288 Amendments of Katerina BATZELI
Amendment 17 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) For the purposes of dealing with the effect of the economic crisis on the agriculture sector, the Member States also should be able to use resources to set up a fund for the reduction of production costs and the provision of loan guarantees.
Amendment 24 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 1
Article 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – point d
"(d) a list of the rural development programmes implementing the national strategy plan, an indicative EAFRD allocation for each programme, including the amounts provided for in Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, and a separate indication of the total of the amounts referred to in Article 69(5a) of this Regulation specifying which is the amount to be spent on operations of the typemeasures of the kind referred to in Article 16a(1)(ga) of this Regulationto (ga);"
Amendment 27 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 3
Article 1 – point 3
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 16 a – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 16 a – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) economic crisis management in the agricultural sector, principally to provide support for infrastructures and for the networking of producers and organisations.
Amendment 31 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint a
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint a
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 69 – paragraph 2 a
Article 69 – paragraph 2 a
"2a. The part of the amount referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article resulting from the increase of the global commitments as laid down by Council Decision 2006/493/EC as amended by Decision …… shall be available as from 1 January 2009. It shall be devoted to types of operations related to priorities laid down in Article 16a(1) and it shall be spent as follows: (a) one third (: (a) EUR 0.51.2 billion) on types of operations related to priorities laid down in Article 16a(1)(a) to (f); (b) two thirds ( and economic crisis management in the agricultural sector, principally to provide support for infrastructures and for the networking of producers and organisations; (b) EUR 10.3 billion) on types of operations related to priority laid down in Article 16a(1)(g)."
Amendment 34 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint b
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint b
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 69 – paragraph 5 a
Article 69 – paragraph 5 a
"5a. An amount equal to the aggregate of the amounts resulting from the application of the compulsory modulation under Article [9(4)] and Article [10(4)] together with, as from 2011, the amounts generated under Article 136 of Regulation (EC) No … and one third of the Member States' share of the amount referred to in paragraph 2a, as set out in the Commission Decision fixing the breakdown by Member State, shall be exclusively spent by Member States from 1 January 2009 as Community support under the current rural development programmes for operations of the types referred to in Article 16a(1)(a) to (f) of this Regulation. Two thirdsEUR 0.3 billion of the Member States' share of the amount referred to in paragraph 2a as set out in the Commission Decision fixing the breakdown by Member State shall be exclusively spent by Member States from 1 January 2009 as Community support under the current rural development programmes for operations of the types referred to in Article 16a(1)(g) of this Regulation.
Amendment 37 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint b
Article 1 – point 6 – subpoint b
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 69 – paragraph 5 b
Article 69 – paragraph 5 b
5b. If, at the closure of the programme, the actual amount of Community contribution spent on the operations referred to in Article 16a(1) is lower than the total of the amounts referred to in paragraph 5a of this Article, the difference shall be reimbursed by the Member State to the general budget of the European Communities up to the amount by which the total allocations available for operations other than those referred to in Article 16a(1) have been exceeded. In addition, if, at the closure of the programme, the actual amount of Community contribution spent on the operations referred to in Article 16a(1)(a) to (f) is lower than the amount referred to in paragraph 5a of this Article for those types of operations, the difference shall be reimbursed by the Member State to the general budget of the European Communities up to the amount by which the allocations available for operations referred to in Article 16a(1)(g) have been exceeded. However, if the actual amount of Community contribution spent on the operations other than those referred to in Article 16a(1) is lower than the allocations available for those types of operations, the amount to be reimbursed shall be reduced of that difference. In parallel, if at the closure of the programme, the actual amount of Community contribution spent on the operations referred to in Article 16a(1)(g) is lower than the amount referred to in paragraph 5a of this Article for those types of operations, the difference shall be reimbursed by the Member State to the general budget of the European Communities up to the amount by which the allocations available for operations referred to in Article 16a(1)(a) to (f) have been exceeded. However, if the actual amount of Community contribution spent on the operations other than those referred to in Article 16a(1) is lower than the allocations available for those types of operations, the amount to be reimbursed shall be reduced of that differenceincorporated by the Member State in its agricultural development budget up to the amount by which the total allocations available for operations other than those referred to in Article 16a(1) have been exceeded.
Amendment 39 #
2009/0011(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 – point 7
Article 1 – point 7
Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Article 70 – paragraph 4
Article 70 – paragraph 4
"Notwithstanding the ceilings set out in paragraph 3, the EAFRD contribution may be increased to 9100% for convergence and to 785% for non-convergence regions for the operations of the types referred to in Article 16a(1) of this Regulation, up to the amount resulting from the application of the compulsory modulation under Article 9(4) and Article 10(3) of Regulation (EC) No …, the amount referred to in Article 69(2a) of this Regulation and, as from 2011, the amounts generated under Article 136 of Regulation (EC) No ….";
Amendment 2 #
2009/0008(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1, point 2 a (new)
Article 1, point 2 a (new)
Regulation (EC) No 637/2008
Article 7– paragraph 1
Article 7– paragraph 1
The following point ca shall be added to Article 7(1): (ca) measures to reduce the cost of production;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the economic and social changes in the European Union, the factors conditioning the single market and the new opportunities and demands of a globalised economy are creating a set of common challenges for all national educational systems, making cooperation at European level in the field of education and training all the more necessary,
Amendment 3 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas, in the current global financial and economic crisis, education and training have a key role to play in developing innovative skills and know- how and ensuring the free movement of knowledge as the ideal instrument for economic recovery and employment market consolidation; noting however that the primary objective of policy making in the field of education and training is not to meet market needs and employability criteria but to ensure that pupils achieve an overall standard of knowledge meeting uniform educational criteria, resulting in fully rounded personalities,
Amendment 7 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Amendment 10 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas an alarming increase in violence at school, accompanied by manifestations of racism and xenophobia in the school environment, is currently being observed as a result of two basic trends within educational establishments, multiculturalism and the widening of the class divide, compounded by the lack of any suitable intervention or pupil support and contact mechanisms within the educational system,
Amendment 17 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Takes the view that the reform of the educational system should, be fundamentally geared to the full and multifaceted development of the individual, cultivating respect for human rights and social justice, lifelong learning for the purposes of personal development and professional advancement, the protection of the environment and personal and collective wellbeing; takes the view that, in this context, matching knowledge thus acquired with market requirements is undoubtedly a priority for educational systems but is not their primordial and fundamental objective,
Amendment 32 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12α. Considers it important to instruct pupils in the use and applications of new communications and digital technology;·
Amendment 41 #
2008/2329(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15α. Considers evaluation to be a useful instrument for improving the quality of educational systems; stresses however that any system of evaluation and assessment should be targeted not at the quantitative results and achievements of the pupils, which would create a social hierarchy of educational establishments, accompanied by 'multispeed' educational systems, but at the system itself and the methods it uses, taking clearly into account the specific socio-economic circumstances in which each school is operating;
Amendment 27 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that, in the European Union, the deficit and public debt are having an increasingly negative impact on growth; calls on the Member States to make greater efforts to consolidate their budgets and reduce the public debt as a pre-condition for achieving a healthy, competitive and sustainable European economy; points out also that ill-designed measures to reduce the deficit and public debt – such as indiscriminate cuts in public investment or indiscriminate increases in indirect taxation on consumer goods leading to strong inflationary pressure and to side- effects for the economic cycle – have an adverse effect on long-term growth prospects;
Amendment 32 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3α. Notes, however, that a substantive adjustment is required both of the Stability and Growth Pact and of the decisions and policies of the European Central Bank in the light of new international circumstances due to the present financial crisis and the economic slump which has already begun to affect employment and growth in the eurozone;
Amendment 33 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that within this framework, the mechanisms and terms of the Stability and Growth Pact must be interpreted so as to safeguard investments for basic structural reforms, especially in the sectors of the labour market, education, social convergence and environmental protection, but also to allow measures to be taken to support the real economy and investors.
Amendment 34 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of the medium- term objective (MTO) as a specific target of economic, fiscal, budgetary and incomes policies, which should be achieved through macro-economic dialogue, geared to the specific situation in each Member State and, taking into account extraordinary needs for compensatory measures due to the international economic and financial situation, but also determined on a multiannual basis; urges the Member States to strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the medium- term objective at both national level, through closer involvement of government departments, national parliaments and the social partners (national ownership) and at local level (sub-national public finance) by establishing regional SGPs and MTOs, taking account of the impact which local public expenditure and investment have on national public finances and on the growth prospects of the various countries;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4α. Stresses the close relationship between financial security and stability and the maintenance and safeguarding of healthy and stable public finances, as clearly evidenced by the pressing danger that the present world financial crisis will shift to the real economy; maintains, therefore, that it is not sufficient for the measures taken to shore up the financial system at national and European level merely to address the problem of the liquidity of the banking system, rather they should be accompanied by measures to support small- and medium-sized businesses, by the management of liquidity measures so as to allow redistribution and to provide better support for low-income social groups and, finally, by clear and transparent terms and commitments for the financial sector so as to prevent the credit risks from finally spilling over to the public finances of Member States;
Amendment 43 #
2008/2244(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that the key objective of having sound and consolidated public finances should be defined on the basis of the obligations under the new Stability Pact and, at the same time, the Lisbon Strategy's development, growth and competitiveness perspective, which requires structural reforms, as well as public spending and taxation structures that will support investments (in human capital, research and innovation, education and training, including higher education, health, infrastructure, the environment, security and justice) forand the redistribution of this income in order to promote social cohesion growth and employment;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2226(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Urges the Commission in this connection to work together with the Member States in establishing a mobility framework for Europeans engaged in artistic and creative activity, with particular emphasis on mobility for young artists and students of art subjects;
Amendment 28 #
2008/2226(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 b (new)
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 b (new)
– give fundamental priority to the role of artistic studies and education at every level of school education, lifelong learning and training for specialist teachers in the context of the Open Method of Coordination and in particular the Working Group on Education and Culture,
Amendment 32 #
2008/2226(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 f (new)
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 f (new)
– bring national policies more closely into line regarding the recognition of the artists' professional qualifications, encouraging the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework in this sector also and the full inclusion of artistic studies in criteria set out in the Bologna process, thereby improving the mobility of artists within the EU,
Amendment 33 #
2008/2226(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 g (new)
Paragraph 5 – indent 4 g (new)
– introduce special arrangements to promote artistic education in the context of the multiannual culture programme,
Amendment 62 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that there needs to be a more transparent labelling system enjoying broad consumer recognition; advocates, in addition, indicating place of origin for agricultural and fooCalls for the introduction of clear provisions regarding the use of PDOs and PGIs in the designation of composite processed products and f/or the most important raw materials in all systems adopted;nitoring of these designations.
Amendment 64 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers that the need to ensure the exclusive use of authentic PDI products as raw materials applies only where protected nomenclature is used for labelling and advertising a processed product; points out that this prevents consumers from being misled on the one hand stimulates demand for PDI products on the other.
Amendment 65 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Believes that indication of origin of raw materials for PGI products is only useful where there is a danger of consumers being misled; points out this danger does not apply to all products, given that their reputation and particularity is not based on their component raw materials.
