62 Amendments of Lorenzo FONTANA related to 2011/0282(COD)
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) To ensure the sustainable development of rural areas, it is necessary to focus on a limited number of core priorities relating to knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, the competitiveness of all types of agriculture and farm viability, food chain organisation, short supply chains and risk management in agriculture, restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependant on agriculture and forestry, resource efficiency and the shift towards a low carbon economy in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors, and promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and the economic development of rural areas. In doing so account must be taken of the diversity of situations that affect rural areas with different characteristics or different categories of potential beneficiaries and the cross-cutting objectives of innovation, environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation action should relate to both limiting emissions in agriculture and forestry from key activities such as livestock production, fertilizer use and to preserving the carbon sinks and enhancing carbon sequestration with regard to land use, land use change and the forestry sector. The Union priority for rural development relating to knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas should apply horizontally in relation to the other Union priorities for rural development.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In order to ensure the immediate start and efficient implementation of rural development programmes, support from the EAFRD should be based on the existence of sound administrative framework conditions. Member States should therefore assess compliance with certain ex ante conditionalities. Each Member State should prepare either a national rural development programme for its entire territory or a set of regional programmes. Each programme should identify a strategy for meeting targets in relation to the Union priorities for rural development and a selection of measures. Programming should comply with Union priorities for rural development, while being adapted to national and regional contexts and complement the other Union policies, in particular the agricultural market policy, cohesion policy and the common fisheries policy. If a Member States which opts for a set of national and/or regional programme should be able to also prepare a ns, the National fFramework, without a separate budgetary allocation, in order to facilitate co-ordination among the regions in addressing nation-wide challeng should comprise common elements to ensure coherence and links between the national strategy and regional strategies.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Member States should be able to include in their rural development programmes thematic sub-programmes to address specific needs in areas of particular importance to them. Thematic sub- programmes should concern among others young farmers, women in agriculture, small farms, mountain areas and the creation of short supply chains. Thematic sub-programmes should also be used to provide for the possibility to address restructuring of agricultural sectors which have a strong impact on the development of rural areas. As a means to increase the efficient intervention of such thematic sub- programmes Member States should be allowed to provide for higher support rates for certain operations covered by them.
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) Union or national quality schemes for agricultural products and food provide consumers with assurances on the quality and characteristics of the product or the production process used as a result of the participation of farmers in such schemes, achieve added value for the products concerned and enhance their market opportunities. Farmers should therefore be encouraged to participate in these schemes. Given that it is at the moment of entering such schemes and in the early years of their participation that additional costs and obligations imposed on farmers as a result of their participation are not fully remunerated by the market, support should be limited to new participation and cover a period of no more than five years. Given the special characteristics of cotton as a farm product, quality schemes for cotton should also be covered. In order to ensure the efficient and effective use of EAFRD budgetary resources, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the Union quality schemes that may be covered by this measure.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The creation and development of new economic activity in the form of new farms, new businesses or new investments in non-agricultural activities is essential for the development and competitiveness of rural areas. A farm and business development measure should facilitate the initial establishment of young farmers and of women in agriculture and the structural adjustment of their holdings after initial setting up, diversification of farmers into non-agricultural activities and the setting up and development of non- agricultural SMEs in rural areas. The development of small farms which are potentially economically viable should also be encouraged. In order to ensure the viability of new economic activities supported under this measure, support should be made conditional on the submission of a business plan. Support for business start up should cover only the initial period of the life of a business and not become operating aid. Therefore, where Member States opt to grant aid in instalments these should be for a period of no more than five years. In addition in order to encourage the restructuring of the agricultural sector, support in the form of annual payments should be provided for farmers participating in the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012 who commit to transfer their entire holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to another farmer who does not participate in that scheme.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Agri-environment-climate payments should continue to play a prominent role in supporting the sustainable development of rural areas and in responding to society's increasing demands for environmental services. They should further encourage farmers and other land managers to serve society as a whole by introducing or continuing to apply agricultural practices contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment, the landscape and its features, natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity. In this context the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture and the additional needs of farming systems that are of high nature value should be given specific attention. Payments should contribute to covering additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitments undertaken and should only cover commitments going beyond relevant mandatory standards and requirements, in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle. In many situations the synergies resulting from commitments undertaken jointly by a group of farmers multiply the environmental and climate benefit. However, joint action brings additional transaction costs which should be compensated adequately. In order to ensure that farmers and other land managers are in a position to correctly implement the commitments they have undertaken, Member States should endeavour to provide them with the required skills and knowledge. Member States should maintain the level of efforts made during the 2007-2013 programming period and have to spend a minimum of 25% of the total contribution from the EAFRD to each rural development programme for climate change mitigation and adaptation and land management, through the agri- environment-climate, organic farming and payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints measures.