37 Amendments of Carlo FIDANZA related to 2011/2051(INI)
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas a sustainable, productive and competitive European agriculture makes a significant contribution to the EU 2020 Strategy and to meeting new political challenges such as security of supply of food, energy and industrial raw materials, climate change, the environment and biodiversity, health and demographic change in the EU and whereas in this context the situation brought about by the Lisbon Treaty must be taken into account,
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the European Union must still have sufficient instruments to be prepared for market and supply crises and market and price fluctuations in the agricultural sector in the future;future, given the importance of the agricultural sector in terms of both economic growth and employment,
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the incorporation of general objectives into the CAP, particularly relating to the production of public goods by farmers who are not remunerated by the market, consumer protection, environmental protection, climate protection, animal welfare and regional cohesion, is in principle to be welcomed but this must not jeopardise the competitiveness of European farmers; having regard to the upgrading of the role of farmers as food producers,
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. having regard to farmers' input in improving traditional production methods and to their contributions to the adjustments provided for in the CAP, which increases the quality, competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture,
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas according to the latest Eurobarometer poll, 90% of EU citizens surveyed consider agriculture and rural areas to be important for Europe's future, 83% of EU citizens surveyed are in favour of financial support to farmers and, on average, they believe that agricultural policy should continue to be decided upon at European level,
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Insists that the costs of supporting a strong CAP are more than justified if compared to the costs to society of not supporting European agriculture;
Amendment 418 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. In the case of direct farm payments, advocates moving away from historical and individual reference values and calls for a transition tointroducing a uniform area-based regional or national premium for decoupled payments, on a gradual basis, in the next financing period; recognises, however, that the situations in the individual Member States are very disparate, requiring special measures per region or per sector;
Amendment 446 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 484 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls for a further simplification of the direct payment system, for example simplified transfer rules for payment entitlements in the event of non-activation, merging of minimum payment entitlements, simplification of the rules governing the national reserve and changes to gear them more to young farmers or reduce them, depending on the transition to the regional/national single area payment, abolition of handwritten cattle registries, an effective and unbureaucratic monitoring system for both pillars and uniform penaltierocedures for establishing reductions and exclusions; considers that administrative systems which can be proven to be operating well should be looked upon favourably in the light of the scale of monitoring prescribed;
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Notes that measures to target generational renewal in the agricultural sector are needed given that only 6% of European farmers are younger than 35, and at the same time 4.5 million will retire in the next 10 years; Recognizes that young farmers have obstacles to start up such as high investment costs, access to land and credit. The measures for young farmers contained in pillar II have proved to be insufficient in stopping rapid ageing in the agricultural sector. Thus, it is necessary to call for the possibilities of increasing the amount of direct payments for young farmers within pillar I in order to attract young people to the farming sector and support them in the first years of business, when they are the most vulnerable;
Amendment 537 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls – without casting any doubt on the results of the 2008 Health Check of the CAP – for appropriations under Article 68 of Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 primarily to be allocated for measures to promote territorial coherence and boost key sectors (e.g. the dairy and sheep sectors and suckler cows)mitigate the impact of decoupling in specific areas and sector that are economically, environmentally and socially sensitive, for action to promote territorial coherence and boost key sectors, for area-based environmental measures (e.g. organic farming) which to date have not been included in the second pillar, and for quality improvement measures; considers that the budget for Article 68 could – subject to contrary results of an impact assessment – cover up to 10% of direct payments;
Amendment 564 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Observes that, for historical reasons, farms in the European Union have a very diverse structure as regards size, employment arrangements and legal form; is aware that direct payments are moving away from a historical basis to area-based payments and that the provision of public goods is independent of farm size; rejects, therefore, measures which discriminate against particular types of farm, but endorses the Commission’s proposal to introduce different support arrangements for labour-intensive farms, with reference to employment volumes;
Amendment 632 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that better resource protection is an central element in sustainable farming, which should involve separate support for environmental measures going beyond the requirements of Cross Compliance (CC), which already entail many environmental measures, and being geared to multiannual applications, as a result of which greater environmental benefits can be attainedjustifies, within the framework of the new challenges and objectives of the EU 2020 strategy, special support for environmental measures going beyond the requirements of Cross Compliance (CC) and beyond the already existing agri-environmental programs; welcomes in this regard the proposed greening of the CAP, which meets this goal by effectively recognizing the environmental services delivered by farmers; considers that this greening should be applied through simple measures, widespread and accessible to as many farmers as possible, as a result of which greater environmental benefits can be attained; demands that the implementation of such measures is accompanied by a simplification of the cross-compliance rules; considers that farmers already participating to a great extent in agri-environmental programs should not be discriminated under the new system;
