Activities of Christophe BÉCHU
Plenary speeches (2)
Implications for EU agriculture of the reopening of negotiations with Mercosur with a view to concluding an Association Agreement - Preparations for the forthcoming EU-Brazil summit on 14 July 2010 in Brasilia (debate)
Modification of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 (the ‘Single CMO Regulation’) (debate)
Written declarations (1)
Amendments (85)
Amendment 63 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas price volatility in agricultural markets, which is a permanent feature of such markets, has increased dramatically and is expected to increase further, leading to extreme booms and busts in agricultural commodity prices on European markets; whereas between 2006 and 2008, the prices of several commodities rose considerably, some by as much as 180%, as was the case for grains; whereas dairy prices collapsed in 2009, falling on average by 40%; whereas extreme fluctuations in prices have had detrimental consequences for producers and have not benefited consumers,
Amendment 111 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas producer support estimates (PSE) show that total farm support in the EU has been gradually reducing since 2000 and is now comparable on a per capita basis with the level of support in the EU's major trading partners, such as the United States; whereas the PSE indicator should also be improved as regards the assessment of support to certain countries, such as the United States,
Amendment 152 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that rural development is now an integral part of the CAP architecture with its focus on rural communities, improving the environment, modernising and restructuring agriculture and improving product marketing and competitiveness and the environment;
Amendment 199 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that the global energy crisis and increasing energy prices will drive agricultural production costs up, leading to rising food prices and growworsening market price volatility for both farmers and consumers, which will have a detrimental effect on the stability of food supply and will seriously constrain the ability to maintain and increase current production levels;
Amendment 315 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises that farmers deliver a range of public goods which the market does not reward them for; therefore insists that they must be fairly rewarded and further incentivised to continue delivering higher- quality products, better animal welfare conditions and additional environmental benefits; stresses that agriculture makes a substantial contribution to employment in, and the economic viability of, rural areas, given that almost 30 million people work in agricultural holdings and that over 40 million work in the agrifood chain as a whole;
Amendment 422 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls for a fairer distribution of CAP payments and insists that it should be fair to farmers in both new and old Member States8;
Amendment 480 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Believes that, thanks to improvements in production factors linked to advances in knowledge, farmers are well placed to contribute to green growth and respond to the energy crisis through the development of green energy in such forms as biomass, biowaste, biogas, second-generation biofuels and small-scale wind, solar and hydro energy, which will also help create new green job opportunities;
Amendment 513 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Recognises the wide range of new priorities for the CAP and notes that the new Member States' expectationdemand when they joined the European Union was that their share of CAP support would, over time, reach parity with in the long term be comparable with that given to old Member States; therefore calls for the 2013 CAP budget amount to be at least maintained post-2013 if the EU is to meet its current commitments and successfully deliver the new priorities;
Amendment 612 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 54
Paragraph 54
54. Considers that there should be no return to coupled payments as a guiding principle of the CAP; however, given the move from a historical to an area support model, tTakes the view that a limited margin for flexibility should be left to Member States to respond to the specific needs of their territory and sectors, in the form of capped coupled payments for vulnerable grassland livestock areas, in compliance with WTO requirements;
Amendment 763 #
2009/2236(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 63
Paragraph 63
63. Recalls that, amongst the current set of market tools, export refunds should continue to be phased out according to WTO agreements, provided, however, that Europe does not face unfair competition as a result;
Amendment 4 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4
Citation 4
having regard to Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which lays down that, in formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall always, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals as sentient beings, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage,
Amendment 25 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas our high animal welfare standards are part of the 'brand' of European agricultural producers, but only on condition that the rules in force are genuinely complied with,
Amendment 42 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the communication from the Commission of October 2009 entitled 'A better functioning food supply chain in Europe' indicates that 'significant imbalances in bargaining power between contracting parties are a common occurrence' and that they 'have a negative impact on the competitiveness of the food supply chain as smaller but efficient actors may be obliged to operate under reduced profitability, limiting their ability and incentives to invest in improved product quality and innovation of production processes',
Amendment 46 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010, which has for the first time translated the Protocol on protection and welfare of animals, appended to the Amsterdam Treaty, into an integrated approach to the development of the protection of animals in Europe;
Amendment 60 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Appreciates the work which has been done to develop alternatives to animal testing and the Commission's efforts, under the auspices of the WTO and in bilateral agreements with third countries, to assign the highest priority to animal welfare; notes, however, that much remains to be done with regard to the principle of reciprocity in imports from third countries and compliance with the standards of the Union;
Amendment 63 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Observes that numerous measures, most of them requiring significant investment, have been taken by the parties concerned during the period 2006-2010 to improve animal welfare;