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) Farmers are exposed today to increasing economic and environmental risks as a consequence of climate change and increased price volatility. In this context, effective management of risks has an increased importance for farmers. For this reason a risk management measure should be set up to assist farmers in addressing the most common risks faced by them. This measure should therefore support farmers to cover the premiums they pay for crop, animal and plant insurance as well as the setting up of mutual funds and the compensation paid by such funds to farmers for losses suffered as a result of the outbreak of animal or plant diseases, adverse climatic events or environmental incidents. It should also cover an income stabilisation tool in the form of a mutual fund to support farmers facing a severe drop in their income. In order to ensure that there is equal treatment among farmers across the Union, that competition is not distorted and that the international obligations of the Union are respected, specific conditions should be provided for the granting of support under these measures. In order to ensure the efficient use of EAFRD budgetary resources the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of defining the minimum and maximum duration of commercial loans to mutual funds.
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point t
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point t
(t) "short supply chain": a supply chain involving a limited number of economic operators, who have direct relations with consumers or are committed to co- operation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations between producers and consumers;
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point u
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point u
(u) "young farmer": farmer who is less than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of the holding and/or who possesses adequate occupational skills and competence;
Amendment 256 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) "associations of producer organisations”: associations of producer organisations as defined in Article 107 of the proposal for a regulation on the single CMO.
Amendment 257 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
(xb) “agricultural service-providers”: agromechanical entrepreneurs who provide, and are qualified to provide, professional agricultural services in rural areas and who, for hire or reward, perform work relating to field crops, livestock farming or management of woodland and green areas belonging to public authorities, where the use of large and technically advanced equipment and machinery is required.
Amendment 258 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x c (new)
(xc) "agricultural services": performance by agricultural service-providers, for public and private procurers, of work in fields, such as that relating to field crops, livestock farming and the management of woodland and green areas.
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) facilitating restructuring of farms facing major structural problems, notably farms with a low degree of market participation, market-oriented farms in particular sectors and farms in need of agricultural diversificationand modernisation of farms;
Amendment 385 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
(b) supporting farm risk management:the management of farm risk generated by economic, environmental and social factors.
Amendment 460 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. A Member State may submit either a single programme for its entire territory or a set of regional programmes, a set of regional programmes or a set of national and regional programmes. If a Member State opts for a set of national and regional programmes, each measure or type of operation shall be programmed at national or regional level.
Amendment 466 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Member States with regional programmes may also submit for approval a national framework containing common elements for these programmes without a separate budgetary allocation. If a Member State opts for a set of national and regional programmes, the national framework shall contain the common elements so as to ensure consistency and linkage between its national and regional strategies.
Amendment 475 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) young farmers and women in agriculture;
Amendment 505 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) the development and promotion of agricultural products, including organic products, bearing official quality labels.
Amendment 597 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Amendment 636 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Each rural development measure shall be programmed to contribute specifically to the achievement of one or more Union priorities for rural development. An indicative list of measures of particular relevance to the Union priorities is set out in Annex V.
Amendment 758 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Support under this measure shall cover new participation by farmers, also through producer group associations and agri-food companies, cover new participation by farmers or previous participation during the 2007-2013 programming period in:
Amendment 794 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Support shall be granted as an annual incentive payment, the level of which shall be determined according to the level of the fixed costs arising from participation in supported schemes, for a maximum duration of five years. Payments shall be made annually on presentation of the necessary documentation. However, the producer shall make a single application covering a five-year period.
Amendment 798 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
For the purposes of this paragraph, 'fixed costs' means the costs incurred for entering a supported quality scheme and the annual contribution for participating in that scheme, including, where necessary, expenditure on checks required to verify compliance with the specifications of the scheme. The costs of the checks incurred by producer group associations which have submitted an application for recognition of a quality label shall be admissible from the commencement of the transitional period, that is to say while the documents are being forwarded by the Member State to the Commission.
