2007/2194(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

- having regard to the Lisbon Strategy, which is intended to make Europe, by 2010, the most competitive and the most dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a multisectoral approach is required and, in particular, there should be a firm policy of ~~support~~assistance for young farmers;, supported under the first pillar of the CAP,

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Takes the view that overall setting-up and holding-development plans should include special measures ~~for women farmers, thus promoting gender equality~~relating to the statutory recognition of young farmers, thus ensuring equal social rights for men and women;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Takes the view that overall setting-up and holding-development plans should include special measures for women farmers, thus promoting gender equality; considers it vital, in this regard, to maintain certain essential services in rural areas, such as crèches, kindergartens and mothers’ helps;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Takes the view that overall setting-up and holding-development plans should include special measures for women farmers, thus promoting gender equality and stimulating genuine equality by means of positive actions to include women;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Takes the view that overall setting-up and holding-development plans should include special measures for women farmers, thus promoting gender equality; draws attention, in this connection, also to the importance of providing information about the status of partners assisting farmers;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Considers that, in planning and implementing support measures for young farmers, specific account should be taken of the situation of young farmers in the new Member States of the European Union;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that social and cultural specificity and diversity are key factors in product promotion policy, a~~nd bolster the competitiveness of the European agricultural model~~s are the identification of a specific geographical area and excellence in production methods, as illustrated by the reputation and success of agricultural products with protected designations of origin or that are labelled;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Points out that social and cultural specificity and diversity are key factors in product promotion policy and bolster the competitiveness of the European agricultural model, and that the achievement of a level playing field between all Member States should, where possible, be an objective;

Amendment 107 #

Roselyne LEFRANÇOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points ~~out that food education,~~to the role which young farmers can p~~rovide, fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human~~lay in promoting the benefits to public health of a healthy and ~~society in general~~varied diet;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points out that food education, which young farmers can provide, fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human health and society in general, and expressly welcomes such activities as, for instance, the 'Tellus' programme of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) and transnational model projects such as 'Schüler auf dem Bauernhof' ('Pupils on farms');

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points out that food education, which young farmers can provide, fosters good eating habits, prevents the growing rise in obesity and boosts the consumption of fresh local products; adds that all this is to the benefit of human health and society in general;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a multi~~sector~~functional approach is required and, in particular, there should be a firm policy of support for young farmers,

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points out that, in providing food education~~, which young farmers can provide, fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human health and society in general;~~ to the benefit of human health and society in general, young farmers are making a contribution to good eating habits which goes beyond passing on basic principles to children and young people in mainstream schools and are doing what they can, as a profession, to support this educational work;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Points out~~Stresses that food education~~, which young farmers can provide,~~ fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human health and society in general, and points to the role which young farmers can play in this area, in particular through educational meetings with pupils at school;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points out that ~~food educa~~, in connection, w~~hich young farmers can provide, fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human health and society in general~~ith food education to the benefit of human health and society in general, young farmers are in a position to make a valuable contribution;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Points out that food education~~, which young farmers can provide,~~ fosters good eating habits to the benefit of human health and society in general;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Points up the need for expert information for food science studies and dietetics in all forms of education;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Believes that measures should be taken to promote the farming profession and its services to society in addition to its production activities, with a view to attracting more young people to the profession, especially young people from non-farming backgrounds;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Believes that the promotion of the farming profession should also entail improved communication with the general public and hence consumers on the content of the CAP, as regards health, environmental and animal welfare requirements, the conditionality of aid, multifunctionality, European product quality, the contribution to combating climate change, food self-sufficiency and the food challenges for a world population which should reach nine billion by 2050;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Takes the view that young farmers should be placed in the best possible position to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a greater flexibility in demand for farming-related goods and services, together with a greater opening up of emerging markets around the world with a view to the conclusion of the multilateral negotiationCalls for Community preference to be stepped up in order to provide European consumers with guarantees in respect of the health and environmental standards of products which they buy and provide compensation for European farmers subjected to competition from third countries that do not meet the same health, environmental and social standards;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Takes the view that young farmers should be placed in the best possible position to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a greater flexibility in demand for farming-related goods and services~~, together with a greater opening up of emerging markets around the world~~ and believes that more Community aid should be provided to support schemes aimed at diversification of income, for example through direct marketing or specific quality production schemes and marketing campaigns for quality products, together with enhanced market opportunities for European products through the combination of high quality and production standards with a qualified market access with a view to the conclusion of the multilateral negotiations;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Takes the view that young farmers should be placed in the best possible position to take advantage of the opportunities provided by a greater flexibility in demand for farming-related goods and services, together with a greater opening up of emerging markets around the world with a view to the conclusion of the multilateral negotiations; considers it important, therefore, that the Commission should negotiate a WTO agreement which gives farmers enough scope to be able to continue to compete with third countries and which thus guarantees a future for young farmers; considers the inclusion of non-trade concerns to be of crucial importance in this connection;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas including young people in the ownership of farms is of vital importance for rural areas, since in most rural areas economic activity and the social fabric are still underpinned by agriculture,