Amendment 66 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. Opposes the adoption of stricter assessment criteria, such as exportability and sustainability; indicates that there are a number of examples of products which, while not exportable, are of major importance in shaping the local economy and ensuring continued social cohesion;
Amendment 77 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Advocates greater protection for registered nomenclature, in particular at certain stages of packaging and marketing outside the production area wherever there is a danger of such nomenclature being improperly used.
Amendment 86 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that the degree of protection of designations of origin varies between Member States; advocates legislative and procedural harmonisation in this field;Considers however that priority should be given to harmonising arrangements for the protection of geographical indications; recalls for example that the recently adopted CMO in wine and viticultural products set up long-term procedures for drawing up a comprehensive register of nomenclatures.
Amendment 90 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that the international protection of designations of origin should be guaranteed in the world trade negotiations; calls on the Commission to ensure that the issue is on the agenda for the WTO talks and is recognised as such by all international partners; advocates measures to protect all registered nomenclatures and extend the scope of Article 23 of the TRIPS Agreement.
Amendment 92 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out that certain nomenclatures are being systematically usurped on the territory of third countries, thereby misleading consumers and undermining the reputation of authentic products; points out that measures to ensure the protection of a nomenclature in a third country is a particularly time consuming process which cannot be easily achieved by isolated producer groups given that specific protection arrangements and procedures exist in each country; urges the Commission to play an advisory role, providing producer groups with know-how and legal support regarding the conclusion of agreements with third countries.
Amendment 93 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Takes the view that Community and national controls are essential with regard to protected designations of origin (PDOs) and protected geographical indications (PGIs), and advocates severe penalties to deter unauthorised use of those instruments; favours simplifying the procedures for obtaining PDOs, as well as stringent controls by Member State authorities when certifying that all stages of the production process have taken placed in the geographical area concerned;
Amendment 96 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Favours Community technical assistance for the implementation of the above systems in the Member States and the related evaluation of products of protected origin; Considers that market monitoring for the enforcement of all PDO and PGI provisions will increase administrative costs for the Member States but will greatly contribute to more effective protection; Favours Community technical assistance for monitoring by the Member States so as to ensure that PDO and PGI protection arrangements are implemented as uniformly as possible on the territory of the EU.
Amendment 109 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a(new)
Paragraph 25 a(new)
25a. Considers the definition of 'traditional' products contained in Regulation 509/2006 to be inadequate; considers that association of a traditional product with the country in which the tradition exists or the exclusive use of the designation by producers complying with traditional requirements will make GTS status more attractive.
Amendment 116 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Considers that in order to improve the functioning of the EU single market in organic products Community production standards for all agricultural products must be introduced.
Amendment 117 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. Considers that, in order to improve the functioning of the EU single market in organic products, the designation of non-agricultural products referred to in connection with organic production methods must be distinct from that of organic agricultural products;
Amendment 118 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Considers that, in order to improve the functioning of the EU single market in organic products, it will be necessary to: - register the country of origin in the case of fresh and processed organic products imported from third countries independently of whether the Community organic product logo is used, - enhance the credibility of European logo by means of a programme to promote organic products.
Amendment 119 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26d. Considers that, in order to improve the functioning of the EU single market in organic products, it will be necessary to establish upper detection limits for banned pesticides in organic agricultural products.
Amendment 120 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
Paragraph 26 e (new)
26e. Considers that, in order to improve the functioning of the EU single market in organic products, it will be necessary to examine the question of dual certification required in many cases by major distributors, since this is resulting in a shortage of organic products on the EU market.
Amendment 123 #
2008/2220(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls on the Commission, in seeking ways of introducing new quality schemes, to consider the possibility of adopting concerning use of the terms 'mountain' and 'island'; proposes as an alternative that consideration be given to the possibility of establishing uniform requirements for exclusive use of the terms 'mountain' and 'island' in designating agricultural products and foodstuffs.
Amendment 4 #
2008/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Βa. whereas desertification is now considered to be one of the most significant threats in terms of land deterioration in the Mediterranean countries,
Amendment 7 #
2008/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that Community funding for measures to adjust the agricultural sector to climate change must be based on a territorial approach which takes account of the level of vulnerability of the EU regions; points out that, according to reliable assessments at international and European level, the agricultural soils of southern Europe are more susceptible to climate change;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2219(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission, in connection with the proposal for a new definition of mountain areas, island and other areas with natural handicaps it is to submit in 2009, to include among the priority evaluation criteria the level of risk of soil degradation and desertification in the areas subject to monitoring;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2204(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Urges the Commission and the Council to ensure that the rules governing international trade allow European cultural industries to fully exploit the new opportunities brought about by online trading in particularly the audiovisual, musical and publishing sectors, whilst at the same time offering effective protection against illicit trafficking and piracy.
Amendment 11 #
2008/2204(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need to educate consumers and undertakings and the need to organise media information campaigns on the development prospects, rights and obligations of all parties involved in international trade on the internet;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
Amendment 29 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas evidence from across the EU suggests big supermarkets abuse their buying power to force down prices paid to suppliers to unsustainable levels and impose unfair conditions upon them; whereas large retailers across Europe are fast-becoming ‘gatekeepers’, controlling farmers’ and other suppliers’ access to EU consumers,
Amendment 31 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas, although the funding of the CAP has contributed over the years to securing low consumer prices, it is noticeable that consumer prices remain high or are not decreasing despite the fall in prices in the agricultural sector;
Amendment 42 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. considers that a broad series of factors influence the price transmission mechanism and the gap between producer and consumer prices; names among these factors the marketing behaviour of operators along the supply chain, including manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, the share of non-agricultural costs (such as energy and labour), legislative and regulatory frameworks, the perishable nature of the product, the degree of product processing, marketing and handling or consumer purchasing preferences;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Agrees with the Commission that trends in supply and demand and operational shortcomings in the food supply chain have played a significant role in increasing food prices; stresses, however, that a significant role has also been played by speculation on the financial markets, which created distortions in the price formation mechanism;
Amendment 55 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Considers that, although the Commission's comparison between the EU and USA in terms of productivity is an appropriate one, it cannot constitute the absolute basis for the ideal measure of productivity in the food sector (particularly, agricultural production and processing) in the EU; stresses that the agriculture and food industry in the EU differs significantly from that in the USA both in terms of the commodities and sectors which it covers and the conditions and rules by which it is governed;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. draws attention to the fact that a large market power is particularly pays offlucrative in the agri-food sector, given the price inelasticity of agricultural supply on the one hand and consumer demand on the other;
Amendment 69 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that pricing below cost, while not viable in itself for any enterprise, can only be applied by big (diversified) enterprises for a short period of time and only to drive their competitors out of the market; considers that, in the long term, such a practice benefits neither consumers nor the market as a whole;
Amendment 88 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. draws attention to the fact that many SMEs in the food sector are extremely vulnerable especially if they are largely dependent on one large retail soperatore; notes that retailerslarge operators in the food supply chain often employ race to the bottom price competitions between several suppliers and in order to stay in business small companies need to cut costs and margins, which translates into reduced payments to farmers, reduced market access and distribution channels for SME’s, fewer employees, and lower quality products for consumers;
Amendment 90 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. is worried by the increased level of speculation with food, as a tradable commodityobserved on the financial markets; calls on the Commission to launch an investigation into this matter; awaits the conclusions of the High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the Agri- Food Industry and encourages this panel to propose effective measures to address the imbalances in the market;
Amendment 91 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Maintains its reservations concerning the Commission's conclusions that speculation on the financial markets has not played a significant role in the process of price formation; considers that the Commission should take initiatives to strengthen monitoring of the futures markets in basic agricultural commodities;
Amendment 92 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Amendment 93 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Stresses that there is a more urgent need to consider new regulatory provisions for the futures markets compared with the Commission's estimation, as there are indications that speculation already creates problems in the pricing of basic foods and, therefore, for the markets and producer enterprises which are reliant thereon;
Amendment 96 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is concerned at the fact that, in tackling the shortcomings in the operation of the food supply chain, the Commission: – places more emphasis on regulatory provisions which restrict the access of large enterprises to the retail trade instead of focusing on those stages of the chain where the problem of high food prices is principally created (profiteering in the trading of basic commodities, lack of competition, concentrations and unfair practices in the production and sale of food, etc.), – concentrates on rules and provisions designed to tackle problems and unfair practices at the various stages of the chain by the use of repressive measures instead of intervening through policies which promote and encourage the development of enterprises and competition;
Amendment 97 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Stresses that the absorption of the increases in world prices of basic agricultural commodities and energy and their incorporation into end consumer prices is primarily a question of the structure of the markets at various stages of the food supply chain; considers that the distortions in the structure of the markets are reflected in the greater bargaining power of some enterprises over others at the same or different stages of the chain; takes the view that lack of healthy competition and strong bargaining power are two sides of the same coin and that, therefore, if competition operated at all stages of the chain, the role of regulatory provisions and price monitoring would be of secondary importance;
Amendment 98 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c.Regrets the fact that, in seeking a solution to the lack of healthy competition at the earlier stages of the food supply chain, the Commission concentrates on the end market, i.e. the retail trade; considers that a possible factor tending to justify the Commission’s reasoning in this respect is that consumers come into direct contact with that part of the market and that the level of inflation is determined there; stresses, however, that this approach encourages the formation of concentrations in the retail trade which, in the long term, does not benefit consumers;
Amendment 99 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Disagrees with the rationale for encouraging the entry of major retailers and the Commission's positive attitude towards below cost pricing and the deregulation of opening hours; takes the view that both these measures may drive smaller retailers out of business, thereby ultimately reducing competition in the final market place, while leaving the problem of imperfect competition at previous stages of the chain untouched;
Amendment 100 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Expresses its deep concern at the fact that the Commission, in its survey of the main practices which cause problems of competition in the food supply chain, not only does not include consolidation, it even goes so far as to attempt to cast doubt on the adverse impact of such practices on fair competition; stresses that the increase in the degree of market concentration as a result of the increase in the number of horizontal mergers is responsible, inter alia, for the trend towards agreements between undertakings, especially in the retail trade sector;
Amendment 101 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Notes that large-size enterprises generate clear and well-known economic benefits (economies of scale and scope), leading to lower costs and therefore lower prices; stresses, however, that a policy to improve the food supply chain should encourage the creation of operational schemes (clusters, networks, inter-branch organisations, etc.) to enable the agricultural sector to benefit from these advantages so as to put undertakings at subsequent stages in a position to withstand pressure on their profit margins;
Amendment 102 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)
Paragraph 16 g (new)
