideration the degree of concentbelieves that market share at input, processing and retail level must be capped to allow competition to develop, is also of the opinion that the final beneficial ownership of companies operationg in the sectors downstream must be scrutinized to ensure that there is adequate genuine competition;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 74 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for simplification of the rules on farmers’ organising collectively, so as to strengthen their negotiating capacity while safeguarding the principles set out in Article 39 TFEUbelieves that farmers and Member States must fully engage with, and exploit the potential of producer groups so as to strengthen their negotiating capacity while safeguarding the principles set out in Article 39 TFEU; is of the opinion that producer groups must focus on quality and regional specialties to differentiate themselves from their opposition and not to engage in a "race to the bottom" by focusing on cost alone;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 97 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Believes that full and satisfactory implementation of the ‘Milk Package’ is essential in order to strengthen the dairy sector; asks the Commission to propose that the ‘Milk Package’ should continue to apply beyond mid-2020, and to examine whether its rules could be extended to other sectors of agriculturelso believes that dairy producers should be encouraged and incentivized to act in a more commercial manner to market movements by creating linkages with the Milk Market Observatory which would enable them the react to price fluctuations by reducing output to match demand;
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 106 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the need to reinforce the single market through a fiscal union, and calls for the treaties to be amended accordingly;deleted
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 121 #

2016/2100(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Believes that the cumulative effect of trade deals such as TTIP, CETA and Mercosur will further undermine the position of the EU primary producer and will encourage additional uncompetitive practices by providing the retail sector with the tool of cheaper imports.
2016/10/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 336 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Whereas the most recent reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) sought to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain through a series of derogations and exemptions from the provisions of Article 101 TFEU, notwithstanding this, the reform failed to address the anti-competitive elements of the Common Agricultural Policy inherent in itself where farmers receive vastly differing levels of payments based on historic criteria which are no longer justified;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 338 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5 a (new)
Agriculture and the Agri-food sector
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 339 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Emphasizes that Article 42 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) accords a special status to the agricultural sector with regard to the application of competition law;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 340 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Believes that the current crisis situation in farming calls a better understanding of agricultural markets, acknowledging that the overarching EU policy of "cheap food" coupled with direct income supports resulting in below cost production where farmers are not remunerated from the market place creates a situation unlike other sectors of the economy, which must be taken into consideration by competition policy;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 342 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Recalls that the most recent reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) sought to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain through a series of derogations and exemptions from the provisions of Article 101 TFEU;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 344 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Finds it regrettable that the scope of the current derogations are not maximized by the Member States in order to strength the position of the primary producer, further regrets that the Commission is unwilling to take regulatory action to combat the clearly identified and recognized unfair trading practices in the food chain, calls on the Commission to now act on the parliaments call for binding regulatory action in this area;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 346 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Believes that the current crisis situation in farming worsens the already weak position of farmers in the food supply chain and calls for fresh initiatives to ensure that competition policy takes better account of the specific nature of agriculture;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 347 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Finds it regrettable that, despite the publication of guidelines on the application of the specific rules set out in Articles 169, 170 and 171 of the Single CMO regulation1b , the scope of the current derogations remains unclear, difficult to implement and unevenly applied by national competition authorities; __________________ 1bRegulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007.
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 349 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 e (new)
20e. Believes that market share at input, processing and retail level must be capped to allow competition to develop, is also of the opinion that the final beneficial ownership of companies operating in the sector must be scrutinized to ensure that there is adequate genuine competition;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 350 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 e (new)
20e. Calls on the Commission to broaden its approach in terms of criteria for determining whether an agricultural undertaking, or a number of such undertakings linked by a horizontal agreement, is deemed to be in a 'dominant position', taking into consideration the degree of concentration and the constraints resulting from bargaining power from upstream and downstream sectors;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 351 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 f (new)
20f. Believes that the cumulative effect of trade deals such as TTIP, CETA and Mercosur will further undermine the position of the EU primary producer and will encourage additional uncompetitive practices by providing the retail sector with the tool of cheaper imports;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 352 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 f (new)
20f. Considers that the collective activities of producer organisations and their associations, such as production planning and sales negotiation, are necessary for achieving the aims of the CAP and that they should benefit from a presumption of compatibility with Articles 39 and 101 TFEU;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 353 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 g (new)
20g. Believes that full and satisfactory implementation of the 'Milk Package'1a is essential in order to strengthen the dairy sector and asks the Commission to propose that the 'Milk Package' should continue to apply beyond mid-2020 and to examine whether its rules could be extended to other sectors of agriculture; __________________ 1aRegulation (EU) No261/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2012 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards contractual relations in the milk and milk products sector.
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 354 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 h (new)
20h. Calls on the Commission and the national competition authorities to address the concerns raised by the cumulative impact – particularly at the upper end of the food supply chain – of, on the one hand, national-level concentration in the retail sector and, on the other, the development of European- level alliances of major distributors;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 355 #

2016/2100(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 i (new)
20i. Takes note of the conclusions of the study "Economic impact of modern retail on choice and innovation in the EU food sector" of the Directorate General Competition, including the existence of a negative relationship that may exists between innovation and penetration of products under private labels on the food market; calls on the Commission to submit to Parliament the extent of the on- going discussions to determine whether this negative relationship does reduce innovation and variety of products available to consumers and what would be their long-term consequences for the supply chain and on the situation of farmers;
2016/10/24
Committee: ECON
Amendment 4 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
- having regard to the current multiplication of financial instruments designed and promoted by the EIB, from PPPs to securitisation, and the risk such instruments carry to socialise losses and privatise profits,
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 39 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly encourages the EIB to continue its efforts to overcome investment, market and sectoral gaps with a view to possibly fostering transnational added value via greater EU economic and territorial convergence, a stronger investment environment and the return of sustainable growth across the EU;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that supporting economic recovery and sustainable growth is an overarching objective - with major emphasis on the principle of sustainability - and that the EIB should anticipate structural challenges, notably those related to Europe’s re- industrialisation and the knowledge-based and digital economy, in order to generate new economic opportunities, innovation and use of renewables in line with the goals of environmental, climate or energy policies;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Believes there is a need to secure a resilient and sustainable EU funding strategy to speed up economic recovery and help certain economic sectors and geographical areas catch up and with that in mind, advises that the focus and emphasis should be on those sectors; recalls the need to focus on investment making a difference; believes that projects should be chosen on the basis of their own merits and effective additionality, possibly with a higher risk profile;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 91 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges the central role of SMEs and mid-caps in the EU economy in terms of employment and growth; encourages the EIB to intensify its support to all kinds of SMEs (start-ups, micro- medium sized businesses, business clusters), with a focus on new business models with high potential job opportunities for young people; asks that the EIB should be proactive in ensuring that Member States are properly implementing EIB policy in the use of funding through subsidiary financial institutions, to avoid the 'gold-plating' effect;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 104 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. NoteRegrets that the EIB already finances investments in R&D by EU security companies where civilian and dual-use technologies are concerned; notes that, as regards dual-use technologies, the EIB is able to support those investments that are motivated by their commercialisation in civilian applications – examples of EIB projects of this type already included R&D investments in aircraft and space supplies, radar systems, cybersecurity and cloud security, microelectronics and vaccines, given that such controversial investments, which contribute to the idea that the EU is building 'fortress Europe', fall outside the remit of the EIB;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 124 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the EIB’s rapid adaptation capacity to international challenges; but nevertheless calls on the EIB to continueend its support to EU external policies and emergency response related to the global challenge of m, unless the EIB confirms that is acting in strict compliance with the EU Treaty obligration bys, including the development aspect and by promoting economic resilienceArticle 21 TEU on principles of EU external action, and unless also ensuring that its policies and operations are in line with the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Rights, and with the European Charter for Fundamental Rights;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 130 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
34. Notes that the EFSI aims at leveraging through the EIB a total of EUR 315 billion in extra investment and new projects in the real economy by 2018; observes that 97 infrastructure and innovation projects and 192 SME financing agreements have been approved, representing a total expected investment of EUR 115.7 billion; cautions, however, that given the scale of these new investments, and especially in PPPs and in securitization, the EIB should guard against the added risk of socializing losses while privatizing profits;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 148 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. To reduce the likelihood of conflicts of interest and to enhance transparency in its key operations, recommends the following: 1) that EIB Vice-Presidents should no longer be responsible for projects from their home countries; 2) that the EIB should urgently develop a more effective debarment policy (it currently excludes three entities while lending more than the World Bank, which has debarred 820 entities); 3) that all members of the Board of Directors should make declarations of interests, especially in view of the manifold private-sector interests of some members - these declarations are as much for their protection as they are for the interests of EU citizens; 4) that the EIB should join the EU Transparency Register and require lobbyists' registration for meetings with the President and Vice- Presidents, those registers then to be published; 5) that the EIB should require the publication of beneficial ownership information of all bidders for any EIB- financed procurement; 6) that the EIB should follow the European Commission's calls to support its anti-tax- avoidance agenda;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 149 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
48. Invites the EIB to regularly update its risk-mapping of activities and to adapt its risk culture with regard to its recent business model and increasing volume of its portfolio related to the implementation of new instruments with the EFSI, various facilities, investment platforms and risk- sharing instruments; invites the EIB also in that context to include in its risk- mapping non-financial dimensions such as social and/or environmental added- value; welcomes, in that context, the implementation of the EIB’s prudential risk appetite framework in order to reinforce the monitoring of risks and oversight of the origin, ownership and management of risks; recalls the need to develop a single and homogeneous control framework;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 159 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53
53. Reiterates its call to increase the transparency of the EIB’s interventions when operating with financial intermediaries and beneficiaries in order to avoid counterparts with negative records, blacklisted counterparts and counterparts with potential links with NCJs, offshore activities or organised crime; considers that using criteria for selecting financial intermediaries and having updated information on beneficial ownership of the company, including trusts, foundations and tax havens, are best practices to be permanently followed; also, having updated information on beneficial ownership, in the spirit of the European Anti-Money-Laundering Directive the EIB should make public the beneficial owners of its clients; invites the EIB to further reinforce its contractual conditions by integrating a clause or a reference to good governance in order to mitigate the integrity and reputation risks; calls for a moratorium on support to Investment Funds (Private Equity Funds);
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 160 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53 – point a (new)
(a) Suggests that, as is done by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank group, the EIB should start disclosing information about high- risk sub-projects it finances via commercial banks (the main intermediaries/financial vehicles used by the EIB to fund SMEs);
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 161 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
54. Welcomes the regular meetings with civil society and public consultations on the development of the EIB’s policies but asks that these meetings should then bear practical fruit with the EIB ensuring that, together with its clients, those public consultations should especially take place at project level, including via the application of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). It is key that the EIB considers extending the FPIC to all affected communities in land and natural resource-based investments, in order to avoid land-grabbing and expropriations;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 173 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
57. Welcomes the review of the rules of the Complaints Mechanism Office (CM Office) with a view to ensuring more independence within the EIB’s structure and improving its effectiveness, as well as of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Ombudsman and the EIB; with a view also to establishing a mechanism for a systematic flow of information directly between the CM Office and the directors. The EIB management should report annually to the Ombudsman and the Parliament on how the recommendations of its complaints mechanisms have been reflected in the policies and practices of the bank. In addition, the head of the CM Office should present to the European Parliament once a year its activity report and its assessment of how the bank is fulfilling the CM Office recommendations;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 174 #

2016/2098(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 58
58. AsksRecalls the European Commission 2016 communication 'External Strategy for Effective Taxation' which points out that European legislation prohibits EU funds from being invested in entities in third countries which do not comply with international tax transparency standards and asked the EIB "to pursuetranspose good governance requirements in their contracts with all selected financial intermediaries"; in that light, asks the EIB to go even further in its fight against tax evasion, tax fraud and avoidance, irregular activities and money laundering through its non-transparent and uncooperative jurisdictions (NCJ) policy and the Anti- Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Framework (AML- CFT); and thus raise the bar in fighting tax evasion by financing only those clients who are totally transparent on that issue;
2017/02/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas at the moment there is too much of a disconnect between the Commission and Member States on the actual implementation of Directives/Regulations etc. that involve EU spending, as for example in CAP disbursement;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Whereas the resources assigned to OLAF means that only a tiny fraction of reported suspected fraud cases can be investigated;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 31 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Is alarmed that the number of all fraudulent and non-fraudulent irregularities reported (22 349 cases) increased significantly for a second consecutive year – first by 48 % in 2014 and then by another 36% in 2015, leading to doubling the amount of registered irregularities within just two years; notes that even though the number of irregularities doubled, the sum involved in them (EUR 3.21 billion) remains on the same level as in 2014; calls on the Commission to analyse this development;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Recommends that greater resources should be assigned to OLAF to enable them investigate far more reported suspected cases, thus a) increasing the chances of exposing fraud and reclaiming revenue lost to fraudulent activities and b) making it less attractive for those engaging in fraud to take their chances with the system, where currently the odds of actually getting caught are too slim;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Encourages the Commission to consider setting up a body that will oversee the implementation of EU Directives/Regulations etc. that involve EU spending, as for example in the case of CAP, to ensure all such funding is spent properly and equitably and is targeted at those whom it is most meant to assist; this would have the added advantage of giving the Commission more direct front-line reporting and accountability for that spending;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 63 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Is concerned about the losses due to VAT gap and intra-community VAT fraud, which is responsible consecutively for 159,5 billion EUR and 50 billion EUR revenue loss in 2014; notes that only two Member States, the UK and Belgium, collect and disseminate statistics on the issue of revenue losses caused cross-border VAT fraud; notes that because it is a regressive form of taxation, VAT hits the poorest in society disproportionately, thus they become the 'customers' of VAT avoidance, and suggests that consideration should be given to lowering VAT on certain items, or (where applicable) advising Member States to thus lower VAT rates;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission action plan on ‘’VAT-Towards a single EU VAT area’’ published on 7 April 2016; deeply regrets that the publication of the “Measures to improve cooperation between tax administrations and with customs and law enforcement bodies and to strengthen tax administrations' capacity” foreseen in the action plan for 2016 will be delayed by one year;deleted
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 105 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Notes with concern also the ECA's own accounting procedure vis-à-vis the EU budget, where its policy of signing off on the various actual financial accounts as opposed to the regularity of those same accounts, gives rise to the impression that the ECA is signing off on the overall EU budget when it is not and cannot, due to the significant margin of error in those accounts;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 137 #

2016/2097(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Notes with concern, however, the treatment of whistleblowers in various Member States across various areas of major influence; the treatment of the so- called Luxleaks whistleblowers in Luxembourg, the treatment of Unicredit Irl whistleblower Jonathan Sugarman, of the various police whistleblowers in Ireland, all combine to reduce the chances that whistleblowers will come forward in any area, including within any of the EU spending programmes;
2017/03/01
Committee: CONT
Amendment 40 #

2016/2080(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 – point a
(a) that the Commissioners declare all financial interests, including assets and liabilities over a certain value, e.g. EUR 10 000;
2016/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2016/2080(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 – point c
(c) that Commissioners fully clarify the objectives of organisations with which they and/or their spouse and/or their dependent children are involved, in order to establish whether any conflict of interest exists;
2016/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 53 #

2016/2080(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 – point e
(e) that Commissioners designate submit their declarations within a specific time frame but not less than one month before their hearing in Parliament;
2016/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 59 #

2016/2080(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 – point h
(h) that the procedure for reallocating files in the event of a conflict of interests is improved in terms of taking into account the Commissioner’s duties as a member of the College, introducing criteria for the President as regards the decision to reallocate files, implementing a binding procedure and sanctions for cases in which a Commissioner fails to provide information about a possible conflict of interest and introducing a binding procedure for informing Parliament about the aforementioned cases;
2016/09/06
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the rabbit farming sector in the EU faces a steady decline and the projections for 2016 point to a decrease in the market of 3.9% whilst the rabbit farming sector operates in the global market conditions and does not benefit from direct aid or market interventions under Pillar I of the Common Agricultural Policy;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 18 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
B b. Whereas there is a clear consumer trend against the consumption of rabbit meat;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 61 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. Whereas more and more consumers and citizens across the EU are asking for regulation and better welfare for farm rabbits; whereas some Member States have national legislation for the protection of farm rabbits in force;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas only a few Member States have legal requirements for rabbit farming; whereas in 2012 Austria has banned the keeping of rabbits in cages for meat production; whereas Belgium has legislation in force that aims to phase out battery cages and replace them with park systems by 2025;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
H a. Whereas the EU has a negative trade balance with China with regard to rabbit meat; whereas 99% of rabbit meat imports into the EU originate from China; whereas Chinese producers will outcompete EU farmers, with adverse animal welfare implications, if no actions are taken;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its concerns that rabbits in the EU are usually reared in unenriched cages, a barren environment that only has a drinker and feeder; also notes with concern that rabbits are fed on pellets and the close confines of the battery cages do not allow rabbits to express their natural behaviour, leading to abnormal behaviour, such as over grooming and repetitive gnawing or nibbling of the cage;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 102 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Underlines that there is a downward trend in rabbit meat consumption; notes that consumers increasingly demand rabbit meat farmed to high animal welfare standards, as well as origin labelling on rabbit meat products; encourages the Member States and the sector to make use of voluntary labelling schemes as laid down in Chapter V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 104 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Encourages the use of EU support under the rural development programmes for a transition in the rabbit farming sector's production systems towards higher animal welfare standards; invites the Commission to consider drafting support programmes to this end;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 105 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Stresses that all rabbit meat on the EU market must adhere to high food safety and quality standards, and animal welfare criteria, including imports from third countries; highlights the dangers of unfair competition from third countries if equivalent standards and criteria are not applied to imports;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 106 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3 e. Calls on the Commission and Member States to safeguard the quality and safety of rabbit meat imports by undertaking thorough controls and inspections when these imports enter the Union;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 109 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Points out that there is a need for further scientific research on the welfare of farm rabbits; invites the Member States and Commission to encourage and undertake scientific research on the welfare of farm rabbits and rabbit farming production systems;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 132 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Notes with concern that there is a high rate of disease and mortality amongst caged farm rabbits, compared with other farmed species; points out that EFSA already concluded in 2005 that the mortality and morbidity of farmed rabbits seem considerably higher than in other farmed animal species due to enteric and respiratory infections, and reproductive problems;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 168 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that growing rabbits and does kept in pen systems, typically 750 cm²/rabbit for growers and 800 cm²/rabbit for does, benefit from more space for movement, social interaction and play, and that platforms in pen systems allow rabbits to avoid aggressors by getting out of the way, with separate housing for does when they are nursing a litter; encourages therefore also further research into the benefits of alternative housing systems, such as for example pen systems;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 173 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that transport is an extremely stressful experience for rabbits; underlines that rabbits should be fed and watered before transport and be provided with adequate food, water and space in transit, and that transport times should be as limited as possible, owing to the sensitivity of the species; emphasises that there are a huge variety of stress factors that affect animal welfare and that these differ between regions or even farms, such as heat, inanition, dehydration, pain and trauma, cold, motion sickness and fear;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 180 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Stresses that the welfare of farm rabbits during transport and slaughtering depends on the attitudes and handling procedures used by farmers, hauliers and abattoir personnel, as well as the transport logistics;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 224 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Invites the Commission to set within future EU-level legislation, in cooperation with stakeholders, an appropriate transitional period to phase out battery cage systems in rabbit farming alongside a reasonable timetable with measurable milestones and regular reporting to, and monitoring by, the Commission;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 250 #

2016/2077(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls upon the Commission, in particular Eurostat, and the Member States to collect and produce regularly updated and accurate statistics on rabbit meat production and rabbit meat trade;
2016/09/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 124 #

2016/2072(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to design its future policies based on the following definition of CCIs: ‘cultural and creative industries are those industries that are based on cultural values, individual creativity, skills and talent with the potential to create wealth and jobs through generating value from intellectual property. They include the following sectors relying on cultural and creative inputs: architecture, archives and libraries, artistic crafts, audio-visual (including film, television, video games and multimedia), cultural heritage, design, creativity-driven high-end industries and fashion, festivals, music, performing arts, native traditional sports (e.g. hurling in Ireland, an ancient sport that's mentioned even in Irish mythology, still played as an amateur sport today but with vast untapped tourist earning potential), books and publishing, radio and visual arts’;
2016/09/09
Committee: ITRECULT
Amendment 11 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
– having regard to the EU-NATO Joint Declaration signed on 8 July 2016 in the context of the NATO Warsaw Summit 2016 (Joint declaration by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the Secretary- General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation); having regard also to the fact that Ireland is a) not a member of NATO and b), has a tradition of neutrality which has served it well since the foundation of the Irish state,
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 31 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that Europe is now compelled to react (in a considered and humanitarian manner that is not confined to narrow European self-interests) to an arch of increasingly complex crises: from West Africa, through the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, to the Caucasus;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 40 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Notes with concern that terrorism has brought guerrilla warfare to European streets; underlines that, consequently, security of the individual has become paramount, eroding the traditional distinction between its external and internal dimensions, which in itself is but a pale reflection of the terrorism brought to the streets of many a city in Iraq, Libya and Syria, much of which originated from western sources, both sanctioned and unsanctioned by the UN; underlines that, consequently, security of the individual has become increasingly fragile;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 65 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Is firmly convinced that, as a result, a thorough revision of the CSDP is needed, a review which fully respects the rights of those countries which, like Ireland, are not in NATO, and which does not impinge in any way on the neutrality of those countries;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 75 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that, as Europe is no longer in control of its security environment and has lost the luxury of choosing the time and place of action, the CSDP, which has, until now, focused mainly on crisis management operations, should complement these operations with crisis prevention and crisis resolution, andshould especially go to the source of those crises and amend/influence the invasive and intrusive foreign policies responsible for much of this unrest, and thus truly ensure the common security and defence of the entire area of freedom, security and justice;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 98 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines, equally, that the CSDP should be based on a strong collective defence principle, efficient financing and full coordination with NATO, again while fully respecting the rights and neutral positions of those countries which, like Ireland, are not members of NATO;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 119 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomNotes the presentation by the VP/HR of the Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) as a necessary and positive development for the institutional framework in which the CFSP and the CSDP will operate and develop; stresses that further work is needed to ensure the implementation of the EUGS’s political level of ambition, priorities and comprehensive approach;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 123 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Supports the development of a sectoral strategy as a follow-up to the EUGS, to be agreed by the Council, that should further specify the civil-military level of ambition, tasks, requirements and capability priorities; reiterates its previous calls for the development of a European Defence White Book and expresses hope that the Council will assign the task of drafting this document without delay; all the while keeping an eye on the bigger picture, which is that the fires now raging in several countries in the Middle East did not just spontaneously combust but were set and fomented with major external input from the west, including from within the EU;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 138 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. SaluNotes the European Security Compact proposed by Germany and France and supportnotes inter alia the idea of a common analysis of Europe’s strategic environment, making threat assessment a periodical common activity, and thus getting respect for each other’s concerns and support for common capabilities and common action, bearing in mind that ‘each other’ and ‘common capabilities and common action’ extend beyond just the EU borders but also include the people and nations of our neighbours near and far;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 158 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that, as internal and external security are becoming more and more integrated, the integration of their respective inventories is also becoming necessary, empowering the EU to act along the entire spectrum of instruments, up to the level of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 182 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines that all Council decisions on future missions and operations should prioritise peaceful engagements in conflicts directly affecting EU security; considers that the decision to engage should be based on a common analysis and understanding of the strategic environment (that common analysis and understanding to include the welfare and interests of the people of the states with whom the EU is in conflict) and on shared strategic interests of the Member States; considers that CSDP capacity-building missions must be coordinated with security sector and rule of law work by the Commission;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 191 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 (establishing an Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace) in order to extend the Union’s assistance to equip military actors in partner countries, considering this an indispensable contribution to their resilience, thus diminishing their chances of becoming once again the object of conflict and sanctuaries for hostile activities against the EU;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 209 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Collaboration with NATOdeleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 212 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Recalls that NATO and the EU share the same strategic interests and face the same challenges to the East and the South; notes the relevance of the mutual defence clause, Article 42(7), for the EU non-NATO members and not only; notes the EUSG’s objective of an appropriate level of EU strategic autonomy and underlines that the two organisations cannot afford to duplicate their means; considers that the EU’s ‘strategic autonomy’ should reinforce Europe’s capacity to promote security within and beyond its borders as well as strengthen the partnership with NATO and transatlantic relations;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 223 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that the bedrock for EU- NATO cooperation is provided by the complementarity of their missions and, consequently, of their inventories of instruments; stresses that the relations between the two organisations should continue to be cooperative and not competitive;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 235 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that NATO is best equipped for deterrence and defence, and is ready to implement collective defence (Article V of the Washington Treaty) in the case of aggression against one of its members, while the EU is best equipped to deal with challenges to the internal security of the Member States, including subversion, which are not covered by Article V;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 246 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the recent Joint Declaration signed by the EU with NATO in Warsaw and fully supports the fields of collaboration mentioned therein;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 267 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Is convinced that enhancing the EU’sNotes where the USA’s self- appointed status as a global security provider needs adequate, sufficient capabilities and a competitive defence industry ensuring a sustainable supply chain; notes that the European defence sector is characterised by fragmentation and duplication, which need gradual elimination through a process providing incentives and rewards to all national componentshas left the world, the USA itself becoming a country in almost permanent conflict with one country or another; notes also how the defence industry has grown beyond control in the USA; notes also how the defence budget in the USA has exploded out of all proportion to everything else; warns against the EU now going down that same dangerous road;
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 277 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Recalls that a robust European Defence Technological and Industrial Base, which includes facilities for SMEs, is a fundamental underpinning of the CSDP and a prerequisite for a common market, which should supply all buyers with adequate and affordable means, responding to their individual needs;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 285 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) increasing role in coordinating capability-driven programmes, projects and activities, indispensable to an efficient CSDP; welcomes the EDA’s Capability Development Plan and stresses the need for further commitments to ensure its full implementation;deleted
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 308 #