Amendment 835 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) concern infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture, including access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, energy supply and, water management and hydro storage to sustain farming and in particular crop systems; or
Amendment 848 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) are non productive investments linked to the achievement of agri- and forest- environment commitments, biodiversity conservation status of species and habitat as well as enhancing the public amenity value of a Natura 2000 area or other high nature value area to be defined in the programme.
Amendment 875 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. Support under paragraph 1(a) shall be granted to agricultural holdings. In the case of investments to support farm restructuring, only farms not exceeding a certain size, to be defined by the Member States in the programme based on the SWOT analysis carried out in relation to the Union priority for rural development “enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability”, shall be eligibleindividual or combined agricultural holdings and agricultural service providers.
Amendment 892 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Support under this measure shall be limited to the maximum support rates laid down in Annex I. These maximum rates may be increased for young farmers, women in agriculture, collective investments and integrated projects involving support under more than one measure, investments in areas facing significant natural constraints as referred to in Article 33(3) and operations supported in the framework of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability in accordance with the support rates laid down in Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate may not exceed 90%.
Amendment 894 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
4. Paragraph 3 shall not apply to investments referred to in paragraph 1(c) and non- productive investments referred to in paragraph 1(d).
Amendment 911 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. Support shall be granted to farmers or groups of farmers and undertakings engaged in the processing and/or marketing of products listed in Annex 1 of the Treaty. Support may also be granted to public entities where a link between the investment undertaken by such entities and agricultural production potential is established.
Amendment 922 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) young farmers and women in agriculture;
Amendment 929 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) non-agricultural activities and provision of agricultural services in rural areas;
Amendment 938 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in non-agricultural activities and provision of agricultural services;
Amendment 962 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Support under paragraph 1(a)(i) shall be granted to young farmers and women in agriculture.
Amendment 979 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Support under paragraph 1(a)(ii) shall be granted to farmers or members of the farm household diversifying into non- agricultural activities and to non- agricultural micro- and small- enterprises and the provision of agricultural services in rural areas.
Amendment 993 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4
Support under paragraph 1(b) shall be granted to non- agricultural micro- and small- enterprises in rural areas and to farmers or members of the farm household and micro- and small- enterprises providing agricultural services.
Amendment 1012 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 1062 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) investments by public and private bodies in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and sign-posting of touristic sites;
Amendment 1077 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. Investments under paragraph 1 shall be eligible for support where the relevant operations are implemented in accordance with plans for the development of municipalities in rural areas and their basic services, where such plans exist and shall by are consistent with any local development strategy, where one exists.
Amendment 1120 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 22(1)(a) shall be granted to private land-owners and tenants, to other land managers, and to municipalities and their associations and shall cover the costs of establishment and an annual premium per hectare to cover the costs of agricultural income foregone and maintenance, including early and late cleanings, for a maximum period of ten years.
Amendment 1142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 22(1)(b) shall be granted to private land public owners, tenants, other land managers and municipalities and their associations and shall cover the costs of establishment and an annual premium per hectare to cover the costs of maintenance for a maximum period of threeseven years.
Amendment 1188 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
In the case of preventive actions concerning pests and diseases, the risk of a relevant disaster occurrence must be supported by scientific evidence and acknowledged by scientific public organisations. Where relevant, the list of species of organisms harmful to plants which may cause a disaster must be provided in the programme.
Amendment 1204 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. Support under paragraph 1(d) shall be subject to the formal recognition by the competent public authorities of Member States that a natural disaster has occurred and that this disaster, or measures adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest has caused the destruction of at least 3015% of the relevant forest potential. This percentage shall be determined on the basis of either the average existing forest potential in the three-year period immediately preceding the disaster or on the average of the five-year period immediately preceding the disaster, excluding the highest and the lowest entry.
Amendment 1213 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 22(1)(d) shall be granted to natural persons, private forest owners, private law, public and semi- public bodies, municipalities and their associations. In the case of state forests support may also be granted to bodies managing such forests, which are independent from the state budget.
Amendment 1228 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 22(1)(e) shall be granted to private forest owners, municipalitieand public land-owners and tenants and to otheir associationland managers and to SMEs for investments enhancing forestry potential or relating to processing and marketing adding value to forest products. In the territories of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary islands, the smaller Aegean islands within the meaning of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 and the French overseas departments support may also be granted to enterprises that are not SMEs.