Amendment 70 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes with great satisfaction the progress which has been made in the Animal Welfare Quality Project, as regards new science and knowledge relating to animal health indicators; notes, however, that this project has not fully taken into account the promotion, in practice, of the use of these indicators;
Amendment 80 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Regrets, nonetheless, that more has not been done to adopt a proposal for new rules on animal transport and the associated issue of developing a satellite system to monitor such transport, and urges the Commission, in the time still remaining before the action plan expires, to take the initiative in this fieldNotes that no progress is being made with the adoption of a proposal for new rules on animal transport;
Amendment 106 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is particularly concernedObserves that, despite the clear recommendations and conclusions issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in this regard, many pig farmers in Europe are violatinghave been unable to implement the provisions of Directive 2008/120/EC of 18 December 2008 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs, and calls on the Commission, therefore, to devise without delay a strategy to increase compliance with this Directive;
Amendment 141 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Observes that Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has created a new legal situation in which new powers and greater responsibility have been vested in the European Union and its institutions and considers that this article applies to all animals and not onlylays down that, when formulating and implementing Union policy in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, transport, the internal market, research and technological development and space, the Union and Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage; considers that this article applies to all livestock and animals in captivity, such as food- producing animals, circus animals and animals in zoos;
Amendment 153 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission, in the light of Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to submit no later than 2012 a proposal for general animal welfare legislation for the EU which, on the basis of an impact assessment and consultation of stakeholders, as well as the available science and proven experience, should contribute to a common understanding of the concept of animal welfare and, the fundamental conditions applicable and the costs of animal welfare;
Amendment 160 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that this general animal welfare legislation, which should be accompanied by individual legal acts concerning specific species of animal, must include suitable guidelines on responsible keeping of animals, a common system for monitoring and to gather comparable data, as well as requirements relating to basic know-how on the part of handlers of animals and provisions establishnd provisions establishing the particular responsibilities of animal owners; stresses that it is necessary to continue to devote attention to the way in which any such specific acts are applied, ensuring thein particular responsibilithat Parliament's prerogatives of animal ownersare safeguarded;
Amendment 177 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the debate concerning various possible animal welfare labelling schemes in the aforementioned Commission communication of 28 October 2009, and stresses that it is important that consumers in the European Union should receive adequ; recalls, however, the need to consider them in a wider context, taking account, in particular, of the various existing environmental, nutritional and climate labelling schemes; stresses thate information to enable them to make well-informed choices in this regard as well as in otherson the subject for European consumers absolutely must have a sound and consensual scientific basis and be clear to the consumer;
Amendment 195 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 256 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Heading 4
Heading 4
A European network of reference centres for animal welfare and animal health
Amendment 268 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Considers that a European network of reference centres for animal welfare and animal health should be established no later than 2012, whose work should be based on the general animal welfare legislation proposed above;
Amendment 280 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 306 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers furthermore that, having regard to Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, such a centrenetwork should, inter alia, be assigned the tasks of assessing and stating views on future legislative and policy proposals and their impact on animal welfare and animal health, assessing precisely the economic impact of any new rules on the subject, defining and assessing animal welfare standards on the basis of the latest available knowledge, providing training and information about animal welfare and animal health, and coordinating an EU system for testing new techniques;
Amendment 316 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls on the Commission as soon as possible to perform comprehensive inspections to ascertain how the Member States are applying and enforcing existing animal welfare ruleto continue its inspections, particularly concerning animal transport and pigs, and if necessary to assess the causes of any shortcomings and to propose in 2012 at the latest recommendations, guidelines and other necessary measures to tackle problems;
Amendment 337 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Considers that the aim must be a purposeful, risk-based monitoring system in which objective factors such as mortality statistics and the use of antibioticspresence of disease are central;
Amendment 347 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the European Union budget must include sufficient appropriations to enable the Commission to monitor the Member States more effectively and comprehensively perform its monitoring this regardasks;
Amendment 371 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that the use ofanimal health is an essential component of animal welfare; considers that, in this context, antibiotics resis tance indicator of the state of health of animals, and expresses its deep co animals is cause for concern, as it jeopardises their health and therefore, indirectly, their welfare; stresses that antibiotic resistancer in about the acute problem ofnimals may result in antibiotic resistance in animals and humanshumans, particularly through the food chain;