16g. Is deeply concerned that in the survey of the main practices which cause competition problems in the food supply chain, the Commission Communication fails to include the abuse of the dominant position observed at the retail stage and also, to a certain extent, at the wholesale stage; considers that anti-competitive practices employed by undertakings with a large market share, such as exclusivity agreements, a product tying obligation, etc. constitute a serious blow to fair competition in the food supply chain;
Amendment 127 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Proposes that national competition authorities, which have a broad role under Community legislation with regards to monitoring production, trade and competitionthe operation of competition at all stages of the food supply chart, strengthen their cooperation under the coordination of the Commission, through the open method of coordination, on monitoring production costs and trade, in order to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market;
Amendment 128 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Takes the view that, since the retail trade is influenced mainly by national legal, economic, political and cultural characteristics, it would be useful within the framework of the European Competition Network (ECN) to conduct a greater exchange of information and, possibly, coordination among Member States to investigate anti-competitive practices by companies operating at intra- Community level;
Amendment 129 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Calls, within the framework of the Lisbon Strategy, for support to be given to national schemes aimed at reducing or withdrawing unjustified regulatory interventions in the retail sector which would restrict competition and the smooth operation of the food supply chain at consumers' expense;
Amendment 130 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
21c. Takes the view that the clemency programme should be employed both at national and at Community level, so that the competent competition authorities can learn about more anti-competitive practices in the food supply chain;
Amendment 131 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Points out that, apart from Community competition rules, there are many other policies at European level governing the operation of the retail trade, which include, inter alia, Community single market rules and Community consumer law; stresses that all these policies should converge and be centrally coordinated at European level so as to achieve the best possible results at consumer price level;
Amendment 136 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the introduction of mechanisms to combat speculation in the financial markets with agricultural commodities and financial instruments based on them; further calls for adaptation of the rules of participation in futures markets and a better regulation of these markets in general;
Amendment 162 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Stresses that the consumer protection policy covers not only prices but also food variety and quality; proposes, therefore, that the Commission investigate under which operating conditions in the food supply chain, in particular in the retail sector, a loss of quality and variety in products can be observed;
Amendment 163 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
Paragraph 31 b (new)
31b. Notes the added value of local retailer shops that provide an important contribution to bridge the gap between producers and consumers and also improve the quality of life in rural areas by creating work opportunities and reinforcing existing social links;
Amendment 169 #
2008/2175(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Is concerned at the fact that the negotiating strength of food producers at the expense of retailers, due to a strong brand name or product differentiation, acquires a disproportionately negative significance in the Commission's Communication compared to other very much more important factors such as imperfect competition or oligopolistic/monopolistic practices; takes the view that the creation of a strong brand name or product differentiation are legitimate practices and that it is only the abuse of the position which these practices may confer that constitutes unfair practice;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2173(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. emphasises that playing video games are played by an increasingly wide range of ages and can have substantial educational advantages and be beneficial in developing linguistic, creative, strategic skills and intellectual capacities; stresses, however, that they must be used with caution since they can have harmful effects, particularly on minors;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2173(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. supports and calls on the Commission to proceed with the promotion and expansion of a common, self-regulatory EU system of rating criteria, more specifically the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) labelling system and PEGI Online, which deals with video games via the Internet, systems which provides information about potentially harmful content for minors, and to ensure coordination among Member States to achieve a PEGI-only labelling system in the sale of games;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2173(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. calls on the Commission to promote a systematic study of the effects of using video games and Internet games, together with mechanisms and practices to promote their rational use, particularly by minors, including innovative methods of preventing minors from accessing online video games with content which is unsuitable for them;
Amendment 18 #
2008/2173(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. emphasises the value of education, from as early as preschool age, in gradually teaching children constructive ways of making use of this type of game;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2173(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Considers that national information and awareness campaigns should be organised for consumers, particularly parents, to help them buy video games which are suitable for the age and knowledge requirements of their children and avoid products which are not appropriately labelled;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas, in the current media environment, media literacy helps to meet the challenges posed by new media - particularly the scope they offer for interaction and creative participation - as well as providing the knowledge needed for traditional media, which are still a main source of public information,
Amendment 12 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas telecommunications networks in the EU are developed to a greater or lesser extent and access to information via the Internet may be impeded, especially in rural areas, , when it comes to the development of telecommunications networks and progress towards disseminating information and communications technology(ICT), there are significant differences between the Member States, as well as between regions, particularly in remote and rural areas, posing the threat that the digital divide in the EU could widen still further,
Amendment 14 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas schools have an essential role to play in moulding people capable of communicating and of exercising judgement; and whereas the position regarding media education varies widely from one Member State to the nextand one region to the next, as does the degree to which ICT are integrated and used within education,
Amendment 31 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that media literacy is a basic element in consumer information policy, awareness of and familiarity with matters relating to intellectual rights, the mobilisation and democratic participation of citizens and the promotion of intercultural dialogue;
Amendment 33 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Maintains that media education activities have to encompass all citizens – children, young people, adults, older people, and people with disabilities – and should integrate them fully in educational programmes at all levels, as well as in life- long learning programmes;
Amendment 39 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8α. Stresses that a comprehensive policy to promote media literacy requires the broad-based commitment and participation of all concerned; points out that media literacy begins in the home with learning how to select from the media services available, continues at school and during life-long learning, and is strengthened by the efforts of national, government and regulatory authorities and the work of media professionals and institutions;·
Amendment 41 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9α. Points out that advertising is an important part of the services provided by the media today; stresses that media literacy helps to provide criteria for assessing the tools and practices used in advertising;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Maintains that school facilities need to be substantially improved so as to enable all schoolchildren to have access to computers, the Internet, high-speed broadband, ICT and the necessary instruction;·
Amendment 49 #
2008/2129(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for media literacy to feature more prominently in EU support programmes, especially Comenius, eTwinning, and Grundtvig;, Media International, Safer Internet (2009-2013), the i2010 Strategy, the 'Education and Training 2010' work programme and the European Social Fund Operational Programme 'Education and Lifelong Learning (2007-2013).·
Amendment 15 #
2008/2100(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4α. Considers that, in view of the reduction of funding for the second pillar of the CAP under the latest financial perspectives, regional development programmes must be more strictly targeted so as to ensure that their implementation results in immediate benefits for farmers; considers that, more generally, rural development and infrastructural improvement programmes must be financed by the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund; urges the Commission to focus on the application of clear criteria by the Member States with a view to ensuring that rural development programmes are strictly centred on agriculture;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses that the fundamental priority of transition to digital technology is full respect for the rights of consumers and measures to increase the diversity and quality of services offered; underlines in this connection the need for digital dividend management to ensure stable and high quality audiovisual reception free of interference, which should be linked with free-to-air and other additional services;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the digital dividend provides Europe with unique opportunities to develop broadband and Internetnew services such as mobile television and wireless internet access and to remain a world leader in mobile multimedia technologies whilst bridging the digital divide, providing new opportunities for citizens, services, media and cultural diversity throughout the European Union;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the difficulties in harmonising the use of the digital dividend at European level arising from spectrum width differences between countries depending on national particularities relating to topography, spectrum use by neighbouring countries, the technology used and other factors relating to national audiovisual service policies;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Considers, for this reason, that digital dividend management should in principle be the responsibility of the national authorities, as is the case to date in respect of spectrum management; stresses that any future attempts to harmonise digital dividend management must be made progressively in close cooperation with the Member States and the regulatory authorities and in accordance with fully democratic processes;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses however that the digital dividend is also an important instrument in audiovisual and media policies, which could effectively promote and help to protect freedom of expression and media pluralism and cultural and linguistic diversity;
Amendment 9 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Supports a commonefforts for a coordinated approach to the use of the spectrum in order to ensure the optimal use of the digital dividend, allowing broadcasters to continue offeringand further develop their current services but allocating the digital dividend on the basis of neutralityt the same time enabling other new users to use parts of the digital dividend in accordance with international agreements and national policy priorities;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is in favour ofConsiders that Member States may consider technology-neutral auctions for the purpose of allocating frequencies that are liberated because of the digital dividend and making those frequencies tradable; warns, however,considers, however, that this procedure should be in full compliance with ITU regulations, national frequency planning and national policy objectives in order to avoid harmful interference between provided services; warns of spectrum fragmentation which leads to the sub-optimal use of scarce resources; calls on the Commission to ensure that a commonny future coordinated spectrum plan will not create new barriers to future innovation;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the digital dividend is an important instrument for the fulfilment of the national audiovisual and media policy objectives; is therefore convinced that decisions on digital dividend management should not be based on purely market- based and profit criteria, but that they should also concentrate on promoting general interest objectives linked to audiovisual and media policies such as freedom of expression, media pluralism and cultural and linguistic diversity;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that broadcasters are essential actors in the defence of pluralistic and democratic principles and that the opportunities relating to the digital dividend should enable public and private broadcasters, which could benefit in principle from lower spectrum fees and the availability of frequencies reserved exclusively for the transmission of audiovisual content, to provide programmes serving public service objectives;
Amendment 32 #
2008/2099(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Takes the view that digital dividend management policy and spectrum policy in general must be sufficiently dynamic and offer adequate opportunities to audiovisual service providers, giving them better access to new technologies and encouraging them to develop new innovatory services in the public interest.
Amendment 1 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas agriculture, as a productive sector, suffers acutely from the effects of water scarcity and drought, while at the same time playing an important role in the sustainable management of available water resources,
Amendment 2 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A a (new)
Recital -A a (new)
-Aa. whereas water scarcity and drought are not equally acute in all regions of the EU, their being most acute in the more southerly Member States,
Amendment 10 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Advocates more support from the European Union to improve water management on farmland by providing incentives for the introduction of more water-efficient irrigation systems tailored to different crops, promoting research in this field, with particular regard to areas affected to a greater extent by water scarcity and drought, and encouraging the use of biotechnological developments;
Amendment 22 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Considers it necessary to promote information, awareness and training campaigns for producers in order to make an active contribution towards the sustainable management of water resources;
Amendment 33 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Stresses that the revision of Community budget priorities should accord a higher ranking to environmental measures and, in particular, to policies designed to combat the effects of climate change, which include drought and water scarcity, ensuring that the necessary additional resources are available;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Stresses that planning for the European agricultural model should take account of the most frequent and acute environmental hazards as well as water scarcity and drought and that, in that context, an effective crisis management mechanism should constitute a fundamental element of the European common agricultural policy.