2016/2067(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. SupportNotes the Commission’s defence- related initiatives such as the Defence Action Plan and the Defence Industrial Policy; supportnotes further involvement of the Commission in defence, through extensive and well- focused research, planning and implementation; welcomnotes the Preparatory Action for CSDP-related research and asks for adequate funding for the remainder of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF); support; notes the development of an EU Defence Research Programme under the next MFF (2021- 2027);
2016/09/15
Committee: AFET
Amendment 8 #

2016/2064(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas the EFSI iscould be and should be a significant tool for contributing to economic, social and territorial cohesion as well as supporting job opportunities, nameespecially by providing solid support to SMEs;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 36 #

2016/2064(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Notes with regret that the geographical distribution of projects has been hitherto uneven; recalls that for the benefit of cohesion and sustainability objectives, the widest possible geographical spread should be considered in implementing the EFSI pipeline and that this spread should be equitable and proportional, taking into account the potential of sparsely populated areas in the EU;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 45 #

2016/2064(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the EIB to simplify the application process and stresses the need to strengthen the visibility of, interest in and awareness about the EFSI, especially for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Member States, through a targeted publicity campaign;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 161 #

2016/2061(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Member States to introduce or reinforce pension credits for career interruptions resulting from caring, whatever the family and/or marital status; calls also on Member States to introduce or reinforce pension credits for career interruptions resulting from further education (e.g. where a person returns to college as a mature student);
2016/10/06
Committee: EMPL
Amendment 28 #

2016/2057(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas cannabis-based medicines are proven safe and effective in the treatment of many serious illnesses, and are legal in many countries (including within the EU);
2016/10/04
Committee: JURI
Amendment 86 #

2016/2057(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the Commission to establish a comprehensive transnational patent drugs price comparison website, so that citizens in individual Member States can see at a glance how and where they are being overcharged for their prescriptions, and to expose all instances of overcharging.
2016/10/04
Committee: JURI
Amendment 2 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas it is estimated that biomass imports will triple between 2010 and 2020, and yet EU demand for solid biomass for bioenergy production is to be met mostly using domestic raw materials, believes that the development of the bio energy sector should respect the proximity principle, to ensure its economic viability, and the balanced regional development of the industry in which local populations retain control;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 8 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas 79 % of the bioethanol consumed in the EU market comes from EU-produced feedstock, notes that other feed stocks such as oil seed rape have potential not only as a renewable energy source but also as a high protein animal feed which can have a role in decreasing the EU dependence on imported GM proteins;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Insists on the importance of promoting and encouraging the development of on- farm sources of alternative energy, which can have a significant impact on creating new green jobs in rural areas, believes that this could be particularly beneficial in peripheral areas of the EU where due to soil type and farm enterprise incomes are the lowest;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 28 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises the value of wood for energy purposes in contributing to the renewable energy targets of the 2030 climate and energy framework and in opening up new business opportunities, stresses the importance of supporting new start- ups by introducing "smart grids" and developing special instruments, such as tax breaks in the transport sector, to incentivize farmers and rural CO-OPs to enter the market;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 39 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of supporting EU framework programmes for research in relation to refined, second generation biofuels, rational use of biomass and the development of fast- growing energy crops, believes that perennial grasses and tree crops i.e.: crops with a life span of more than two years can achieve a higher biomass yield than annual energy crops such as maize or wheat which are dependent on high N inputs into the soil, this greatly affects the energy input per harvest as the production of nitrogen fertilizer is energy intensive;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 52 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Encourages the Member States and the Commission to promote the importance of the sustainable forest-based bioeconomy and of wood as one of the EU’s crucial renewable raw materials, stresses however that the current approach in some member states of blanket forestry on unsuitable uplands can have negative environmental and social externalities;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that the concept of Agro Forestry where trees or shrubs are grown around or amongst crops and pasture land should be advanced as a productive sustainable land use system with broad benefits across the renewable energy and agricultural sectors;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of promoting local renewable energy cooperatives in both rural and urban areas in order to increase public support for renewable energy, encourages the development of energy initiatives in line with the ideals of the circular economy where farmers and landowners would be incentivized to create district heating schemes using farm waste and byproducts;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 80 #

2016/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that feedstock such as wheat, maize and sugar beet could also be used as an energy resource in the production of biofuels and bioethanol in cases of market oversupply of such agricultural products, which would ensure stability of farmers’ incomes., is of the opinion that the use of these crops as an energy resource only in times of market over supply is not a sound economic base to develop the industry on and would be insufficient to attract the needed investment, is also of the opinion notwithstanding the current low returns from the market place, the use of these corps in this manner need careful consideration in the food v fuel debate in the light of the predicated population increase to 9 billion by 2050;
2016/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 14 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas agriculture has to meet the major challenge of world population growth, however, CAP's aim is to satisfy needs of local population in the first place, to ensure a fair standard of living for the EU's agricultural community and to assure the availability of food supplies at reasonable prices in the EU;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas around 88 million tonnes of food are wasted annually in the EU, with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 19 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas, while climate change affects agricultural output levels, intensification of agricultural production pressures natural resources and has a negative impact on the environment and is a significant contributing factor to climate change;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 34 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas political choices, such as the imposition of trade embargoes, can increase the volatility of agricultural product prices, therefore the export orientation of CAP which moves it away from its founding ideals is not a solution for overproduction in the EU, but on contrary, it further contributes to price volatility;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 49 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas bilateral agreements, such as CETA or TTIP, may lead to further market liberalization of the EU's agricultural sector and thus undermine the local production and short chains of supply and expose farmers across the EU, especially those small and medium-sized, to even greater price volatility;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 50 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the agricultural sector and food security is too important an issue for the EU to be left only to market forces;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 94 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that volatility must be accepted as a given, if CAP continues to follow market driven model of agriculture, and that those operators who are most exposed must be supported in order to lessen its negative effects;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 136 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses that price volatility is a problem of a structural nature given the current agricultural model in the EU; emphasizes that increased liberalisation of trade in agricultural products greatly contributes to price volatility and that long-term regulatory mechanisms are needed to address price volatility;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 149 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Calls on the Commission for additional mechanisms to be developed, applicable throughout the EU to counteract current market crises and calls for a tailor-made approach within CAP, so that production is adjusted to the fall in demand in order to avoid over supply and prevent prices from collapsing, stabilize the agricultural sector and tackle price volatility in the EU;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 173 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses that the recognized inequality in the food chain between large retailers and primary producers, especially small-scale producers, contributes to price volatility; considers that the downward pressure on prices by retailers from own brand labelling undermines the work and investment of producers and devalues the end product; regrets that the commission does not see the need for regulatory action in this area;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 310 #

2016/2034(INI)

20. Considers that mutual funds, established at the initiative of working farmers, and through which farmers’ incomes can be stabilised to some extent as the profit margins on their produce fluctuate, may offer an effective way to limit the effects of price volatilityCAP as it has evolved is primarily an income support tool to compensate farmers for producing below the cost of production and for the provision of public goods, which is a fundamentally different approach to insurance supports to cover for exceptionally low commodity prices;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 322 #

2016/2034(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that, as farmers cannot control the factors that determine their turnover and gross margins, they should be encouraged to develop tools for coping with market volatility, especially mutual funds, such tools being better suited to that purpose than direct payments;
2016/06/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas VAT fraud typologies are multifaceted, evolving and concern many economic sectors, and correlativelythus require swift adaptation of the relevant legislation in order to move towards a sustainable and simple VAT tax system enabling the prevention of the fraud phenomenon and the potential loss of tax revenue;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital E
E. whereas the protection of the financial interests of the EU is a key element of the EU policy agenda to strengthen and increase the confidence of its citizens;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 10 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Reminds the Commission that VAT is a regressive tax, affects low- income groups hardest, and thus reminds both the Commission and Member States that in setting rates for goods that are much used by those low-income groups, they should be cognizant of this fact;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 11 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Reminds the Commission that there is a threshold beyond which both customer and supplier believes it is worth the risk to create a 'black' market for VAT-evading goods and services;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Reminds the Commission that legislation that cannot be enforced can end up being counter-productive and in the case of VAT-evading goods and services, can create a situation where a) such goods and services are uncontrolled and unregulated, leading to inferior, dangerous and even lethal products and b) the criminal supplier of such goods and services are enriched and empowered;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Thus calls on the Commission to consider the establishment of an expert advisory group to examine all the above with a view to agreeing those 'threshold' rates across all Member States;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Reminds the Commission to act on enhancing the effectiveness of VAT tax systems and on ensuring better compliance with VAT rules; welcomes the application of the ‘country of destination’ of the goods as the underlying principle of the definitive EU VAT system which will lead to the reduction of cross-border VAT fraud by an estimated EUR 40 billion per year; encourages the Commission to amend the VAT Directive to hold the importer jointly liable for VAT loss in the Member State of destination;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2016/2033(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Points out that the VAT gap and the estimated losses on VAT collection within the Union amounted to an estimated EUR 170 billion in 2015; calls on the Commission to make full use of its executive powers in order to both control and help the Member States; points out that effective action to reduce the VAT gap requires a concerted and multidisciplinary approach as this gap results not only from fraud but from a combination of factors, including bankruptcy and insolvency, statistical errors, late payment, tax evasion and tax avoidance;
2016/06/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 1 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the importance of agriculture and rural development in delivering many EU objectives and the important part it represents of the overall EU budget for 2017; insists, given its importance, that the agriculture budget remain at least at its current level; points out that spending on agriculture has declined in relative terms since the early days of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 75% to the current rate of 38%; further points out as a pan European policy this funding replaces much of the national support for the sector;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 8 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note of the cuts in rural development funding under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) in terms of commitments and payments for the 2016 budget; highlights that these cuts are detrimental to economic growth in rural areas; points out that the EAFRD, including the LEADER programmes, are a major driver of rural development by giving wider benefits to the EU at large, especially in generating growth and employment in rural areasperipheral areas where the output of traditional agriculture is insufficient to retain populations vital to maintain living communities ; insists that careful consideration be given to the final level of commitments and payments appropriations in the 2017 budget;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 11 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Insists that any funds allocated through the financial discipline mechanism to the crisis reserve in the agricultural sector of the 2017 budget that are left unspent be made available in full as direct payments in the following budgetary year; insists that the political decisions taken which led to the Russian embargo does not constitute a crisis which this fund was envisaged to cover and should not be used as a market support tool; requests that all available margins under Heading 2 be reserved for the agriculture sector particularly given the continuing crisis in the milk, pig meat and fruit and vegetable sector and the Russian embargo and significant health risks in the plant and animal sector;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that additional financial resources are needed for the milk, pig meat and fruit and vegetable sector in order to alleviate any potential impact arising from the crisis or from the Russian embargogiven the direct impact of the Russian embargo, the consequences of which are being carried disproportionally by the agricultural sector and the broader crisis in agricultural commodity markets due to global economic uncertainty; insists further that some specific agricultural sub- sectors are in need of increased funding, e.g. bee keeping; highlights the importance of school milk and school fruit programmes; proposes a small increase in the appropriations for this program in line with Parliament’s objectives;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Insists that sufficient funds be made available in order to implement all elements of the CAP reform, e.g. greening measures, environmental programmes, biodiversity, rural development programmes's; urges the Commission to complete in a timely manner its screening process to identify opportunities for simplification and subsidiarity so that all elements are accessible to farmers with an emphasis on Rural Development measures which have been shown to be more error prone due to their complexity;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 29 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Urges the Commission and the Member States to be more active in proposing lasting solutions to combat the significant price volatility of agricultural products; notbelieves that price volatility occurs more frequently in a more globalised market, requiring more effective and rapid actionsthere is a fundamental imbalance in asking producers in the EU operating in a high cost economy, producing to a high standard to compete in a globalised market against those with a much lower cost base; also believes that implementing effective measures which recognizes this is required in order to prevent farmers’ incomes being negatively impacted;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 35 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture and calls for financial resources to be made available to meet these objectives; points out that as the CAP has evolved it has been assigned new objectives in terms of climate mitigation, environmental protection and the provision of public goods; believes that new funding streams should be examined such as EU LIFE and the Globalization fund to support these;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 44 #

2016/2024(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the continuing imbalances in the food supply chain with primary producers being considerably weaker than other actors both upstream and down stream in the chain; urges the Commission to take action to improve the transparency of prices and margins in the food supply chain; highlights Parliament’s position on unfair trading practices.;
2016/05/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 2 #

2016/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for a more harmonised and structured approach, with guaranteed access for Parliament, and for all Parliamentarians whether in opposition or in government to all negotiating texts and related documents, even those of a confidential or classified nature, including negotiating mandates, and to other relevant documents used during the preparatory stages and actual negotiations; considers, moreover, that the Commission and the Council should provide the Parliament with regularly updated lists of the documents at their disposal relating to the negotiations;
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 6 #

2016/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that Parliament is not allowed to attend, even as an observer, EU coordination meetings during international conferences;
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 8 #

2016/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the delegation of power to the Commission is not merely a technical issue but can also involve questions of political sensitivity which are of considerable importance to EU citizens, consumers and businesses, and in that vein, suggests that where this occurs, such delegation of power to the Commission should be revised to include trilogue-type consultation with the European Parliament and with the Council;
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 21 #

2016/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that while impact assessments should only serve as an important guide for better law- making, and as an aid for making political decisions, and should in no eventthey are not meant to replace political decisions within the democratic decision-making process, nor should they hinder the role of politically accountable decision-makers, who are ultimately accountable to the people they serve;
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2016/2018(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that while impact assessments should not cause undue delays to legislative procedures, nor should they be utiliszed purely as procedural obstacles in an attempt to delay unwanted legislation, the emphasis here should be on the word 'undue', that it is better and less damaging in the long term to pause and reflect rather than proceed in ignorance;
2018/02/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 33 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
(12) Where the taking-up and pursuit of certain employed or self-employed activities are conditional on complying with certain provisions relating to specific professional qualifications, laid down directly or indirectly by the Member States, it is necessary to ensure that such provisions are justified by public interest objectives, such as those within the meaning of the Treaty, namely public policy, public security and public health or by overriding reasons of general interest, recognised as such in the case-law of the Court of Justice. It is important to ensure that public interest objectives are adequately identified in order to determine the intensity of the regulation. For example, in order to ensure a high level of protection of public health, Member States should enjoy a reasonable and defined margin of discretion to decide on the degree of protection which they wish to afford to public health and on the way in which that protection is to be achieved. It is also necessary to clarify that among the overriding reasons of general interest, recognised by the Court of Justice, are preserving the financial equilibrium of the social security system; the protection of consumers, recipients of services and workers; the safeguarding of the proper administration of justice; fairness of trade transactions; combating fraud and prevention of tax evasion and avoidance; road safety; the protection of the environment and the urban environment; the health of animals; intellectual property; the safeguarding and conservation of the national historic and artistic heritage, social policy objectives and cultural policy objectives. According to settled case-law, purely economic reasons, having essentially protectionist aims, as well as purely administrative reasons, such as carrying out controls or gathering statistics cannot constitute an overriding reason of general interest.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 42 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
(15) Requirements linked to professional qualifications should be considered as necessary only where existing measures, such as - but not confined to - consumer protection law, cannot be regarded as being suitable or genuinely effective to achieve the aim pursued.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
(16) Among the elements to be taken into account by national authorities, the following are of most relevance: the link between the scope of professional activities covered by a profession and the professional qualification required; the verification process on the origin and standard of those professional qualifications - given the life-and-death effect of many professions (medical, engineering, etc.); the complexity of the tasks in particular as regards the level, the nature and the duration of the training or experience required; the existence of different routes to obtain the professional qualification; the scope of the professional activities, reserved to holders of a particular professional qualification, and in particular whether the activities reserved to certain professionals can be shared with other professionals; the degree of autonomy in exercising a regulated profession in particular where the activities relating to a regulated profession are pursued under the control and responsibility of a duly qualified professional.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 48 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
(18) The economic impact of the measure, including a cost-benefit analysis with particular regard to the degree of competition in the market and the quality of the service provided, as well as the impact on the right to work and on the free movement of persons and services within the Union should be duly taken into account by the competent authorities;however, none of those prerogatives should supersede public safety, which has to remain paramount. Based on this analysis, Member States should ascertain, in particular, whether the extent of the restriction of access to or pursuit of regulated professions within the Union is proportionate to the importance of the objectives pursued and the expected gains.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 62 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Directive lays down rules on a common framework for conducting proportionality assessments before introducing new legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions restricting access to or pursuit of regulated professions, or amending existing ones, with a view to ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market, while also ensuring that the protection of citizens vis-à-vis the verified standards and qualifications of all those regulated professions and professionals, remains of paramount importance.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 75 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that before introducing new legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions restricting access to or pursuit of regulated professions, or amending existing ones, the relevant competent authorities undertake an assessment of their proportionality in accordance with the rules laid down in this Directive, including in particular any possible impact on health and safety.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 87 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that legislative, regulatory or administrative provisions restricting access to or pursuit of regulated professions they intend to introduce and amendments they intend to make to existing provisions are justified by public interest objectives, including the objective of public health and safety.
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 98 #

2016/0404(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the nature of the risks related to the public interest objectives pursued, in particular the risks to consumers, to professionals or third parties, and the risk to public health and safety;
2017/07/12
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 202 #

2016/0400(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part XII – point 166 – paragraph 3 – point 6
Regulation EC No 767/2009
Article 26 paragraph 3
3. Amendments to the Community Catalogue setting the maximum content of chemical impurities as referred to in point 1 of Annex I or levels of botanical purity as referred to in point 2 of Annex I or levels of moisture content as referred to in point 6 of Annex I or particulars replacing the compulsory declaration as referred to in Article 16(1)(b), shall be adopted by means of implementingdelegated act act. Those implemendelegating acts shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 28(3). and in accordance with the precautionary principle;
2017/06/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) In order to take into account evolving consumer demands, technological progress, developments in the relevant international standards and the need to improve the economic conditions of production and marketing, the traditional ageing processes and, in exceptional cases, the law of the importing third countries, and in order to ensure the protection of geographical indications, and taking into account the importance of traditional practices, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of or derogations from the technical definitions and requirements of the categories of spirit drinks and the specific rules concerning some of them referred to under Chapter I of this Regulation, the labelling and presentation referred to under Chapter II of this Regulation, the geographical indications referred to under Chapter III of this Regulation and the checks and exchange of information referred under Chapter IV of this Regulation.
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 96 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The delegated acts referred to in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph shall be limited to meeting demonstrated needs resulting from evolving consumer demands, technological progress, developments in relevant international standards or needs for product innovation. whilst taking into account the importance of traditional practices;
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 112 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) by any terms indicapermitted inby the relevant product specification.;
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 158 #

2016/0392(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)
e. The protection for geographic indications referred to in paragraph 2 shall be extended to goods brought, in the course of trade, into the union without being release for free circulation, where such goods, including packaging, come from third countries;
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1 #

2016/0383(NLE)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to recommend that Parliament give its consent toshould reject the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Chile on trade in organic products.
2017/05/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 87 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)
(10 a) The promotion of energy from renewable sources should be based on the principles of the circular economy and be fully part of the building of a sustainable bio economy, in particular with respect to forest and agricultural biomass. These principles aim to achieve the utmost resource efficiency, where the value of products, bio based materials and other resources is maintained in the economy, and the generation of waste minimised. Policies should therefore take into account these principles and promote the keeping of bio based raw materials in the economy for as long as possible by supporting the production of long lived products and only support recovery for energy purposes at the end of the life cycle of these resources, as required among others by the waste hierarchy established in Directive 2008/98/EC.
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 103 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In order to facilitate the penetration of renewable energy in the transport sector, each Member State should endeavour to gradually increase the share of renewable energy supplied for transport from at least 10% in 2020 to at least 15% in 2030, expressed in terms of national share of final energy consumption and calculated according to the methodology set out in Article 7. Individual Member States have significant unrealized potential to produce sustainable crop based biofuels with low ILUC impacts, which have the potential to provide Europe with a cleaner energy mix for road transport, and can provide jobs in rural areas which can help to secure farm incomes. They also have huge potential to reduce GHG and other harmful emissions, and, as a co-product, produce non GMO high protein animal feed needed to address the EU's massive animal feed deficit.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 128 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
(15) Support schemes for electricity generated from renewable sources have proved to be an effective way of fostering deployment of renewable electricity. If and when Member States decide to implement support schemes, such support should be provided in a form that is as non-distortive as possible for the functioning of electricity markets. To this end, an increasing number of Member States allocate support in a form where support is granted in addition to market revenues. Support schemes of this nature should respect the proximity principle and the principles of the circular economy.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 147 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
(25) In order to ensure that Annex IX takes into account the principles of the waste hierarchy established in Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council17, the Union sustainability criteria, and the need to ensure that the Annex does not create additional demand for land for the production of biomass and bio fuels while promoting the use of wastes and residues, the Commission, when regularly evaluating the Annex, should consider the inclusion of additional feedstocks, that have proven benefits in reducing GHG emissions, that do not cause significant distortive effects on markets for (by-)products, wastes or residues. __________________ 17 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3).
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 160 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
(35) To ensure that national measures for developing renewable heating and cooling are based on comprehensive mapping and analysis of the national renewable and waste energy potential and demand and also to provide for increased integdevelopment of regional structures for generation of renewable energy and waste heat and cold sources, it is appropriate to require that Member States carry out an assessment of their national potential of renewable energy sources and the use of waste heat and cold for heating and cooling, in particular to facilitate mainstreaming renewable energy in heating and cooling installations and promote efficient and competitive district heating and cooling as defined by Article 2(41) of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council21. To ensure consistency with energy efficiency requirements for heating and cooling and reduce administrative burden this assessment should be included in the comprehensive assessments carried out and notified in accordance with Article 14 of that Directive. __________________ 21 Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 177 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 62
(62) TWhereas the European Strategy for a low- carbon mobility of July 2016 pointed out that food-based biofuels have a limited role in decarbonising the transport sectromotes a greater role for advanced biofuels in the future, crop based biofuels in current production will continue to make an important contribution to the Union target on renewable energy. European biofuel production is an impor tandt income should be gradually phased out and replaced by advanced biofuels. To prepare for the transition towards advanced biofuels and minimise the overall indirect land-use change impacts, it is appropriate to reduce the amount of biofuels and bioliquids produced from food and feed crops that can be counted towards the Union target set out in this Directiverce for farming families and has encouraged investment and job creation in rural areas. Europe's biofuel industry provides EU producers with non GMO animal feed helping to address the EU's over dependence on imported protein feed for animals - Sustainably produced EU crop based biofuels have a significant role to play in decarbonising the transport sector and this valuable role should be recognized as an important element in any coherent policy aimed at transiting the EU to a coherent and successful renewable energy policy.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 189 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 71 a (new)
(71 a) If land with high stocks of carbon in its soil or vegetation is converted for the cultivation of raw materials for biofuels or bioliquids, some of the stored carbon will generally be released into the atmosphere, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide. The resulting negative greenhouse gas impact can offset the positive greenhouse gas impact of the biofuels or bioliquids, in some cases by a wide margin. The full carbon effects of such conversion should therefore be accounted for in calculating the greenhouse gas emission saving of particular biofuels and bioliquids. This is necessary to ensure that the greenhouse gas emission saving calculation takes into account the totality of the carbon effects of the use of biofuels and bioliquids.
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 196 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 74
(74) In the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy Union, farmers should comply with a comprehensive set of environmental requirements in order to receive direct support. Compliance with those requirementAgricultural and forestry residues for the production of biofuels, bioliquids cand be most effectively verified in the context of agricultural policy. Including those requirements in the sustainability scheme is not appropriate as the sustainability criteria for bioenergy should set out rules that are objective and apply globally. Verification of compliance under this Directive would also risk causing unnecessary administrative burdeiomass fuels should be cultivated and harvested using practices that are consistent with the protection of soil quality and soil organic carbon.
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 227 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 67
(67) The costs of connecting new producers of gas from renewable energy sources to the gas grids should be based on objective, transparent and non- discriminatory criteria and due account should be taken of, weighted to encourage and incentivize local producers taking into account the benefits that embedded local producers of gas from renewable sources bring to the gas grids.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 232 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 68
(68) In order to exploit the full potential of biomass to contribute to the decarbonisation of the economy through its uses for materials and energy, while excluding biomass imports from third countries, the Union and the Member States should promote greater sustainable mobilisation of existing timber and agricultural resources and the development of new agro forestry and agriculture production systems.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 236 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point u
(u) ‘low indirect land-use change-risk biofuels and bioliquids’ means biofuels and bioliquids, the feedstocks of which were produced within schemes which reduce the displacement of production for purposes other than for making biofuels and bioliquids and which were produced in accordance with the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids set out in Article 26;.deleted
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 242 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 73
(73) Agricultural feedstock for the production of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels should not be produced on peatland, wetlands or soils of high organic matter as the cultivation of feedstock on peatlandthese types of soils would result in significant carbon stock loss if the land was further drained for that purpose while the absence of such drainage cannot be easily verified.
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 251 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 76
(76) To ensure that, despite the growing demand for forest biomass, harvesting is carried out in a sustainable manner in forests where regeneration is ensured, that special attention is given to areas explicitly designated for the protection of biodiversity, landscapes and specific natural elements, that biodiversity resources are preserved and that carbon stocks are tracked, woody raw material should come only from forests that are harvested in accordance with the principles of sustainable forest management developed under international forest processes such as Forest Europe and are implemented through national laws or the best management practices at the forest holding level, in addition to avoid unsustainable practices at a global level imports of biomass from third countries should be avoided. Operators should take the appropriate steps in order to minimise the risk of using unsustainable forest biomass for the production of bioenergy. To that end, operators should put in place a risk- based approach. In this context, it is apporopriate for the Commission to develop operational guidance on the verification of compliance with the risk based approach, following the consultation of the Energy Union Governance Committee, and the Standing Forestry Committee established by Council Decision 89/367/EEC24. __________________ 24 Council Decision 89/367/EEC of 29 May 1989 setting up a Standing Forestry Committee (OJ L 165, 15.6.1989, p. 14).
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 274 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Member States shall ensure, in meeting the objectives in paragraph 3, that their national policies are designed to conform to the principles of circular economy and cascading use as well as the waste hierarchy, as set out in Directive 2008/98/EC, in particular with respect to the consumption of forest and agricultural biomass for energy purposes. To this end, Member States shall regularly review their national policies to ensure conformity with these principles and justify any deviations in the reports required under Article 18(c) of Regulation [Governance].
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 325 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 32 to amend the list of feedstocks in parts A and B of Annex IX in order to add feedstocks, but not to remove them. Each delegated act shall be based on an analysis of the latest scientific and technical progress, taking due account of the principles of the waste hierarchy established in Directive 2008/98/EC and the cascading use principle, in compliance with the Union sustainability criteria, supporting the conclusion that the feedstock in question does not create an additional demand for land and promoting the use of wastes and residues, while avoiding significant distortive effects on markets for (by-)products, wastes or residues, delivering substantial greenhouse gas emission savings compared to fossil fuels, based on a life cycle assessment of emissions including emissions from the land sector and possible displacement effects, and not creating risk of negative impacts on the environment and biodiversity.
2017/07/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 343 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f f
(ff) ‘waste-based fossil fuels’ means liquid and gaseous fuels produced from waste streams of non-renewable origin, including waste processing gases and exhaust gases;deleted
2017/07/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 545 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex IX – part Part A – point h
(h) Tall oil and tall oil pitch.deleted
2017/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 550 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex IX – part Part A – point o
(o) Biomass fraction of wastes and residues from forestry and forest-based industries, i.e. bark, branches, pre- commercial thinnings, leaves, needles, tree tops, saw dust, cutter shavings, black liquor, brown liquor, fibre sludge, lignin .
2017/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 551 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex IX – part Part A – point p
(p) Other non-food cellulosic material as defined in point (s) of the second paragraph of Article 2.deleted
2017/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 553 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex IX – part Part A – point q
(q) Other ligno-cellulosic material as defined in point (r) of the second paragraph of Article 2 except saw logs and veneer logs.deleted
2017/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 560 #