Amendment 376 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 404 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recalls in this context its aforementioned resolution of 22 May 2008, which likewise stressed the problem of antibiotic resistance, and eEmphasises that farmers, breeders and animal owners are primarily responsible for monitoring animals' health and welfare;
Amendment 419 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for an assessment and further development of the Animal Welfare Quality Project, particularly as regardsto simplify its use on farms and thus provide incentives for farmers and producers to use the new indicators, as much work remains to be done to prepare the new indicators for practical application;
Amendment 422 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Considers that it will prove complex to measure these animal welfare indicators in the case of imported products; stresses that, without calling into question their utility or validity, these tools should not distort competition to the detriment of European producers;
Amendment 423 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
Amendment 430 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission as soon as possible, and in close cooperation with European producers' organisations and other operators, to propose a system for practical trialling of new techniques within the European Union which are relevant to animal welfare, and considers that - in addition to common test standards - such a system should comprise a structure for use in disseminating the results amongto communicate the results to the operators and authorities of the various Member States;
Amendment 436 #
2009/2202(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on the Member States in this context to make better use of the opportunities for support for applied research and investment in innovation and modernisation beneficial to animal welfare which is available from EU rural development funds and the 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013) of DG Research;
Amendment 2 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
Amendment 11 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas agriculture is directly affected, since it manages the landis one of the human economic activities which manage the natural resources necessary to human survival,
Amendment 19 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas agriculture, as the main source of two major GHGs (nitrous oxide and methane), which are emitted by intrinsically biological processes linked to all kinds of agricultural production, is contributing to climate change while also being very vulnerable to its adverse impact, which has repercussions for European food safety,
Amendment 28 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas GHG emissions caused by agricultural activity (including rearing) decreased by 20% between 1990 and 2007 in the 27 Member States, and whereas the proportion of the Union’s GHGse emissions produced by agriculture dropped from 11% in 1990 to 9.3% in 2007, inter alia as a result of smaller hmore effective use of fertiliserds and more sustainable fertiliser useliquid manure, the recent structural reforms of the CAP and the gradual implementation of agricultural and environmental initiatives,
Amendment 41 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the agricultural sector is capable of adapting with the help of farmers’ know-how, a strong CAP and research and innovation developments; whereas, however, since the natural processes involved are difficult to deal with, a great deal of effort must be made,
Amendment 43 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas European agriculture constitutes a pool of jobs which should be protected and expanded,
Amendment 44 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas agriculture remains vital to the continuance of human activity in European rural areas, inter alia because of the wide range of services which farmers can provide for the rest of society;
Amendment 58 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Affirms that EU agriculture can contribute to the Union’s global warming mitigation objectives by finding ways to limit and reduce its GHG emissions, promoting carbon storage in the soil and developing the production of sustainable renewable energies; emphasises that, to this end, it is essential to foster the development of a different kind of agriculture better able topotential of European agriculture to improve its sustainability and focus on improving production efficiency by reducing emissions per production unit, whilst reconcileing economic, social and environmental imperatives with the natural potential of each ecosystem;
Amendment 83 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – introduction
Paragraph 3 – introduction
3. Calls, in particular, for the future CAP to encourage – through the provision of information, training and incentives – practices that limitcontribute to improving the efficiency of agriculture and its potential to reduce GHG emissions, and/or fix carb to improving carbon sequestration, including:
Amendment 85 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 1
Paragraph 3 – indent 1
- simplified cultivation techniques that provide plant cover (such as reduced or no-tillage and leaving crop residues on the ground) and facilitate intercropping and crop rotation, thereby maximising photosynthesis and helping to enrich the soil with organic matter, as demonstrated by the SoCo project launched at the European Parliament’s instigation; farm modernisation (building insulation, energy-efficient equipment and the use of renewable energies); Or. fr (Indents 1 and 4 should change places with each other)
Amendment 98 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
Paragraph 3 – indent 3
- protection of carbon-rich land (peatlandarable crop bans on peatland) and wetlands (growing suitable crops, such as reeds, as an alternative to drainage); and
Amendment 102 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – indent 4
Paragraph 3 – indent 4
- farm modernisation (building insulation, energy-efficient equipment and the use of renewable energies); simplified cultivation techniques that provide plant cover (such as reduced or no-tillage and leaving crop residues on the ground) and facilitate intercropping and crop rotation, thereby maximising photosynthesis and helping to enrich the soil with organic matter, as demonstrated by the SoCo project launched at the European Parliament’s instigation; Or. fr (Indents 1 and 4 should change places with each other)
Amendment 106 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Points out, however, the need for coherence between the objective of reducing emissions and other environmental objectives, as some farming techniques might have undesirable effects such as an increase in the consumption of plant protection products as a result of non-tillage techniques;