Amendment 652 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers therefore that resource protection should be directly linked to the granting of direct payments in order to attain these environmental objectives to the maximum without the need to introduce new, bureaucratic environmental conditions into the first pillar; considers thatas far as possible, should simplify the SPS scheme, avoid duplication of controls and the introduction of additional administrative procedures; also considers that the possibility of a flat- rate income payment, as envisaged in a top-up model in the first pillar, must cover costs and income losseunder the greening component, should be studied; stresses that these measures will have to balance environmental and economic performance, be relevant from an agronomic point of view and provide appropriate incentives for farmers;
Amendment 672 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Consideralls therefore that any environmental advantages can be attained more effectively and directly by means of second-pillar measures adopted by the Member States, which should ideally build on existing agrienvironmental measures or should supplement measures which take into account climatic and geographical differences in the Member States; observes that resource protection programmes should be pursued everywhereon the Commission to submit, as soon as possible, both the details of its proposed new scheme of direct payments as well as an impact assessment of the administrative and bureaucratic conditions related to the implementation of the greening component; observes that the greening should be pursued across Member States by means of a priority catalogue of area- based measures in the second pillar which are subject to basic requirements, particularly in the fields of climate, environment and innovation (Annex I), and are 100% EU-financed; regards the greening of direct payments in the first pillar as lying in the fact that any recipient of direct payments in the EU must implement at least two priority area- based resource protection programmes in order to be eligible for the complete farm payment; believes that the administration involved in these measures can be minimised by managing them in accordance with the system of the existing agrienvironmental programmes, thus avoiding duplication of monitoring and additional application and administration proceduresthat are 100% EU- financed; considers that any recipient of these particular payments must implement a certain number of greening measures, chosen from a national or a regional list established by the Member State on the basis of a broader EU list; demands, in order to streamline the administrative procedures associated with these measures that all agricultural controls are, as far as possible, operated concomitantly;
Amendment 682 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers therefore that anyat the environmental advantages can be attained more effectively and directly by means of second-pillar measures adopted by the Member States, which should ideally build on existing agrienvironmental measures or should supplement measures which take into account climatic and geographical differences in the Member States; observes that resource protection programmes should be pursued everywhere by means of a priority catalogue of area-based measures in the second pillar which are subject to basic requirements, particularly in the fields of climate, environment and innovation (Annex I), and are 100% EU-financed; regards the greening of direct payments in the first pillar as lying in the fact that any recipient of direct payments in the EU must implement at least two priority area- based resource protection programmes in order to be eligible for the complete farm payment; believes that the administration involved in these measures can be minimised by managing them in accordance with the system of the existing agrienvironmental programmes, thus avoiding duplication of monitoring and additional application and administration proceduresof the CAP can be better attained through specific measures under the second pillar;
Amendment 691 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Considers therefore that any environmental advantages can be attained more effectively and directly by means of second-pillar measures adopted by the Member States, which should ideally build on existing agrienvironmental measures or should supplement measures which take into account climatic and geographical differences in the Member States; observes that resource protection programmes should be pursued everywhere by means of a priority catalogue of area-based measures in the second pillar which are subject to basic requirements, particularly in the fields of climate, environment, energy production from renewable sources in sufficient quantities to meet farm requirements, a more rational use of water by encouraging the greatest possible re-use of waste water purified through systems that take account of the crop water balance, and innovation (Annex I), and are 100% EU- financed; regards the greening of direct payments in the first pillar as lying in the fact that any recipient of direct payments in the EU must implement at least two priority area-based resource protection programmes in order to be eligible for the complete farm payment; believes that the administration involved in these measures can be minimised by managing them in accordance with the system of the existing agrienvironmental programmes, thus avoiding duplication of monitoring and additional application and administration procedures;
Amendment 707 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls foronsiders that the resources allocated to greening to be reserved for recipients of direct payments and only disbursed in connection with greeningwill be inextricably linked to the level of budgetary resources allocated to the CAP as a whole;
Amendment 719 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
Amendment 734 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 739 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 816 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Could envisage a modest adaptation of the requirements to maintain GAEC with regard to altered environmental and production conditions (for example,climate change, biomass, etc.), if the introduction of the new requirements in a comparable way throughout Europe were guaranteed;
Amendment 826 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Considers that the general market orientation of the CAP should be maintained and that the general structure of market management instruments should likewise be retmarket instruments need to be restructured, not least in order to give producer organisations a more prominent role in order to ensure that farmers receive a fairer share of the added value generated along the food chained;