2016/0382(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Annex IX – part Part B – point c
(c) Molasses that are produced as a by-product from of refining sugarcane or sugar beets provided that the best industry standards for the extraction of sugar has been respected.deleted
2017/07/20
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 60 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) State interventions (on wind energy especially), often designed in an uncoordinated manner, have led to increasing distortions of the wholesale electricity market, with negative consequences for investments and cross- border trade.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 64 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) More market integration and the change towards a more volatile electricity production requires increased efforts to coordinate national energy policies with neighbours and to use the opportunities of cross-border electricity trade, though care must be exercised that this is NOT at the expense of the 'home' market.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 66 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) Core market principles should set out that electricity prices are to be determined through demand and supply, though regulation of that market is then required to ensure that in this most vital of services, there is neither profiteering nor cartel operations by the dominant players. Those prices should signal when electricity is needed, providing market- based incentives for investments into flexibility sources such as flexible generation, interconnection, demand response or storage.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 68 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The decarbonisation of the electricity sector, with renewable energy becoming a major part of the market, is a core objective of the Energy Union. As the Union moves towards the decarbonisation of the electricity sector and increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, it is crucial that the market removes existing barriers to cross-border trade (though provision must also be made to ensure that the 'home' market in such trade isn't adversely affected) and encourages investments into supporting infrastructure, for example, more flexible generation, interconnection, demand response and storage. To support this shift to variable and distributed generation, and to ensure that energy market principles are the basis for the Union's electricity markets of the future, a renewed focus on short- term markets and scarcity pricing is essential.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 69 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) Short-term markets will improve liquidity and competition by enabling more resources to participate fully in the market, especially those that are more flexible. Effective scarcity pricing will encourage market participants to be available when the market most needs it and ensures that they can recover their costs in the wholesale market. It is therefore critical to ensure that, as far as possible, administrative and implicit price caps are removed to allow scarcity prices to increase up to the value of lost load. When fully embedded in the market structure, short-term markets and scarcity pricing will contribute to the removal of other measures, such as capacity mechanisms, to ensure security of supply. At the same time, scarcity pricing without price caps on the wholesale market should not jeopardize the possibility for reasonable, reliable and stable prices for final customers, in particular households and SMEs.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 90 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) facilitating the emergence of a well- functioning and transparent wholesale market across all Member States, (including those such as Ireland, Malta and Cyprus that are offshore from mainland Europe) with a high level of security of supply in electricity. It provides for mechanisms to harmonise the rules for cross-border exchanges in electricity.
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 102 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) prices shall be formed based on demand and supply but with the over- riding principle that fairness in that pricing shall be at the core;
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 103 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) actions which prevent price formation on the basis of a) demand and supply or, and b) fair pricing, or which constitute a disincentive to the development of more flexible generation, low carbon generation, or more flexible demand shall be avoided;
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 108 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) market participation of consumers and small businesses shall be enabled and encouraged by aggregation of generation from multiple generation facilities or load from multiple demand facilities to provide joint offers on the electricity market and be jointly operated in the electricity system, subject to compliance with EU treaty rules on competition;
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 109 #

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) market rules shall support the decarbonisation of the economy by enabling the integration of electricity from viable renewable energy sources and providing incentives for energy efficiency;
2017/10/11
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 25 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The European Energy Union should cover five key dimensions: energy security and affordability to consumers; the internal energy market; energy efficiency; decarbonisation; and research, innovation and competitiveness.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 29 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) The goal of a resilient Energy Union with an ambitious climate policy at its core is to give Union consumers, both households and businesses, secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy, which requires a fundamental transformation of Europe's energy system. That objective can onlybe best achieved by promoting localized solutions suitable to emerging technologies in the renewable sector which will have the twin benefits of respecting the proximity principle and ensuring local control of energy supply. This can be achieved through coordinated action, combining both legislative and non- legislative acts at Union and national level.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 35 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
(7) The European Council also concluded on 24 October 201414 that a reliable and transparent governance system, without any unnecessary administrative burden, should be developed to help ensure that the Union meets its energy policy goals, with the necessary flexibility forrecognizing that provision of energy is a competence of the Member States and fully respecting their freedom to determine their energy mix. It emphasized that such governance system should build on existing building blocks, such as national climate programmes, national plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as the need to streamline and bring together separate planning and reporting strands. It also agreed to step up the role and rights of consumers, transparency and predictability for investors, inter alia by systematic monitoring of key indicators for an affordable, safe, competitive, secure and sustainable energy system and to facilitate coordination of national energy policies and foster regional cooperation between Member States. _________________ 14 Conclusions of the European Council 23 - 24 October 2014 (EUCO 169/14).
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 50 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Therefore, the main objective of the Energy Union Governance should be to enable the achievement of the objectives of the Energy Union and in particular the targets of the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy. This Regulation is therefore linked to sectorial legislation implementing the 2030 targets for energy and climate. While Member States need flexibility to choose policies that are best-matched to their national energy mix and preferences, that flexibility should be compatible with further markaffordability, where local populations ret aintegration control of their own energy supplies, increased genuine competition, the attainment of climate and energy objectives and the gradual shift towards a low-carbon economy.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 54 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) In line with the Commission's strong commitment to Better Regulation, the Energy Union Governance should result in a significant reduction of administrative burden for the Member States, the Commission and other Union Institutions and it should help to ensure coherence and adequacy of policies and measures at Union and national level with regard to the transformation of the energy system towards a low-carbon economy., in addition to achieve the aims of the energy union there should be coherence across all sectors most notably in trade policy where the current direction of globalization runs counter to the objectives on this regulation;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) Regional cooperation is key to ensure an effective achievement of the objectives of the Energy Union. Member States should get the opportunity to comment on other Member States' plans before they are finalised to avoid inconsistencies and potential negative impacts on other Member States and ensure that common objectives are met collectively. Regional cooperation in elaborating and finalising national plans as well as in the subsequent implementation of national plans should be essential to improve effectiveness and efficiency of measures and foster market integratiostrong regional energy providers which can aunderpin energy affordability and security.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 68 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) National plans should be stable to ensure transparency and predictability of national policies and measures in order to ensure the need and rights of local populations are balanced against investor certainty. Updates of national plans should however be foreseen once during the ten- year period covered to give Member States the opportunity to adapt to significant changing circumstances. For the plans covering the period from 2021 to 2030, Member States should be able to update their plans by 1 January 2024. Targets, objectives and contributions should only be modified to reflect an increased overall ambition in particular as regards the 2030 targets for energy and climate. As part of the updates, Member States should make efforts to mitigate any adverse environmental impacts that become apparent as part of the integrated reporting.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 79 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
(34) To help ensure coherence between national and Union policies and objectives of the Energy Union, there should be an on-going dialogue between the Commission and the Member States. As appropriateWhile recognizing the competence of the Member States in this area, the Commission shouldmay issue recommendations to Member States including on the level of ambition of the draft national plans, on the subsequent implementation of policies and measures of the notified national plans, and on other national policies and measures of relevance for the implementation of the Energy Union. Member States should take utmost account of such recommendations and explain in subsequent progress reports how they have been implemented.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 94 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) energy security, and affordability to consumers;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 124 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d – point 3
(3) national objectives related to other aspects of the internal energy market such as market integdeveloping interlinked regional structures for energy generation and couplingdelivery, including a timeframe for when the objectives should be met;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 125 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e – point 3
(3) national objectives with regard to competitiveness. and the rights of citizens to an energy supply;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 132 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall collectively ensure that the sum of their contributions adds up to at least 27% of energy produced from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption at Union level by 2030 excluding imported biomass from third countries.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 136 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) interactions between existing (implemented and adopted) and planned policies and measures within a policy dimension and between existing (implemented and adopted) and planned policies and measures of different dimensions for the first ten- year period at least until the year 2030. Projections concerning security of supply, development of regional infrastructure and market integrationsustainability shall be linked to robust energy efficiency scenarios.
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 140 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the level of ambition of objectives, targets and contributions in view of collectively achieving the Energy Union objectives and notably the Union's 2030 targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency which should exclude the importation of biomass from third countries in order to meet targets;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 166 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a – point 1
(1) national trajectory for the overall share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption from 2021 to 2030 excluding imports of biomass from third countries;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 167 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b – point 5
(5) measures promoting the use of energy from biomass, especially for new biomass mobilisation taking into account biomass availability (both the domestic potential and the, excluding biomass imports from third countries), and other biomass uses (agriculture and forest-based sectors), as well as measures for the sustainability of biomass produced and used;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 169 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point b – point 6
(6) regional cooperation in the area of energy efficiency, if applicable;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 170 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) national objectives with regard to reducing energy import dependency from third countries with a focus on reducing the imports of biomass form third countries;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 171 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) national objectives related to other aspects of the internal energy market such as market integdeveloping regional market structures for energy generation and couplingdelivery, if applicable;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 172 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) national objectives with regard to ensuring electricity system adequacy and affordability to combat fuel poverty, if applicable;
2017/07/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 1005 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) achieve -at the latest by 2040 - a highly energy efficient and fully renewables-based energy system and net- zero greenhouse gas emissions within the Union, going into negative emissions by 2050.
2017/07/04
Committee: ENVIITRE
Amendment 1008 #