Amendment 1296 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. Agri-environment-climate payments shall be granted to farmers, groups of farmers or groups of farmers and other land-managers who undertake, on a voluntary basis, to carry out operations consisting ofwhich correspond to one or more agri- environment-climate commitments on agricultural land. Where duly justified to achieve environmental objectives, agri- environment-climate payments may be granted to other land- managers or groups of other land- managers.
Amendment 1301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 3
Article 29 – paragraph 3
3. Agri-environment-climate payments cover only those commitments going beyond the relevant mandatory standards established pursuant to Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No HR/2012 and other relevant obligations established under Chapter 2 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012, relevant minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products use as well as other relevant mandatory requirements established by national legislation. All such mandatory requirements shall be identified in the programme.
Amendment 1313 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 4
Article 29 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall endeavosure to providehat persons undertaking to carry out operations under this measure withhave the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and information required to implement them, including by setting up commitment-related expert advice and/or by making support under this measure conditional to relevant trainingsory services.
Amendment 1333 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6
Article 29 – paragraph 6
6. Payments shall be granted annually and shall compensate beneficiaries for all or part of the additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitments made. Where necessary they may also cover transaction costs to a value of up to 20% of the premium paid for the agri- environment-climate commitments. Where commitments are undertaken by groups of farmers and/or by other land managers, the maximum level shall be 30%.
Amendment 1336 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Where commitments under this measure include the implementation of greening measures in preparation for meeting other commitments under the measure, these greening measures may be compensated within the measure. In that case they may not receive support as 'non- productive investments' under Article 18(1)(d).
Amendment 1397 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Payments to farmers in mountain areas and other areas facing natural or other specific constraints shall be granted annually per hectare of UAA in order to compensate farmers for additional costs and income foregone related to the constraints for agricultural production in the area concerned, and to avoid the risk of those areas being abandoned owing to their low profitability.
Amendment 1430 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 33 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
In order to be eligible for payments under Article 32, mountain areas shall be characterized by a considerable limitation of the possibilities for using the land as well as low profitability and by an appreciable increase in production costs due to:
Amendment 1519 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) joint action undertaken with a view to mitigating or adapting to climate change, such as measures relating to water management and storage to sustain farming and in particular agricultural systems;
Amendment 1570 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an income stabilisation tool, in the form of financial contributions toa mutual funds, to providinge compensation to farmers who experience a severe drop in their income.
Amendment 1648 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 40 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 1655 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 40 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Support under Article 37(1)(c) may take the form of a financial contribution towards farmers’ payments into the mutual fund. Member States shall lay down rules governing farmers’ contributions to the fund.
Amendment 1678 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 44 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 1686 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1
Article 46 – paragraph 1
Amendment 1715 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 3
Article 46 – paragraph 3
3. In the case of irrigation, onlynew investments that lead to a reduction of previous water use by at least 25% shall be considered as eligible expenditure. By way of derogation, in the Member States that adhered to the Union from 2004 onwards investments in new irrigation installations can, including measures to sustain farming and crop systems and/or to modernise existing systems for the improvement of water use efficiency, shall be considered as eligible expenditure in cases where an environmental analysis provides evidence that the investment concerned is sustainable and has no negative environmental impact.
Amendment 1729 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1
Article 50 – paragraph 1
For the purposes of this Regulation the Managing Authority"rural area" shall be define "rural area" at programmd at Member State level.
Amendment 1889 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 1
Article 62 – paragraph 1
1. EIP operational groups shall form part of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability. They shall be set up by interested actors such as farmers, collective entities, land and irrigation managers, researchers, advisors and businesses involved in the agriculture and food sector.
Amendment 1994 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
Article 66 – paragraph 1
Amendment 2000 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 67 – paragraph 4
Article 67 – paragraph 4
4. PExcept for forms of support under Article 57(1)(b), (c) and (d) of Regulation (EU) [CSF/2012], payments by beneficiaries shall be supported by invoices and documents proving payment. Where this cannot be done, payments shall be supported by documents of equivalent probative value, except for forms of support under Article 57(1)(b), (c) and (d) of Regulation (EU) [CSF/2012].