Amendment 53 #
2008/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to proceed with the implementation of a European legal framework (e.g. quality assurance and recognition of degrees and study periods) in order to establish the European Higher Education Area within its terms of reference as defined by the provisions of Articles 149 and 150 of the Treaty and fully respecting national competence in this area;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2068(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the quality of teacher training is reflected in educational practice and has a direct effect not only on pupils' level of knowledge but also on the formation of their personality, particularly during the first years of their school experience,
Amendment 8 #
2008/2068(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the challenges faced by the teaching profession are increasing as educational environments become more complex and heterogeneous; whereas these challenges include advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), changes to social and family structures, and the increasingly diverse mix of students in many schools as a result of the emergence of multicultural societies, the increase in the autonomy of schools, which entails an increase in teachers' duties, the need to pay more attention to the learning needs of individual pupils, and the increase in cases of violence in school,
Amendment 19 #
2008/2068(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 22 #
2008/2068(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Strongly encourages the promotion of continuous and coherent professional development for teachers throughout their careers; recommends that all teachers have regular opportunities, academic and financial, such as government scholarships, to improve and update their skills and qualifications, as well as their pedagogical knowledge;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2068(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Emphasises that teachers must be better equipped to meet the range of new demands made on them; recognises the challenges that developments in ICT present to teachers, but also the opportunities; encourages the prioritisation of ICT education during initial and subsequent training to guarantee up-to-date knowledge of recent technological developments and their educational applications and that teachers have the necessary skills to take advantage of these in the classroom;
Amendment 10 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas stockfarming products of particular quality are produced in mountain areas and whereas their production process makes integrated and sustainable use of natural resources, pastureland and specially adapted varieties of grazing crops as well as traditional technology,
Amendment 25 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. emphasises the need for a European definition of mountain areas based on scientific criteria, that can also be used inwhile recognising the difficulty of the undertaking owing to the diversity of mountain areas in Europe; stresses, however, that the re-assessingment of 'Less Favoured Areas' and in reforming the CAPunder the CAP should be carried out with particular caution in order to avoid generalisations which may result in exclusions and, subsequently, in injustices at both Community and national level;
Amendment 64 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. underlines the cross-sectoral importance of typical (high quality) products; asks that the 'strategy' include measures to protect these products or their manufacturing procedures and their certification and to safeguard them from imitations;
Amendment 81 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. calls for the 'strategy' to cover the different types of landscape in mountain areas (mountain pastures, protected forests, high mountains, meadows, landscapes of particular beauty) and to make provision for ideas on incentives for the protection and the sustainable use of mountain pastures, grassland and forests in order to regenerate and regrass them, protect them from erosion, promote rational management of water resources and combat unwelcome developments such as over-grazing;
Amendment 88 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. considers that endeavours should be made in mountain areas to encourage the separation between forests and grazing land, to examine the possibility in each area of also authorising controlled grazing on forest land under certain terms and conditions and to introduce the requirement to use paths (not least for safety reasons in general);
Amendment 106 #
2008/2066(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. calls for particular attention to be given to preserving the landscape and strengthening and modernising the infrastructure in mountain areas which are difficult to access and for the information gap to be bridged and for the results of the research framework programmes (e.g. for e- Government) to be made accessible;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a.Advocates the drafting and implementation of a pilot programme for the mobility of teachers corresponding to the programme for the mobility of artists, the basic objective being to encourage vocational training at European level and improve the multilingual skills of teaching staff, while at the same time preparing the ground for a multiannual teacher mobility programme within the EU corresponding to the Erasmus programme;
Amendment 6 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that, in view of the intense interest shown by individuals and organisations in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue and its particular success to date, it is necessary to make use of the results achieved and maintain intercultural dialogue on an institutional basis beyond 2008; accordingly supports the inclusion of further intercultural dialogue initiatives in the 2007-2013 cultural programme and the incorporation of such measures across the board in Community social and environmental development programmes;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2025(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Notes the success and the outstanding results achieved by the current Euromed Audiovisual II regional programme and its predecessor, Euromed Audiovisual I; in view of this, considers that it is necessary to ensure sufficient funding to enable Euromed Audiovisual to continue within the framework of either the existing measures for the period 2007- 2013 or new measures;
Amendment 8 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is convinced that climate change can only be successfully combated if citizens are engaged and are protected during the period of transition to a carbon-neutral economy; highlights, therefore, the fact that mitigation and adaptation policies will push the European Union towards a new model of sustainable development which should promote its social character in order to secure the social consensus;
Amendment 73 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Amendment 126 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls for a broad, locally-based public information campaign to improve decentralised energy efficiency, with house and flat owners being provided with thermal images and energy performance information for their properties, with examples taken from daily life, as well as with recommendations for financing possible modernisation work, along the lines of micro-credits or subsidies; also proposes that incentives be provided for the modernisation of rented property, with the aim of reducing the amount of energy used and, where appropriate, the rates of tax on rental income in line with investment costs;
Amendment 131 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
Amendment 152 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls for a comprehensive policy mix of mutually supportive measures towards a sustainable transport policy comprising the development of vehicle technology (eco- efficient innovation), creation of distribution networks for clean fuels, increased use of alternative forms of propulsion, increased use of alternative energy sources for transport, intelligent traffic management, changes in driving styles and car use, and a CO2 tax, which CO2 tax and the modernisation of public transport, in order to achieve the goal of zero emissions without ignoring the increased need for mobility as an aspect of the way we live today; points out that all of these could be promoted by clear preferences in public procurement;
Amendment 236 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79
Paragraph 79
79. Calls on the Commission to consider, without prejudging the outcome, the explicit inclusion of agriculture in a future integrated European climate policy and the elaboration of binding reduction targets for the emission of greenhouse gases from the agriculture sector, exploiting all existing potential;
Amendment 239 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 79 a (new)
Paragraph 79 a (new)
79a. Calls on the Commission to make provision for aid to the agriculture sector when agricultural activities are hit by extreme weather conditions and aid for those regions for which there are forecasts of a high risk of loss of agricultural revenues as a result of climate change (for example, regions threatened by desertification due to lack of water, etc.);
Amendment 244 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 83
Paragraph 83
83. Calls for research and development ofinto new technologies including biotechnology for seed and plant breeding, in green gene technology and for plant protection to be stepped up in order to implement a climate protection policy for agriculture; also calls for research and development funding to develop new and more environmentally friendly methods of cultivation and farm management and to finance their pilot implementation, which should include seminars and educational programmes for both new and the existing farmers, in order to help agriculture to adapt to climate change;
Amendment 321 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 117
Paragraph 117
117. Considers that Europe enjoys an excellent starting position in the global race for a low-emission economy, and should make the most of this position to trigger greater innovation which will create new and competitive businesses and new jobs in the fields of clean technology in full accordance with the Lisbon Strategy, renewable energies and green enterprises and green skills in order to counterbalance possible loss of jobs in high CO2 emitting sectors, in full accordance with the Lisbon Strategy; calls on the Commission and the Member States to identify structural changes resulting from the implementation of climate change policies and calls on the Commission to propose periodically, measures to support the populations most affected;
Amendment 322 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 118
Paragraph 118
118. Warns against pessimism, which may lead to our missing the economic opportunity offered by climate change and political measures to combat it, thereby losingby stressing the need for optimism on the part of the social partners who will be directly involved in stimulating the economy and the possibilities of re- education and absorption of workers affected as a result of climate change adaptation and mitigation; considers that public and social consensus will be critical to win the global race for efficiency, innovation, raw materials and future technologies, and markets;
Amendment 350 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 133 a (new)
Paragraph 133 a (new)
133a. Calls for the future restructuring of the budget in order to highlight the importance of climate change and to finance all proposed green policies, by stressing the fact that redistribution of current resources is not sufficient and the pursuit of new resources has become a necessity;
Amendment 493 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital BG a (new)
Recital BG a (new)
BGa. whereas agriculture is an emitter of greenhouse gases but also contributes positively to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and also suffers directly from the negative effect of climate change leading to different economic and social consequences across regions of Europe,
Amendment 494 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital BG b (new)
Recital BG b (new)
BGb. whereas the increased consumption of meat and fish have had an impact on climate change as well as other environmental consequences, and may lead to conflicts about how best to use land and resources in order to reduce hunger in the world,
Amendment 8 #
2008/2011(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas there are major differences between Member States regarding Community media dissemination and impact, which are greatest in those Member States which clearly recognise their legal status and are aware of regarding their added value,
Amendment 22 #
2008/2011(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Ja (new)
Recital Ja (new)
Ja. Whereas 2008 has been designated European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, which means that the European media have a particularly important role to play providing an eminently suitable means of expression and information for smaller cultural entities within society as a whole and for continuation of the intercultural dialogue during 2008 and beyond;,
Amendment 27 #
2008/2011(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses also that the Community media promote intercultural dialogue by educating the general public, combating negative stereotypes and correcting the image projected by the mass media regarding social categories threatened with exclusion, such as refugees, migrants, Roma and other ethnic and religious minorities;
Amendment 50 #
2008/2011(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15α Stresses the role that may be played by local, regional and national authorities in supporting and promoting the community media by providing suitable infrastructure, together with support within the context of programmes encouraging exchanges of best practice, such as the Community ‘Regions for Economic Change’ (formerly Interreg) programme;·
Amendment 58 #
2008/2011(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Asks the Commission to take into account the notion of community media and measures to facilitate their development in the ongoing reform of the telecommunication sector’s regulatory framework as well as in the future legislation of the media sector; stresses that the decision regarding digital dividend allocation and the more general discussion concerning radio spectrum management must be compatible with the principle of a universal telecommunications service, ensuring prompt access to a wide range of services, including the community media;·
Amendment 39 #
2008/2001(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas agriculture's contribution to the greenhouse effect is limited and diminishing in the EU; whereas about 9% of total EU GHG emissions in 2005 came from agriculture but, encouragingly, agricultural emissions decreased by 20% during the period 1990-2005 due to changed farming techniques and fewer livestock; whereas this reduction is considerably higher than the overall reduction in emissions in all EU sectors (8%);
Amendment 187 #
2008/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25a) In view of the increasingly evident need for changes regarding monitoring, management and assessment in the financial services sector, it would be useful to consider the possibility of creating an independent European authority acting in an advisory capacity as the principal credit rating body at European level.
Amendment 191 #
2008/0217(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 b (new)
Recital 25 b (new)
Amendment 13 #
2008/0157(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) A second accompanying transitional measure should be that the rights in the fixation of the performance should revert to the performer if a phonogram producer refrains from offering for sale in sufficient quantity copies of a phonogram which, but for the term extension, would be in the public domain or from making such a phonogram available to the public and, following a request from the performer, has declared that he does not intend to do so within a reasonable period of time. As a consequence, the rights of the phonogram producer in the phonogram should expire, in order to avoid a situation in which these rights would coexist with those of the performer in the fixation of the performance whilst the latter rights are no longer transferred or assigned to the phonogram producer.
Amendment 14 #
2008/0157(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) A third transitional measure is the promotion and support of the collective exercise of the rights of performers and phonogram producers concerning on- demand services by broadcasters of their radio or television productions of which music from lawfully published phonograms is an integral part. This system of collective rights management complements the remuneration regime for the broadcasting of lawfully published phonograms under Article 8(2) of Directive 2006/115/EC and guarantees that, throughout the full term of protection of lawfully published phonograms, the relevant performers and phonogram producers receive a fair share of the remuneration for the on-demand use of broadcast productions.
Amendment 25 #
2008/0157(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 4
Article 1 – point 4
Directive 2006/116/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 10a – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. With respect to the administration of rights concerning on-demand services by broadcasters of their radio or television productions incorporating music from lawfully published phonograms, Member States shall ensure that the rights of performers and phonogram producers to grant or refuse authorization for such use may be exercised mainly through the collecting society which has been established for collecting and distributing the remuneration for broadcasting such phonograms.