2016/0375(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) total greenhouse gas emissions reductions and enhancements of removals by sinks;, with a separate target for enhancing removals by sinks that is consistent with pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. These targets should be established no later than the UNFCCC Facilitative Dialogue in 2018, and should represent a fair and equitable contribution to the global carbon budget."
2017/07/04
Committee: ENVIITRE
Amendment 104 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point n
(n) "young farmer" means a person who is no more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of that holding; setting up may be done solely or jointly with other farmers, as a derogation to this and in duly justified circumstances member states may apply the provisions of this article to young farmers who are no more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting their application, that possesses adequate occupational skills and competence, even though they are already farming on their own right in an agricultural holding as head of that holding, if they have not been in receipt of specific support for young farmers in the 2006-2013 CAP reform or in the current CAP program 2013-2020, the support should continue for a maximum of five years;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 108 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 – point r
(r) "forest" means an area of land spanning more than 0,5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ; and does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use, subject to paragraph 2;is defined in Article 3.1(f) of the LULUCF Regulation COM(2016) 479 final
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 115 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Support under this measure may also cover costs arising from information and promotion activities implemented by groupproducer groups or associations of producer groups, concerning products covered by a quality scheme receiving support in accordance with paragraph 1. By way of derogation from Article 70(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, these activities may only be implemented in the internal market.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 122 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) concern the processing, marketing and/or development of agricultural products covered by Annex I to the TFEU or cotton, except fishery products; the output of the production process may be a product not covered by that Annex; where support is provided in the form of financial instruments, the input may also be a product not covered by Annex I to the TFEU on condition that the investment contributes to one or more of the Union priorities for rural development;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 123 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 19 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Support under point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be conditional on the submission of a business plan. Implementation of the business plan shall start at the latest within nineeighteen months from the date of the decision granting the aid. The business plan shall have a maximum duration of five years.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 129 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 19 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 5
Member States shall define upper and lower thresholds per beneficiary for allowing access to support under points (a)(i) and (a)(iii) of paragraph 1. The lower threshold for support under point (a)(i) of paragraph 1 shall be higher than the upperequal to the threshold for support under point (a)(iii) of paragraph 1. Support shall be limited to holdings coming under the definition of micro and small enterprises. and shall be capped at an appropriate level to be set by the Member state;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 134 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 19 – paragraph 5
5. Support under point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be paid in at least two instalments. Instalments may be degressive. The payment of the last instalment under points (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of paragraph 1 shall be conditional upon the correct implementation of the business plan.; and shall be paid, in any event, within one year following the full implementation of the business plan;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 135 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 19 – paragraph 4a
4a. By way of derogation from Article 37(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, support under point (a)(i) of paragraph 1 may also be provided in the form of financial instruments, or as a combination of grants and financialas a combination of grants and financial instruments with grants remaining the dominant support instruments.;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 146 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 20 – paragraph 4
6. In Article 20, the following paragraph 4 is added: ‘4. Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall not apply where support is provided in the form of financial instruments.;’deleted
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 168 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 36 – paragraph 3
3. For the purpose of points (b), (c) and (d) of paragraph 1, 'mutual fund' means a scheme accredited by the Member State in accordance with its national law for affiliated farmers to insure themselves, whereby compensation payments are made to affiliated farmers for economic losses caused by the outbreak of adverse climatic events or an animal or plant disease or pest infestation or an environmental incident, or for a severe drop in their income. as a result of political decisions over which they have control;
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 209 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 45 – paragraph 1
1. Support under point (d) of Article 36(1) shall only be granted in duly justified cases and where the drop of income exceeds 20 % of the average annual income of the individual farmer in the preceding three-year period or a three-year average based on the preceding five-year period excluding the highest and lowest entry. Income for the purposes of point (d) of Article 36(1) shall refer to the sum of revenues the farmer receives from the market, including any form of public support, deducting input, overhead and labor costs. Payments by the mutual fund to farmers shall compensate for less than 70 % of the income lost in the year the producer becomes eligible to receive this assistance.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 214 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Since fFollowing three years of implementation, further amendments are to be made to the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union in order to remove bottlenecks in implementation by increasing flexibility, to simplify delivery for the stakeholders and the services and to focus more on results, Regulation (EU, Euratom) no 966/201214 of the European Parliament and of the Council should be repealed and replaced by this Regulation. _________________ 14 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 214 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 45 – paragraph 5
5. Working capital that is ancillary to, and linked to a new investment, which receives EAFRD support through a financial instrument established in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, may be eligible expenditure. Such eligible expenditure shall not exceed 350 % of the total amount of the eligible expenditure for the investment. The relevant request shall be duly substantiated.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 216 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 11 – point b
Regulation (EU) N°1305/2013
Article 45 – paragraph 7
7. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not apply where support is provided in the form of financial instruments.;deleted
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 227 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point a
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 60 – paragraph 1
1. By way of derogation from Article 65(9) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events or a significant and sudden change in the socio-economic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, the rural development programmes may provide that eligibility of expenditure relating to programme changes may start from the date when the event occurred.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 228 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) The principle of transparency, is enshrined in Article 15 TFEU which; this requires the institutions to work as openly as possible, implies and, in the area of the implementation of the budget, implies that citizens are able to know where, and for what purpose, funds are spent by the Union. Such information fosters democratic debate, contributes to the participation of citizens in the Union's decision-making process and reinforces institutional control and scrutiny over Union expenditure. Such objectives should be achieved by the publication, (preferably using modern communication tools,) of relevant information concerning all recipients of Union funds, which takes into account such allthose same recipients' legitimate interests of confidentiality and security and, as far as natural persons are concerned, their right to privacy and the protection of their personal data. Institutions should therefore adopt a selective approach in the publication of information, in accordance with the principle of proportionality. Decisions to publish should be based on relevant criteria in order to provide meaningful information.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 230 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 267 – paragraph 1 – point 14 – point b
Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013
Article 60 – paragraph 2
With the exception of general costs as defined in Article 45(2)(c), in respect of investment operations under measures falling within the scope of Article 42 TFEU, only expenditure which has been incurred after an application has been submitted to the competent authority shall be considered eligible. However, Member States may provide in their programme that expenditure which is related to emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events or a significant and sudden change in the socio-economic conditions of the Member State or region, including significant and sudden demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees, and which has been incurred by the beneficiary after the event occurs, is also eligible
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 231 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The name and locality of the recipients of Union funds should be published fFor prizes, grants and contracts awarded following the opening-up of a public procedure to competition, as it is the casend in particular for contests, for a call for proposals and/or a call for tenders, in theto respect of the principles of the TFEU and in particular the principles of transparency, proportionality, equal treatment and non- discrimination. Moreover s, the name and locality of the recipients of Union funds should be published. Such publication should contribute to the control of the public selection procedures by the rejectedunsuccessful applicants ofin the competition.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 233 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
(20) Information on scholarships, and other direct support paid to natural persons in most need, should remain exempt from publication.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 234 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) In order to ensure the respect of the principle of equal treatment between recipients, the publication of information related to natural persons should also be ensured in line with the obligation for the Member States to establish a large transparency of the contracts above the amount laid down in Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 236 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) In the case of indirect and shared implementation, it should be forthe responsibility of the persons, entities or designated bodies implementing Union funds to make available information on recipients and final recipients. Where applicable, the level of detail and criteria should be defined in the relevant sector- specific rules and may be further defined in the financial framework partnership agreements. The Commission should make available a reference of the website where the information on recipients and final recipients can be found.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 237 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
(28) For reasons of legal certainty, it is necessary to clarify that the directors of executive agencies act as authorising officers by delegation when managing operational appropriations of programmes delegated to their agency. To achieve the full effect of efficiency gains resulting from a global centralisation of certain support services, the possibility for executive agencies to implement administrative expenditures should be explicitly mentioned.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 238 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
(32) Consequently, the tasks, responsibilities and principles of the procedures to be observed should also be laid down. It is also necessary to provide that the authorising officers by delegation shall ensure that the authorising officers by subdelegation and their staff receive information concerning the control standards and respective methods and techniques, and that measures are taken in order to ensure the functioning of the control system which should replace the obligation to establish specific code of professional standards applicable to financial verifications only. The responsibilities assumed are accounted for in an annual report to the institution and the report shall include the required financial and management information to support the authorising officer by delegation’s declaration of assurance on the performance of his or her duties, including the information on the overall performance of the operations carried out. The supporting documents relating to the operations carried out should be kept. Finally, all the various forms of negotiated procedure for the award of public contracts should, since those contracts represent derogations from the usual award procedures, be the subject of a special report to the institution and of a communication to the European Parliament and Council, since those contracts represent derogations from the usual award procedures.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 239 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
(33) The double role of the Head of Union delegation, (and of their deputies in their absence,) as authorising officer by subdelegation 1) for the European External Action Service (hereinafter ‘EEAS’) and, (as regards operational appropriations,) 2) for the Commission, should be taken into account.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 240 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
(35) The accounting officer continues to be responsible for the proper execution of payments, the collection of revenue and the recovery of amounts receivable. He/She manages the treasury, bank accounts and third -party files, keeps the accounts and is responsible for drawing up the institution's financial statements. The accounting officer of the Commission is the only person who is entitled to define the accounting rules and harmonised charts of accounts, while accounting officers of all other Union institutions define accounting procedures applicable in their institutions.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 241 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
(38) The conditions for the use of imprest accounts, a system of management which constitutes an exception to normal budgetary procedures, should also be laid down, and the tasks and responsibilities of the imprest administrators, as well as those of the authorising officer and accounting officer in connection with the control of imprest accounts, should be set out. The European Parliament and Council should be informed of any appointment or termination of duties. For reasons of efficiency, imprest accounts should be set up in Union delegations, for appropriations from both the Commission and EEAS sections of the budget. It is also appropriate to allow under specific conditions for the use of imprest accounts in the Union delegation for payments of limited amounts by budgetary procedures, under specific conditions. As regards the appointment of imprest administrators, it has proven necessary to choose them also from personnel employed by the Commission in the field of crisis management aid and humanitarian aid operations whenever there is no Commission statutory staff available.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 242 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
(40) Once the tasks and responsibilities of each financial actor have been defined, they may be held liable only under the conditions laid down in the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union. The sSpecialised financial irregularities panels have been set up in the Union institutions,; however, due to the limited number of cases submitted to them and for reasons of efficiency, it is appropriate to transfer their functions to the newly established inter- institutional panel which has been set up to assess requests and issue recommendations on the imposition onf administrative sanctions (exclusion and financial penalty) referred to it by the Commission or other Union institutions and Union bodies. This transfer also aims at avoiding duplication and at mitigating the risks of contradictory recommendations or opinions, in cases where both an economic operator and an EU staff member are involved. The procedure should be maintained by which an authorising officer may seek confirmation of an instruction which that officer considers to be irregular or contrary to the principle of sound financial management, and thus be released from any liability. The composition of this panel should be modified when it fulfils this role.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 243 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
(48) In order to secure the management of assets whilst also yielding financial remuneration, it is necessary to have the amounts provisionally cashed, (such as competitions fines which are being contested), invested in financial assets, and to determine the assignment of the return on them. Since the Commission is not the only institution which is entitled to impose fines or other penalties, it is necessary to set provisions concerning such fines or other penalties imposed by other institutions and to set rules for their recovery which should be equivalent to those for the fines or penalties imposed by the Commission.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 245 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
(52) In order to make better use of the appropriations available for the implementation of external actions, the time limit during which individual legal commitments may be made on the basis of global budgetary commitment should be removed, as well as the obligation to conclude a contribution agreement until 31 December of year n+1 in cases where a financing agreement with the third country presents the global budgetary commitment covering also the contribution agreement.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 246 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
(53) As regards the typology of payments which may be made by authorising officers, clarification of the various types of payments should be provided, in accordance with the principle of sound financial management, be provided. The rules for clearing of pre-financing payments should further be clarified, in particular for situations where no interim clearing is possible. To this effect, appropriate provisions should be included in legal commitments signed.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 248 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
(54) This Regulation should stipulate that the payments must be made within a specified time limit, and that in the event of failure to respect this time limit, creditors will be entitled to default interests to be charged to the budget, with the exception of Member States and also, as newly introduced, also the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 249 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
(55) It is considered appropriate to integrate the provisions concerning validation and authorisation of expenditure in one article and to introduce a definition of de-commitments. Since the transactions are carried out in computerised systems, the concept of "signing a 'passed for payment' voucher" has been replaced by "electronically secured signature" except in a limited number of cases. It is also necessary to clarify that the validation of expenditure applies to all eligible costs, i.e. also suchncluding those which are not associated with a request for payment, this being the case for the clearing of pre-financing.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 250 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
(56) In order to reduce complexity, streamline existing rules and improve the readability of this Regulation, rules common to more than one budget implementation instruments should be established. For those reasons certain provisions should be regrouped, the wording and scope of other provisions should be aligned and unnecessary repetitions and cross referencing should be removed.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 251 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 268 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013
Article 54 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
If recovery has not taken place within four years from the date of the recovery request, or within eight years where recovery is taken in the national courts, the financial consequences of the non- recovery shall be borne by the Member State concerned, without prejudice to the requirement that the Member State concerned must pursue recovery procedures in compliance with Article 58.deleted
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 257 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
(63) This Regulation should establish standard periods for which documents relating to Union contributions should be kept by recipients so as to avoid divergent or disproportionate contractual requirements, while still providing the Commission, the European Anti-fraud office and the Court of Auditors with sufficient time to obtain access to such data and documents and perform the ex post checks and audits. In addition, participants and recipients should be obliged to cooperate in the protection of the Union's financial interest.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 258 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
(64) In order to provide adequate information to participants and recipients and to ensure that they have the possibility to exercise their right of defence, this Regulation should allow participants and recipients to submit their observations before adoption of any measure adversely affecting their rights and to be informed on the means of redress they dispose of for challenging such a measure.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 259 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
(66) The early detection and exclusion sytem should apply to: * participants,; * recipients,; * entities on whose capacity the candidate or tenderer intends to rely or to; * subcontractors of a contractor,; * any person or entity receiving Union funds where the budget is implemented under indirect implementation,; * any person or entity receiving Union funds under financial instruments directly implemented and ; *participants or recipients of entities implementing the budget under shared implementation.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 260 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
(68) The decision to a) exclude a person or entity from participation in award procedures or the imposition of a financial penalty and b) the decision to publish the related information, should be taken by the authorising officer responsible, in light of their autonomy in administrative matters. In the absence of a final judgment or final administrative decision and in cases related to a serious breach of contract, the authorising officers responsible should take their decision having regard to the recommendation of the panel on the basis of a preliminary classification in law.. The panel should also assess the duration of an exclusion in cases where the duration has not been set by the final judgment or the final administrative decision.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 261 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
(70) The preliminary classification in law does not prejudge the final assessment of the conduct of the person or entity concerned by the competent authorities of Member States under national law of the conduct of the person or of the entity concerned. The recommendation of the panel, as well as the decision of the authorising officer responsible, should therefore be reviewed following the notification of such a final assessment.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 263 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 71
(71) A person or entity should be excluded by the authorising officer responsible when a final judgment or a final administrative decision has been taken in the case of any of the following: * grave professional misconduct, and/or of non-compliance, (whether intentional or not,) with the obligations related to the payment of social security contributions or the payment of taxes,; * fraud affecting the budget ,; * corruption,; * participation in a criminal organiszation,; * money laundering,; * terrorist financing,; * terrorist -related offences,; * child labour or other forms of trafficking in human beings or any such irregularity. It should also be excluded in the case of a serious breach of a legal commitment or bankruptcy.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 266 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
(72) When deciding on the exclusion of a person or entity, or the imposition of a financial penalty on a person or entity, and on the publication thereof or on the rejection of person or entity, the authorising officer responsible should ensure compliance with the principle of proportionality by taking into particular account the seriousness of the situation, its budgetary impact, the time which has elapsed since the relevant conduct, its duration and its recurrence, the intention or degree of negligence and the degree of collaboration of the person or entity with the relevant competent authority and its contribution to the investigation.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 267 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74
(74) A person or entity should not be subject to a decision of exclusion when it has taken remedial measures, thus demonstrating its reliability. That possibility should not apply in the case of the most severe criminal activities involving an amount greater than EUR 5000.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 268 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 75
(75) In light of the principle of proportionality, cases where a) a financial penalty may be imposed as an alternative to the exclusion and b) cases where the gravity of the conduct of the recipient concerned in respect of attempting to unduly obtain Union funds justifies the imposition of a financial penalty in addition to the exclusion so as to ensure a deterrent effect, should be distinguished. The minimum and maximum financial penalty which can be imposed by the contracting authority should also be defined.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 269 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 77
(77) The possibility to apply administrative and/or financial penalties on a regulatory basis is independent from the possibility to apply contractual penalties, such as liquidated damages, and should be noted.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 270 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 80
(80) It is important to be able to reinforce the deterrent effect achieved by the exclusion and the financial penalty. In that regard, the deterrent effect should be reinforced by the possibility tof publishing the information related to the exclusion and/or to the financial penalty, with full respect for the data protection requirements set out in Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) and in Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7). This should contribute to ensuring that the same conduct is not repeated. For reasons of legal certainty and in accordance with the principle of proportionality, it should be specified in which situations a publication should not take place. In its assessment, the authorising officer responsible should have regard to any recommendation of the panel. As far as natural persons are concerned, personal data should only be published in exceptional cases justified by the seriousness of the conduct or its impact on the Union's financial interests.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 271 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 84
(84) While the setting up and the operation of the early detection and exclusion system should be the responsibility of the Commission, other institutions and bodies, (as well as all entities implementing the budget under direct, shared and indirect implementation) should also participate in that system by transmitting relevant information to the Commission. The authorising officer responsible and the panel should guarantee the right of defence of economic operators. The same right should be given to a person ofr entity, in the context of an early detection, where an act envisaged by an authorising officer could adversely affect the rights of the person ofr entity concerned. In cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the Union's financial interests which are not yet subject to a final judgment, the authorising officer responsible and the panel should be given the possibility to defer the opportunity given to the person ofr entity to submit its observations. Such deferral should only be justified where there are compelling legitimate grounds to preserve the confidentiality of the investigation.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 272 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 87
(87) This Regulation should foster the objective of e-Government, and in particular the use of electronic data in the exchange of information between the institutions and third parties, in particular the use of electronic data.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 273 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 89
(89) Rules on the composition and tasks of the committee in charge of assessing application documents in procurement, grant award procedures and in contests for prizes should be laid down. The committee may be composed of external experts, if provided sofor in the basic act.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 274 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 90
(90) In line with the principle of good administration, the authorising officer should request clarifications or missing documents, while respecting the principle of equality of treatment and without substantially changing the application documents. The authorising officer may decide not to do so only in duly justified cases. In addition, the authorising officer should be able to correct an obvious clerical error or request the participant to correct it.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 275 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 91
(91) Sound financial management should require that the Commission protects itself by requesting guarantees at the time of paying pre-financing. The requirement for contractors and beneficiaries to lodge guarantees should not be automatic, but should be based on a risk analysis. Where, during the course of implementation, the authorising officer discovers that a guarantor is no longer authorised to issue guarantees in accordance with the applicable national law, the authorising officer should be able to require replacement of the guarantee.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 276 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 93
(93) The provisions on the ex-ante pillar assessment should be revised to enable the Commission to rely as much as possible on the systems and procedures of the partners which have been deemed equivalent to the ones used by the Commission. In addition, it is important to clarify that where the assessment reveals areas where the procedures in place are not sufficient to protect the financial interests of the Union, the Commission may sign contribution agreements while imposing additional supervisory measures. It is also important to clarify the areas where the Commission does not require a pillar assessment in order to sign contribution agreements.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 277 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 94
(94) It is appropriate to indicate that the remuneration of the Organisations implementing the EU budget should, where relevant and possible, have a performance- based nature.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 280 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 103
(103) The contribution of contracting authorities to the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development, while ensuring that they can obtain the best value for money for their contracts, in particular through requiring specific labels or through the use of appropriate award methods, should be clarified.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 281 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 104
(104) In order to ensure that, when executing contracts, economic operators comply with the applicable environmental, social and labour law obligations established by Union law, national law, collective agreements or the applicable international social and environmental conventions listed in Annex X to Directive 2014/24/EU, such obligations should be part of the minimum requirements defined by the contracting authority and should be integrated in the contracts signed by the contracting authority.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 281 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 269 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 9 – paragraph 7
7. Member States may decide from 2018 that only one or two of the three criteria listed in the third subparagraph of paragraph 2 may be invoked by persons or groups of persons falling within the scope of the first and second subparagraphs of paragraph 2, in order to demonstrate that they are active farmers. Member States shall notify the Commission of such a decision by 1 August 2017.deleted
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 284 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 125
(125) In order to simplify procedures and improve the readability of this Regulation, provisions related to the content of the grant application, of the call for proposals and of the grant agreement should be simplified and streamlined.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 285 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 127
(127) Experience gained in the use of lump sums, unit costs or flat-rate financing has shown that, such forms of financing significantly simplified administrative procedures and substantially reduced the risk of error substantially. Lump sums, flat rates and unit costs are a suitable form of financing independently of the area of Union intervention and in particular for standardised and recurrent actions, e.g. mobility, institutional twinning, training activities, etc. In this context, the conditions for using lump sums, unit costs and flat rates should be made more flexible. It is necessary to provide explicitely for the establishment of single lump sums covering the entire eligible costs of the action or the work programme. In addition, in order to foster focus on results, priority should be given to output- based funding. Input bаsed lump sums, unit costs and flat rates should remain an option where output based ones are not possible or appropriate.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 287 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 130
(130) The scope of checks and controls as opposed to the periodic assessment of lump sums, unit costs or flat rates should be clarified. Those checks and controls should focus on the fulfilment of the conditions triggering the payment of lump sums, unit costs or flat-rates, including, where required, the achievement of outputs. Those conditions should not require reporting on the costs actually incurred by the beneficiary. Where the amounts of lump sums, unit costs or flat-rate financing have been decided ex ante by the authorising officer responsible or by the Commission, they should not be challenged by ex post controls. The periodic assessment of lump sums, unit costs or flat rates may require access to the accounts of the beneficiary for statistical and methodological purposes. The periodic assessment may lead to updates of the lump sums, unit costs or flat rates applicable to future agreements but should not be used for questioning the value of the lump sums, unit costs or flat rates already agreed upon. Access to the beneficiary's accounts is also necessary for fraud- prevention and detection purposes.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 288 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 131
(131) In an environment of limited availability of resources and in order to facilitate the participation of small organisations in the implementation of the EU policies in an environment of limited availability of resources, it is necessary to recognise the value of the work provided by volunteers as eligible costs. As a result, such organisations in providing co-financing may rely to a greater extent on volunteers' work for sake of providing co-financing to the action. Without prejudice to the maximum co-financing rate specified in the basic act, in such cases, the Union grant needs to be limited to the estimated eligible costs other than those covering volunteers' work. As volunteers work is a work provided by third parties without a remuneration being paid to them by the beneficiary, the limitation avoids reimbursing costs which the beneficiary did not incur.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 290 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 269 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 9 – paragraph 8
8. Member States may decide to stop applying the provisions of this Article from 2018. They shall notify the Commission of such a decision by 1 August 2017.deleted
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 293 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 140
(140) The instruments that potentially fall under Title X, such as loans, guarantees, equity investments, quasi-equity investment and risk-sharing instruments, should be defined. The definition of risk- sharing instruments should allow for the inclusion of credit enhancements for project bonds, covering the debt service risk of a project and mitigating the credit risk of bond holders through credit enhancements in the form of a loan or a guarantee.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 298 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 145
(145) In addition, the implementation of financial instruments and budgetary guarantees should comply with the Union's tax policy objectives and achievements regarding tax avoidance, in particular aggressive tax planning and tax good governance. In that respect, attention should be given to the Commission Recommendation on aggressive tax planning (C(2012)8806), the Commission Recommendation regarding measures to encourage third countries to apply minimum standards of good tax governance in tax matters (C(2012)8805), the Commission Communication on an Anti-Tax Avoidance Package: Next steps towards delivering effective taxation and greater tax transparency in the EU (COM(2016)23), including in particular the Commission Communication on an External Strategy for Effective Taxation (COM(2016)24), and related developments at Union level.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 309 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 158
(158) Although financial support is awarded without an annual work programme being required, European political parties should justify ex post the sound use of Union funding. In particular, the authorising officer responsible should verify if the funding has been used to pay reimbursable expenditure as established in the call for contributions within the time limits laid down in this Regulation. Contributions to European political parties should be spent by the end of the financial year following that of their award, after which, any unspent funding should be recovered by the authorising officer responsible.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 321 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 165
(165) In line with the streamlining of the existing rules and in order to avoid undue repetition, the Part tTwo of the Financial Regulation, dedicated to special provisions applicable to the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund, to Research, to external action and to specific EU funds, should be removed. The provisions of this Part tTwo should be either introduced in the relevant parts of the Financial Regulation, or, in caswhere the provisions are not used or no longer relevant, simply deleted.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 324 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 170
(170) In order to ensure that the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) provides swiftly adequate resources to support changing political priorities, the indicative shares for each of the three axies and the minimum percentages for each of the thematic priorities within the individual axis should allow for a greater flexibility. This should improve the management of the Programme and allow focussing budgetary resources on actions producing better employment and social results.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 325 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 173
(173) As the amendment of provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council19 provides more favourable conditions for certain revenue generating operations for which amounts or rates of support are defined in Annex II to EMFF Regulation, it is necessary to establish a different date of entry into force for these provisions to ensure equal treatment of operations supported on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. _________________ 19 Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347 20.12.2013, p. 320)
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 326 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 176
(176) In view of maximising the synergies between all Union funds to address the challenges of migration and asylum in an effective way, it should be ensured that, when the thematic objectives are translated into priorities in the Fund- specific rules, such priorities cover the appropriate use of each Fund for these areas.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 331 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 179
(179) In order to facilitate the preparation and implementation of community-led local development strategies, the lead fund should be allowed to cover preparatory, running and animation costs.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 332 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 180
(180) In order to facilitate the implementation of community-led local development and integrated territorial investments, the roles and responsibilities of local action groups in the case of community-led local development strategies and local authorities the roles and responsibilities of local action groups, regional development bodies or non-governmental organisations in the case of ITIs in relation to other programme bodies, should be clarified. Designation as an intermediate body should only be required only in cases where the relevant bodies carry out tasks which go beyond those described in the relevant Article or where it is required by the Fund specific rules.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 337 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 192
(192) With a view to facilitate the implementation of revenue generating operations, reduction of the co-financing rate should be allowed at any time of the programme implementation and possibilities for the establishment of flat- rate net revenue percentages at national level should be provided.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 338 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 197
(197) In view of the aim to reduce the addministrative burden of the implementation of projects by beneficiairies, a new form of simplified costs options for financing based on conditions others than costs of operations should be introduced.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 340 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 202
(202) With a view to improving the effectiveness and impact of operations, implementation of nation-wide operations or operations covering different programme areas should be facilitated and possibilities for expenditure outside the Union for certain investments should be increased .
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 341 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 204
(204) In order to promote the use of joint action plans which will reduce administrative burden for beneficiaries, it is necessary to reduce regulatory requirements linked to the setting up of a joint action plan.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 342 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 206
(206) With a view to reducing the administrative burden and ensuring the effective use of technical assistance across Funds and categories of regions, flexibility for the calculation and monitoring of the respective limits applicable to technical assistance of Member States should be increased
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 343 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 208
(208) The responsibilities of the managing authorities regarding the verification of expenditure when simplified cost options are being used, should be specified more in detail.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 344 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 211
(211) With a view to facilitateing certain target groups' access to the ESF, the collection of data for certain indicators should be based on representative samples and twice in the programming period.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 345 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 214
(214) Nowadays farmers are exposed to increasing economic risks as a consequence of market developments. However, those economic risks do not affect all agricultural sectors equally. Consequently, and provided that the international obligations of the Union are respected, Member States should have the possibility, in duly justified cases, to help farmers with sector- specific income stabilisation tools, in particular for sectors affected by a severe income drops, which would have a significant economic impact for a specific rural area, provided that the international obligations of the Union are respected. In addition, in order to monitor the expenditure made in relation to this new tool, the content of the financial plan of the programme should be adapted. Moreover, the specific reporting requirement for the risk management measure in 2018 referred to in Article 36(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is already covered by the report to the European Parliament and the Council on the monitoring and evaluation of the CAP referred to in Article 110(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013. Therefore the second subparagraph of Article 36(5) should be deleted.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 346 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 216
(216) Support for investments for the restoration of production potential after natural disasters and catastrophic events under Articles 18(1)(b) and 24(1)(d) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 is usually granted to all eligible applicants. Therefore, Member States should not be obliged to define selection criteria for restoration operations. Moreover, in duly justified cases, where it is not possible to define selection criteria due to the nature of the operations, Members States should be allowed to define alternative selection methods.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 347 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 217
(217) Article 59 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 defines the maximum EAFRD contribution rates. In order to ease the pressure on the national budget of some Member States and to accelerate much- needed investments in countries and regions where it is most needed (such as Cyprus), the maximum contribution rate of 100% referred to in Article 59(4)(f) should be extended until the programme closure. In addition, a reference to the specific contribution rate introduced in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 for the new financial instrument referred to in point (c) of Article 38(1) of the same Regulation should be mentioned in Article 59(4).
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 348 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 218
(218) Pursuant to Article 60(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, in cases of emergency measures due to natural disasters, eligibility of expenditure relating to programme changes may start from the date when the natural disaster occurred. This possibility to makenable eligibleility for expenditure madeincurred before the submission of a programme amendment should be extended to other circumstances, such as catastrophic events or a significant and sudden change in the socio-economic conditions of the Member State or region, including sudden and significant demographic changes resulting from migration or reception of refugees.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 349 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 219
(219) According to the second subparagraph of Article 60(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, in respect of investments in the agricultural sector, only expenditure incurred after the submission of an application is eligible. Members States should be given the possibility to provide in their programmes that, where the investment is related to emergency measures due to natural disasters, catastrophic events or adverse climatic events or a significant and sudden change in the socio-economic conditions of the Member State or region, expenditure incurred after the occurrence of the event is eligible, even where this is before the submission of an application.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 349 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 269 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013
Article 50 – paragraph 9
4. in Article 50, paragraph 9 is deleted;Member States shall set a single maximum limit applicable to the number of payment entitlements activated by the farmer or to the number of eligible hectares declared by the farmer. That limit shall not be below 25 or above 90. Member States shall respect that limit when applying paragraphs 6, 7 and 8.
2017/03/28
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 350 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 225
(225) Experience has shown that the rule, first introduced with Regulation (EU) No 1290/2005, of equally sharing between the budget and the Member States the risk of the lack of recovery of sums due for irregularities when these sums had not been recovered within reasonable deadlines (so called 50/50 rule), has worked well for the safeguarding of the budget. However, such a system entails a heavy administrative and book-keeping burden for both the European Commission and the Member States. It is therefore considered appropriate to further change this approach and charge the related sums entirely to the Member States concerned after the expiry of the related deadlines, while allowing them, on the other side, to keep in their national budgets the sums subsequently recovered at the end of the related recovery procedures.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 351 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 227
(227) The experience gained so far shows that through implementing the three criteria for being regarded an active farmer, listed in the third subparagraph of Article 9(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council22 , has proven difficult for many Member States. In order to reduce the administrative burden associated with the implementation of the three criteria, Member States should have the possibility of making available only one or two of them. The experience further shows that in some Member States the administrative costs of implementing the active farmer clause as a whole outweighs the benefit of excluding a very limited number of non- active beneficiaries from the direct support schemes. In order to allow Member States to address such situations in future claim years, the application of Article 9 as a whole should become optional for them. _________________ 22 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)
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 352 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 230
(230) Pursuant to Article 52 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013, Member States may grant, under certain conditions, grant coupled support to farmers in specific agricultural sectors or types of farming, to the extent necessary to create an incentive to maintain current levels of production in the sectors or regions concerned. In order to avoid that the levels of production are to be maintained where this is not appropriate due to structural market imbalances, the Commission should be empowered to adopt delegated acts allowing that voluntary coupled support can continue to be paid until 2020 on the basis of the production units for which such support was granted in a past reference period. In the context of the current crisis this temporary derogation aims at attaining in the long term the objective of voluntary coupled support of maintaining the level of production in the areas concerned.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 353 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 232
(232) In addition to withdrawals for free distribution, it is also appropriate to grant coaching actions intended to encourage producers to set up organisations meeting the criteria to be recogniszed afor full Union financing within the operational programmes of existing producer organisations.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 354 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 233
(233) Crisis prevention and management measures should be extended to cover refilling of mutual funds which could act as new instruments to help to combat crises.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 355 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 236
(236) In order to simplify the current procedure of first, authorising Member States to grant additional national financial assistance to producer organisations in regions of the Union where the organisation degree is particularly low and second, reimbursing a part of the national financial assistance if further conditions are complied with, a new system could be established. Member States where the organisation rate is particularly low was (below 20% at national level in 2013) could grant an additional percentage of the value of the marketed production as national aid with a result similar to the current scheme of prior authorisation and subsequent Union reimbursement. The Commision should regularly review the list of Member States that may grant additional national assistance to keep it updated.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 360 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 242
(242) Only grants and procurement may currently be used to support actions in the area of Digital Service Infrastructures. In order to ensure that they are as efficient as possible, financial instruments should also be made available to support these actions.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 361 #

2016/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 246
(246) In order to avoid unfair treatment of partner organisations, irregularities that are imputable only to the body in charge of purchasing the assistance, should not affect the eligibility of expenditure of partner organisations.
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 362 #

2016/0282(COD)

