47 Amendments of Albert DESS related to 2011/0280(COD)
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation and to avoid unfair competition or discrimination between farmers, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission in respect of: the fixation of the annual national ceiling for the basic payment scheme; the adoption of rules on applications for allocation of payment entitlements; the adoption of measures regarding the reversion of non- activated payment entitlements to the national reserve; the adoption of requirements related to the notification of transfer of payment entitlements to the national authorities and the deadlines within which such notification are to take place; the setting out of the annual ceiling for the payment for agricultural practisces beneficial for the climate and the environment; the setting out of the annual ceiling for thea voluntary payment for areas with natural constraints; the setting out of the annual ceiling for thea voluntary payment for young farmers; the setting out of the annual ceilings for the voluntary coupled support; the adoption of rules on the procedure for the assessment and approval of decisions in the framework of the voluntary coupled support; the adoption of rules on the procedure for the assessment and approval of decisions in the framework of the voluntary coupled support; the adoption of rules on the procedure of the authorisation and the notifications to the producers related to the authorisation of land and varieties for the purposes of thea temporary crop specific payment for cotton; the provision for rules on the calculation of the reduction of the amount of the crop specific payment for cotton; the adoption of rules concerning general notification requirements. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with 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 Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Due to the successive integration of various sectors into the single payment scheme and the ensuing period of adjustment granted to farmers, it has become increasingly difficult to justify the presence of significant individual differences in the level of support per hectare resulting from use of historical references. Therefore direct income support should be more equitably distributed between Member States, by reducing the link to historical references and having regard to the overall context of the Union budget. To ensure a more equal distribution of direct support, while taking account of the differences that still exist in wage levels and input costs, the levels of direct support per hectare should be progressively adjusted. Member States with direct payments below the level of 90 % of the average should close one third of the gap between their current level and this level. This convergence should be financed proportionally by all Member States with direct payments above the Union averageWithout prejudice to this narrowing of the gap, the level of direct payments in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia should reach at least that of the Member State which among the rest, these three countries excepted, has the lowest payment level. This convergence should be financed proportionally by all Member States with direct payments above the Union average. The difference in direct payment levels per hectare within any Member State should not be greater than the difference per hectare between Member States. In addition, all payment entitlements activated in 2019 in a Member State or in a region should have a uniform unit value following a convergence towards this value that should take place during the transition period in linear steps. However, in order to avoid disruptive financial consequences for farmers, Member States having used the single payment scheme, and in particular the historical model, should be allowed to partially take historical factors into account when calculating the value of payment entitlements in the first year of application of the new scheme. The debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework for the period starting in 2021 should also focus on the objective of complete convergence through the equal distribution of direct support across the European Union during that period.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) As regards support to the cotton sector, Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 considered necessary that part of it contbe linuked to be linkedfor the last time to the cultivation of cotton through a crop specific payment per eligible hectare to ensure against any risk of disruption to production in the cotton producing regions, taking into account all factors that influence this choice. This choice should be maintained temporarily in accordance with the objectives set out in Protocol No 4 on cotton attached to the 1979 Act of Accession. In order to make this measure more relevant in future to the challenges of the CAP, an evaluation of the necessity and effectiveness of the crop specific payment for cotton should be carried out.
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) A simple and specific scheme for small farmers should be put in place in order to reduce the administrative costs linked to the management and control of direct support. For that purpose, a lump- sum payment replacing all direct payments should be established. Rules seeking simplification of formalities should be introduced by reducing, amongst others, the obligations imposed on small farmers such as those related to the application for support, and to agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment, to cross-compliance and to controls as laid down in Regulation (EU) No […] [HZR] without endangering the achievement of the overall objectives of the reform, it being understood that cross- compliance and Union legislation as referred to in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No […...] [HZR] applies to small farmers. The objective of that scheme should be to support the existing agricultural structure of small farms in the Union without countering the development towards more competitive structures. For that reason, access to the scheme should be limited to existing holdings.
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) an additional payment for farmers observing agricultural practisces beneficial for the climate and the environment;
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) a voluntary payment for young farmers who commence their agricultural activity;
Amendment 345 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
(vi) a temporary crop specific payment for cotton;
Amendment 347 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point vii
(vii) a voluntary simplified scheme for small farmers;
Amendment 552 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. No direct payments shall be granted to natural or legal persons, or to groups of natural or legal persons, where one of the following applies: if they use less than half their agricultural land for agricultural activities and do not undertake on the areas not used for such activities any of the types of annual minimum activity to be established by the Member States. After having duly notified the Commission, the Member States may decide to exclude at the outset certain types of land use not comprising the exercise of an agricultural activity from eligibility for direct payments.