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Believes that young farmers should be able to compete with foreign competitors on a level playing field; calls therefore on the Commission for priority to be given to recognition of the non-trade concerns (NTC) as import criteria in multilateral, as well as bilateral, trade negotiations;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the new generations of farmers is should ~~be made aware of their responsibilities with regard to combating climate change~~ering responsibility with regard to combating climate change, is acting in partnership with the environment and, by providing environment-friendly energy sources, in particular by producing biomass and operating biogas plants, is actively contributing towards protecting the environment and reducing CO2;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the new generations of farmers should be made aware of their responsibilities with regard to combating climate change, although it is a precondition for this that young farmers should receive sufficient support in the form of funding as well as of training and education to be able to tackle this task;

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the new generations of farmers should be made aware of their r~~esponsibilities with regard to~~ole in combating climate change;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the new generations of farmers should be made aware of their responsibilities with regard to combating climate change, the loss of biodiversity and water and soil pollution under existing eco-conditionality rules;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the role of new generations of farmers should be ~~made aware of their responsibilities~~developed with regard to combating climate change, via an integrated Community strategy;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas a European strategy to promote business training for young farmers appears imperative,

Amendment 130 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Notes that, as part of medium- to long- term planning arrangements, the new generations of farmers, as well as the entire upstream and downstream farming sector, should be made aware of their responsibilities with regard to combating climate change;

Amendment 131 #

Katerina BATZELI

Motion for a resolution
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 132 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes that farming isand forestry are the only economic activityies which, through photosynthesis, captures carbon dioxide~~, thus reducing greenhouse gas levels~~;

Amendment 133 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes that farming is the only economic activity which, through photosynthesis, captures carbon dioxide, thus reducing greenhouse gas levels, which makes it all the more necessary to maintain farming activity;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Notes that farming is the only economic activity which, through photosynthesis, captures carbon dioxide, thus ~~reducing~~partially absorbing the volume of greenhouse gas ~~level~~it produces;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Considers it expedient, in the light of the expiry of the milk quota arrangements, for dairy farmers to be offered investment aids in order to make the transition to market-oriented, entrepreneurial dairy farming easier for young farmers in particular;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Believes that thought should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture;~~deleted

Amendment 137 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Believes that thought should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture;~~deleted

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Believes that thought should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture;~~deleted

Amendment 139 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes that thought should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture and forestry, with a particular emphasis on biogases from farm waste such as animal manure; encourages Member States and regional and local authorities to increase their financial and planning support for sustainable and local biomass use for heat and electricity, especially in relation to promoting the economic prospects of young farmers;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas young farmers have a highly dynamic approach to decision-making, are willing to take risks, to look for synergies and complementarity and to implement highly innovative planning options over and above normal agricultural practice,

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes that thought should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture, based on integration of all the available energy sources, from solar to biomass;

Amendment 141 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes that ~~thought~~careful consideration should be given to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture that do not compete with production intended for consumption;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Believes that ~~thought should be give~~a more dynamic approach should be adopted in relation to using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture, thus making a positive contribution to the environment;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes that thought should be given to ~~using alternative energy sources derived~~producing energy using residues from agriculture;

Amendment 144 #

Roselyne LEFRANÇOIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Believes that ~~thought~~steps should be ~~giv~~taken to ~~using alternative energy sources derived from agriculture~~promote the use of all conceivable energy sources on farms;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the CAP reform; considers it necessary for European farmers to have better access to the results of research through the creation of networks for exchanging data obtained from research and the coordination of research at national and European level;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the CAP reform, promoting technology transfers and improving farmers' access to research findings and the latest innovations relating to production methods and tools;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the CAP reform and of improved access by young farmers to research findings;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the CAP reform and of promoting the transfer to farms of the results of that research;