(250) Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council25 provides for the possibility to divide budgetary commitments into annual instalments only in the case of approval of multiannual programmes for the eradication, control and surveillance of animal diseases and zoonoses, for survey programmes concerning the presence of pests and for programmes concerning the control of pests in outermost regions of the Union. In the interest of simplification and in order to reduce the administrative burden, this possibility should be extended to the other actions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 652/2014. _________________ 25 Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material, amending Council Directives 98/56/EC, 2000/29/EC and 2008/90/EC, Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 882/2004 and (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Decisions 66/399/EEC, 76/894/EEC and 2009/470/EC (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 1).
2017/04/18
Committee: BUDGCONT
Amendment 32 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The Union's ambitious External Investment Plan (EIP) is needed to support investments starting in Africa and the Union's Neighbourhood as a means to promote the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ('the 2030 Agenda'), as well as the commitments under the recently revised European Neighbourhood Policy, thus addressing one of the main root causes of migration. It should also contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21).
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 34 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) The EIP should incorporate the Union commitment under the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development. It should also allow European investors and private companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to participate more effectively to sustainable development in partner countries, with the emphasis very much on 'sustainable'.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The EIP should provide an integrated financial package to finance investments starting in regions of Africa for countries that are signatories to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its mMember States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 200022 and the Neighbourhood countries,; thereby creatingis should provide additional growth and employment opportunities, maximisinge additionality, and help delivering innovative products, and crowding-inby encouraging the use of additional private -sector funds. _________________ 22 OJ L 317, 15.12.2000 as last amended by OJ L 287, 4.11.2010
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 44 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) In order to: (a) provide for flexibility,; (b) increase the attractiveness for the private sector and; (c) maximise the impact of the investments; it is appropriate to provide for a derogation from Article 58(1)(c)(vii) of Regulation (EU) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council24 by which the eligible counterparts who are bodies governed by private law could also be bodies which are not entrusted with the implementation of a public-private partnership and could also be bodies governed by the private law of a partner country. _________________ 24 Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 49 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The Commission should report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the financing and investment operations covered by the EFSD Guarantee with a view to ensuring accountability to the EuropeanEU citizens. The report should be made public in order to allow relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to express their views. The Commission should also report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the management of the EFSD Guarantee Fund so that accountability and transparency are ensured.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 51 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) In order to contribute to the international fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and money-laundering, the eligible counterparts shouldmust not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes and shouldmust not participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non-cooperative jurisdiction.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 52 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The purpose of the EFSD as an integrated financial package shall be to support investments and increased access to financing, starting in African and Neighbourhood partner countries, through the supply of financing capacity in the form of grants, guarantees and other financial instruments to eligible couenterparts investments and increased access to financing starting in African and Neighbourhood partner countrises.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 55 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The EFSD shall contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda with a particulathe major focus on sustainable growth, job creation, socio-economic sectors and on the support to micro, small and medium sized enterprises, thus addressing root causes of migration and contributing to sustainable reintegration of returned migrants in their countries of origin while maximising additionality, delivering innovative products and crowding in private sector funds.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 57 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
ItAs its name implies, the Strategic Board shall provide strategic guidance and support the Commission in setting overall investment goals as regards the use of the EFSD Guarantee. The sStrategic bBoard shall also support overall coordination and coherence between the regional investment platforms and with the external lending mandate operations managed by the EIB, including the EIB resilience initiative.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 58 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The Union shall, after careful consideration of the viability of the project, provide an irrevocable and unconditional guarantee on first demand to the eligible counterpart for the financing and investment operations covered by this Regulation starting in the African and Neighbourhood partner countries.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 61 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The financing and investment operations eligible for support through the EFSD Guarantee shall be consistent and aligned with Union policies, (in particular development and neighbourhood policies of the Union,) and with the partner countries' strategies and policies, and shall aim at supporting the following general objectives:
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 64 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) contribute to economic and social development, with particular focus on sustainability and job creation (in particular for youth and women), thus addressing one of the root causes of migration andwhile contributing to sustainable reintegration of returned migrants in their countries of origin;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) target socio-economic sectors, in particular infrastructure, including:  sustainable energy,:  water,;  transport,;  information and communications technologies,;  the environment,;  sustainable use of natural resources and blue growth,;  social infrastructure,;  human capital,; in order to improve the socio-economic environment;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 72 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. TWhile guarding against profiteering and/or monopolisation of services, the EFSD Guarantee shall support financing and investment operations which in particular:
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 75 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 7
7. From 1 January 2021, if, as a result of calls on the EFSD Guarantee, the level of resources in the Guarantee Fund falls below 50% of the provisioning rate referred to in paragraph 5, the Commission shall submit a report on a) the cause of the shortfall, with detailed explanations, and b) should it be deemed necessary, any exceptional measures that may be required to replenish the EFSD Guarantee Fund.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 80 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
By 31 March of each year, in the context of its financial statements of, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, to the Council and to the Court of Auditors, in the context of the financial statements of the Commission, the required information on the situation of the EFSD Guarantee Fund. In addition, it shall, by 31 May of each year, it shall submit to the European Parliament, to the Council and to the Court of Auditors an annual report on the management of the EFSD Guarantee Fund in the previous calendar year, including an assessment of the adequacy of the provisioning and the level of the Guarantee Fund and - if necessary - of the need for its replenishment.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 81 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. By 31 December 2020 and every three years thereafter (subject to revision, if necessary), the Commission shall evaluate the use of the EFSD Guarantee Fund. The Commission shall submit its evaluation report to the European Parliament and the Council. That evaluation report shall be accompanied by an opinion of the Court of Auditors.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission or the eligible 1. counterparts shall notify the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) promptly and provide it with the necessary information when,If at any stage of the preparation, implementation or closure of financing and investment operations covered by this Regulation, they Commission haves grounds for suspecting fraud, corruption, money laundering or any other illegal activity that may affect the financial interests of the Union., they or their eligible counterparts shall immediately notify the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and provide it with all necessary information to enable a full and thorough investigation;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 84 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Where such illegal activities are proven, the eligible counterparts shall undertake recovery efforts with respect to its financing and investment operations covered by this Regulation that are concerned by such activities., and shall also provide to the relevant authorities all information needed for investigation and possible prosecution;
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2016/0281(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. In their financing and investment operations, the eligible counterparts shall not support any activities carried out for illegal purposes, including (but not limited to) money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime, tax fraud and tax evasion, corruption, and fraud affecting the financial interests of the Union. The eligible counterparts shall not participate in any financing or investment operation through a vehicle located in a non- cooperative jurisdiction, in accordance with its policy towards weakly regulated or non-cooperative jurisdictions based on policies of the Union, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the Financial Action Task Force.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
(3) Rapid technological developments continue to transform the way works and other subject-matter are created, produced, distributed and exploited. New business models and new actors continue to emerge. The objectives and the principles laid down by the Union copyright framework remain sound. However, legal uncertainty remains, for both rightholders and users, as regards certain uses, including cross-border uses, of works and other subject-matter in the digital environment. As set out in the Communication of the Commission entitled ‘Towards a modern, more European copyright framework’26 , in some areas it is necessary to adapt and supplement the current Union copyright framework. This Directive provides for rules to adapt certain exceptions and limitations to digital and cross-border environments, as well as measures to facilitate certain licensing practices as regards the dissemination of out-of- commerce works and the online availability of audiovisual works on video- on-demand platforms with a view to ensuring wider access to content. In order to achieve a well-functioning marketplace for copyright, there should also be rules on rights in publications, on the use of works and other subject-matter by online service providers storing and giving access to user uploaded content and on the transparency of authors' and performers' contracts. _________________ 26 COM(2015) 626 final. COM(2015) 626 final.
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 281 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
(31) A free and pluralist press is essential to ensure quality journalism and citizens' access to information. It provides a fundamental contribution to public debate and the proper functioning of a democratic society. In the transition from print to digital, publishers of press publications are facing problems in licensing the online use of their publications and recouping their investments. In the absence of recognition of publishers of press publications as rightholders, licensing and enforcement in the digital environment is often complex and inefficient.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 295 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
(32) The organisational and financial contribution of publishers in producing press publications needs to be recognised and further encouraged to ensure the sustainability of the publishing industry. It is therefore necessary to provide at Union level a harmonised legal protection for press publications in respect of digital uses. Such protection should be effectively guaranteed through the introduction, in Union law, of rights related to copyright for the reproduction and making available to the public of press publications in respect of digital uses.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 312 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
(33) For the purposes of this Directive, it is necessary to defineclarify the sconceptpe of press publication in a way that embraces only journalistic publications, published by a service provider, periodically or regularly updated in any media, for the purpose of informing or entertaining. Such publications would include, for instance, daily newspapers, weeklotection set out in Article s2 and 3 of Directive 2001/29/EC. In order to improve legal certainty for all concerned parties, and to ensure the freedom to carry out certain acts necessary for monthly magazines of general or special ithe normal functioning of the Internest and news websites. Periodical publications which are published for scientific or academic purposes, such as scientific journals, should not be covered by the protection granted to press publications under this Directive. This protection doess well as to take account of certain fundamental rights, these Articles should not extend to acts of hyperlinking, which do not constitute communication to the public.
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 326 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
(34) The rights granted to the publishers of press publications under this Directive should have the same scope as the rights of reproduction and making available to the public provided for in Directive 2001/29/EC, insofar as digital uses are concerned. They should also be subject to the same provisions on exceptions and limitations as those applicable to the rights provided for in Directive 2001/29/EC including the exception on quotation for purposes such as criticism or review laid down in Article 5(3)(d) of that Directive.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 340 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
(35) The protection granted to publishers of press publications under this Directive should not affect the rights of the authors and other rightholders in the works and other subject-matter incorporated therein, including as regards the extent to which authors and other rightholders can exploit their works or other subject-matter independently from the press publication in which they are incorporated. Therefore, publishers of press publications should not be able to invoke the protection granted to them against authors and other rightholders. This is without prejudice to contractual arrangements concluded between the publishers of press publications, on the one side, and authors and other rightholders, on the other side.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 519 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4
(4) ‘press publication’ means a fixation of a collection of literary works of a journalistic nature, which may also comprise other works or subject-matter and constitutes an individual item within a periodical or regularly-updated publication under a single title, such as a newspaper or a general or special interest magazine, having the purpose of providing information related to news or other topics and published in any media under the initiative, editorial responsibility and control of a service provider.deleted
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 731 #

2016/0280(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 11
Protection of press publications 1. Member States shall provide publishers of press publications with the rights provided for in Article 2 and Article 3(2) of Directive 2001/29/EC for the digital use of their press publications. 2. The rights referred to in paragraph 1 shall leave intact and shall in no way affect any rights provided for in Union law to authors and other rightholders, in respect of the works and other subject- matter incorporated in a press publication. Such rights may not be invoked against those authors and other rightholders and, in particular, may not deprive them of their right to exploit their works and other subject-matter independently from the press publication in which they are incorporated. 3. Articles 5 to 8 of Directive 2001/29/EC and Directive 2012/28/EU shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of the rights referred to in paragraph 1. 4. The rights referred to in paragraph 1 shall expire 20 years after the publication of the press publication. This term shall be calculated from the first day of January of the year following the date of publication.Article 11 deleted concerning digital uses
2017/04/28
Committee: JURI
Amendment 21 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Since the Investment Plan for Europe was presented in November 20143 , the conditions for an uptake in investment have improved and confidence in Europe’s economy and growth arshould be returning. The Union is now in its fourth year of moderate recovery, with Gross Domestic Product growing at 2% in 2015. The comprehensive efforts initiated with the Investment Plan are already delivering concrete results, despite the factAfter several years of little or no recovery, there was an increase of 2% in Gross Domestic Product in 2015. While this is encouraging, there is no evidence to show that this is in any way related to the Investment Plan, as thate macroeconomic effects of larger investment projects cannot be immediate. Investment is expected to pick up gradually throughout 2016 and 2017 although it remains below historical levels, however, remains at worryingly low levels though the hope is that it will pick up gradually through 2017. _________________ 3 COM(2014) 903 final.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 24 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) That positive momentum, little as it is, should be maintained and even accelerated, and efforts need to be continued to bring investment back to its long-term sustainable trend. TWhile it's not yet certain that the mechanisms of the Investment Plan work and, caution should be reinforced to continueexercised in the mobilisation of private investments in sectors important to Europe's future and where market failures or sub-optimal investment situations remain.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The EFSI, implemented and co- sponsored by the EIB Group, is firmly on track to deliver the objective of mobilising at least EUR 315 billion in additional investments in the real economy by mid- 2018. TOf greatest significance is the fact that the market absorption has been particularly quick under the SME Window where the EFSI is delivering well beyond expectations. In July 2016 the SME Window was thus scaled-up by EUR 500 million within the existing parameters of Regulation (EU) No 2015/1017. A larger share of financing is to be geared towards SMEs given the exceptional market demand for SME financing under the EFSI: 40% of the increased risk bearing capacity of the EFSI should be geared towards increasing access to financing for SMEs.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
(6) The EFSI was established for an initial period of three years and with the aim of mobilising at least EUR 315 billion in investments. Given its success, the Commission is committed to the doubling of the EFSI, both in terms of duration and financial capacity. The legal extension covers the period of the current Multiannual Financial Framework and should provide a total of at least half a trillion euro investments by 2020. In order to enhance the firepower of the EFSI even further and reach the aim of doubling the investment target, Member States should also contribute as a matter of priority. Care must also be exercised by the EIB in the control of those funds, however, to ensure that Member States do not use those additional funds as an excuse to abrogate their own responsibilities and reduce or even to end public investment in public services.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 43 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
(8) The extended EFSI should address remaining market failures and sub-optimal investment situations and continue to mobilise private sector financing in investments crucial for Europe’s future job creation – including for the youth –, growth and competitiveness with strengthened additionality. They include investments in the areas of energy, environment and climate action, social and human capital and related infrastructure, healthcare, research and innovation, cross- border and sustainable transport, as well as the digital transformation. In particular, the contribution of operations supported by the EFSI to achieving the Union's ambitious targets set at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) should be reinforced. Environmentally friendly energy interconnection priority projects and energy efficiency projects should also be increasingly targeted, but only after any and all local impact concerns have been addressed, including proper consultation with those most affected by those projects. In addition, EFSI support to motorways should be avoided, unless it is needed to support private investment in transport in cohesion countries or in cross-border transport projects involving at least one cohesion country. For reasons of clarity, although they are already eligible, it should be explicitly laid down that projects in the fields of sustainable agriculture, sustainable fishery and aquaculture that is proven to be non-environmentally destructive, come within the general objectives eligible for EFSI support.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 67 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) The EIB and the EIF should ensure that the final beneficiaries, includingespecially SMEs, are informed through a targeted advertising campaign of the existence of EFSI support, so as to enhance the visibility of the EU guarantee granted under Regulation (EU) 2015/1017.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 69 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
(19) The operations supported by the EFSI should adhere in every aspect to the Union's principles of tax good tax governance.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 71 #

2016/0276(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
(21) The European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) should be enhanced and its activities should focus on needs not covered adequately under current arrangements. It should pay particular attention to supporting the preparation of projects involving two or more Member States and projects that contribute to achieving the objectives of COP21. Notwithstanding its objective to build upon existing advisory services of the EIB and the Commission, so to act as a single technical advisory hub for project financing within the Union, the EIAH should also contribute actively to the objective of broadly proportional sectorial and geographical diversification of the EFSI and support the EIB where needed in originating projects. It should also actively contribute to the establishment of investment platforms and provide advice on the combination of other sources of Union funding with the EFSI.
2017/03/29
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) In order to achieve those emissions reductions and in an effort to maximise the role of the agriculture sector, Member States should promote innovative mitigation actions with the greatest potential, including: conversion of arable to permanent grassland; management of hedges, buffer strips and trees on agricultural land; new agroforestry and woodland planting schemes while avoiding industrial blanket forestry; prevention of tree removal and deforestation; low or no till and use of cover/catch crops and incorporating crop residues back into land; carbon auditing and soil/nutrient management plans; improved nitrogen efficiency and nitrification inhibition; wetland/peat land restoration and conservation; and enhanced livestock breeding, feeding and management methods for lower emissions.
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) On 10 June 2016 the Commission presented the proposal for the EU to ratify the Paris agreement. The agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016 and aims at keeping the increase in global temperature to well below 2 °C above pre- industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, believes that in order to attain these targets more sustainable farming practices will have to be adopted. This legislative proposal forms part of the implementation of the EU’s commitment in the Paris agreement. The Union’s commitment to economy-wide emission reductions was confirmed in the intended nationally determined contribution of the Union and its Member States that was submitted to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC on 6 March 2015.
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 41 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Regulation [ ] [on the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry into the 2030 climate and energy framework] lays down accounting rules on greenhouse gas emissions and removals relating to land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). While the environmental outcome under this Regulation in terms of the levels of greenhouse gas emission reductions that are made is affected by taking into account a quantity up to the sum of total net removals and total net emissions from deforested land, afforested land, managed cropland and managed grassland as defined in Regulation [ ], flexibility for a maximum quantity of 280 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent of these removals divided among Member States according to the figures in Annex III should be included as an additional possibility for Member States to meet their commitments when needed. This should however not be used by Member States as an alternative to adopting genuine sustainable agricultural practices to encourage climate change mitigation. Where the delegated act to update the forest reference levels based on the national forestry accounting plans pursuant to Article 8 (6) of Regulation [LULUCF] is adopted, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of Article 7 to reflect a contribution of the accounting category managed forest land in the flexibility provided by that Article. Before adopting such a delegated act, the Commission should evaluate the robustness of accounting for managed forest land based on available data, and in particular the consistency of projected and actual harvesting rates. In addition, the possibility to voluntarily delete annual emission allocation units should be allowed under this Regulation in order to allow for such amounts to be taken into account when assessing Member States’ compliance with requirements under Regulation [ ].
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 56 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) As a means to enhance the overall cost-effectiveness of total reductions, Member States should be able to transfer part of their annual emission allocation to other Member States, this should not allow Member States to abdicate their responsibilities to introduce climate change mitigation measures in their own states. The transparency of such transfers should be ensured and may be carried out in a manner that is mutually convenient, including by means of auctioning, the use of market intermediaries acting on an agency basis, or by way of bilateral arrangements.
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 77 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. A Member State may transfer up to 5% of its annual emission allocation for a given year to other Member States only if the receiving state has introduced emission reducing measures and its emissions are on a downward trajectory. The receiving Member State may use this quantity for compliance under Article 9 for the given year or for subsequent years until 2030.
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 108 #

2016/0231(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In 2027 and 2032, if the reviewed greenhouse gas emissions of a Member State exceeds its annual emission allocation for any specific year of the period, pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article and the flexibilities used pursuant to Articles 5 to 7, the following measures shall apply:
2017/03/07
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 22 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The Paris Agreement, inter alia, sets out a long-term goal in line with the objective to keep the global temperature increase well below 2°C above pre- industrial levels and to pursue efforts to keep it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels which scientists agree requires the world to enter into a period of negative emissions, where forests, agriculture land and wetlands/peatlands will play a central role in achieving this. In order to achieve this goal, the Parties should prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions. The Paris Agreement replaces the approach taken under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which will not be continued beyond 2020. The Paris Agreement also calls for a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, and invites Parties to take action to conserve and enhance, as appropriate, sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) The Paris Agreement, inter alia, sets out a long-term goal in line with the objective to keep the global temperature increase well below 2°C above pre- industrial levels, which scientists agree, require the world to work towards a period of negative emissions where sustainable farming practices and forestry will play a central role in achieving this and to pursue efforts to keep it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. In order to achieve this goal, the Parties should prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions. The Paris Agreement replaces the approach taken under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol which will not be continued beyond 2020. The Paris Agreement also calls for a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century, and invites Parties to take action to conserve and enhance, as appropriate, sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, including forests.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
(5) The European Council of 23-24 October 2014 also acknowledged the multiple objectives of the agriculture and land use sector, with their lower mitigation potential as well as the need to ensure coherence between the Union food security and climate change objectives. The European Council invited the Commission to examine the best means of encouraging the sustainable intensification of food production, while optimising the sector's contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration, including through Agro- forestry to integrate food production with biodiversity, maintenance and restoration of wetlands and peat lands, afforestation, and to establish policy on how to include land use, land use change and forestry ('LULUCF') into the 2030 greenhouse gas mitigation framework as soon as technical conditions allow and in any case before 2020.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 52 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Agriculture and land use are sectors that have a direct and significant impact on the Union’s biodiversity and ecosystems services. For this reason, an important objective of the sector is to ensure ongoing coherence with the Union’s biodiversity objectives aimed at halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In light of this, measures undertaken by Member States in the LULUCF sector and aiming in particular to achieve climate change mitigation, should also ensure coherence with the achievement of the Union’s biodiversity objectives, including those set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Agriculture and land use are the sectors that impact upon European Union biodiversity and ecosystems services most directly and significantly. For this reason, an important objective of the sector is to ensure on-going coherence with European Union biodiversity objectives aimed at halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In light of this, LULUCF sector measures undertaken by member states aimed in particular towards climate change mitigation, should also ensure coherence with the achieving European Union biodiversity objectives;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 55 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) It is the ultimate objective of this Regulation to contribute to the global objective to keep temperatures below 2 degrees, pursuing efforts to limit to warming to 1.5 degrees.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 56 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) It is the ultimate objective of this Regulation to contribute to the global objective to keep temperatures below 2 degrees, pursuing efforts to limit to warming to 1.5 degrees;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 103 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point ea (new)
(ea) managed wetland: land use reported as wetland remaining wetland, and settlement, other land converted to wetland and wetland converted to settlement and other land.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 111 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) managed wetlands: land use reported as wetland remaining wetland, and settlement, other land converted to wetland and wetland converted to settlement and other land;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 114 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. A Member State may choose to include managed wetland, defined as land use reported as wetland remaining wetland, and settlement, other land converted to wetland and wetland converted to settlement and other land, in the scope of its commitment pursuant to Article 4. Where a Member State chooses to do so, it shall account for emissions and removals from managed wetland in accordance with this Regulation.deleted
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 116 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. A Member State may choose to include managed wetland, defined as land use reported as wetland remaining wetland, and settlement, other land converted to wetland and wetland converted to settlement and other land, in the scope of its commitment pursuant to Article 4. Where a Member State chooses to do so, it shall account for emissions and removals from managed wetland in accordance with this Regulation.deleted
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 125 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 14 to adapt the definitions in paragraph 1 to scientific developments or technical progress and to ensure consistency between those definitions and any changes to relevant definitions in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories ('IPCC) Guidelines') and the 2013 IPCC Wetlands Supplementary Guidelines for national Greenhouse Gas Inventories.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 126 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 14 to adapt the definitions in paragraph 1 to scientific developments or technical progress and to ensure consistency between those definitions and any changes to relevant definitions in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories ('IPCC Guidelines').),and the 2013 IPCC Wetlands Supplementary Guidelines for national Greenhouse Gas Inventories;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 128 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
For the period from 2021 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030, taking into account the flexibilities provided for in Article 11, each Member State shall ensure that at least emissions do not exceed removals, calculated as the sum of total emissions and removals on their territory in the land accounting categories referred to in Article 2 combined, as accounted in accordance with this Regulation.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 131 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall submit, by 30 June 2019, an action plan to the Commission that sets out targets for 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070 to increase removals. These removals shall be calculated as the sum of total emissions and removals on their territory in the land accounting categories referred to in Article 2 combined, as accounted in accordance with this Regulation. These can take the form of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 131 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
For the period from 2021 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030, taking into account the flexibilities provided for in Article 11, each Member State shall ensure that at least emissions do not exceed removals, calculated as the sum of total emissions and removals on their territory in the land accounting categories referred to in Article 2 combined, as accounted in accordance with this Regulation.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 149 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall account for emissions and removals resulting from afforested land and deforested land, as the totalcalculated as emissions and removals for each of the years in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030 minus the value obtained by multiplying by five the Member State's average annual emissions and removals resulting from afforested land and deforested land in its base period 2005- 2007.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 152 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. By derogation from the requirement to apply the default value established in Article 5(3), a Member State mayust make a written application to the European Commission with scientific justification to transition cropland, grassland, wetland, settlements and other land from the category of such land converted to forest land to the category of forest land remaining forest land after 30 years from the date of conversion. Any decision to grant this derogation is based on the IPCC guidelines and must be approved by an expert review team.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 157 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6 a Adherence to the Biodiversity Strategy In order for removals to be included in the accounts of a Member State, the Member State concerned shall ensure that its mitigation activities do not negatively impact Union biodiversity objectives, as specified in the EU biodiversity strategy.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 161 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. By derogation from the requirement to apply the default value established in Article 5(3), a Member State mayust make a written application to the European Commission with scientific justification to transition cropland, grassland, wetland, settlements and other land from the category of such land converted to forest land to the category of forest land remaining forest land after 30 years from the date of conversion. Any decision to grant this derogation should be based on the IPCC guidelines and approved by an expert review team;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 167 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Where a Member State chooses to include managed wetland in the scope of its commitment in accordance with Article 2, it shall notify that choice to the Commission by 31 December 2020 for the period 2021-2025 and by 31 December 2025 for the period 2026-2030.deleted
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 174 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. Member States that have chosen to include managed wetland in the scope of their commitments in accordance with Article 2 shall account for emissions and removals resulting from managed wetland, calculated as emissions and removals in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and/or from 2026 to 2030 minus the value obtained by multiplying by five the Member State’s average annual emissions and removals resulting from managed wetland in its base period 2005-2007.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 174 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Where a Member State chooses to include managed wetland in the scope of its commitment in accordance with Article 2, it shall notify that choice to the Commission by 31 December 2020 for the period 2021-2025 and by 31 December 2025 for the period 2026-2030.deleted
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 176 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a Maintenance of Carbon Stock in Wetlands and Peatlands Owners of wetlands and peatlands shall be incentivised so as to maintain their properties in such a way so as to retain a constant carbon stock.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 177 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 b (new)
Article 7 b Agro-forestry Agro-forestry shall be encouraged so as to integrate food production with biodiversity and measures to counter climate change.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 181 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall account for emissions and removals resulting from managed forest land, calculated as emissions and removals in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030 minus the value obtained by multiplying by five annual average emissions and removals in the its forest reference levelperiod. A forest reference levelperiod is an estimate of the average annual net emissions or removals resulting from managed forest land within the territory of the Member State in the periods from 20211990 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030.09. (The change of “forest reference level” to “forest reference period” applies throughout the text.)
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 181 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. Member States that have chosen to include managed wetland in the scope of their commitments in accordance with Article 2 shall account for emissions and removals resulting from managed wetland, calculated as emissions and removals in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and/or from 2026 to 2030 minus the value obtained by multiplying by five the Member State’s average annual emissions and removals resulting from managed wetland in its base period 2005-2007.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 186 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall account for emissions and removals resulting from managed forest land, calculated as emissions and removals in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and from 2026 to 2030 minus the value obtained by multiplying by five itsthe annual average emissions and removals in the forest reference levelperiod. A forest reference levelperiod is an estimate of the average annual net emissions or removals resulting from managed forest land within the territory of the Member State in the periods from 2021 to 2025 and from 20261990 to 2030.09;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 197 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Where the result of the calculation referred to in paragraph 1 is negative in relation to its forest reference levelperiod, a Member State shall include in its managed forest land accounts total net removals of no more than the equivalent of 3,5 per cent of the Member State’s emissions in its base year or period as specified in Annex III, multiplied by five.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 207 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The national forestry accounting plan shall contain all the elements listed in Annex IV, section B and include a proposed new forest reference level based on the continuation of current forest management practice and intensity, as documented between 1990-2009 per forest type and per age class in national forests, expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, as well as maintain or decrease the same ratio of biomass used for energetic purposes in relation to solid biomass purposes.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 214 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The national forestry accounting plan shall contain all the elements listed in Annex IV, section B and include a proposed new forest reference levelperiod based on the continuation of current forest management practice and intensity, as documented between 1990-2009 per forest type and per age class in national forests, expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year., as well as maintain or decrease the same ratio of biomass used for energetic purposes in relation to solid biomass purposes;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 251 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. To the extent that total removals exceed emissions in a Member State in the period from 2021 to 2025, and after subtraction of any quantity taken into account under Article 7 of Regulation [ ] on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 or transferred to another Member State pursuant to paragraph 2, that Member State may bank the remaining quantity to the period 2026-2030 up to a limit of 5%.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 264 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. To the extent that total removals exceed emissions in a Member State in the period from 2021 to 2025, and after subtraction of any quantity taken into account under Article 7 of Regulation [ ] on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 or transferred to another Member State pursuant to paragraph 2, that Member State may bank the remaining quantity to the period 2026-2030. up to a limit of 5%.;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 270 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall review the ambition of this proposal after the 2018 facilitative dialogue. It shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 28 February 2024 and every fivetwo years thereafter on the operation of this Regulation, its contribution to the EU's overall 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and its contribution to the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, and may make proposals if appropriate.
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 275 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission with assistance from the EEA shall review the combined ambition of the Regulations [ESR] [LULUCF] and [ETS] after the 2018 UNFCCC facilitative dialogue has taken place. The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council within a year of the facilitative dialogue, proposing changes to the EU's 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets, including LULUCF, to ensure coherence with achieving the Paris Agreement's long-term goals. These goals are to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2˚C above pre- industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C, and to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century
2017/04/06
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 285 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall review the ambition of this proposal after the 2018 facilitative dialogue. It shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 28 February 2024 and every five years thereafter on the operation of this Regulation, its contribution to the EU's overall 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and its contribution to the long term goals of the Paris Agreement, and may make proposals if appropriate.
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 287 #