Amendment 28 #
2008/0157(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 4
Article 1 – point 4
Directive 2006/116/EC
Article 10 a – paragraph 6
Article 10 a – paragraph 6
If, after the moment at which, by virtue of Article 3 (1) and (2) in their version before amendment by Directive [// insert: Nr. of this amending directive]/EC, the performer and the phonogram producer would be no longer protected in regard of, respectively, the fixation of the performance and the phonogram, the phonogram producer ceases to offer copies of the phonogram for sale in sufficient quantity or to make it available to the public, by wire or wireless means, in such a way that members of the public may access them from a place and at a time individually chosen by them, and, following a request from the performer, has declared that he does not intend to do so within a reasonable period of time, the performer may terminate the contract on transfer or assignment. Where a phonogram contains the fixation of the performances of a plurality of performers, they may terminate their contracts on transfer or assignment only jointly. If the contract on transfer or assignment is terminated pursuant to sentences 1 or 2, the rights of the phonogram producer in the phonogram shall expire.
Amendment 13 #
2008/0143(CNS)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Annex - point 5 a (new)
Annex - point 5 a (new)
Directive 2006/112/EC
Annex III - point 11
Annex III - point 11
(5a) Point (11) is replaced by the following text: (11) supply of goods and services of a kind normally intended for use in agricultural production.
Amendment 15 #
2008/0143(CNS)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Annex - point 5b (new)
Annex - point 5b (new)
Directive 2006/112/EC
Annex III - point 11 a (new)
Annex III - point 11 a (new)
(5b) The following point (11a) is inserted: (11a) the provision of information services for farmers by producer organisations or private bodies at local or regional level.
Amendment 16 #
2008/0143(CNS)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Annex - point 5c (new)
Annex - point 5c (new)
Directive 2006/112/EC
Annex III - point 11 b (new)
Annex III - point 11 b (new)
(5c) The following point (11b) is inserted: (11b) supply of services of sectoral organisations or interbranch organisations to their members at local or regional level.
Amendment 336 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Entitlements to a single decoupled payment resulting from tobacco premiums shall, where a Member State has opted to transfer part of their value to the 2nd pillar of the CAP, be exempt from reductions applied by way of modulation.
Amendment 343 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to direct payments granted to farmers in the French overseas departments, in the Azores and Madeira, in the Canary, Ionian and Aegean islands.
Amendment 361 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The amounts corresponding to the reduction by 5 percentage points shall be allocated to the Member States concerned in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 128(2) on the basis of the following criteria, in part or in full:
Amendment 362 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point - a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point - a (new)
-a) main occupation as a farmer and newcomers to agriculture,
Amendment 363 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) cultivated agricultural area and livestock production,
Amendment 364 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
ca) family holdings.
Amendment 417 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27
Article 27
The amounts resulting from the application of the reductions and exclusions in case of non compliance with Chapter 1 shallshall be transferred to the national reserve and be credistributed to the EAGF. Member States may retain 25% of those amountsose whose main occupation is farming and to newcomers to agriculture.
Amendment 488 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1
Article 48 – paragraph 1
1. In duly justified cases, Member States may decide to divide no more than 530% of the regional ceiling established under Article 47 between all the farmers whose holdings are located in the region concerned, including those who do not hold payment entitlements.
Amendment 490 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 48 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 48 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Entitlements to a single decoupled payment resulting from tobacco premiums shall, where a Member State has opted to transfer part of their value to the 2nd pillar of the CAP, be exempt from the application of regionalisation.
Amendment 493 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Entitlements to a single decoupled payment resulting from tobacco premiums shall not, where a Member State has opted to transfer part of their value to the 2nd pillar of the CAP, be subject to modifications in the context of regionalisation.
Amendment 545 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States may decide by 1 August 2009of the year preceding the application of the retention, at the latest to use from 2010 up to 10% of their national ceilings referred to in Article 41 to grant support to farm, in general, to full-time farmers or to organisations or groups of producers:
Amendment 550 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
i) specific types of farming which are important for the protection or enhancement of the environmentenvironmentally friendly agricultural holdings and stock farms with rational management of water resources,
Amendment 554 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
ii) for improving the quality of agriculturalmethods of cultivation and animal rearing with a view to the production of high-quality, safe products, or
Amendment 555 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
iii) for improving the competitiveness, distribution and marketing of agricultural products;
Amendment 559 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii a (new)
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii a (new)
iii a) coping with disruption to production and the cost of inputs when they are affected by sectors or factors outside of agriculture.
Amendment 568 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to address specific disadvantages affecting farmers in the dairy, beef, sheep and goatmeat and ricerice and tobacco sectors in economically vulnerable or environmentally sensitive areas, as well as producers of beef, sheep and goatmeat,
Amendment 573 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) in areas subject to restructuring and/or development programs and to restructuring programmes in tobacco and cotton producing regions in order to avoid abandoning of land and/or in order to address specific disadvantages for farmers in those areas,; priority may be given, in particular, to newcomers to the sector whose main occupation is farming and to young farmers;
Amendment 587 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
Article 68 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
(i) as regards support for the specific types of farmcrops and animal rearing referred to in its point (i), it respects the requirements for agri- environment payments set out in the first subparagraph of Article 39(3)laid down in the procedure set out in Article 128(1) and is consistent with the corresponding provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005,,
Amendment 603 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 4
Article 68 – paragraph 4
Amendment 620 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 68 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7α. Member States shall inform the Commission each year of the measures planned and shall make public the methods and criteria used to reallocate the appropriations, the names of the beneficiaries and the amounts allocated to them.
Amendment 634 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 69 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Member States may grant financial contributions to premiums for crop insurance against losses caused by adverse climatic events; such contributions shall be in addition to the provisions of national farmers' insurance schemes.
Amendment 641 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 69 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
For the purpose of this article, ‘adverse climatic event’ means weather conditions which can be assimilated to a natural disaster, such as frost, hail, ice, rain or, drought, fire or flood and destroy more than 30% of the average of annual production of a given farmer or 10% of the productive area affected in the preceding three-year period or a three-year average of a given farmer or the area affected based on the preceding five-year period, excluding the highest and lowest entry.
Amendment 643 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 69 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Each Member State or region shall draw up specific studies to produce statistical/actuarial data concerning the most important crops and the least widespread in order to establish an objective range of insurance premiums.
Amendment 644 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 69 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Each producer may be incorporated into the crop insurance scheme which, in addition to the basic cover it will provide, may also cover additional risks depending on the amount of the farmer's contribution and the insurance products. Basic cover may include: - additional cover for production above the defined minimum, - group cover, using the average production of the area or region as a basis for calculation, - insurance products guaranteeing agricultural income, provided that risks have been identified which reduce production, increase the cost of production inputs and diminish the competitiveness and viability of holdings.
Amendment 647 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 69 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. The financial contribution granted per farmer shall be set at 6075% of the insurance premium due. Member States may decide to increase the financial contribution to 7085% taking account of the climatic situation or the situation of the sector concerned.
Amendment 656 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 5
Article 69 – paragraph 5
5. Any financial contribution shall be paid directly to the farmer concerned. If the crop insurance scheme is managed by a group or organisation of farmers, compensation shall be paid to the farmers via the relevant group or organisation, which may take out group insurance policies.
Amendment 658 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 69 – paragraph 6 − subparagraph 1
Article 69 – paragraph 6 − subparagraph 1
6. Member States' expenditure for the granting of financial contributions shall be co-financed by the Community from the funds referred to in Article 68(1) at a rate of 450% of the eligible amounts of insurance premium set in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article.
Amendment 661 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1
Article 70 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may provide for financial compensation to be paid to farmers for economic losses caused by the outbreak of animal or plant disease, or manifestly persistent crisis affecting production inputs and the market at Community, national or regional level, by way of financial contributions to mutual funds.
Amendment 664 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 70 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The fund shall be in addition to the provisions of national farmers' insurance schemes.
Amendment 734 #
2008/0103(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 123
Article 123
As from budget year 2011, an amount of up to EUR 484 million shall bmay, at the absolute and sole discretion of the Member States, be made available as additional Community support for measures in tobacco producing regions of the Member States in question, under rural development programming financed under the EAFRD, for. Only those Member States in which the tobacco producers received aid in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2075/92 during the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 may, if they so choose, make such transfers.
Amendment 8 #
2008/0070(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital 2a (new)
Recital 2a (new)
(2a) Vocational education and training schemes, one of the main areas of lifelong learning, are directly linked to general and higher education, and to the employment and social policies of each Member State. Through their cross- sectoral impact, they promote not only the competitiveness of the European economy and coverage of the needs of the labour market but also social cohesion, equality and the participation and involvement of citizens;
Amendment 9 #
2008/0070(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Council Resolution of 19 December 2002 on the promotion of enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training13 ("the Copenhagen process"), and the Joint Report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the Education and Training 2010 work programme adopted in 200424, stress the importance of a credit transfer system for vocational education 1 OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2. 2 Doc. 6905/04 EDUC 43 of March 2004 3 OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2. 4 Doc. 6905/04 EDUC 43 of March 2004 and training, while the 2008 joint report of the Council and Commission (document 5723/08) stresses the need to step up efforts to improve the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET).
Amendment 10 #
2008/0070(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The purpose of this Recommendation is to create the European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (hereinafter "ECVET") intended to facilitate transfer, recognition and accumulation of learning outcomes of individuals who are aiming to achieve a qualification. This will improve the transparency, cross-border mobility and portability of citizens' learning outcomes across and within Member States in a borderless lifelong learning area and the mobility and portability of qualifications at national level between various sectors of the economy and the labour market.
Amendment 11 #
2008/0070(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital 8a (new)
Recital 8a (new)
(8a) To promote the integrated and effective implementation of ECVET, the national implementing schemes should provide for coordination on the broadest possible basis with the involvement and participation of all social organisations, enterprises and stakeholders at national, regional and local level.
Amendment 12 #
2008/0070(COD)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recommendation 1
Recommendation 1
promote the European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (hereinafter "ECVET") as set out in Annex 1 and 2 in order to facilitate trans-national and intra-Member State mobility in vocational education and training and borderless lifelong learning;
Amendment 87 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 − paragraph 1
Article 4 − paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall adopt a national action plan. The national action plans shall set out Member States' targets for the shares of energy from renewable sources in transport, electricity and heating and cooling in 2020, and adequate measures to be taken to achieve these targets, including national policies to develop existing biomass resources and mobilise new biomass resources for different uses, and the measures to be taken to fulfil the requirements of Articles 12 to 17. In drawing up the national action plans, Member States should link agricultural activities for the development and management of raw materials with sustainable investment in the exploitation of the energy potential of biomass by using raw materials from local production and encouraging the development of synergies between the parties concerned (State, local authorities, cooperatives) in order to improve the operation of the chain of supply .
Amendment 91 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 − paragraph 1, subparagraph 2
Article 6 − paragraph 1, subparagraph 2
To that end, Member States shall ensure that a guarantee of origin is issued in response to a request from a producer of renewable energy. A guarantee of origin shall be of the standard size of 1 MWh. No more than one guarantee of origin shall be issued in respect of each MWh of energy produced. However, by way of derogation from the first and second subparagraphs, Member States may apply lower limit values in justified circumstances where local production of energy from renewable sources is important for the promotion of the economically, environmentally and socially sustainable development of the region.