Amendment 149 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the CAP reform; stresses, at the same time, that it is important to make the findings of this research available to young farmers;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas, even though the various policies in support of young farmers ~~have~~are helping to breathed new life into Europe's farming sector ~~by facilitating generation change~~, generation change among farm owners remains a challenge in the EU,

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Stresses the importance of shifting the focus of agricultural research in line with the ~~CAP ref~~current and future needs of the various sectorms;

Amendment 151 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Notes that exchange between science and those who apply it is essential so that research findings are put into practice and research can meet the needs of the agricultural sector;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses th~~e importance of continuing to improve implementation of the Leonardo programme as well as the use of lifelong training instruments~~at it is in the EU's interests, economically (improving productivity) and environmentally (updating knowledge of 'green' practices) to provide increased support for lifelong training for farmers; encourages, in particular, programmes to promote mobility among young farmers in the Union (including Leonardo); stresses, more especially, to need to set up instruments that will enable young farmers to be absent from their farms for the duration of such training;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses the importance of continuing to improve implementation of the Leonardo programme as well as the use of lifelong training instruments to improve the knowledge and skills of farmers in business, economics, product quality, marketing and environmentally sound production;

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses the importance of continuing to improve implementation of the Leonardo programme as well as the use of lifelong training instruments, and the fact that funding for the existing Leonardo programme is not adequate to meet the special requirements of the agricultural sector;

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Stresses the importance of continuing to improve implementation of the Leonardo programme as well as the use of lifelong training instruments centring on the dissemination of enterprise culture;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Stresses the importance of continuing to improve implementation of the Leonardo programme as well as the use of lifelong training instruments~~Urges that a separate European programme be launched to assist exchanges of young farmers in the European Union and to establish a training network in which knowledge of the international themes of the future, such as sustainability, bio-energy, climate change and competitiveness are central; considers that this should prepare young farmers for their task of facing the new challenges in the fields of agriculture and food;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Proposes that an agricultural best- practice exchange programme be set up for young farmers;

Amendment 158 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Takes the view that young people wishing to take over or set up a farm holding should receive individual training and assistance, for a period set on the basis of their level of initial training and the farming system, etc.;

Amendment 159 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Considers it necessary to establish an exchange programme for young farmers to facilitate the pooling of best practices;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas although the various policies in support of young farmers have ~~breathed new life into Europe's farming sector by facilitating generation change~~over the last 10 years improved the situation as regards generation change, it is still a matter for concern and should remain a priority for the EU,

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Believes that the subject of the maintenance of agricultural property is closely linked to that of young farmers' setting-up arrangements and that a policy should be introduced to ensure that priority in the allocation of land is given to young farmers setting up; calls on the Commission to report on the agricultural property issue in relation to young people taking over farms;

Amendment 161 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a

Amendment 162 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, preference is given to company-based structures, with a view to limiting the breaking upTakes the view that more effective support should be provided for the setting- up of company-based structures by introducing special measures for this type of setting-up arrangement that will not only reduce setting-up costs for the young people concerned but also enable them to organise their work in such a way as to increase the viability of farms;;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, preference is given to company-based structures, with a view to limiting the breaking up ofack up the granting of initial setting-up support with special incentives and subsidised loans, and to give equal treatment to farms with different types of legal status, as well as small, medium-sized and large farms;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, ~~preference~~backing is given to ~~company-based structures~~both individual holdings and company-based structures, where there is a convincing development plan, with a view to limiting the breaking up of farms;

Amendment 167 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, ~~preference~~backing is given to holdings regardless of company~~-based~~ structure~~s, with a view to limiting the breaking up of~~ or legal form, including family-run farms;

Amendment 168 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, ~~preference is given to company-based structures, with a view to~~support is granted to one of the heirs so that he or she can buy out the others, thereby limiting the breaking up of farms;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the various policies in support of young farmers have not breathed the expected new life into Europe's farming sector by facilitating generation change, as is shown by the still alarming statistics on the presence young people in farming,

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to bring special incentives to bear with a view to ensuring that~~, in connection with the granting of initial setting-up support, preference is given to company-based structures, with a view to limiting the breaking up of~~ initial setting-up support is paid to all types of farms set up by young farmers;