2016/0230(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Commission with assistance from the EEA shall review the combined ambition of the Regulations [ ESR ] [ LULUCF ] and [ETS ] after the 2018 UNFCCC facilitative dialogue has taken place. The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council within a year of the facilitative dialogue, making proposed changes to the EU's 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emissions targets, including LULUCF, to ensure coherence with achieving the Paris Agreement's long-term goals. These goals are to hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2˚C above pre- industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C, and to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century;
2017/03/29
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 54 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The conditions for making fertilisers available on the internal market have been partially harmonised through Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council15 , which almost exclusively covers fertilisers from mined or chemically produced, inorganic materials. There is also a need to make use of recycled or organic materials for fertilising purposes. Harmonised conditions for making fertilisers made from such recycled or organic materials available on the entire internal market should be established in order to provide an important incentive for their further use. The scope of the harmonisation should therefore be extended in order to include recycled and organic materials. __________________ 15 There must be clarity in the use of the term organic and a clear distinction made between organic as defined in Regulation (EC) no 834/2007 and organic as category of fertiliser which contains mainly organic material, not mineral components. __________________ 15 Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 relating to fertilisers (OJ L 304, 21.11.2003, p. 1).
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 59 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Notes that since Directive (EC) no 91/676 was introduced all Member States have drawn up action plans to protect and improve water quality with 39.6% of the EU territory covered, implemented by some 300 action programs. Farmers are becoming increasingly positive about environmental protection realising that accurate placement and use of manures can have twin environmental and economic benefits. In this context it is important to ensure that the use of animal manure and farm produced compost not labelled with the CE mark remain outside the scope of this legislation and that the recycling of farm residues is not hindered by disproportionate administration burdens. To ensure effective use of animal manure cooperation between farmers is necessary, some farmers specialize in crop production importing animal manure from adjacent livestock farms. This kind of cooperation should be stimulated and encouraged, not curtailed by unrealistic administration. Animal manures properly applied using modern technologies, governed by soil sampling, within the parameters of the Nitrates Directive is still the most cost effective way of using this valuable fertiliser.
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 84 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
(17) This Regulation should not prevent the application of existing Union legislation relating to aspects of protection of health, safety and the environment not covered by this Regulation. This Regulation should therefore apply without prejudice to Council Directive 86/278/EEC22 , Council Directive 91/676/EEC22a , Council Directive 2000/60/EC 22b Council Directive 89/391/EEC23 , Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council24 , Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council25 , Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/200626 , Council Directive 2000/29/EC27 , Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council28 , and Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council29 and Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 29a . __________________ 22 Council Directive 86/278/EEC of 12 June 1986 on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture (OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 6). 22aCouncil Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375 , 31/12/1991 P. 0001 - 0008) 22b 22b Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327 , 22/12/2000 P. 0001 - 0073) 23 Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1). 24 Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1). 25 Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1). 26 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5). 27 Council Directive 2000/29/EC of 8 May 2000 on protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the Community (OJ L 169, 10.7.2000, p. 1). 28 Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2013 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors (OJ L 39, 9.2.2013, p. 1). 29 Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35). 29aCouncil Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products (OJ L
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 121 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) Directive 91/676/EEC;
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 122 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) Directive 2000/60/EC;
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 127 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
(ha) Regulation (EC) No 834/2007
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 186 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(3) "34. "plant biostimulant" means a productny naturally occurring substance or microorganism stimulating plant nutrition processes independently of ithe product’s nutrient content, or any combination of such substances and/or microorganisms, with the sole aim of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant:
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 326 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part 2 – PFC 6 – point 1 – introductory part
1. A plant biostimulant shall be a CE marked fertilising product containing any naturally occurring substance or microorganism, stimulating plant nutrition processes independently of the product's nutrient content, or any combination of such substances and/or microorganisms, with the sole aim of improving one or more of the following characteristics of the plant:
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 451 #

2016/0084(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – part 1 – point 7 a (new)
7a. Where the CE marked fertilizing product is allowed to be used in organic agriculture according to Regulation (EC) 834/2007, it shall be specified on the label as "allowed in organic farming with regard to (EC) No 834/2007. CE fertiliser products not suitable for organic agriculture with regard to Regulation (EC) 834/2007”, that have a commercial name recalling terms referred to in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 that may mislead the final user about its use in organic agriculture, shall be specified on the label as "not allowed in organic farming with regard to Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.”
2017/03/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 3 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Observes that since the launch of the euro currency, five eurozone countries (Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Cyprus) have had to enter rescue programmes, with at least one other major economy, Italy, on the brink;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 4 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Observes additionally that since the launch of the euro currency, the debt/GDP ratio of all eurozone countries has escalated, in most cases well beyond what had been formerly been seen as the redline 80% level;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 5 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Observes also that even of those countries that followed all the rules, some – Finland especially – are now nevertheless also facing major economic challenges, challenges in which they too, because of the lack of the requisite country-specific tools in a common currency, find themselves stymied in the corrective measures they can take;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 6 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1 d. Observes that in the case of Ireland and Greece especially, the ECB stretched (at least) its official remit, in Ireland's case by forcing the government to fully bail out even non-systemic banks, including full payment (with full coupon) on even unsecured unguaranteed bonds, an act which now sees the Central Bank of Ireland now destroying borrowed billions every year;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 8 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that, as illustrated by the crisis, the euro has failed as a common currency cannot rely soled thus the entire exercise needs to be fully, on a central bank to control the money supply, without further fiscal, economic and political integrationbjectively and independently examined with a view to either a) scrapping the whole idea or b) reducing the number of countries in the eurozone to those whose economies are suited to a common currency;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 9 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls Parliament’s position that deepening European economic integration is necessary to ensure the stability of the eurozone and of the Union as a whole;deleted
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 13 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises that the establishment of a budgetary and fiscalRejects macroeconomic conditionality for the budgetary capacity within the eurozone is necessary to complete the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); believes that the stabilisation function of a fiscal capacity is the most feasible of the fiscal policy functions, while a redistribution function could be envisaged in a more integrated political and economic unionform of labour market reforms, social security cuts, liberalisation/deregulation and privatisations. Such "structural reforms" deepen the economic crisis and prevent recovery, recognised now even by the IMF;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that such a capacity should be established as part of the Union budget, outside the multiannual financial framework (MFF), and implemented by the Commission; recalls its position that any fiscal or budgetary capacity developed specifically for the eurozone must be developed within the Union frameworkany proposed budgetary capacity for the eurozone should be delayed until such time as the above examination is complete;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 17 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Emphasises that whatever recommendations emerge from the above examination must be considered, even if this means a new Treaty and a new direction for the entire EU;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 18 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Points out that the Eurozone has an internal problem with competitiveness, i.e. the gap between Germany and the rest. This cannot be addressed by a fiscal capacity alone but must be addressed primarily by Germany (through strong nominal wage growth/public investment spending) or if not, then given that this is contributing to the eurozone macroeconomic imbalance, the Commission and the Council need to consider practical measures to assist Germany in correcting this imbalance; this would have the added bonus of reducing the need for permanent transfers and allow Member States to finance temporary deficits via domestic saving;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 19 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Points out that any budgetary capacity needs a strong focus on public investment, aiming at social and economic goals, e.g. full employment, social and regional convergence;
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 20 #

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6 d. Points out that regarding financing, the budgetary capacity needs to be included in the EU budget. Possible sources of financing could be measures against tax avoidance and evasion or national wealth levies.
2016/06/07
Committee: CONT
Amendment 12 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that the expected rise in the world’s population to 9.1 billion by 2050 will require a 60 % increase in food production and a 24 % increase in crop yields in the developed countries by that date; whereas the FAO also estimates that there will be only a 4.3 % increase in arable land by 2050, believes that one of the most effective ways of meeting this anticipated demand while not depleting scares resources is by harnessing innovation to tackling food waste, currently estimated to be in the region of 100 million tons within the EU and according to the FAO at around 33% globally;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 49 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas consumers are demanding food production with higher environmental standards and nutritional value, while the agricultural sector needs to diversify and innovate to provide good and affordable food for all, while at the same time provide a viable return for the primary producer;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 104 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that agriculture has always developed new practices, techniques and production methods that have increased outputs and improved the adaptability of farming practices to new and changing circumstances; notes further that agriculture is a key part of our natural world which thus provides services that go beyond producing food and can be enhanced by fostering new developments; is convinced that innovation is a prerequisite for maintaining this progressbelieves that the missing element of years of progression is the ability of farming to provide a standard of living that would make it an attractive option to young farmers, is convinced therefore that innovation must be used to benefit all actors in the food chain;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 218 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Points out that climate-smart farming practices could have a triple-win effect by increasing sustainable production, ensuring climate-resilient farming that is better able to cope with changing and adverse weather patterns, and reducing emissions from the agricultural sector by encouraging productive, resource-efficient and circular systems; stresses that the agricultural sector has the unique opportunity to actively capture CO2 by means of forestation, use of cover crops and leguminous crops, and absorbing greenhouse gases in the soil (carbon sinking), this highlights the need to broaden the definition of "productive agriculture" and to fully support and respect those farming lands which provide public goods in climate mitigation and carbon sequestration;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 267 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the possibility of using financial instruments to help improve stable returns and margins, believes however that this should not be a substitute to ensuring a viable return from the marketplace and urges the commission to address the imbalance in this food chain; notes that only five Member States have taken up the extended possibilities under the new Rural Development Programme to make use of market-compatible financial instruments in order to address market gaps; calls on the Commission to facilitate access to capital, since lack of such access is often a barrier to innovation;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 274 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission to work with the EIB in order to create new financing opportunities for Member States that establish forms of financial support such as guarantee funds, revolving funds or investment capital to facilitate access to credit for farmers and groupings of farmers such as cooperatives, helping on-farm investment for modernisation while also offering financing opportunities for young farmers to expand their businesses, as well as to ensure investment in public-sector research combined with public-private partnerships in order to test and launch innovative products, believes that this should be done in a responsible manner recognizing that lack of profitability in the sector is a greater constraint to innovation and sustained growth, than lack of credit; notes that soft credit in other sectors have had long-lasting adverse effects;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 293 #

2015/2227(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Considers that economic development and ecological sustainability are complementary provided enough room is left for innovation and entrepreneurship and provided action is taken to prevent the appearance of differences in national implementation, so as to ensure a genuine level playing field, also by exploring new and relevant techniques such as satellite imaging; calls on the Commission to ensure a genuine level playing field for the agricultural sector by actively monitoring relevant legislation such as the Birds and Habitats Directives and, believes that in the implementation thereof and reporting back to Parliament every two yearsof these directives innovative techniques can be used to assess and quantify the benefits and outputs that these areas are capable of delivering, in terms of climate mitigation and other public goods that are not currently recognized or paid for by the market place;
2016/01/21
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 15 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas global food production must increase by 60-110 % to meet this demand and one of the most effective ways of meeting this anticipated demand while not depleting scares resources is by harnessing Technological solutions to tackle food waste, currently estimated to be in the region of 100 million tons within the EU and according to the FAO at around 33% globally;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 33 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas agriculture accounts for 70 % of the world’s fresh water use, and water availability is already a major limitation on agricultural production in some regions of the EU and globally, however, that market competitive pressure has shown that technical solutions alone will not alleviate the pressure on natural resources, it will merely increase the financial incentive to produce more;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 40 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F
F. whereas global energy demand is predicted to rise by 40 % by 2030 and research has shown that shorter agro- food chains can lead to reduced energy inputs with cost and environmental benefits;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 117 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the view that the loss of genetic diversity over the past century threatens food/feed security and undermines EU policies on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection and adaptation strategies under climate change; believes that the move to mono cultures and the lack of crop rotations is the biggest single factor in this loss; considers all plant and animal varieties, including landraces and their wild relatives, as essential for maintaining genetic diversity, breeding programmes and the production of nutritious and sufficient food;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 158 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that it is crucial not to hamper the application of high-precision breeding techniques – without scientific reason – by subjecting them to unnecessary regulatory oversight;deleted
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 245 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Considers it essential for the Commission and the Member States to develop projects which focus exclusively on the, aimed both at development ofing more resource- efficient crop varieties and focusing on soil improving cropping systems, especially given the increasing scarcity of water availability and certain key components of fertilisers such as phosphate;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 267 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Member States to make better use of the financial instruments (FI) created under the joint EC-EIB Memorandum of Understanding in respect of agriculture and rural development for the period 2014-2020, believes however that this should not be a substitute for ensuring a viable return from the marketplace and urges the commission to address the imbalance in the food chain;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 271 #

2015/2225(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that rural areas, and in particular agriculture, are most exposed to actual and potential climate change; recognises that agriculture must be allowed to adapt to meet changing circumstances using all available technological solutions, this highlights the need to broaden the definition of "productive agriculture" and to fully support and respect those farming lands which provide public goods in climate mitigation and carbon sequestration;
2016/02/02
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 23 #

2015/2155(DEC)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that the Court of Auditors report adopted on 11.07.2014 states that the potential saving for the EU budget would be about 114 million EUR per year if the European Parliament centralised its activities; reiterates the call on Parliament and the Council to address, in order to create long term savings, the need for a roadmap to a single seat, as stated by Parliament in several previous resolutions;
2016/03/14
Committee: CONT
Amendment 15 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes however that the competing ideologies of agriculture and the environment have not been addressed within the concept of a multifunctional agriculture, as a result a consistent and joined approach is not being implemented which adds to the error rate;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 24 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that 2014 was a transitional year, involving significant payments for the last part of the 2007-2013 funding period and during which the final elements (the implementing and delegated acts) were put in place half way through the year for the CAP 2014-2020 funding period, and believes that the year 2015 should be considered as another transitional year given that many of the multiannual measures in member states Rural Development Plans (RDP) will only begin to be implemented in 2016;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 27 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the reduction in error rates compared to 2013 and acknowledges the major efforts and resources devoted to achieving this, particularly through information and technical support from the Commission for member state authorities on implementation, and believes, however, that a simple measure of error is not in itself a measure of performance or delivery, is of the opinion that an incentivised and output driven approach in delivery where an increased rate of compliance would lead to a reduction in inspections would deliver the twin benefits of lower error rate and enhanced results;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 33 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes that the European Court of Auditors is exploring how to measure performance in its Annual Report, particularly as the Commission intends its spending to be focused on results, points nevertheless to the difficulty of judging delivery of multiannual funding programmes, which are the preferred method of delivery of environmental measures in pillar II, through a tool which examines a single year and invites the Court to explain its performance orientation specifically in relation to agricultural spending;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 41 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Believes that the principle of subsidiarity should be respected and be central in the implementation of both pillars of the CAP however the issue of "gold plating" at national level which has been shown to add complexity and therefore to the error rate, particularly so in pillar II, should be addressed;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 55 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
15. Notes the importance of resource efficiency, and a shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in the agri-food and forestry sectors (reduced greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, more carbon sequestration) and the need to measure the overall achievements related to environmental targets 2014- 2020, this should not put viable food production at riskwhile viable food production remains the central aim the emerging markets in carbon offsets and carbon sequestration should not be used solely to counterbalance intensive agriculture elsewhere with none of the benefits of these new income streams accruing to local populations;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 78 #

2015/2154(DEC)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 21
21. Reminds that the objectives of the 2007-2013 programme period (viable food production, balanced territorial development, enhanced farm viability and promoting food chain organisation) are still important goals, and that the focus is to be put on quality schemes, short supply chains, social cooperatives, local markets strictly in rural areas in new RDPs, and involving reasonable environmental expenditure;
2015/12/10
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 108 #

2015/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Citizens must be properly consulted with by their national Governments in a genuine fashion. Tokenistic efforts at consultation have led to mistrust in the process and the cause of environmentalism has been seriously damaged as a result. In cases where it is clear that consultation has not genuinely taken place then the process should start again from the beginning without any penalty to the individuals with rights on that land ;
2015/11/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 135 #

2015/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Urges the Member States to complete the designation of Natura 2000 sites and draw up management plans, recognizing that sustainable farming is central to the management of these sites and the socio economic concerns of the landowners need to be addressed;
2015/11/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 185 #

2015/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Notes and regrets that there has not yet been a measurable improvement of the biodiversity status in agriculture; urges the Commission and Member States to monitor, assess and increase the effectiveness of greening measures in pillar one and other rural development measures in Pillar two of the CAP; calls on the Commission to take into account its findings in the mid-term review of the CAP;
2015/11/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 229 #

2015/2137(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission and Member States to make every effort to implement the reformed Common Fisheries Policy correctly and promptly so as to achieve the goal of maximum sustainable yield, urges the commission to assess the impact of "Super Trawlers" in achieving these goals;
2015/11/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 11 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that CAP reform introduced measures aimed at addressing the bargaining power gap between farmers and other stakeholders in the food supply chain, urges the commission to prioritize these initiatives;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 16 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises that CAP reform introduced measuresthe measures introduced with the CAP reform, aimed at addressing the bargaining power gap between farmers and other stakeholders in the food supply chain have been a total failure; doubts, however, that the true objective of the measures was to strengthen the bargaining power of the production sector;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 24 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament provides for the establishment of Producer Organisations (POs) and is backed by financial incentives under the second pillar. The legal framework of these extends the possibility for collective bargaining (in some sectors) and delivery contracts (for all sectors) to Producer Organisations, their Associations and Inter Branch Organisations and also introduces temporary exemption from certain competition rules (e.g. market withdrawal or storage by private operators) in periods of severe market imbalance, subject to safeguards. Urges the Commission to strongly promote this approach to increase the bargaining power of the primary producer;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 31 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Believes that short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems should be encouraged as such types of food chains has specific social impacts, economic impacts at both regional and farm level as well as environmental impacts translating themselves into clear benefits for producers and consumers;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 39 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
2. Points to the limitations of the Supply Chain Initiative (SCI), and specifically the absence of farmers’ organisations owing to lack of trust, restriction of anonymous complaints, absence of meaningful mechanisms to adequately combat well- documented unfair trading practices (UTPs), and, in particular, the lack of enforcement measures andgiven its lack of statutory power its inability to apply any meaningful sanctions;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 48 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out reducing prices for the primary producer are not reflected in consumer prices which highlight the imbalance in the food supply chain and the need for regulation;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Doubts whetherBelieves that voluntary initiatives are inadequate for addressing UTPs and the acknowledged ‘fear factor’ in the supply chain arising from the imbalance of power between farmers and retailers and must be complemented by regulatory action combined with a fundamental rebalancing of the market to give parity to the primary producer;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 70 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
3. Doubts whetherBelieves voluntary initiatives are to be inadequate for addressing UTPs and the acknowledged ‘fear factor’ in the supply chain arising from the imbalance of power between farmers and retailers;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 80 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that the Supply Chain Initiative (SCI), which is purely voluntary in nature, does not address the real problem arising from the highly concentrated structure of large-scale distribution and the supply-side rigidity that applies to most agricultural producers;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 81 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights that as supermarkets have acquired increasing reputation and market power, they have developed their own brands, this has given the retailer a new role – in addition to their traditional role as purchaser, they have become a direct competitor This widens the scope for buyer power abuse in that it can adversely affect choice for consumers and could also affect innovation;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 88 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Questions the Commission’s unwavering support for the SCI, given its limited success and also given the reluctance of farmers to participate; regrets the pre- emptive conclusion that regulatory action at EU level is not foreseen;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 94 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
4. Questions the Commission’s unwavering support for the SCI, given the reluctance of farmers to participate; regrets the pre- emptive conclusion thatat it foresees no regulatory action at EU level is not foreseen;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 116 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that several Member States have initiated actions in national law to address the concerns of primary producers regarding the negative impact of UTPs; asks the Commission to assess these national efforts with a view to selecting best practices for application at EU level; notes in particular the Groceries Code Adjudicator in the UK as a potential model for adaptation at EU level;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 125 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that several Member States have initiated actions in national law to address the concerns of primary producers regarding the negative impact of UTPs; asks the Commission to assess these national effortefforts undertaken by states with a view to selecting best practices for application at EU level; notes in particular the Groceries Code Adjudicator in the UK as a potential model for adaptation at EU level;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 131 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the Commission to examine the success of the micro-brewery sector in Ireland where tax incentives were given to small operations which has allowed them to compete with multinationals, which mitigates against runaway consolidation in the processing sector. Asks the commission to assess if this template could be applied to other sectors across the EU;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 140 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on the Commission to examine Australian competition law which inserts powers to allow for collective bargaining where there is a serious imbalance in market power between two or more levels of the supply chain that is likely to have an adverse effect on the public interest;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 141 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Points out that UTP can occur at all stages of the supply chain. Urges the commission therefore, to examine both the processing and the retail sectors to ensure that there is adequate genuine competition in these areas. Asks the Commission to examine competition law with a view (as in other sectors) to limit the market share that a retailer can control;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 150 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that framework legislation at EU level is essentialnecessary to tackle UTPs and to address their negative consequences for farmers; urges the Commission to consider this an essential part of a long term solution when assessing the SCI;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 171 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Argues that such legislation would complement the SCI and protect stakeholders who are fully engaged with the Initiativethe production side, which is considered the most vulnerable bearing in mind the supply-side rigidity arising from long production cycles and the perishable nature of products, while ensuring that UTPs are eradicated from the food supply chain and providing primary producers with the necessary legal certainty to address their concerns.
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 173 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
7. Argues that such legislation wouldis needed to complement the SCI and protect stakeholders who are fully engaged with the Initiative, whilelong with a number of other measures to increase the bargaining power of the farmers to ensuringe that UTPs are eradicated from the food supply chain and to providinge primary producers with the necessary legal certainty to address their concerns.;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 180 #

2015/2065(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Urges the commission to encourage a demand led food production system which will contribute to price stability and sustainability for producers in the medium to long term;
2015/09/23
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 9 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that a 2014 Eurobarometer survey revealed that 70% of the EU public believe that corruption is present in the EU institutions and therefore urges the EU institutions to urgently address this lack of public trust;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 20 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to make minutes of expert group meetings available to the public on their website and further calls for all members of such expert groups who often have key influence on legislative matters to submit declarations of interest;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Regrets that the Council as a key institution of influence in the EU legislative process has yet to adopt any form of a lobbying register, calls therefore on the Council to come forward as soon as possible with a mandatory lobbying register;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 24 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Highlights the need for independent experts in the EU agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority and for greater importance to be placed on eliminating conflicts of interests within the panels of such agencies;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 26 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Calls on the European Parliament to consider creating an open database of MEPs' declarations of interest which is searchable to allow for greater transparency and scrutiny by civil society;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Calls on the EU institutions to establish or amend minimum 'cooling-off periods' for senior EU officials including MEPS before former public and elected officials can work in lobbying positions that may create or be seen to create conflicts of interest to avoid 'revolving door' situations; and calls in the meantime, for the publication of senior EU officials including MEPs who have left their institutions to work for private interests;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 34 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on all EU institutions and their staff to refuse access to unregistered lobbyists and further calls for the EU Commission's TTIP negotiating team to be included in any such provisions;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 35 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the President of the Commission to extend the new transparency measures for Commissioners and Director-generals to other senior EU officials heavily involved in the legislative process who meet regularly with relevant stakeholders, such as Heads of Unit;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 36 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls on the European Parliament to publish a list of all external visitors who are signed in by MEPs and their offices; requests that this list be published on the European Parliament's website in an accessible and searchable format;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 37 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Calls on the EU institutions, in an effort to address the opacity of the complex negotiation and decision-making procedures in the legislative process to publish the negotiating positions of the three EU institutions which are used in trilogues to allow for public scrutiny of the process;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 40 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Encourages the Vice-President of the Commission in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-Institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights to maintain his pledge and come forward with proposals before the end of 2015 to make the transparency register legally mandatory and to ensure that there are proper sanction mechanisms for organisations which do not comply with the rules;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 44 #

2015/2041(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
5. Urges all the relevant EU institutions to implement Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in accordance with the recommendations contained in the guidelines thereto; is disappointed with the recently published yet heavily redacted exchange of emails between the European Commission and the tobacco company British American Tobacco;
2015/10/01
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 167 #