Amendment 136 #
2008/0016(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 a (new)
Article 17 a (new)
Article 17 a Obligations in respect of similar imported products 1. The obligations relating to sustainable production of biofuels and sustainable use of renewable sources, which are applicable to Community products, shall also be taken into account in respect of similar imported products, in accordance with the commitments undertaken by the countries of origin. 2. Where the countries of origin do not honour the obligations referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall apply tariffs or other measures to imports and/or shall empower Member States to apply tax or other measures to safeguard Community preference and prevent unfair competition from imported products against Community products.
Amendment 13 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the important role of the public audiovisual media in ensuring pluralism is recognised in the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and the Amsterdam Treaty protocol on the system of public broadcasting in the Member States, which stipulates that the public media in the Member States are directly related to the democratic, social and cultural needs of each society and the need to preserve media pluralism, while the Member States are responsible for determining the remit of public television broadcasting and providing for its funding,
Amendment 14 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the Commission communication of 2001 on the application of State aid rules to public service broadcasting fully recognises the central role played by public broadcasting bodies in promoting plurality and cultural and linguistic diversity and stresses that, in examining the State aids in question, the Commission will apply criteria such as the importance of promoting cultural diversity and meeting the democratic, social and cultural needs of each society,
Amendment 29 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Ca (new)
Recital Ca (new)
Ca. whereas even medium-size media mergers can have a major impact on plurality, even where competition rules are complied with, if they affect the independence of authors from political and other forms of regulatory intervention on the part of the publishers and stakeholders,
Amendment 34 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas new technologies, communications and information services should enhance media pluralism and cultural diversityand in particular the shift to digital technology for the production and dissemination of audiovisual content and the entry on the market of new communications and information services have significantly influenced the quantity of available products and means of dissemination; however a quantitative increase in media and services does not automatically guarantee content diversity; new updated means of ensuring media pluralism and cultural diversity and the provision of prompt and objective information to the public are therefore necessary,,
Amendment 35 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the current telecommunications regulatory framework, reflecting the direct relationship and inter-dependence between infrastructure and content regulation, provides Member States with suitable technical instruments for the protection of media and content plurality, such as access and must-carry rules,
Amendment 39 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the primedia mary concern of media businesses may be financial profit, media remainbe a powerful tool for the dissemination of information, exchanges of ideas and political expression; accordingly they cannot be regulated solely on financial profit criteria, which are inevitably the principal concern of private businesses ain ideological and political tool of considerable influence, which should not be treated solely on economic termsthis sector; stresses accordingly that in order to guarantee the quality and balanced dissemination of information by the public and private media in this sector, priority must be given to the criteria of information plurality, content quality and cultural diversity,
Amendment 82 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas weblogs - a new step towards freedom of expression and information which are not covered by the concept of 'press' or 'journalism' and bring the reader into contact with the personal opinions of others - are an increasingly common medium for self-expression by media professionals as well as private persons, the status of their authoensuring the right of anonymity of website managers and those publishers, including their legal status, is neither determined nor made clearing those comments on the web, this being directly related to the freadersedom of the weblogs, causing uncertainties regarding impartiality, reliability, source protection, applicability ofought and expression; whereas, however, it is not currently clear to what extent existing ethical codes cand the assignment of liability in the event of lawsuit be applied, particularly concerning liability for defamatory or misleading observations,
Amendment 138 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital W a (new)
Recital W a (new)
Wa. whereas the European media are now operating on a globalised market, which means that comprehensive restrictions regarding their ownership will considerably detract from their ability to compete with third-country undertakings not bound by similar restrictions; takes the view that, it is therefore necessary to strike a balance between the consistent implementation of fair competition rules and the provision of pluralist safety valves on the one hand and ensuring that businesses have the necessary flexibility to compete on the international media market on the other,
Amendment 140 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital W b (new)
Recital W b (new)
Wb. whereas measures to consolidate and promote pluralism in the media must be fundamental to EU foreign relations (in the field of trade and elsewhere), particularly in the context of political neighbourship, enlargement strategy and bilateral partnership agreements,
Amendment 170 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need for the EU and Member State authorities to ensure journalistic and editorial independence by appropriate and specific legal and social guarantees as well as for the media owners to follow the best practice in each market where they operate; in this context supports the introduction of codes of ethics banning intervention by owners, stakeholders or political authorities with regard to information content;
Amendment 195 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Suggests clarifying the status, legal or otherwise, of weblogs and encourages their voluntary labelling according to the professional and financial responsibilities and interests of their authors and publishersEncourages the introduction of an ethical code of conduct for weblog self- regulation and self-monitoring regarding misleading and defamatory comment and voluntary disclosure of web managers and commentators; stresses that preventive regulatory measures must be implemented in such a way as to avoid restricting freedom of expression through internet 'censorship', which would greatly affect media and information plurality;
Amendment 213 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the particular role played by local and regional media in promoting plurality and protecting linguistic and cultural diversity on very small local markets offering no financial incentives to the large commercial media;
Amendment 220 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Recommends that the regulations governing state aid are implemented in a way allowing the public service media to fulfil its function in a dynamic environment, while avoiding abuse of public funding for reasons of political or economic expediency and unfair competition leading to impoverishment of the media landscape;
Amendment 225 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Stresses that the basic criteria for any future review of Commission guidelines regarding State subsidies for public broadcasting bodies must be guaranteed media plurality and the action to meet cultural and democratic needs of any society;
Amendment 232 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Considers that, in order to enable the public audiovisual media to fulfil their task in the era of digital technology, it is necessary for them to develop new information services and media over and above traditional programmes and to be able to interact with every digital network and platform;
Amendment 235 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Welcomes the implementation in certain Member States of provisions requiring cable television providers to include state-run channels and allocate a section of the digital spectrum to public providers;
Amendment 237 #
2007/2253(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Takes the view that the basic criterion for review of the telecommunications regulatory framework and spectrum management should be the impact of infrastructural provisions on audiovisual service content provisions - in accordance with Directive 2007/65/EC - particularly with regard to the basic principles of media pluralism and linguistic and cultural diversity; stresses in this connection the need for compliance with access and must carry rules and possibly their extension to new digital services;
Amendment 20 #
2007/2194(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Europe's farming sector faces both ongoing problems, such as an ageing and declining rural population, and short-term challenges, such as trade liberalisation, leading to more intense competition, climate change and increased consumer demands in terms of product safety and quality, problems and challenges in relation to which young farmers are required to play a key role,
Amendment 131 #
2007/2194(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Notes that young farmers face the dual challenge of implementing measures to improve farming practices and make them both more sustainable and more viable, whilst at the same time restoring agriculture's crucial role in managing environmental aspects and thereby becoming a leading player in tackling climate change; stresses that, to this end, policies and measures need to offer long- term and sustainable prospects for young farmers and financial support must be granted for their efforts to protect the environment;
Amendment 2 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
Α. whereas the sheep and goat sectors in the EU are important traditional farming enterprises that support the livelihood of thousands of producers and supply products of exceptional quality and specific characteristics as well as by- products, thereby serving to underline its socio-economic contribution in rural areas of the EU,
Amendment 8 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the sheep and goat sectors in the EU, which are concentrated in less favoured areas, are witnessing a critical decline in production and an exodus of producers, as well as a total failure to attract young sheep and goat farmers to the sector,
Amendment 12 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the rise in the prices of animal feed and production inputs in general is a particular threat to sheep and goat farming, increasing costs and bringing further pressure to bear on a sector which is already at the limit of its competitiveness,
Amendment 13 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the current economic situation and the expected trends in world demand and the prices of agricultural produce and food make it imperative for the EU to avoid, as far as possible, dependence on imported stockfarming products and animal feed and to secure a better balance between those products and, in particular, the traditional, protected products of sheep and goat farming, with which the European market was well supplied,
Amendment 18 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the urgent need for action to be taken by the Commission and the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers to halt the decline in sheep and goat production in Europe and to retain and attract young sheep and goat farmers to the sector and advocates the maintenance of these traditional, eco-friendly farming enterprises and a Community supply base of EU lambsheep and goat farming products;
Amendment 23 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that the choice of decoupled or non-decoupled headage-based premiums in the context of the CAP health check should remain at the discretion of the Member States according to the particular conditions in their regions, without ever losing sight of the objectives of environmental protection and the quality of livestock farming products;
Amendment 24 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Believes that aid to sheep and goat farming in mountain, disadvantaged and selected island regions, and in regions stricken by natural disasters, should be combined with special regional programmes for the restructuring of the sector (under the first and second pillars) where particular environmental problems have been identified relating to over- or under-grazing or shortcomings in the quality or hygiene of livestock farming products owing to inadequate infrastructure or shortcomings in the vocational training of livestock farmers;
Amendment 34 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 –point 1
Paragraph 3 –point 1
Introduction of a new Environmental Sheep Maintenance Scheme per ewe to be either a) financed directly by National Government funding or b) co-financed by EU and National Governments to arrest the decline in production, linked to the positive environmental attributes associated with the maintenance of sheep production as well as achieving improvements in technical and quality areas of production,
Amendment 38 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 –point 3
Paragraph 3 –point 3
Amended Article 69 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain 1 OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1276/2007 ( OJ L 284, 30.10.2007, p. 11.) 2 OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1276/2007 ( OJ L 284, 30.10.2007, p. 11.) support schemes for farmers and amending Regulations (EEC) No 2019/93, (EC) No 1452/2001, (EC) No 1453/2001, (EC) No 1454/2001, (EC) 1868/94, (EC) No 1251/1999, (EC) No 1254/1999, (EC) No 1673/2000, (EEC) No 2358/71 and (EC) No 2529/2001 as proposed by the Commission CAP Health Check Communication, to provide flexibility for Member States; amended Article 69 of Regulation 1782/2003 should take account of the measures on behalf of sheep and goat farming already successfully implemented in the Member States,
Amendment 39 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 –point 3a (new)
Paragraph 3 –point 3a (new)
Allocation of appropriations primarily for measures to promote territorial coherence, in particular measures to prevent sheep and goat farming from being abandoned in areas where this would have significantly detrimental effects on nature, the countryside or regional development, or would result in market shortages of quality products preferred by consumers (in particular in mountain areas, other especially disadvantaged areas, grassland in extreme locations and selected island regions), measures designed to restructure and boost the sector, environmental measures relating to specific types of production (e.g. organic sheep and goat farming, production of special quality products of geographical origin with specific characteristics) and risk management.
Amendment 41 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 –point 3b(new)
Paragraph 3 –point 3b(new)
Adoption of sectoral structural programmes for sheep and goat farming (products of the sector and animal feed) which combine the second and first pillars under Article 69, including inter alia: - support for areas producing animal feed, including grazing crops, and regeneration of pastureland, - improving the processing and marketing sectors both for meat and milk, - improving infrastructure and support services in the sector, - support for genetic improvement in the sector, - adoption of a special Community health and hygiene policy for the products of sheep and goat farming geared to the needs of the areas where the activity is pursued, - adoption of a special Community quality and certification policy for the products of sheep and goat farming;
Amendment 67 #
2007/2192(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to review existing import quota management regimes and the possibility of spreading the quotas over the calendar year to ensure that domestically produced lamb is not exposed to unfair competition;
Amendment 53 #
2007/0249(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Regulation (EC) No 460/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 establishing the European Network and Information Security Agency (hereinafter “ENISA Regulation”) established the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) in 2004 for a period of five years, with the goal of ensuring a high and effective level of network and information security within the Community, in order to develop a culture of network and information security for the benefit of the citizens, consumers, enterprises and public sector organisations of the European Union, thus contributing to the smooth functioning of the internal market.Therefore any modification on the goals, structure and organisation of ENISA will be subject on the future revision of ENISA Regulation.