Amendment 840 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Considers that the health check approach should be pursued further, as, owing to the limitations of these existing market instruments have also demonstrated their value as a safety net; takes the view that these market measures, and in particular intervention, should only be used as a safety net in case of price crises and potential market disruptio, which have proved inadequate in dealing with the now continual market crises, measures which provide an effective safety net without creating distortions need to be laid down;
Amendment 850 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. With a view to giving farmers a stronger contractual position in the food chain, instruments that will help farmers to run short production chains that are transparent and efficient and ensure a low environmental impact, quality and information for consumers, fewer intermediaries and fair and transparent price formation mechanisms need to be introduced;
Amendment 860 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Considers that, in view of the anticipated environmental and climate dangers and the risk of epidemics and considerable price fluctuations on agricultural markets, additional risk prevention is of vital importance, particularly at individual farm level, more effective risk prevention aimed at guaranteeing and protecting incomes is of vital importance (for example, measures to improve marketing on domestic markets and market penetration in non-EU countries, with a view to providing new outlets for EU products);
Amendment 907 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Considers that the use of these instruments which have been described should be triggered only by a political assessment by the EU legislatureafter careful monitoring of the market by the Commission;
Amendment 924 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
Amendment 947 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Considers that private-sector insurance schemes, such as multi-hazard insurance and mutual funds, must be developed in view of increasing risks; is aware of the fact that, without public contributions to the financing (from the EU and Member States), this would be difficult; supports the adoption of an EU- wide and WTO- compliant environment to ensure that no distortions of competition occur among Member States; rejects, however, the introduction of EU-wide insurance systems;
Amendment 959 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Considers rather that these measures should be promoted optionally, by decision of the Member State, in the first pillar (now Article 69) within the existing financing ceiling of the Member State concerned and that Member States should be allowed, initially, on the basis of national and regional needs, to use up to 2% of direct paymentthe necessary and appropriate resources for risk management, stabilisation and prevention measures; considers, furthermore, that, in justified cases, Member States should be allowed to make additional resources available from national funds;
Amendment 990 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Takes the view, therefore, that the Commission should devise common rules on support from Member States for risk management systems, possibly by creating common rules in the common market organisation, in order to keep to a minimum any distortion of competition and trade; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to notify all measures to introduce risk management and to submit an appropriate impact assessment with the legislative proposal; points out that mutual funds, which were already provided for in Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, provide another means of sharing risks; takes the view that, given that climate and financial risks are systemic risks whose management requires large amounts of capital, a network of capital and/or reassurance providers should be established and developed at European level in order to provide agricultural operators with the security and continuity they require when an adverse event occurs;
Amendment 1074 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Is aware of the importance of the second pillar, in view of its environmental, modernisation and structural improvement achievements, but also for attaining political objectives, which should also benefit farmers; calls therefore for second- pillar measures to be better suited to their objectives, so that the effectiveness of growth, employment and climate measures and measures for the benefit of rural areas can be increased; considers that, in this context, particular attention should be devoted to assisting young farmers; in face of the rapid ageing farming population in Europe, attractive measures for young farmers are urgent; as a supply to pillar I it is necessary to strengthen and improve existing supportive measures for young farmers in pillar II, in particular support for innovation and modernizing investments on the farm; encourages educational and training programmes to be developed for young farmers.
Amendment 1118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Advocates therefore introducing targeted measures, to be decided by the Member States in the second pillar, to attain priority objectives of the EU (2020 « Strategy); observes that these measures should be applied in addition to the basic programmes for greening of direct payments in the first pillar and that and applying a reduced national cofinancing rate of 25% should apply;
Amendment 1125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Observes that the adoption of targeted measures requires more flexible rural development policies to take account of the different conditions applying to specific regions and Member States regarding innovation, competitiveness, response to major challenges and the diversification of production; calls on the Commission to make every effort simplify as far as possible the administrative formalities to be completed by the recipient undertakings;
Amendment 1239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 56 a (new)
Paragraph 56 a (new)
56a. Stresses that rural development must promote commercial investments, the prime objective being the introduction of technological and organisational innovations and measures designed to consolidate, promote and enhance production quality, seeking also to achieve improvements in these sectors in terms of speed, efficiency and transparency;
Amendment 1248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57
Paragraph 57
Amendment 1260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 57 a (new)
Paragraph 57 a (new)
57a Calls for the adoption of a European regulatory framework encompassing issues such as contractual transparency and upstream and downstream competition rules, particularly regarding organised distribution;