2015/0275(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 October 20131a , __________________ 1aOpinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Towards more sustainable consumption: industrial product lifetimes and restoring trust through consumer information’,
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 286 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) The switch to a circular economy should be in line with the pillars of a sustainable development and therefore take into account its social benefits. The Social and Solidarity Economy, being historically active in the management of waste and supporting the creation of jobs for people at risk of socio economic exclusion, should be enhanced by the Member states.
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 295 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 14 b (new)
(14b) The role of the Social and Solidarity Economy stakeholders, such as associations and social enterprises, in the re-use sector needs to be acknowledged and consolidated. The member States should take the necessary measures including, when appropriate, economic instruments, social clauses in public procurement criteria, facilitated access to waste collection points, and any other appropriate economic or regulatory incentive.
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 449 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point e
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 3 – point 16
16. "preparing foration of re-use" means checking, cleaning, or repairing for recovery operations, by which waste, products or components of products that have been collected by a recognised preparation for re-use operator or deposit-refund schemcome waste are prepared so that they can be re-used without any other pre- processing";
2016/08/16
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 615 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point -a (new)
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
(-a) in paragraph 1, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following: "Such measures may include an acceptance of returned products and the waste that remains after those products have been used, as well as the subsequent management of the waste and financial responsibility for such activities. These measures mayshall include the obligation to provide publicity available informationinformation available to the public and notably to re-use operators, as to the extent to which the product is re- usable and recyclable. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that re-use and preparing for re-use operators have access to instruction manuals, spare parts, technical information, or any other instrument, equipment or software for re- use of the product."
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 686 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 8a – paragraph 1 – indent 3 a (new)
- ask the inclusion of a visible and consistent eco-contribution payment on the price label of products covered by an extended producer responsibility scheme;
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 747 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 4 – point a – indent 1
- costs of separate collection, sorting and treatment operations required to meet the waste management targets referred to in paragraph 1, second indent, taking into account the revenues from re-use or sales of secondary raw material from their products;
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 798 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 8a – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. When a product is covered by an extended producer responsibility scheme, Member States shall ensure that the treatment of the residual waste produced during the re-use process or this product is covered by the extended producer responsibility fee.
2016/07/18
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1025 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point d
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 11– paragraph 2 – point c
(c) by 2025, the preparingation for re-use and the recycling of municipal waste shall be increased to a minimum of 60% by weight;municipal waste recycling shall reach at least of 60% of the total weight, with a minimum of 3% of municipal waste being prepared for re-use.
2016/07/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1037 #

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point d
Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 11– paragraph 2 – point d
(d) by 2030, the preparingation for re-use and the recycling of municipal waste shall be increased tomunicipal waste recycling should represent at least 65% of the total weight, with a minimum of 65% by weightof a municipal waste being prepared for re-use.
2016/07/19
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 19 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 October 2013,
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 27 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) In its opinion of 17 October 2013, entitled "Towards more sustainable consumption: industrial product lifetimes and restoring trust through consumer information", the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) put forward various recommendations for tackling planned obsolescence. In particular, the EESC states that it would like to see a total ban on products with built-in defects designed to end the product's life and advocates providing information to consumers on a product's estimated life expectancy or number of use cycles so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 28 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) Planned obsolescence means designing products with built-in defects which are intended to end prematurely the product's life. It consists of manufacturing products in such a way that those products will have a shorter lifespan, if necessary by designing them to run only for a limited number of operations, and therefore ensure a minimum renewal rate for those products. Planned obsolescence includes indirect obsolescence which results from the components necessary to repair the product being unobtainable or from the product being impossible to repair, as well as incompatibility obsolescence which, in the case of computerised products, occurs when software no longer works or no longer works effectively once the operating system has been updated. Planned obsolescence leads to a waste of resources, contributes to consumer indebtedness and, through increased pollution, is capable of having an adverse effect on public health.
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 29 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 c (new)
(2c) Consumers should be able to make informed purchasing decisions. That is why producers should be required to provide information to consumers on the products' estimated life expectancy or the number of use cycles that the products are expected to last. Member States should monitor the accuracy of the information given to consumers.
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 58 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point - 1 (new)
Directive 2006/66/EC
Article 11 – paragraph 2
(-1) In Article 11, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: "The provisions set out in the first paragraph shall not apply where, for duly justified safety, performance, medical or data integrity reasons, continuity of power supply is necessary and a permanent connection between the appliance and the battery or accumulator is required."
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 92 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Directive 2012/19/EU
Article 16 a (new)
(1a) After Article 16, the following Article is inserted: "Article 16a Prohibition of planned obsolescence Member States shall prohibit the placing on the market of products that have been designed to have built-in defects intended to end prematurely the product's life, including: (a) making the product impossible or unreasonably expensive to repair, such as where the components necessary to repair the product are unobtainable; or (b) making the product obsolete as a result of a software update or by ending product support.”
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 93 #

2015/0272(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
Directive 2012/19/EU
Article 16 b (new)
(1b) After Article 16, the following Article is inserted: "Article 16b Consumer information on products' life expectancy Member States shall require producers to provide the following information to consumers about the minimum life expectancy of the products they manufacture: (a) the time period, or (b) where relevant, the number of use cycles such products may be expected to last. For the purposes of this Article, a product's life expectancy means the time period during which or the minimum number of use cycles to which the product's lifetime may be extended at a reasonable cost by upgrading the product or repairing it, taking into account, where relevant, a minimum time for the availability of spare parts and product support. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts to supplement this Directive with detailed rules on the content and format of the information referred to this Article. Member States shall monitor the accuracy of the consumer information provided in accordance with this Article.”
2016/07/08
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) The austerity policies in response to the economic and financial crisis hasve led to a lowering of the level of investments within the UnionEuropean Union and have particularly impacted on rural communities and the agriculture sector. Investment has fallen by approximately 15% since its peak in 2007. The at least. The European Union suffers in particular from a lack of investment as a consequence of market uncertainty regarding the economic future and the fiscal constraints on Member States. This lack of investment slows economic recovery and negatively affects job creation, long-term growth prospects and competitivenessarbitrary fiscal constraints on Member States, due to the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact and the Fiscal Compact, resulting in a prolonged recession, sluggish recovery and uncertainty regarding the economic future for many member states. This lack of investment, which has been particularly severe in Member States most affected by the crisis slows economic recovery and impedes sustainable job creation and economic growth.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 17 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
(2) Comprehensive action is required to reverse the vicious circle created by a lack of investment. Structural reforms and fiscal responsibility are necessary preconditions for stimulating investment. Along with a renewed impetus towards investment financing, these preconditions especially in rural communities. Increased public investment and reforms which will optimise the potential of local indigenous enterprises within rural and peripheral communities and can contribute to establishing a virtuouspositive circle, where investment projects help support employment and demand and lead to a sustained increase in growth potential in the areas most affected by the economic crisis.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 19 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
(4) Throughout the economic and financial crisis, the European Union has made efforts to promote growth, in particular throughpromoted policies that have prolonged the recession and impeded recovery, regardless of initiatives set out in the Europe 2020 strategy that aimed to put in place an approach for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The European Investment Bank ('EIB') has also strengthened its role in instigating and promoting investment within the European Union, partly by way of an increase in capital in January 2013. Further action is required to ensure that the investment needs of therural communities and the agricultural sector within the European Union are addressed and that the liquidity available oin the financial markets is used efficientlyto target vulnerable sectors and is channelled towards the funding of viable investment projects that require it most.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 26 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
(9) The public, social and private investment environment within the European Union should be improved by removing barriers to investment, reinforcing the Single Market and by enhancing regulatory predictability. The work of the EFSI, and investments across Europe generally, should benefit from this accompanying work.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 30 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
(10) The purpose of the EFSI should be to help resolve the difficulties in financing and implementing productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to financing for projects which require it most. It is intended that increased access to financing should be of particular benefit to small and medium enterprisesagriculture and food processing industries and small and medium enterprises including indigenous enterprises within member states, as well as other entities, such as local high -tech enterprises and social economy enterprises that provide high value for invested money. It is also appropriate to extend the benefit of such increased access to financing to mid- cap companies, which are companies having up to 3000 employees. Overcoming Europe's current investment difficulties should contribute to strengthening the Union's economic, social and territorial cohesrural development within the European Union.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 37 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments with high social or economic value added, within the agricultural sector, including contributing to achieving European Union policy objectives.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
(11) The EFSI should support strategic investments with high social or economic value added contributing to achieving, within the agricultural sector, including contributing to achieving sustainable and equitable European Union policy objectives.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 44 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Many small and medium enterprises, as well as mid-cap companies and indigenous sectors, across the European Union require assistance to attract market financing, especially as regards investments that carry a greater degree of risk. The EFSI should help these businesses to overcome capital shortages by allowing the EIB and the European Investment Fund ('EIF') to provide direct and indirect equity injections, as well as to provide guarantees for high-quality securitisation of loans, and other products that are granted in pursuit of the aims of the EFSI.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 55 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
(14) The EFSI should target projects delivering high societal and economic value. In particular, the EFSI should target projects that promote job creation, and long- term growth and competitivenessustainable growth including within the agricultural sector, which will optimise the potential of local indigenous enterprises. The EFSI should support a wide range of financial products, including equity, debt or guarantees, to best accommodate the needs of the individual project. This wide range of products should allow the EFSI to adapt to market needs whilst encouraging private investment in the projects. The EFSI should not be a substitute for private market finance but should instead catalyse private finance by addressing market failures so as to ensure the most effective and strategicquitable and uniform use of public money. The requirement for consistency with State aid principles should contribute to such effective and strategic usewhilst acknowledging the need for each Member State to organise and prioritise funding for public services, should contribute to such equitable and uniform use of public money.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 64 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
(15) The EFSI should target projects with a higher risk-return profile than existing EIB and European Union instruments to ensure additionality over existing operations. The EFSI should finance projects across the European Union, including irural and sustainable development projects with an emphasis on the countries most affected by the financial crisis. The EFSI should only be used where financing is not available from other sources on reasonable terms.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 68 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
(16) The EFSI should target investments that are expected to be economically and technicencourage sustainable development across peripheral regions which are socially viable, which may entail a degree of appropriate risk, whilst still meeting the particular requirements for EFSI financing.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 93 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The purpose of the EFSI shall be to support investments in the Unionpublic and private investments across Member States and to ensure increased access to financing for companies having up to 3000 employees, social economy enterprises and service providers, with a particular focus on small and mediums enterprises, and local indigenous companies through the supply of risk bearing capacity to the EIB ('EFSI Agreement'). The overall objective of the EFSI shall be to promote and guarantee sustainable, inclusive and long-term growth across all regions and quality job creation as well as an emphasis on infrastructure investments projects.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 98 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The EFSI Agreement shall be open to accession by Member States. Subject to the consent of existing contributors, the EFSI Agreement shall also be open to accession by other public third parties, including national promotional banks or public agencies owned or controlled by Member States, and private sector entities.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 108 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
When other parties accede to the EFSI Agreement in accordance with Article 1(2), the number of members and votes within the Steering Board shall be allocated based on the respective size of contributions from contributors in the form of cash or guarantees. The number of members and votes of the Commission and the EIB, according to paragraph 2, shall be recalculated accordingly.deleted
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 110 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The EFSI agreement shall provide that the EFSI shall have an advisory board composed of representatives of the European Social partners including representatives from agricultural stakeholders and national social partner organisations from both sides of industry. Members of the Steering Board will participate in the meetings of the social advisory board.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 113 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Investment Committee shall be composed of sixeight independent experts and the Managing Director. Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market experience in project structuring and financing, as well as macroeconomic expertise. The Investment Committee shall have a pluridisciplinary composition encompassing a broad range of expertise in various sectors, such as agricultural, rural development and sustainability, transport, research and SMEs. A specialist in agricultural policies and rural and sustainable development and a specialist finance and environmental policy shall be appointed as independent experts in the Investment Committee. The Investment Committee shall be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 136 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) investments in the agricultural sector focusing on long-term and sustainable effects, including widespread and strategic infrastructure development as well as the social economy.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 143 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) EIB funding to the EIF enabling it to undertake loans, guarantees, counter- guarantees, any other form of credit enhancement instrument, capital market instruments and equity or quasi-equity participations. These Instruments shall be granted, acquired or issued for the benefit of operations carried out in the European Union, in compliance with this Regulation and where EIF financing has been granted in accordance with a signed agreement which has neither expired nor been cancelled.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 151 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
The EU guarantee and the payments and recoveries under it that are attributable to the general budget of the Union shall be audited by the Court of Auditorsexternal audit of the activities undertaken in accordance with the EFSI Regulation is carried out by the European Court of Auditors in accordance with Article 287 TFEU.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 153 #

2015/0009(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. In its financing and investment operations, the EIB shall apply the principles and standards set out in Union law on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and ter under the EFSI and through investment platforms and national promotional banks, the EIB shall make both direct funding or funding via intermediaries contingent upon the disclosure of both country-by-country tax relevant data along the lines of the CRD IV prorvist financing, including a requirement to take reasonable measures to identify the beneficial owners where applicablion for credit institutions, as well as disclosure of beneficial ownership information according to the EU Anti- Money Laundering Directive.
2015/03/27
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 25 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
– having regard to the increasing anti-EU sentiment across the Union, specifically the increase in sentiment against closer union with the concomitant inevitable loss of sovereignty,
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 27 #

2014/2248(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the Court’s composition and its appointment procedure are laid down in Articles 285 and 286 TFEU; considers that Parliament and the Council should be on an equal footing when appointing Members of the Court of Auditors, in order to ensure democratic legitimacy, transparency and the complete independence of those Members; calls for the Council to respecaccept the decisions taken by Parliament subsequent to hearings of candidates nominated as Members of the Court of Auditors;
2016/09/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 29 #

2014/2248(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
12. Deplores the fact that certain appointment procedures have resulted in conflicts between Parliament and the Council on candidates; stresses that it is, as stipulated in the Treaty, Parliament’s duty to evaluate the nominees; emphasises that these conflicts might harm the good working relations of the Court with the aforementioned institutions and could possibly have serious negative consequences for the credibility, and hence the effectiveness, of the Court; is of the opinion that the Council should, in the spirit of good cooperation among the EU institutions, respecaccept the decisions taken by Parliament subsequent to the hearings.
2016/09/13
Committee: CONT
Amendment 30 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A
A. whereas the ‘polycrisis’ currently faced by the Union, including its financial, economic, social and migratory consequences, have all led to the rejection by a growing part of the population of the current European Union, specifically a rejection of ever-closer union, evidenced so graphically in the Brexit vote but evidenced also in the rise of so many radical anti-EU parties in Member States across the EU, evidence it would be foolish now to ignore;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 40 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. whereas progress towards a Union that can really deliver on and achieve its goals are impaired by a failure of governance owing to a continuous and systematic search for unanimity in the Council (which is still based on the so- called Luxembourg Compromise) and the lack of a credible single executive authority enjoying full democratic legitimacy and competence to take effective action across a wide spectrum of policies; whereas recent examples such as the uncontrolled migration flow, the slow clean-up of our banks after the outbreak of the financial crisis and the lack of an immediate common response to the internal and external threat of terrorism have aptly demonstrated the Union’s incapacity to respond effectively and quickly;deleted
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 56 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital C
C. whereas this problem, coupled with a lack of a common vision on the part of our Member States as regards the future of our continent, coupled also with the headlong rush by a few to full political and financial union, has given rise to unprecedented levels of ‘euroscepticism’ that riskare even now leading towards a return to nationalism and the disintegration of the Union;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 71 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D
D. whereas, instead of fostering the Union, the system whereby Member States make progress at different speeds in accordance with their different capacities and circumstances, further reinforced in the Lisbon Treaty, which introduced new formal methods of enhanced cooperation, has increased the complexity of the Union and accentuated its ‘variable geometry’; whereas more and more Member States are declining to agree on the goals and prefer ‘à la carte’ solutions, some of them even unilaterally, an indication surely of the growing unhappiness within many Member States and their democratically elected parliaments with where the EU is currently headed;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 82 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E
E. whereas, in the field of the euro and monetary policy, the United Kingdom obtained a permanent derogation from joining (Protocol No 15), Denmark has a constitutional exemption (Protocol No 16), Sweden has ceased to follow the euro convergence criteria and the possibility of Greece leaving the single currency has been openly discussed in the European Council; whereas also in that same field of the euro and monetary policy, five euro countries (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain) found themselves either bankrupt or on the brink of bankruptcy, a reflection of the almost total absence of even the most basic inbuilt corrective structures needed on the launch of any new currency;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 119 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H
H. whereas, since the Treaty of Lisbon, further accelerated by the financial and migration crises, the European Council has widened its role to include day-to-day management through the adoption of undemocratic and unaccountable intergovernmental instruments outside the framework of the EU such as the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG or the ‘Fiscal Compact’) and the deal with Turkey on migration;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 130 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital I
I. whereas, while Article 16 of the TSCG provides that within five years of the date of entry into force (before 1 January 2018) the necessary steps must have been taken to incorporate the Fiscal Compact into the legal framework of the Union, it is clear that the resilience of the euro area, including the completion of the banking union, cannot be achieved without further fiscal deepening steps together with the estan honest and objective examination of the viabilishment of a more reliable, effective and democratic form of governance; whereas this will completety of the euro in each individual Member State; whereas the current Stability and Growth Pact, which, ever since it came into existence, and even after its reform by the so-called six-pack and two- pack, has never been applied for any obvious political reasonsonly against the smaller Member States for obvious political reasons - some Member States are simply too big to be punished;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 137 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital J
J. whereas this new system of governance implies a genuine government equipped to formulate and implement the common monetary, fiscal and macro- economic policies that the euro area desperately needs and must be endowed with a treasury and budget commensurate with the scale of the tasks at hand; whereas this requires, in addition to measures within the existing primary law, a reform of the Lisbon Treaty;deleted
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 189 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital N
N. whereas over the past decade the security situation in Europe has deteriorated markedly, especially in our neighbourhood: no longer can a single Member State guarantee its internal and external security alonethanks in no small part to the actions taken by external forces in the Middle East;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 191 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital O
O. whereas the decline of Europe’s defence capabilities has limited its ability to project stability beyond our immediate borders; whereas this goes hand in hand with the reluctance of our US allies to intervene if Europe is not ready to take its fair share of responsibility; whereas this leads inevitably to the need for more intense cooperation among the Member States and an integration of some of their defence capacities into a European defence community, both in line with a new European security strategy;deleted
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 210 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P
P. whereas these changes in the Union’s primary law have become unavoidable, as regrettably none of the ‘passerelle clauses’ provided for in the Lisbon Treaty with a view to facilitating the reform of the Union’s governance have been deployed, and are unlikely to be so in the present circumstances; whereas this is in sharp contrast with the attitude of the European Council in the matter of the envisaged reduction in the number of members of the European Commission, where the ‘let-out’ clause was used instantly;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 227 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital R
R. whereas, finally, the urgency for reform of the UEU away from the current course of ever-closer union has been dramatically increased by the United Kingdom’s decision, through a referendum, to leave the European Union; whereas it is crystal clear that the negotiations to set out the arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal also need to take account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union, and needs to take account in particular of the UK’s close relationship with Ireland on almost every level, most especially on trade and on free movement of people; whereas this agreement must be negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) TFEU and be concluded on behalf of the Union by the Council, acting by a qualified majority, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 251 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital S
S. whereas the UK’s decision creates an opportunity to reduce and drastically simplify the ‘variable geometry’ and complexity of the Union, while respecting the sovereign rights of Member States; whereas it offers at least the opportunity to clarify what membership of the Union really means and what could be a clear structure in the future for the EU’s relationship with non- members in our periphery (the United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine, etc.); whereas the founding fathers of the Union had already envisaged a type of ‘associate status’;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 262 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the time of crisis management by means of ad hoc and incremental decisions has passed, as it only leads to measures that are too little, too late; is convinced that it is now time to address the shortcomings of the governance of the European Union by undertaking a comprehensive, in-depth reform of the Lisbon Treaty, a reform that must also examine and honestly consider whether there needs to be a row-back on many measures taken in that Lisbon Treaty, the full implications of which perhaps many of those who voted in favour had not fully considered;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 285 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that the direction of the Union’s reform should lead towards its modernisation by establishing new effective European capacities and instruments, rather than its renationalisation by means of greater intergovernmentalisman EU that would be acceptable to the majority of the citizens in each individual Member State, with citizens in each of those states given an opportunity to accept or reject such reforms;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 294 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that recent Eurobarometer polling demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief, EU citizens are still fully aware of the importance of, and in support of, genuine European solutions19 , solutions which, with the appropriate good will, could be found within the framework of the old EEC, long before the Lisbon Treaty; __________________ 19 Standard Eurobarometer 84 - Autumn 2015 & Special Eurobarometer EP - June 2016.
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 307 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Observes with great concern the proliferation of subsets of Member States undermining the unity of the Union by causing a lack of transparency, as well as diminishing the trust of the people but observes also that the EU and its various institutions needs to look at itself and the role it has played in that sense of alienation by those Member States;
2016/11/16
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 365 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Considers it essential in these circumstances to reaffirm the mission of an ‘ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe’ (Article 1 TEU) in order to mitigate any tendency towards disintegration and to clarify once more the moral, political and historical purpose, as well as the constitutional nature, of the European Union;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 378 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
9. Proposes that the next revision of the Treaties should rationalise the current disorderly ‘variable geometry’, i.e. ‘l’Europe à la carte’, by ending the disruptive practice of opt-outs, opt-ins and exceptions;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 457 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
13. Is greatly concerned by the lack of economic reform and convergence in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) as well as the loss of competitiveness of the economies of many of its Member Statesoss of competitiveness of the economies of many of its Member States, much of it caused by the strait-jacket that membership of the Eurozone imposed, the absence of any tools to deal with a monetary crisis in individual states, a reflection of the poor design of the euro itself;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 483 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that neither the Stability and Growth Pact nor the ‘no bail-out’ clause (Article 125 TFEU) provide the intended solutions, and that they have furthermore lost credibility in their current form, as the pact has been infringed by several Member States without political or legal consequences, while Greece has’s creditors, especially its foreign bankers, have been bailed out on a large scale on three occasions;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 492 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
15. Acknowledges the improvements brought by the European Semester, the six-pack and the two-pack aimed at addressing these issues, but concludes that they have not solved the problems; believes, moreover, that they have contributed to making the system overly complex, are not binding with regard to country-specific recommendations and do not cover spill-over effects between one Member State and another, or to the euro area or the EU as a whole;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 512 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
16. Is acutely aware of the need to review the efficacy of the many recent crisis-management measures taken by the EU, and to codify in primary law certain decision-making procedures – such as ‘reverse qualified majority voting’ – as well as the need to entrench the legal bases of the new regulatory framework for the financial sector; agrees with the Five Presidents’ Report that the ‘open method of coordination’ as the basis for Europe’s economic strategy does not function and needs to be elevated into binding legal acts;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 528 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
17. Proposes therefore merging the deficit and debt procedures, the macroeconomic imbalance procedure and the country-specific recommendations into a single ‘convergence code’ of a legally binding nature, setting minimum and maximum standards, where only compliance with this code would allow access to EU funds for investment projects or participation in new instruments that combine economic reform with fiscal incentives such as a fiscal capacity for the euro area or a common debt instrument; the coordination of economic policies as provided for in Article 5 TFEU would therefore become a ‘shared competence’ between the Union and the Member States;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 556 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
18. Believes that, in order to reduce the still excessively high debt burden of Member States, such a common debt instrument needs to be established, inspired by the proposal by the German Council of Economic Experts of 9 November 2011, whereby euro-area members would undertake joint and several liability for a sinking fund, with strong individual commitments on structural reforms to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to the required maximum of 60 %; insists that euro-area members would only be able to participate when they are in compliance with the convergence code, as this will prevent moral hazard;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 581 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for the integration of the Fiscal Compact into the EU legal framework as well as the incorporation of the ESM and the Single Resolution Fund into EU law, with corresponding democratic oversight by Parliament;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 600 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that, in order to increase financial stability, mitigate cross- border asymmetric shocks and reduce the effects of recession, the euro area needs a fiscal capacity based on genuine own resources and a proper treasury facility equipped with a capacity to borrow; this treasury must be based in the Commission and be subject to democratic scrutiny and accountability through Parliament and the Council;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 619 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that, because compliance with the new code is crucial to the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union, stronger governmental institutions are required than those currently provided by the Commission and/or the Eurogroup;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 635 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
23. Calls, therefore, for the executive authority to be concentrated in the Commission in the role of an EU Finance Minister, by endowing the Commission with the capacity to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy combining macro-economic, fiscal and monetary instruments, backed up by a euro-area budget; the Finance Minister should be responsible for the operation of the ESM and other mutualised funds, and be the single external representative of the euro area in international organisations, especially in the financial sector;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 651 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
24. Considers it necessary to endow the Finance Minister with proportionate powers to intervene in the setting of national economic and fiscal policies in cases where the convergence code is not respected, and the power to use the fiscal capacity or the common bond instrument for those Member States that are compliant with the convergence code;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 691 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
27. Calls, finally, for the banking union to be completed as soon as possible on the basis of a fast-track timetable;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 721 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
28. Recognises the geopolitical, economic and environmental need for the creation of a genuine European energy union; notes that this will require the removal of the constraint that EU policy must not affect a state’s right to determine the conditions for exploiting its energy sources (especially the right of individual Member States to ban certain types of energy searches such as fracking), its choice between different energy sources and the general structure of its energy supply (Article 194(2) TFEU); calls also for a fair return to Member States from any energy sources discovered within those states;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 766 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
31. Regrets, as stated in its resolution of XXXXX on the improvement of the functioning of the European Union building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty, that the EU has not made more progress in developing its capacity to agree and to implement a common foreign and security policy (CFSP); notes that its efforts in initiating a common security and defence policy have not been particularly successful;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 776 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
32. Is of the opinion, while reiterating that more progress could and should be made under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, including as regards use of the provisions to act by qualified majority voting, that the Vice-President / High Representative should be named EU Foreign Minister and be supported in her efforts to become the main external representative of the European Union in international fora, not least at the level of the UN; considers it essential that, owing to the broad and heavy workload, the Foreign Minister should be able to appoint political deputies; proposes a review of the functionality of the current European External Action Service;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 791 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that for the Union to strengthen the defence of the EU territory, as a pillar within NATO, which remains the cornerstone of the European security architecture, and to enable the Union to act autonomously in operations abroad, mainly with a view to stabilising its neighbourhood, the Treaties should provide for the possibility of establishing a European defence union;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 850 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
35. Proposes transforming the Commission into the principlas follow: members should be exlecutive authority or government of the Union with the aim of strengthening the ‘Union method’,ted directly by the electorate in individual Member States, thus increasing transparency and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of action taken at the level of the European Union;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 941 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
43. Stresses that, following the creation of the role of EU Finance Minister, the Eurogroup should be considered as merely a specialised configuration of the Council with legislative and control functions but no executive tasks;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 954 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
44. PRejects the proposesal that, when Parliament and the Council vote on legislation specific to the euro area, only MEPs elected in the euro area and respectively representatives of its member states, can take part in the vote, given that any such decision impacts right across the EU;
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 1011 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52
52. Believes, finally, that the current Treaty ratification procedure is too rigid to befit such a supranational polity as the European Union; proposes allowing amendments to the Treaties to come into force if not by an EU-wide referendum then after being ratified by a qualified majority of four-fifths of the Member States, having obtained the consent of Parliament; correspondingly, once this threshold has been met, Member States which still decline to ratify the amended Treaty should decide, in accordance with their own constitutional requirements, whether to start the process of secession or to opt for an associate status;deleted
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 1039 #