Amendment 56 #
2007/0249(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Commission Communication to the European Parliament and Council of 1 June 2007 "On the evaluation of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)" presented an appraisal of an external expert report evaluating the performance of the Agency since its establishment and the recommendations of the ENISA Management Board regarding the ENISA Regulation and launched a public consultation. The key findings of that expert report confirmed the validity of the policy behind the creation of ENISA and its original goals, and in particular its contribution to achieving a truly internal market in electronic communications. Based on this evaluation the continuation of the ENISA is justified and necessary as an autonomous agency with specified objectives and tasks. ENISA falls therefore outside the scope of the new Authority or European Network of National Regulatory Authorities, acting in a complementary or parallel basis.
Amendment 60 #
2007/0249(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) At the same time, a number of problems were identified, including in particular issues relating to its organisational structure, the skills mix and the size of its operational staff, and logistical difficulties. The key funThe modification on key functions and objectionves of ENISA should evolve so as to form a core component of the Authority, which on the basis of a clearer identification of objectives and tasks, should ensure that those objectives and tasks can be fulfilled in a more efficient, focused and cost effective manner, consistent with the principles of better regulation, by a single authority with competence over matters falling within the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and servicesrequires the review of ENISA's regulation and falls outside the scope of the current Regulation.
Amendment 14 #
2007/0248(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) A television broadcast is a linearLegal “must-carry” obligations regarding accessibility and other complementary services may be applied to specified radio and audiovisual media service as des, supplied by a specifined in the Audiovisual Media Services Directivemedia service provider as defined in Article 1(d) of Directive 89/551/EEC of 3 October 1989 of the European Parliament and of the Council of [….] 2007, which is provided by a media service provider for simultaneous viewing of programmes on the basis of a programme schedule; a media service provider may provide a number of audn the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision orf audio visual programme schedules (channels). Legal “must-carry” obligations may be applied, but only to specified broadcast channels supplied by a specified mmedia services (Audiovisual Media sService providers Directive). Member States should provide a clear justification for the “must carry” obligations in their national law so as to ensure that such obligations are transparent, proportionate and properly defined. In that regard, “must carry” rules should be designed in a way which provides sufficient incentives for efficient investment in infrastructure. “Must carry” rules should be periodically reviewed in order to keep them up-to-date with technological and market evolution in order to ensure that they continue to be proportionate to the objectives to be achieved. Given the rapid change in technology and market conditions such a full review would need to be carried out at least every three years and would require a public consultation of all stakeholders. One or more broadcast channels may be complemented byComplementary services include, among others, services to improve accessibility for users with disabilities, such as a videotext service, subtitling service, an audio description or sign language.
Amendment 36 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Spectrum users should also be able to freely choose the services they wish to offer over the spectrum subject to transitional measures to cope with previously acquired rights. It should be possible for exceptions to the principle of service neutrality which require the provision of a specific service to meet clearly defined general interest objectives such as safety of life, the need to promote social, regional and territorial cohesion, or the avoidance of inefficient use of spectrum to be permitted where necessary and proportionate. Those objectives should include the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity and media pluralism as defined in national legislation in conformity with Community law. Except where necessary to protect safety of life, exceptions should not result in exclusive use for certain services, but rather grant priority so that other services or technologies may coexist in the same band insofar as possible. In order that the holder of the authorisation may choose freely the most efficient means to carry the content of services provided over radio frequencies, the content should not be regulated in the authorisation to use radio frequencies.
Amendment 45 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The provisions of this Directive that provide for the transition of electronic communications and services to a fully competitive market should be limited in time. The ex ante regulation of electronic communications and services should no longer apply once only Community and national competition law is applicable. To ensure a timely transition to the application of Community and national competition law, current legislation should expire on a specific date. In the event of remaining competition problems, the Commission should propose an extension of the application of ex ante regulation by proposing an amendment to the current legal framework.
Amendment 46 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) In that regard, the Commission presented its initial findings in its Communication to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 29 June 2006 on the review of the EU regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services. On the basis of these initial findings, a public consultation was held, which identified the continued lack of an internal market for electronic communications as the most important aspect needing to be addressed. In particular,need to maintain, for the time being, a regulatory framework for electronic communications and services. The current revision of the regulatory fragmentation and inconsistencies between the activities of the national regulatory authorities were found to jeopardise not only the competitiveness of the sector, but also the substawork introduces transitional provisions in order to ensure that a full transition to competition law becomes a reality by 2015. The provisions of this Directive should apply untial consumer benefits from cross- border competition31 December 2014.
Amendment 46 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 7 – paragraph 4 –point c
Article 7 – paragraph 4 –point c
(c) imposing, amending or withdrawing an obligation on an operator in application of Article 16 in conjunction with Articles 5 - excluding paragraph 1(b) - and 9 to 13 of Directive 2002/19/EC (Access Directive), and Article 17 of Directive 2002/22/EC (Universal Service Directive),
Amendment 48 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8 - point e
Article 1 – point 8 - point e
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 8 – paragraph 4 - point g a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 - point g a (new)
(ga) ensuring the cooperation of undertakings providing electronic communications networks and services with the sectors concerned with the protection and the promotion of lawful content over electronic communications networks and services.
Amendment 49 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) In its Communication of 20 March 2006 entitled "Bridging the Broadband Gap", the Commission acknowledged that there is a territorial divide in Europe regarding access to high-speed broadband services. Moreover, commercial incentives to invest in broadband deployment in areas with currently low broadband connection often turn out to be insufficient. In order to ensure investment in broadband services and new technologies in underdeveloped regions, this Directive should be consistent with other policy measures, such as State aid policy, structural funds or wider industrial policy aims.
Amendment 51 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) It is necessary to strengthen the powers of the Member States vis-à-vis holders of rights of way to ensure the entry or roll out of new network in an environmentally responsible way and independently of any obligation on an operator with significant market power to grant access to its electronic communications network. National regulatory authorities should be able to impose, on a case-by-case basis, the sharing of ducts, masts, and antennas, the entry into buildings and a better coordination of civil works. Improving facility sharing can significantly improve competition and lower the overall financial and environmental cost of deploying electronic communications infrastructure for undertakings. The sharing of ducts should be extended to cover all public infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, gas) through which electronic communications infrastructure can be deployed to create a level playing field and improve possibilities for the roll out of alternative infrastructure.
Amendment 55 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 9
Article 1 – point 9
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) comply with a restriction in accordance with paragraph 4 below, including restrictions aimed at promoting cultural and media policy objectives.
Amendment 59 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 9
Article 1 – point 9
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
4. Unless otherwise provided in the second subparagraph or in the measures adopted pursuant to Article 9c, Member States shall ensure that all types of electronic communications services may be provided in the radio frequency bands openavailable to electronic communications services as identified in their national frequency allocation tables and in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations. The Member States may, however, provide for proportionate and non-discriminatory restrictions to the types of electronic communications services to be provided..
Amendment 65 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 – point c
Article 1 – point 2 – point c
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 2 – point e
Article 2 – point e
'(e) “associated facilities” means those facilities associated with an electronic communications network and/or an electronic communications service which enable and/or support the provision of services via that network and/or service or have the potential to do so, and include number or address translation systems, conditional access systems and electronic programme guides, as well as physical infrastructure such as ducts, including those of other public and private infrastructures such as water, sewage, gas and electricity, masts, street cabinets, and buildings;’
Amendment 70 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 10
Article 1 – point 10
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 9 a – paragraph 2
Article 9 a – paragraph 2
2. Where the right holder mentioned in paragraph 1 is a provider of radio or television broadcast content services, and the right to use radio frequencies has been granted for the fulfilment of a specific general interest objective, an application for reassessment can only be made in respect of the part of the radio frequencies which is necessary for the fulfilment of such objective. The part of the radio frequencies which becomes unnecessary for the fulfilment of that objective as a result of application of Article 9(3) and (4) shall be subject to a new assignment procedure in conformity with Article 7(2) of the Authorisation DirectivRestrictions granted for the fulfilment of a specific general interest objective in the framework of cultural and media national policy are exempted from the reassessment procedure of this Article.
Amendment 71 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 6
Article 1 – point 6
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – point c
Amendment 75 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 10
Article 1 – point 10
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 9 b – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 9 b – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that undertakings may transfer or lease to other undertakings individual rights to use radio frequencies in the bands for which this is provided in the implementing measures adopted pursuant to Article 9c without the prior consent of the national regulatory authorityprovided that such transfer or lease is in accordance of national procedures and does not result in a change in the service provided over that radio frequency band.
Amendment 93 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 2 – point 3 - point a
Article 2 – point 3 - point a
Directive 2002/19/EC
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Obligations and conditions imposed in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be objective, transparent, proportionate and non-discriminatory, and shall be implemented in accordance with the procedures referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of Directive 2002/21/EC (Framework Directive).’ Those procedures shall not apply to paragraph 1(b) of this Article.
Amendment 97 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 13
Article 1 – point 13
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Where an undertaking providing electronic communications networks has the right under national legislation to install facilities on, over or under public or private property, or may take advantage of a procedure for the expropriation or use of property, national regulatory authorities shall be able to impose the sharing of such facilities or property, taking full account of the principle of proportionality, including entries to buildings, masts, antennae, ducts, manholes and street cabinets.
Amendment 99 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 13
Article 1 – point 13
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. To ensure that measures under paragraph 1 are proportionate, national regulatory authorities shall investigate the availability of all ducts including those of telecommunications operators, energy providers, local communities and sewage pipes, capable of carrying telecommunications lines in the area where access is requested.
Amendment 109 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 24 a (new)
Article 1 – point 24 a (new)
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 25 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(24a) In Article 25, the following paragraph shall be added: "1a. The Commission shall evaluate whether in the light of developments in the market and with regard to competition, there is a need to extend the duration of the provisions of this framework or to amend it. In that case the Commission shall submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council."
Amendment 110 #
2007/0247(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 24 b (new)
Article 1 – point 24 b (new)
Directive 2002/21/EC
Article 26 a (new)
Article 26 a (new)
(24b) The following article shall be inserted: "Article 26a Expiry of provisions Articles 14, 15 and 16 shall expire on 31 December 2014."
Amendment 22 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) A new scheme of specific payment for cotton needs to be adopted in conformity with the Court's judgement in case C-310/04.
