16 Amendments of Alyn SMITH related to 2008/0149(COD)
Amendment 1 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) As a consequence, it is necessary to adopt a specific financing facility, complementary to existing development instruments and the Humanitarian Aid Instrument, to adopt. That facility should form part of an overall development strategy with precise objectives and adequate resources, ensuring coherence between the facility and the existing aid provided under the EU’s short-, medium- and long-term instruments. The facility should also allow urgent and supplementary measures to be adopted that address rapidly the consequences in developing countries of the present soaring food prices situation. It should also, in conjunction with existing programmes, make it possible to provide much more substantial, priority aid, through resources distributed over time, to sustainable development of agriculture and agricultural production in the poorest countries with a view to increasing their food supply and reducing their food dependence. The facility should take into consideration the recent recommendations by the United Nations drawn from the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) study, particularly on seeking involvement by local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and producer organisations in implementing sustainable development projects based on the optimum use of local resources.
Amendment 3 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall adopt the measures referred to in paragraph 1. They shall finance international initiatives supporting the purpose and objectives of this Regulation and which are implemented through regional and global public or private International Organisations in conjunction with local producer organisations. It shall inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof. The European Parliament shall thus be regularly informed on the implementation of the facility through meetings arranged at the Commission's initiative, and then through an initial written interim report in June 2009. The European Parliament shall have a right of veto over expenditure.
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 5
Article 1 – paragraph 5
5. International Organisations, including Regional Organisations, whether public or private, such as NGOs or local banks (hereafter ‘International Organisations’), will be selected on the basis of their capacity to deliver a speedyily the most cost- effective and high est-quality response possible with the minimum of administrative bureaucracy to meeto the specific needs of the targeted Developing Countries in relation to the objectives of this Regulation.
Amendment 5 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) measures to improve access to agricultural inputs and services, including fertilizers and seedsthe infrastructure and means of production of the poorest small-scale farmers to support local and sustainable development, i.e.: - access to agricultural inputs (tailored to the optimum use of local resources) and services (extension, vocational training), - access to land, water and financing (microcredits), - the collective organisation of producers (for production and setting up local markets and local seed banks), - crop storage;
Amendment 14 #
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
- having regard to the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD),
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) As a consequence, it is necessary to adopt a specific financing facility, complementary to existing development instruments and the Humanitarian Aid Instrument, to adopt urgent and supplementary measures that address rapidly the consequences in developing countries of the present soaring food prices situation, taking into consideration the recent recommendations of the UN- initiated IAASTD study, especially regarding the participation of local NGOs and farmer organisations in planning of measures and training of farmers as well as the value of biodiversity and locally adapted seeds to fight hunger.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall adopt the measures referred to in paragraph 1. They shall finance international initiatives supporting the purpose and objectives of this Regulation and which are implemented through regional and global International Organisations. It shall inform the EuropeanThe European Parliament will be a full partner in the operation of the proposed measures: it shall scrutinise the expenditure and administration of the Facility, and the Commission shall report to the Parliament andon the Council thereofprogress of the Facility in meeting its stated objectives every four months.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall adopt the measures referred to in paragraph 1. They shall finance international initiatives supporting the purpose and objectives of this Regulation and which are implemented through regional and global International Organisations in conjunction with local farmers' organizations. It shall inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof.
Amendment 47 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 5
Article 1 – paragraph 5
5. International Organisations, including Regional Organisations (hereafter "International Organisations") will be selected on the basis of their capacity to deliver a speedy and high quality response to the specific needs of the targeted Developing Countries in relation to the objectives of this Regulation. In addition, such distributive organisations will be selected based on their ability to effectively and efficiently distribute funds with the minimum of administrative bureaucracy.
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The primary objectives of the assistance and cooperation under this Regulation shall be to encourage a sustainable development of farm production and local markets in order to allow a positive supply response of agricultural sector in target countries and regions in the context of their sustainable development and to support activities to respond rapidly and directly to mitigate the negative effects of high food prices in line with food security objectives.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a)
(a) measures to improve access, particularly for small scale farmers, to agricultural inputs and services, including fertilizers and seeds; locally adapted seeds as well as to resources so as water and soil;
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a) a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a) a (new)
(aa) establishment of infrastructures that allow to develop local food production and marketing, so as low interest loans, storage facilities, local seed banks as well as vocational training and consultation in agricultural practices;
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b)
(b) safety net measures aiming at maintaining or improving the agricultural productive capacity, and at addressing the basic food needs of the most vulnerable populations, any cases of dumping and distortion of local production and markets must be prevented.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b) a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b) a (new)
(ba) measures to support partner governments in defining and implementing effective national policies for food security in close cooperation with local farmer organisations and consumers.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Both the Commission and the European Parliament will rigorously scrutinise the disbursement of funds to the International Organisations, and the financial outlays of these Organisations in target countries, to ensure efficient and effective use of the European Union's money to meet the goals stated above.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Budget commitments shall be made on the basis of decisions taken by the Commission and the European Parliament on an equal basis.