Amendment 171 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21a. Calls for a European monitoring centre to be set up on the setting-up and transfer of farms and rural areas;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Recommends that more flexibility be introduced in farm setting-up and transfer procedures through the following: gradual setting-up, consideration for the validation of previous professional experience where the person wishing to set up does not have the required qualifications, waiver of the age requirement where the applicant submits a viable setting-up project, particularly in disadvantaged agricultural areas, etc.;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Considers that the necessary measures should be adopted to support, accompany and advise young farmers under the initial setting-up scheme with the aim of increasing the success rate and at the same time minimising or putting an end to situations where farmers give up or even become bankrupt;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Proposes the designation of a European year of urban-rural dialogue;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls on the Commission to provide across-the-board backing for young people willing to enter farming by pursuing a reliable policy, making administrative arrangements reflect conditions on the ground, and maximising management support;

Amendment 176 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Calls on the Commission to submit an interim report on the situation of young farmers, and consult the relevant young-farmer organisations in due course;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Stresses that young farmers should be given support in the years following their setting-up and that a special reserve fund should be established to help them deal with unforeseeable circumstances at the time of setting up, such as damage to crops due to extreme weather or a sharp increase in costs;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Calls on the Commission to study methods for sharing best practice in innovative farming techniques and farm management among new farmers throughout Europe;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the various European policies in support of young farmers have breathed new life into Europe's farming sector by facilitating generation change and enabling young farmers to be set up on a sustainable footing,

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas ~~the various policies in support of young farmers have breathed new life into Europe's farming sector by facilitating generation chang~~young farmers have a stimulating and innovative impact on Europe's farming sector and are the renewers of farming and rural life and the foundation of their future,

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategies establish priorities regarding the competitiveness and sustainability of the European economy, and young farmers can play an essential role in achieving those objectives,

Amendment 20 #

Katerina BATZELI

Motion for a resolution
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 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas young farmers face additional problems in the agricultural sector, such as high installation costs, a heavy burden of debt, too few available holdings and too little specific training; whereas in addition agricultural policy is creating more and more responsibilities for entrepreneurs with regard to cross- compliance requirements relating to such matters as the environment, animal health, animal welfare, food safety and landscape management,

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas a young and dynamic farming industry is necessary as an essential element for achieving the objectives laid down by the Lisbon strategy,

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. Whereas rural areas make up 92% of the territory of the European Union, while 50% of the population now live in urban areas and 50% in rural areas,

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

Ha. whereas generation change is necessary to preserve a high level of quality for European food, food safety and the European Union's self- sufficiency in the future,

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Considers that one of the objectives of the reformed CAP should be to ensure better generation change in farming and that, with a view to this, the first and second pillar instruments in support of sustainable farming and developed rural communities respectively are especially complementary;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Maintains that action to foster generate change in farming is essential in order to address the food, energy and territorial challenges facing European farming today and in the future; considers that all such challenges cannot, if society's expectations are to be met, be addressed without a strong farming sector and a large number of farmers in the Union;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that the enlargement of the EU to take in new Member States has enhanced cultural diversity and made for greater product diversity and that it provides an ideal opportunity to make Community products more competitive by focusing on quality;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that the enlargement of the EU to take in new Member States has enhanced cultural diversity and provides an ideal opportunity to make ~~Community products~~European agriculture more competitive by focusing on ~~quality~~continuous innovation and the quality of Community products;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that the enlargement of the EU to take in new Member States has enhanced cultural diversity and provides an ideal opportunity to make Community products more competitive by focusing on quality and pointing to producers' achievements in the important area of food safety;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)

-A. whereas the multifunctional model of European agriculture can be a vector for sustainable development in rural areas, thanks to the widespread presence of farm holdings,

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls therefore on the Commission to come forward with proposals for the introduction of a European quality label, which will allow consumers to easily identify products that were produced in accordance with Europe's strict environmental, animal-welfare and food- safety standards;

Amendment 31 #

Luis Manuel CAPOULAS SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that, in the context of quality, diversity in production and products should be an objective;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that the main factor in renewing the farming industry's age profile is access to land, given its high cost;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Takes the view that, in future, the CAP must seek to remove the barriers currently facing young people wishing to set up in farming, by making generation change one of its priorities;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls, furthermore, for increased efforts to be made in explaining the European agricultural model, with its high standards in the field of the environment, animal welfare and food safety, to the public;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Considers the setting up or taking over of farm holdings by young people to be a major asset to the enlarged Union;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Draws attention to the continuing difficulties stemming from high setting-up costs, including agricultural property sale and rental prices and the need to purchase new equipment and machines in order to make technological and logistical improvements, and to the fact that making technological and logistical improvements involves more than purchasing equipment and machines and that, for improvements to be made, research and access to research findings are essential;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Draws attention to the continuing difficulties stemming from high setting-up costs, including agricultural property sale and rental prices and the need to ~~purchase new equipment and machines~~invest continuously in physical capital and human potential in order to make technological and logistical improvements;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Draws attention to the continuing difficulties ~~stemming from~~in gaining access to private funding with a view to meeting high setting-up costs, including agricultural property sale and rental prices and the need to purchase new equipment and machines in order to make technological and logistical improvements;