2014/2248(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
54. Is of the opinion that the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome would be an appropriate moment to modernise the European Union and to start a Convention with the purpose of making the European Union ready for thereturn to that which was working, the EEC community- based treaty to which the likes of Ireland signed up four decades ahead;go.
2016/11/09
Committee: AFCO
Amendment 8 #

2014/2234(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas the cost of controls is currently estimated at EUR 4 billion at Member State level, and are probably still rising, particularly with the introduction of ‘greening’ in pillar one and the increased complexity and proliferation of schemes in pillar two which is needlessly adding to the error rate by farmers as alluded to in a report done by the commission ‘gold plating in the EAFRD’;
2015/05/13
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 78 #

2014/2234(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
6. Supports the approach of reducing controls in Member States where error rates have been extremely low over a given period; calls at the same time, however, for controls to be stepped up in Member States where the error rate is high or increasing . This approach should be applied within Member States also to create an environment where farmers are incentivised to comply with regulation, with the aim of zero unannounced inspection where there is no history of breaches of regulation;
2015/05/13
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 4 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A
A. whereas the EU agricultural sector is a very sensitive and essential part of the TTIP negotiations and one in which the EU, which already enjoys a significant trade surplus with the US, stands to benefit greatly from new or increased market access opportunitiere are strong trade links between the EU and the US and taking into account the consequences of the CAP in the employment and the rural areas, it is necessary to build new trade links even in the absence of a TTIP Agreement; however, the EU agricultural and food sector is a very sensitive part of the TTIP negotiations;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 28 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B
B. whereas it is important for Europethe need to get out of the commercial and agriculture to secure a mutually beneficial trade deal with the US in order to advance Europe’s position as a key player on the global marketal export policy is important for European agriculture;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 38 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C
C. whereas respect for food safety and human and animal health standards will be a fundamental tenet of the negotitrade relations for European agriculture;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 48 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas practices such as the treatment of poultry meat with chlorinated products, the treatment of pork meat with organic acid and the use of Somatotropin in bovine are commonly used in the meat and dairy sectors in the US;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 54 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the use of antibiotics in the EU is more restrictive than in the US and the US has not banned other pharmaceutical products as growth promoters in animals including the use of ractopanima, banned in 160 countries;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 57 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C c (new)
Cc. whereas there is a majority both in the European Parliament and amongst EU citizens which demands a prohibition of products from cloned animals and their descendants;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 61 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas the EU animal welfare standards have no equivalence in the US;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 63 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C e (new)
Ce. having regard to the use and approval of new GMOs in the US and its use for animal and human consumption;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 65 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C f (new)
Cf. whereas there are many sensitivities and problems with products in the US’s market defaulting protected geographical indications including port wine;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 67 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C g (new)
Cg. considering that each year in the United States of America, an estimated 9 million people get sick, 55,000 are hospitalized, and 1,000 die of foodborne disease caused by known pathogens, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Campylobacter as outlines in the report ‘Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Campylobacter using Outbreak Surveillance Data’ by the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC);
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 68 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C h (new)
Ch. whereas existing agreements between the US and the EU, particularly those relating to the recognition by the United States of winemaking practices, recognition of geographical indications for this sector, agreements related to sanitary measures for the protection of public and animal health have not solved today divergent conception of risk analysis;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 70 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C i (new)
Ci. whereas the import of products which fail to meet EU standards on animal welfare, food safety, human and animal health, put farmers, consumers and animals in the EU at a disadvantage;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 71 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C j (new)
Cj. whereas the survival of small and medium-sized farms cannot be abandoned to the volatility of prices in the international markets;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 72 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C k (new)
Ck. whereas the approval of TTIP would lead us to a situation of weakening of the European legislation to permit the use of carcinogens and other substances of very high concern as pesticides, posing a health hazard to workers, consumers and communities, as well as weaken, slow or stop efforts to regulate endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 73 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C l (new)
Cl. whereas the approval of TTIP would obstruct efforts to save bee populations, risking irrevocable damage to the quality and quantity of our food supply;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 74 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C m (new)
Cm. whereas the approval of TTIP would install a ‘regulatory ceiling’ hampering global pesticide regulation.
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 81 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point a
a. prioritise an ambitious and balanced result of the negotiations for agriculture, the three main components of which (market access, geographical indications and sanitary and phytosanitary measures) should be tackled early and in parallel reorientation of trade and agricultural policy by removing the negotiation process, in order to give Parliament enough time to discuss and evaluate this chapter with stakeholders and European citizeagriculture and food out of the negotiations;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 105 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point b
b. firmly commit to the strict preservation of standards on food safety and, human and animal health and animal welfare, as defined under EU legislation, and ensure that fundamental values of the EU such as the precautionary principle are not undermin, the recognition of animals as sentient beings as enshrined in Article 13 TFEU, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union are not undermined and will be respected;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 119 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
ba. prevent products that have not been produced in line with EU food safety, human and animal health, and animal welfare standards from entering the EU-market;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 125 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
bb. prevent any interference of non- democratic or non-EU bodies in or prior to the democratic decision making process in the EU regarding any future SPS- measures that might be considered;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 137 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point c
c. ensure a positive final outcome of the negotiations for agriculture reflecting both the offensive and defensive interests of the EU agricultural sector concerning the abolition or reduction of both tariff and non-tariff barriers, including in particular sanitary and phytosanitary standards andthat trade relations between the EU and the US do not put access to land for feeding local populations at risk; prevent products coming to market with proicedures, so that EU producers make genuine gains s below costs of production, including terms of access to the US markethe correct remuneration of the producers;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 156 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point d
d. secensure a level playing field, treating as sensitive those products for which direct competition would expose EU agricultural producers to excessive pressure, for example in cases where regulatory conditions and related costs of production in the EU diverge from those in the USthat the precautionary principle is not called into question, as this means the defence of quality standards and food safety demanded by European consumers, and serves as an added value that ensure the maintenance of public health;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 187 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point e
e. secure significantly improvedthe protection of EU geographical indications and better consumer information as an essential element of a balanced agreement, taking the relevant chapter of the CETA with Canada as a good example;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 203 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
ea. not question the aspects relating to the establishment of standards of European public procurement law, as applied in practice, especially at regional and local level, when you take into account, for example, compliance labour and social legislation and collective agreements, GPP, local hiring and prioritize local development, or attention to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which ensures that, when awarding the contract to the highest bidder, you can weigh in addition to price, other criteria such as social aspects related to sustainability;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 211 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point f
f. engage in a fully transparent, timely and comprehensive manner with all agricultural stakeholders on all aspects of the negotiations.sure the application of the Lisbon Treaty Article 218.10 (TFEU) which says that the European Parliament shall be immediately and fully informed at all stages of the procedure;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 219 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
fa. ensure that products such as GMOs or coming from cloned animals and their descendants, and with substances banned in the EU do no enter the EU market or end up in the EU food chain;
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 226 #

2014/2228(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
fb. remove regulatory cooperation and any investor-state dispute settlement body (ISDS) as these defy EU standards on animal welfare, food safety, public and animal health, transparency, accountability and traceability.
2015/03/03
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 21 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B
B. Wwhereas, although this is clearly an area of Member State responsibility, there are potential advantages for forest- based businesses are keen to seeof better coordination and a higher profile for this important economic sector, as well aswhich guarantees of jobs at European level;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 56 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
F A. Whereas ownership of the forest is highly dispersed and investment is unattractive, in view of the risk and the long economic cycle of forestry;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 116 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 A. Recognises the high dispersion of ownership and underlines the importance of supporting stakeholder groups as a key element for enabling sustainable forest development strategies.
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 119 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the holistic approach and the recognition of the economic, environmental and social role played by European forests and European forestry; underlines the need to place criteria of social and environmental valorisation above the mere logic of financial profit in the evaluation of the various strategies of forestry development;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 147 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that rural areas have very close links to forestry, particularly within the context of agroforestry activities, and welcomes in this connection the recognition of the role of forestry in the Rural Development Programme of the 2014-2020 CAP;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 150 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 A. Considers that it is very important to adopt measures to combat and monitor on a European scale the main pests which have decimated a large part of European woodlands, together with the creation of specific support measures to prevent and fight fires including helplines which enable early intervention, avoiding soil erosion, and the recovery of vegetation cover.
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 158 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 B. Considers it necessary to create a structure for monitoring timber markets with a view to ensuring that fair prices are paid to producers and avoiding abuses by upstream agents.
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 186 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
8. Expressly supports the resource-efficient use of timber as a raw material and opposes legally binding rules for prioritising the uses of wood, as this not only restricts the energy market but is also impossible to enforce in many rural areas, if only for infrastructure reasons; in this connection, supports an open, market-oriented approach and freedom for market participants;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 226 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that forest management plans can be an important strategic instrument for the implementation of concrete measures at the level of individual businesses, while supporting the principle thatithout prejudice to entrepreneurial freedom and the voluntary nature of such measures, stakehould be voluntary, in accordance with entrepreneurial freedomer solutions, possibly in partnership with local authorities; calls at the same time for a clear separation between forest management plans and the management plans under Natura 2000, in view of the need to curb excessive bureaucracy, particularly for small and medium-sized forestry undertakings;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 239 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to create incentives and support new business models, such as production cooperatives, that seek to encourage small private forest owners to manage their forest actively and sustainably; underlines that such support must be linked to the criteria of environmental sustainability including biodiversity and the multifunctional nature of the forest;
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 241 #

2014/2223(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 A. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to direct European research and development programmes towards increasing knowledge of treatment and prevention of the pathologies which affect European woodlands as well as issues dealing with fires, including fire prevention and firefighting, and the recovery of woodland after fires.
2015/01/30
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 356 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
(1) Organic production is an overall system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental and climate action practices, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, the application of high animal welfare standards and production standards in line with the demand of a growing number of consumers for products produced using natural substances and processes. Organic production thus plays a dual societal role, where it, on the one hand, provides for a specific market responding to consumer demand for organic products and, on the other hand, delivers publicly available goods contributing to the protection of the environment and animal welfare, as well as to rural development. In this context flexibilities must be put in place to allow for commonage lands to be used for organic production. Commonage lands are often found in the outermost peripheral regions of the Union where the land is naturally organic. It is essential to recognise the complexities of this type of land ownership and not to exclude producers from entering organic schemes where the positive externalities of organic farming would be most beneficial.
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 374 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
(12) Because of the local nature of mass catering operations, measures taken by Member States and private schemes in this area are considered adequate to ensure the functioning of the single market. Therefore, food prepared by mass caterers on their premises should not be subject to this Regulation. Equally, p and should therefore not be labelled or advertised with the organic production logo of the European Union. Products of hunting and fishing of wild animals should not be covnsidered by this Regulationas organic products since the production process cannot be fully controlled.
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 400 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
(25) Mutilations which lead to stress, harm, disease or suffering of animals should be prohibitedshould be prohibited. However, tail docking, trimming of beaks, dehorning including disbudding and castration of piglets may be allowed only on a case by case basis and under certain conditions, when they improve the health, welfare or hygiene of the livestock or when workers' safety is compromised. These operations should be authorised by a competent authority and carried out by qualified personnel and by applying adequate anaesthesia and/or analgesia in order to reduce to a minimum any suffering to the animals.
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 450 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
(54) In order to create clarity for consumers throughout the Union market, the use of the organic production logo of the European Union should be made obligatory for all organic pre-packed food produced within the Union. It should otherwise be possible to use that logo on a voluntary basis in the case of non pre- packed organic products produced within the Union or any organic products imported from third countries. The model of the organic production logo of the European Union should be set out in this Regulation.
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 465 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
(60) Small farmers in the Union face, individually, relatively high inspection costs and administrative burden linked to organic certification. A system of group certification should be allowed with a view to reducing the inspection and certification costs and the associated administrative burden, strengthening local networks, contributing to better market outlets and ensuring a level playing field with operators in third countries. For that reason, the concept of ‘group of operators' should be introduced and defined. This should be sufficiently flexible to allow member states to create thresholds relevant to their own countries as there are major differences in what is regarded as a "smallholding" in Member States.
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 504 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Mass catering operations carried out by a mass caterer as defined in point (d) of Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council35 shall not be subject to this Regulation. __________________ 35 Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18).
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 505 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Member States may apply national rules or, in the absence thereof, private standards on labelling and control of products originating from mass-catering operations.deleted
2015/06/24
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 836 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 3
3. The use of the organic production logo of the European Union shall be optional for products imported from third countriesA separate logo for organic products imported into the EU shall be developed. In addition, where that logo appears in the labelling, the indication referred to in Article 22(2) shall also appear in the labelling.
2015/06/25
Committee: AGRI
Amendment 876 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that the fees that may be collected by the competent authorities, control authorities or control bodies in accordance with Article 76 of Regulation (EU) No XX/XXXX (official controls Regulation) are made public and are clear and transparent to all producers in advance of entering the scheme.
2015/06/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 883 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1
1. Operators and groups of operators that have notified their activity in accordance with Article 24(1) and comply with this Regulation shall be entitled to be provided with an organic certificate. The organic certificate, issued in electronic form wherever possible, shall at least allow the identification of the operator or group of operators, the type or range of products covered by the certificate and its period of validity. This period of validity should equate to the period of the scheme that the producer has signed up to in order to reduce costs to the producer, while the control authority retains the right to withdraw the certificate for breaches of the regulation.
2015/06/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 1079 #

2014/0100(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – part II – point 1.4.2.1 – point b
(b) any non-organic animals which use the land concerned are derived from a production system equivalent to one of those provided for in Articles 28 and 30 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/201369 ; __________________ 69 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).deleted
2015/06/25
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 13 #

2014/0011(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the fact that the European Union scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading has failed, having proved ineffective in achieving the emission reduction targets; having regard to the need to adopt alternatives to carbon trading, replacing a market-based approach with a fairer and more effective regulatory approach;
2015/01/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 14 #

2014/0011(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the fact that the European Union scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading is weakening and undermining the adoption of other environmental regulations;
2015/01/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 15 #

2014/0011(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Citation 6
– having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the opinion of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A8 0000/2014),deleted
2015/01/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 16 #

2014/0011(COD)

Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1
1. AdopRejects its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2015/01/07
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 22 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
(3) Article 85 of the Treaty also provides that Eurojust’s mission shall be to support and strengthen coordination and cooperation between national investigating and prosecuting authorities in relation to serious crime affecting two or more Member States or requiring a prosecution on common bases, and in particular ‘white-collar’ crime, on the basis of operations conducted and information supplied by the Member States’ authorities and by Europol.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 32 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
(22) Eurojust should be authorised to process certain personal data on persons who, under the national legislation of the Member States concerned, are strongly suspected of having committed or having taken part in a criminal offence in respect of which Eurojust is competent, or who have been convicted of such an offence. It is not intended that Eurojust carry out an automated comparison of DNA profiles or fingerprints.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 33 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
(23) Eurojust should be given theonly very limited and strictly controlled opportunity to extend the deadlines for storage of personal data, subject to observance of the purpose limitation principle applicable to processing of personal data in the context of all activities of Eurojust, in order to achieve its objectives. Such decisions should be taken following careful consideration of all interests at stake, including those of the data subjects. Any extension of deadlines for processing personal data, where prosecution is statute barred in all Member States concerned, should be decided only where there is a specific need to provide assistance under this Regulation.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 35 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
(27) Eurojust should be able to exchange personal data with other Union bodies but only to the extent necessary for the accomplishment of its tasks.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 37 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
(30) To guarantee the full autonomy and independence of Eurojust, it should be granted an autonomous budget sufficient to properly carry out its work, with revenue coming essentially from a contribution from the budget of the Union, except as regards the salaries and emoluments of the national members and assisting persons, which are borne by their Member State of origin. The Union budgetary procedure should be applicable as far as the Union contribution and other subsidies chargeable to the general budget of the Union are concerned. The auditing of accounts should be undertaken by the Court of Auditors.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 41 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
(37) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the setting up of an entity responsible for supporting and strengthening coordination and cooperation between judicial authorities of the Member States in relation to serious crime affecting two or more Member States (in particular white-collar crime, where very specific expertise is required) or requiring a prosecution on common bases, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can, therefore, by reason of the scale and effects of the action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 42 #

2013/0256(COD)

1. Eurojust shall support and strengthen coordination and cooperation between national investigating and prosecuting authorities in relation to serious crime affecting two or more Member States (in particular white-collar crime, an area in which very specific expertise is required, such as forensic accounting/auditing investigation), or requiring a prosecution on common bases, on the basis of operations conducted and information supplied by the Member States’ authorities and by Europol.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 54 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. Unless stated otherwise, and where a consensus cannot be reached, the College shall take its decisions by a majority of its members.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 56 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) adopt rules for the detection and prevention andor management of conflicts of interest in respect of its members;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 78 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 4
4. Personal data, processed by automated or other means, revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, and data concerning health or sex life may be processed by Eurojust only when such data are strictly necessary for the national investigations concerned as well as for coordination within Eurojust and if they supplement other personal data already processed. The Data Protection Officer shall be informed immediately of recourse to this paragraph and his or her opinion on this usage should be requested and respected. Such data may not be processed in the Index referred to in Article 24(4). Where such other data refer to witnesses or victims within the meaning of paragraph 3, the decision to process them shall be taken by the College.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 79 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) threone years after the date on which the judicial decision of the last of the Member States concerned by the investigation or prosecutions became final;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 80 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) threone years after the date on which data were transmitted in accordance with Article 21(6) or (7).
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 81 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. For the purposes of verification of the lawfulness of the data processing, self- monitoring and ensuring proper data integrity and security, Eurojust shall keep records of any collection, alteration, access, disclosure, combination or erasure of personal data used for operational purposes. Such logs or documentation shall be deleted after 1836 months, unless the data are further required for on-going control.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 82 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) cooperate with and advise Eurojust staff responsible for procedures, training and advice on data processing;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 83 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1
1. Eurojust shall be liable, in accordance with Article 340 of the Treaty, for any damage and for any contingency damage caused to an individual which results from unauthorised or incorrect processing of data carried out by it.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 84 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 3
3. Each Member State shall be liable, in accordance with its national law, for any damage and for any contingency damage caused to an individual, which results from unauthorised or incorrect processing carried out by it of data which were communicated to Eurojust.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 85 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 2
2. IOnly in so far as relevant to the performance of its tasks and subject to any restriction stipulated pursuant to Article 21(8), Eurojust may directly exchange all information, with the exception of personal data, with the entities referred to in paragraph 1.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 86 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 3
3. Eurojust may, in accordance with Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001, receive and process personal data received from the entities referred to in paragraph 1 only in so far as necessary for the performance of its tasks and subject to the provisions of Section IV.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 101 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Eurojust may authorise the transfer of personal data to third countries or international organisations or Interpol on a case-by-case basis ifonly if one or more of the following conditions are met:
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 102 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the transfer of data is absolutely necessary to safeguard the essential interests of one or more Member States within the scope of Eurojust’s objectives;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 103 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the transfer of the data is absolutely necessary in the interests of preventing imminent danger associated with crime or terrorist offences;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 104 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the transfer is otherwise necessary or legally required on important public interest grounds of the Union or its Member States, as recognised by Union law or by national law, or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; or
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 108 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 1
1. By 1 March following each financial year, Eurojust’s Accounting Officer shall send the provisional accounts to each of the Commission’s Accounting Officer and the Court of Auditors.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 109 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 2
2. Eurojust shall send the report on the budgetary and financial management to each of the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors, by 31 March of the following financial year.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 115 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 1
1. The national members, their deputies and their Assistants referred to in Article 7, Eurojust staff, national correspondents and the Data Protection Officer shall be bound by an obligation of confidentiality with respect to any information which has come to their knowledge in the course of the performance of their tasks, unless in the case of (a) whistleblower(s) exposing practices that conflict with the remit of Eurojust as outlined above, or practices that are illegal.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 116 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 2
2. The obligation of confidentiality shall apply to all persons and to all bodies called upon to work with Eurojust, unless in the case of (a) whistleblower(s) exposing practices that conflict with the remit of Eurojust as outlined above, or practices that are illegal.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 117 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 3
3. The obligation of confidentiality shall also apply after leaving office or employment or after the termination of the activities of the persons referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, unless in the case of (a) whistleblower(s) exposing practices that conflict with the remit of Eurojust as outlined above, or practices that are illegal.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 118 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 59 – paragraph 5
5. Members and the staff of the European Data Protection Supervisor shall be subject to the obligation of confidentiality with respect to any information which has come to their knowledge in the course of the performance of their tasks, unless in the case of (a) whistleblower(s) exposing practices that conflict with the remit of Eurojust as outlined above, or practices that are illegal.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 121 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 3
3. In the case of non-contractual liability, Eurojust shall, in accordance with the general principles common to the laws of the Member States and independently of any liability under Article 37, make good any damage caused - directly or indirectly - by the College or the staff of Eurojust in the performance of their duties.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 122 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4
4. Paragraph 3 shall also apply to damage caused - directly or indirectly - through the fault of a national member, a deputy or an Assistant in the performance of their duties. However, when he or she is acting on the basis of the powers granted to him or her pursuant to Article 8, his or her Member State of origin shall reimburse Eurojust the sums which Eurojust has paid to make good such damage.
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 124 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 1 – point d
(d) sexgender;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 125 #

2013/0256(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 2 – point d
(d) sexgender;
2017/07/17
Committee: CONT
Amendment 47 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Given that the companies which produce GMO are the same ones which produce drugs and pesticides, public authorities need to take into account independent and impartial studies in the field;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 50 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Recital 2 b (new)
(2b) There are added health risks attached to the use of technologies which have been neither tested nor approved by competent and impartial authorities There is a need to ensure that impartial and independent studies are carried out in this field, by strengthening investment in research in order to increase scientific knowledge about these genetically modified products and the consequences of using them; the results of such studies should be published and debate on the matter encouraged.
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 53 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Recital 2 c (new)
(2c) The fact that GMO crops rely on expensive technologies both to obtain and grow them, together with the fact that the seeds are patented, makes these crops into a multi-million dollar business which has little or nothing to do with food subsistence or preservation of biodiversity;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 54 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Recital 2 d (new)
(2d) In a context where major economic groups are imposing the cultivation of patented products, which are more resistant and increase yields, the farming activity of millions of people around the world depends, year after year, on the use of seeds patented by these groups, making it impossible for them to subsist and maintain a stable existence;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 110 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Bearing in mind that the most recent study addressing and analysing the impact on human health and safety of using these products dates from 2001 and that the latest studies of their socioeconomic impact and effects on animal health date from 2011/2012, further studies of the impact of these products on human and animal health should be encouraged and supported;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 229 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Directive 2001/18/EC
Article 26 b – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) Protection of small and medium- scale farmers who do not use patented seeds;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 230 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Directive 2001/18/EC
Article 26 b – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point g b (new)
(gb) Protection and safeguarding of the rights which assist producers of traditional crops in keeping their crops free of contamination and consumers in choosing between GMO and non-GMO crops;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI
Amendment 232 #

2010/0208(COD)

Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Directive 2001/18/EC
Article 26 b – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point g c (new)
(gc) Recognition of the right of Member States to establish themselves as GMO- free areas, in order to preserve their products and traditional and organic farming method;
2014/10/20
Committee: ENVI