Amendment 115 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recommends introducing an effective forestry policy that promotes sustainable forestry management and production and does more to tap the potential and the economic development of this industry, which is the one that makes the greatest contribution to carbon capture;
Amendment 120 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that nitrous oxide emissions can be cut significantly by making more limited and effective use of nitrogen fertilisers (such as precision farming, farm advisory schemes, plot monitoring), encouraging the use of organic fertilisers based on recovered waste (local biomass from intercropping, and forest waste, compost, sludge), developing intermediate crops such as forage legumes and identifying new varieties with superior carbon and nitrogen capture potential and, above all, developing farming techniques which aim to improve nitrogen efficiency;
Amendment 132 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that better animal manureoptimised storage – and the application systems– of organic fertiliser and the processing of such manure in biogas factoriefertiliser in anaerobic digesters are currently some of the most promising ways of reducing methane emissions (whilst also providing a source of renewable energy), particularly in regions characterised by high-density livestock farming;
Amendment 139 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for the speeding up of administrative simplification and of research and development work on the exploitation and utilisation of biomass found on farms (farm and forest waste), biogas from livestock farming and other sustainable agrofuels, provided that the latter do not jeopardise food security;
Amendment 146 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Emphasises that the Union’s position as the leading importer of agricultural produce results in a higher carbon cost than that generated by European farms, owing to the lower environmental standards often found in non-EU countries coupled with long-distance transport emissions; takes the view that there is a need to inform consumers by means of appropria targeted carbon footprint labelling, to compensate European farmers fairly for their efforts to reduce emissions, and toommunication strategy; notes that particular emphasis must be placed on a healthy, balanced diet made up of high- quality regional and seasonal items produced by an efficient and highly productive agricultural system; encourages local farms to diversify (inter alia by developing EU production of plant proteins);
Amendment 159 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that EU agriculture must nowis adapting and must continue to adapt to the effects of the climate change currently taking place and prepare for its negative net impact on many regions of the Union;
Amendment 162 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Considers in this regard that the Union must develop a coherent strategy for agriculture to adapt to the two kinds of adverse climatic effects anticipated: - overall global warming; - more marked variations in climate conditions resulting in an increase in extreme weather events;
Amendment 173 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – indent 2
Paragraph 13 – indent 2
- choosing crop varieties, particularly those selected for their ability to resist extreme weather events, and practising crop rotation according to considerations such as drought and disease;
Amendment 179 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – indent 5
Paragraph 13 – indent 5
- monitoring and controlling insects and diseasedisease; in this context, there is a need to develop national and European instruments to monitor outbreaks and repeat outbreaks;
Amendment 182 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 – indent 5 c (new)
Paragraph 13 – indent 5 c (new)
- undertaking monitoring and control of insects; in this context, monitoring of invasiveness potential and cross compliance measures concerning plant health (increased controls at borders and sensitive locations such as tree nurseries and airports, biosecurity measures) must be developed;
Amendment 205 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that the ‘new challenges’ of climate change, water management, renewable energies and biodiversity weare not fully taken on board at the time of the CAP Health Checkmajor issues affecting future generations, and that they should be addressed through all the CAP instruments, not just the ‘second- pillar’ subsidies;
Amendment 211 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the current cross-compliance system, which is based on a best efforts obligation rather than an obligation to achieve results, is both very complicated for farmers and inadequate as a response to environmental issues; takes the view that a new approach focusing oncontinuing work on improvements in efficiency which might lead to more sustainable production models should be adoptencouraged, necessitating compensatory aid to cover the extra costs arising from these objectives (local eco-certification contracts) and pay for the services rendered to society through the supply of ‘public goods’ (such as the preservation of rural areas, biodiversity conservation, carbon capture and food security) that are not rewarded by the market;
Amendment 236 #
2009/2157(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers it more essential than ever to strengthen risk and crisis management instruments and adapt them to increasing market volatility and growing climatic risks, and to introduce a genuine European policy on preventing and responding urgently to natural disasters; considers it the task of the Union to implement instruments of this kind, as the stability of its agricultural production volumes is a basic stabilising factor in world prices and therefore world food safety;
Amendment 25 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the new CAP should be more simple and responsive,
Amendment 47 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the CAP to be outcome-driven rather than focused on regulation, with Member States offering more help and advice to farmers, and believes that, to that end, a telephone helpline, for example, should be instituted in all Member States to assist farmers;
Amendment 54 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses thatRecognises the value of the principle of cross- compliance should be maintained as one of the key concepts of CAP direct payments, but that strong simplification is recommended;
Amendment 67 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need for the CAP to be simpler, more transparent and more equitable; in this respect a single flat rate payment would be preferable;