Amendment 567 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 596 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 664 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Amendment 706 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11
Article 11
Amendment 796 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. any funds from progressive degression or capping shall remain in the region or Member State where they were obtained and shall be used for measures under the second pillar;
Amendment 856 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. Before 1 August 2013, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United-Kingdomthe Member States may decide to make available as direct payments under this Regulation up to 5 % of the amount allocated to support for measures under rural development programming financed under the EAFRD in the period 2015-2020 as specified under Regulation (EU) No […] [RDR], on condition that a minimum amount of 20 % of the national ceiling remains available in the EAFRD. As a result, the corresponding amount shall no longer be available for support measures under rural development programming.
Amendment 901 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Member States operating the single payment scheme on the basis of a regional model in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 may decide against the application of Article 18(2).
Amendment 916 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. Member States mayshall decide, before 1 August 2013, to apply the basic payment scheme at regional level. In that case tThey shall define the regions in accordance with objective and non-discriminatory criteria such as their agronomic and economic characteristics and their regional agricultural potential, or their institutional or administrative structure.
Amendment 1251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. Farmers entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1 shall observe on their eligible hectares as defined in Article 25(2) the following agricultural practises beneficial for the climate and the environment: Member States shall grant an annual payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment to farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1 if they observe on their eligible hectares as defined in Article 25(2) one of the following practices: (a) to use at least 10 % of the national ceiling for direct payments by Member States to finance targeted agri- environmental measures under the second pillar: over and above the existing level and 100 % EU-financed; (b)(1) ‘farmers who are green, by definition.’ Member States may select from the following criteria: - organic farming - 100 % certified sustainable agriculture, - > 50 % grassland or < 15 ha or 1/3 of the average farm size in the Member States (which may select one of the options), arable land, - farms with at least 20 % of their utilised agricultural area involved in specific agri- environmental programmes, - farms with at least 20 % of their utilised agricultural area in Natura 2000 areas, - farms which have at least 20 % of their eligible area as forest on plots no larger than 15 ha. (b)(2) Others / ‘farmers who are not green, by definition’ Member States must select at least three of the following greening measures, which will be binding for farmers. As an alternative, Member States may permit farmers to select three greening measures from a longer list to be determined by the Member States. The basic payment will be independent of the 15 % greening payment. The list should include: - ecological priority areas; areas included in the 5 % ecological priority areas: arable areas of a farm which are situated in Natura 2000 areas or other protected areas. Areas of farmland of a farm which benefit from specific agri-environmental programmes. Areas where nitrate fertilisation is not practised. Areas of farmland with landscape features (e.g. afforested areas, hedges, terraces), buffer strips, uncultivated areas (land left fallow). Areas with permanent crops should be exempt from the requirements. In order to increase the benefits to the environment and biodiversity of the ecological priority area measures, Member States may decide on a collective approach whereby the requirements are satisfied by a group of farmers at regional level. - crop diversification, - protection of permanent grassland, - 2 % of ecological priority areas on grassland - land cover/catch crops, - areas with pasture and other perennial crops - fertilisation and/or soil management plans, - certified energy efficiency (reduced input, improved resource efficiency, provision of alternative energies or renewable raw materials, - use of [less than 10 % of] the national ceiling of direct payments by the Member States to finance targeted agri- environmental measures (priorities 4 and 5 of the second pillar: over and above [the existing level] and 100 % EU-financed; (c) in cross-compliance rules, that 2 % on areas of over 50 ha is made available for environment and climate protection, taking into account the existing landscape features.
Amendment 1277 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to have three different crops on their arable land where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 3 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year;practise crop diversification
Amendment 1299 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to have threewo different crops on their arable land where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 315 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year;
Amendment 1342 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to have an ecological focus area on their agricultural area. The cultivation of multiannual energy crops and/or protein plants, inter alia, shall be permitted on these agricultural areas.
Amendment 1483 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 1497 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Farmers operating in a Member State which has introduced a single regional or national area payment by means of complete decoupling, thereby increasing the value of grassland, shall be entitled ipso facto to the payment referred to in this Chapter.
Amendment 1527 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 1
1. Where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 315 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year, cultivation on the arable land shall consist of at least threewo different crops. None of those threeThe main crops shall not cover lessmore than 75 % of the arable land and the main crop shall not exceed 70 % of the arable land. The rest of the arable land shall be used for at least one other crop. Permanent grassland will be recognised as an agricultural crop of equal value.