Amendment 31 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) A complete integration in the single payment scheme of the support scheme in the cotton sector is likely to bring a significant risk of production disruption to the cotton producer regions of the Community. Part of the supportMeasures should, therefore continue to be linked to the cultivation of cotton through a crop- specific payment per eligible hectare. Its amount should be calculated in such a way so as to, be adopted to help maintain the cultivation of cotton at an acceptable level and achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2 of Protocol 4 while also bring the cotton scheme into the mainstream of the CAP reform process and simplification. To that end, in the light of the evaluation carried out, it is justified that the total available aid per hectare per Member State is set at 35for Member States to apply partial decoupling at a rate of 50% of the national share of the aid that went indirectly to the producers. Such a rate and/or full decoupling after the Member States, however, have taken measures, by virtue of the subsidiarity principle, which meet their particular conditions. Such a rate and the measures determined by the Member States should allows the cotton sector to move towards long-term viability, promotes the sustainable development of the cotton-producing regions and, ensures a fair income to farmers and protect the ginning industry and employment in the cotton- producing and processing regions.
Amendment 33 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The remaining 65%whole of the national share of the aid that went indirectly to the producers should be available for the single payment scheme, which also includes the amounts under the common organisation of the market in cotton which were transferred to the second pillar in the 2004 reform should be included in Annex VIII of Regulation (ΕC) No.. 1782/2003.
Amendment 36 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) For environmental reasons, a base area per Member States should be established in order to limit the areas sown under cotton. In addition, the eligible areas should be restricted to those authorised by the Member Stateable to fix an indicative base area at national and regional level which does not, in total, exceed the area laid down in Article 110c, paragraph 1, of Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 in order to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, taking account of the need to maintain a certain level of production for economic and social reasons.
Amendment 39 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to meet the needs of the ginning industry eligibility for the, both in the case of partial decoupling aind should be related tofull decoupling, Member States should ensure that they are supplied with a minimum quality of cotton actually harvested.
Amendment 44 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110a – paragraph -1 (new)
Article 110a – paragraph -1 (new)
Member States may decide to maintain a link with production for part of the amounts contained in Annex VIII of Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003 and constituting all aid for cotton, i.e. decoupled aid, aid per hectare and the resources transferred to rural development in accordance with Article 143d of Regulation (EC) No.. 1782/2003. Τhat part may not exceed 50% of the aid. In such cases, the Member State concerned shall pay additional aid per hectare to farmers producing cotton in accordance with the conditions laid down in Chapter 10a of Title IV.
Amendment 45 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110a – paragraph. 1
Article 110a – paragraph. 1
Amendment 46 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110a – paragraph. 1a (new)
Article 110a – paragraph. 1a (new)
A percentage of the aid may be used for measures which promote the sustainability of the sector based on specialised programmes under national schemes submitted by the producer Member States and approved by the management committee procedure. Such programmes may include crisis prevention and management policies as well as measures to enhance the sustainability of the sector which are not covered by rural development.
Amendment 49 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110c – paragraph 1
Article 110c – paragraph 1
1. The national base areas are hereby established as follows: -Member States may establish an indicative base area at national and regional level which may not, in total, exceed : - for Bulgaria: 10 237 ha, - for Greece: 370 000 ha, - for Spain: 70 000 ha, - for Portugal: 360 ha.
Amendment 51 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110c – paragraph 2
Article 110c – paragraph 2
2. The total amount of the aid per eligible hectare shall be as follows: - Bulgaria: EUR 263, - Greece: EUR 594 for 300 000aid shall be determined in each Member State and may be granted as aid per hectare to farmers producing cotton. This amount shall be a percentage of the amount contained in Annex VIII of Regulation (ΕC) No.. 1782/2003 and constituting all aid for cotton, i.e. decoupled aid, aid per hectares and EUR 342,85 for the remaining 70 000 hectares,. - Spain: EUR 1 039, - Portugal: EUR 556. the resources transferred to rural development in accordance with Article 143d of Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Τhat percentage may not exceed 50% of the aid. Or. el Justification
Amendment 54 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110c – paragraph 3
Article 110c – paragraph 3
3. If the eligible area of cotton in a given Member State and in a given year exceeds the base area laid down in paragraph 1, the aid referred to in paragraph 2 for that Member State shall be reduced proportionately to the overrun of the base area. However, for Greece the proportionate reduction shall be applied in respect of the amount of the aid fixed for the part of the national base area composed of the 70 000 hectares in order to respect the global amount of EUR 202,2 millionΤhe amount of aid per hectare shall be obtained by dividing the total amount of aid under paragraph 1 by the number of hectares eligible for aid.
Amendment 57 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110d – paragraph 1, indent 5 a (new)
Article 110d – paragraph 1, indent 5 a (new)
– market crisis management measures.
Amendment 61 #
2007/0242(CNS)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1
Article 1
Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003
Article 110e a (new) – paragraph 5 (new)
Article 110e a (new) – paragraph 5 (new)
5. Policies may be funded under the national support programmes to forecast, mitigate and combat the effects of climate change on cotton-producing regions.
Amendment 72 #
2007/0145(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) In order to give the programme more publicity inside and outside the EU, to achieve its objectives to a greater extent and disseminate the results of the programme, there is a need for an integrated public information policy to provide citizens with reliable and complete information on each of the actions and opportunities the programme offers and clarification of the necessary procedures. The information policy, which should primarily be conveyed through the participating higher education institutions, is of particular importance, principally in countries with low levels of participation in the programme.
Amendment 90 #
2007/0145(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) an integrated public information policy to be carried out by the competent national authorities in cooperation with the participating higher education institutions; the basic objective will be to provide reliable and complete information and to clarify the necessary procedures, while the main priority should be given to the under-represented regions;
Amendment 105 #
2007/0145(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Annex – Action 1 – Section A – paragraph 2 – point j
Annex – Action 1 – Section A – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) shallCan establish a jointcommon tuition fee regardless of the actual place of study of the students within the masters programme; such a decision however shall fully respect national principles and policies on financing of educational systems;
Amendment 113 #
2007/0145(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Annex – Action 1 – Section B – paragraph 2 – point j
Annex – Action 1 – Section B – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) shallCan establish a jointcommon tuition fee regardless of the actual place of study of the students within the masters programmedoctoral programme; such a decision however shall fully respect national principles and policies on financing of educational systems;
Amendment 5 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
Amendment 18 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas developments in biotechnologyies might have the potential to yield many benefits for agriculture, such as increased yields, reduced use of herbicides and pesticides, less fossil fuel use and reduced soil whereas it is advisable to weigh the value of such potential benefits against the possibility of reduced genetic diversity associated with GM monoculture cropping and damage to biodiverosionty,
Amendment 24 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 31 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the mid-term review shows that little progress has been made towards achieving the goals set in “Life Sciences and Biotechnology — A strategy for Europe”,
Amendment 38 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Community legislation is sometimes interpreted differently by Member States and its implementation is therefore not always consistent across all Member States; whereas there is a clear need to develop a common approach, particularly with regard to the possibility of coexistence of genetically modified crops and conventional and organic crops which would provide the basis for choice for both farmers and consumers,
Amendment 40 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the provision of choice for farmers and consumers must include the option of avoiding GM-contaminated crops,
Amendment 41 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
Amendment 52 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas genetically modified products for use in agriculture necessarily have toshould pass very stringent assessments and the present authorisation process is slow and bureaucratic, whereas the existing legal requirements need to be better implemented, especially as regards assessment of the long-term effects of genetically modified organisms on health and the environment,
Amendment 55 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas genetically modified products for use in agriculture necessarily have to pass very stringent assessments and the present authorisation process is slow and bureaucraticGMO- related environmental risk assessment procedures and methods must be further harmonised,
Amendment 58 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 62 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 68 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
Amendment 76 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas genetically modified crops represent only 2.6% of crops grown on agricultural land in the world, of which 50% is grown in one country alone - the US - and 70% is grown in three countries alone – the US, Argentina and Brazil, whereas the surface area under cultivation in the EU decreased between 2007 and 2008,
Amendment 80 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 90 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers it important to acknowledge that biotechnology could present real opportunities in various fields; believes that, beyond the traditional agricultural products of food, feed and fibre, entirely novel products will emerge;
Amendment 93 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 100 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the need to work towards ensuring that, in the near future, an increased variety of better and healthier food and feedstuffs could also be produced in less favoured areas, such as in restricted climate conditions, in dry or moist conditions and on harsh soil, and notes that the correct use of biotechnology could be an important factor in these developments; emphasises also that protecting the diversity of crops and varieties in a single field can provide the necessary diversity and resilience to cope with rapid changes in weather conditions (e.g. droughts, floods, storms and heatwaves);
Amendment 105 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 116 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises that socio-economic factors should also be considered during the approval process;
Amendment 127 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the Commission's recent report on the implementation of national measures on the coexistence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming and urges better harmonisation of rules and conditions within the EU; emphasises the importance of the right of farmers to choose between traditional, organic and genetically modified organism production and, therefore, the need to establish clear, uniform and transparent coexistence measures that enable farmers to coexist with neighbours using different farming methods without compromising the right of non-GM farmers to farm without GM contamination;
Amendment 130 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Reaffirms that, in accordance with Article 26a(1) of Directive 2001/18/EC, the Member States may adopt national measures on crop coexistence to enable them to 'take appropriate measures to avoid the unintended presence of GMOs in other products';
Amendment 131 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Considers that the rules on crop coexistence should contain clear provisions on liability which take account of the 'polluter pays' principle; calls on the Commission to draw up a binding legal framework in relation to liability which would cover the contamination of conventional or organic crops by GMOs;
Amendment 134 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses that the legislation currently in force allows the Member States to impose a total ban on the cultivation of GMOs in geographical areas which have special agronomical or environmental characteristics or are particularly important in terms of maintaining biodiversity or specific agricultural practices;
Amendment 135 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Urges the Commission to adopt, as soon as possible, specific labelling thresholds for the presence of genetically modified seeds in conventional seeds on the basis of Article 21(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC;
Amendment 139 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Asks for clarificationUrges the Commission and the Member States to adopt a legislative framework concverning liability for damages incurred in the growing and using of biotechnological products with regard to: who is liable, what can be claimed and under what circumstances a claim can be made;
Amendment 144 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission and Member States to promote research and development in the field of biotechnology as well as on modern sustainable agricultural practices, other crop methods and agricultural product quality by increasing funds for work and further enhancing cooperation and coordination between public sector research and companies at European, national and regional level;
Amendment 147 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that the existence of independent publicly funded research must be guaranteed and R&D activity in small biotechnology undertakings and plant-technology centres must be supported in order to maintain maximum competitiveness at the various levels of the food production chainfor all farming models;
Amendment 153 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 164 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Also suspectStresses that thesre may be contributing tois a strong concentration of research, inventions and intellectual property rights among a few large global players, thus causing their influence and power to increase to the detriment of smaller companies, and causing countries and people to become more dependent on them;
Amendment 169 #
2006/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Observes the need to enhance and broaden public debate and improve the level of scientific knowledge; considers that it is the responsibility of policy- makers, as well as industry, the scientific community and non-governmental organisations to communicate with citizens in a clear and transparent manner on the benefits and risks of biotechnologies; recommends that Commission policies reflect public opinion on genetically modified organisms;