Amendment 117 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that, for example, a telephone helpline for farmers, established by the Member States’ departments of agriculture, would help prevent infringements and give Member States the means to steadily reduce their inspection quota;
Amendment 144 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that in the first year of application the farmer needs to state the codes for the land used; that if the application is for the whole area, no further information regarding area is required; observes that, if the area in question is determined by a local or national authority and if the calculations made by the authority prove to be inaccurate, the farmer cannot be held liable; adds that, if the application is for part of the area, the farmer needs to specify the area; and for the second and subsequent years the farmer need only specify changes in the use of his land;
Amendment 152 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 178 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Believes that the lack of transparency regarding penalties and obligations on farmers should be eliminated, and that there is a need for more preciscomprehensible obligations for farmers;
Amendment 203 #
2009/2155(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Believes that only one holding number should be issued per producer, including in cases where the farm is divided over a number of different locations;
Amendment 81 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Considers that the current EU rules on IG should be supplemented to ensure that the role played by organisations designated or recognised by the Member States as responsible for managing, protecting and/or promoting intellectual property rights conferred by registration as a GI is fully recognised and enhanced;
Amendment 86 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. EmphasiseConsiders that, on the basis of producers’ experience, it has emerged that the management of the product quality through the PDOs and PGIs specifications, and the protection against usurpations are not sufficient for the further development of GI products; calls for an in-depth assessment to be carried out to identify suitable instruments for the management of the volume of production for PDO and PGI producttakes the view that EU legislation should be amended so as to enable Member States to authorise organisations which they designate or recognise as responsible for the management, protection and/or promotion of GIs to adapt the production potential to market demands, on the basis of fair and non-discriminatory rules;
Amendment 91 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Considers that no additional criteria should be added to the certificregistration process for any of those instruments, but rather the aim should be simplification;
Amendment 109 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a(new)
Paragraph 18 a(new)
18a. Considers that the Commission should establish clear guidelines regarding the use of the names of IG products used as ingredients on the labels of processed products, so as to avoid consumers being misled;
Amendment 110 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Considers that, where a product protected by a GI is used as an ingredient, the body responsible for the GI or the competent authority should be able to lay down rules governing the use of its name in the sales names of processed products, and should be authorised to carry out specific checks to verify that the GI product's characteristics, image and reputation have not been adulterated;
Amendment 111 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Endorses the establishment of Community rules to enable GI management bodies to lay down packaging rules for their products in order to ensure that their high quality is in no way diminished;
Amendment 112 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Considers that, in view of the importance of the European market to GI producers, the Commission and the Member States should provide additional financial resources for promotion programmes within the internal market, while continuing to increase the budget for promotion campaigns in third countries;
Amendment 113 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Is against the idea that geographical indications can be replaced by trademarks, as these are fundamentally different legal instruments; stresses that the differences between trademarks and geographical indications need to be better explained; calls for effective implementation of existing Community rules making it impossible for a trademark containing or referring to PDOs/PGIs to be registered by operators who do not represent the producers' organisations for such PDOs/PGIs;
Amendment 124 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Points out that certain GIs are being systematically usurped on the territory of third countries and that this is misleading consumers and undermining the reputation of authentic products; points out that ensuring the protection of a GI in a third country is a particularly time- consuming and difficult process for producers, given that specific protection arrangements and procedures exist in each country; calls on the Commission to provide GI bodies with technical and financial support to resolve these usurpation problems;
Amendment 126 #
2009/2105(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b(new)
Paragraph 22 b(new)
22b. Believes that it is essential to intensify information and promotion campaigns regarding the sui generis protection of GIs; calls on the Commission to continue to promote the GI concept with third countries, particularly by increasing technical assistance missions in conjunction with European GI producers and/or their representative organisations;
Amendment 86 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) There is public interest in the relationship between diet and health and in the choice of an appropriate diet to suit individual needs. The Commission White Paper on a Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity related health issues noted that nutrition labelling is a way oftool for informing consumers about the composition of the foods and help them make an informed choice. Education and information campaigns organised by the Member States are essential for improving consumer understanding of nutrition information. The EU consumer policy strategy 2007 - 2013 underlined that allowing consumers to make informed choice is essential both to effective competition and consumer welfare. Knowledge of the basic principles of nutrition and appropriate nutrition information on foods would contribute significantly towards enabling the consumer to make such an informed choice. Knowledge of the basic principles of nutrition and appropriate nutrition information on foods would contribute significantly towards enabling the consumer to make such an informed choice.