Amendment 1528 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
Article 30 – paragraph 1
1. Where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 315 hectares and is not entirely used for grass production (sown or natural), entirely left fallow or entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year, cultivation on the arable land shall consist of at least three different crops. None of those threeThe main crops shall not cover lessmore than 75 % of the arable land and the main crop shall not exceed 70 % of the arable land. The rest of the arable land shall be used for at least two other crops. Permanent grassland will be recognised as an agricultural crop of equal value.
Amendment 1566 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Article 30(1) shall not apply to farms on which 65 % of the eligible agricultural area is used as permanent grassland.
Amendment 1658 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Farmers with permanent grassland whose land requires structural conversion may carry out such conversion with a view to a) reseeding or b) seeding on another site on the farm.
Amendment 1694 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1
Article 32 – paragraph 1
1. Farmers shall ensure that at least 72 % of their eligible hectares as defined in Article 25(2), excluding areas under permanent grassland, is ecological focus area such as land left fallow, terraces, landscape features, buffer strips and afforested areas as referred to in aArticle 25(2)(b)(ii).
Amendment 1748 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The following shall be exempted from this requirement: a) land with payment entitlements that is farmed in the context of agri- environment-climate measures under Article 29 of the 2012 EAFRD Regulation, or b) land with payment entitlements that falls under Directive 92/43/EEC or 2009/147/EC, or c) land with payment entitlements that is fertilised without nitrates and is thus also designated as ecological focus area; d) land whose agricultural area comprises more than 50% of permanent grassland, or e) areas totalling less than 15 hectares under arable and permanent crops, or f) farmers with an average parcel size of 2 hectares or less.
Amendment 1773 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Cultivation of the following crops shall be permitted on the agricultural areas referred to in this chapter: a) multi-annual energy plants and b) protein plants.
Amendment 1827 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. In order to finance the payment referred to in this Chapter, Member States shall use 30 10% of the annual national ceiling set out in Annex II.
Amendment 1844 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The basis for funding under this Chapter should be the average of a Member State’s direct payments as a reference value, to ensure that the payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and environment is the same for each Member State;
Amendment 1845 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The basis for payments under this Chapter should be the average of a Member State’s direct payments as a reference value, to ensure that the payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and environment is the same for each Member State;
Amendment 1858 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2
Article 33 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall apply the payment referred to in this Chapter at national or, when applying Article 20,level. Where Article 20 is relied on, the Member States may apply the payment at regional level. In case of application at regional level, Member States shall use in each region a share of the ceiling set pursuant to paragraph 3. For each region, this share shall be calculated by dividing the respective regional ceiling as established in accordance with Article 20(2) by the ceiling determined according to Article 19(1).
Amendment 1865 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Any funds derived from reduction of the basic premium or penalty payments pursuant to this Chapter and Chapters 30, 31 and 32 on the grounds of non- compliance with the rules shall remain in the Member States and in the regions from which they derive.
Amendment 1866 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Unused appropriations within the Member States’ national ceiling that were designated for financing the payments referred to in this Chapter shall remain in the Member States and shall be used for agri-environment-climate measures in accordance with the 2012 EAFRD Regulation.
Amendment 1869 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34
Article 34
Amendment 1898 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35
Article 35
Amendment 1916 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1
Article 36 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallmay grant an annual payment to young farmers who are entitled to a payment under the basic payment scheme referred to in Chapter 1.
Amendment 1996 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
In order to finance the payment referred to in Article 36, Member States shallmay use a percentage of the annual national ceiling set out in Annex II which shall not be higher than 2 %. They shall notify the Commission, by 1 August 2013, of the estimated percentage necessary to finance that payment.
Amendment 2084 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 38 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Coupled support shall be progressively reduced. It shall amount in 2019 to no more than 50% of the payment made in 2014.
Amendment 2176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 4 – chapter 2 – title
Title 4 – chapter 2 – title
Amendment 2187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 a (new)
Article 46 a (new)
Article 46a Evaluation The Commission shall be requested to submit a report on the effectiveness and necessity of the measures in Articles 42- 46 which provide for crop-specific payment for cotton in Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal and Spain. The report shall reach the Council by 31 March 2014 and shall contain proposals on alternative support for the cotton sector that are compatible with the development of the CAP.
Amendment 2214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 47 – paragraph 4
Article 47 – paragraph 4
Amendment 2220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1
Article 48 – paragraph 1
Farmers wishing to participate in the small farmers scheme shall submit an application by 15 October 2014a date to be fixed by Member States but not later than by: - 15 October 2014 with effect from 2014, or - 15 October 2015 with the effect from 2015. The date fixed by Member States can not, however be earlier than the last day for submission of an application to the basic payment scheme.