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

~~A. whereas progress with the CAP reform has opened up new opportunities for young people with regard to many aspects of the process of setting up in farming and developing holdings,~~deleted

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to support the Member States in creating a land bank on the basis of land freed up as a result of early retirement; takes the view that support should be introduced for the joint acquisition of expensive machinery and equipment which is used infrequently by each individual farmer;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls for a review of setting-up support, which has remained at the same level since its introduction and which no longer appears to meet farmers' needs;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Emphasises the contribution made by land prices to the problems experienced by young people setting up in farming, and calls on the Commission to look into the considerable increase in land prices brought about by, among other things, urban pressures and speculation;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Recommends the introduction of instruments enabling priority in respect of agricultural land transfers to be given to young farmers setting up in business rather than to existing farmers wishing to increase the size of their holdings, including an early-retirement mechanism, deferred-purchase aid, phased setting-up arrangements and rental of part of the land;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes the need to make young farmer setting-up support policies more effective as well as the importance of laying down further criteria for the ranking of beneficiaries by order of priority, taking account of subjective and objective factors relating to the environment (specific disadvantages) and socio-economic conditions ~~(older farmers holding on to farms) which are considerably slowing down generation change~~;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes the need to make young farmer setting-up support policies more effective as well as the importance of laying down further criteria for the ranking of beneficiaries by order of priority, taking account of ~~subjective and~~ objective factors ~~relating to the environment (specific disadvantages) and socio-economic conditions (older farmers holding on to farms) which are considerably slowing down generation change~~;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges the Commission, in its legislative proposal on the 'health check', to propose that the aid for young farmers provided for in the legislation on rural development should figure among the compulsory measures included in the plans drawn up by the Member States, which should also be accompanied by an increase in the amount of setting-up support;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Considers that support measures for young farmers should also support newcomers, as they can be a renewing and valuable addition to European farming; notes therefore that support should primarily be channelled to new entrepreneurs rather than to those leaving the occupation; stresses that support measures for the taking-over of farms must not distort competition between newcomers on the one hand and farmers' sons and daughters on the other hand;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that it is particularly important to prevent the desertification of disadvantaged farming areas in keeping with the Union's territorial cohesion objective, to make it easier for young farmer to set up in business in areas with a permanent natural handicap, such as islands and mountain areas, where development, construction and access costs are higher and where it is often necessary to diversify in order to achieve a sufficient degree of viability;

Amendment 49 #

Stéphane LE FOLL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Considers that the criteria for granting support (grants, subsidised loans, etc.) to young farmers should be reviewed in order to be able to provide support for all young people setting up in farming, because some are currently unable to take advantage of the support available when doing so; considers, furthermore, that it should be made easier for young people from non-farming backgrounds, who often experience less favourable setting-up conditions, to become farmers; considers, lastly, that phased setting-up arrangements should be promoted in order to make it less difficult to take over holdings;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas progress with the CAP reform has opened up new opportunities for young people with regard to many aspects of the process of setting up in farming and developing holdings, but those opportunities are not spread evenly across Europe, making a Community strategic approach impossible,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls on the Commission to investigate the effectiveness and added value of the various national and European measures to assist young farmers and report on the subject by 1 July 2009;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Observes that many young farmers regard investment support and interest subsidies as the most effective means of encouraging their entrepreneurship and improving their competitive position; calls on the Commission and Member States to devote appropriate attention to this;

Amendment 52 #

Stéphane LE FOLL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on the Commission to conduct a study into the effect that production rights, single-payment rights and premium rights have on the setting up of young farmers, because all such instruments are a frequent cause of conflict between generations, making it more difficult for young people wishing to set up in farming to gain access to those rights themselves; takes the view that the Commission should draw the necessary conclusions as regards management of the CAP, with a view to placing young people in a better position to set up in farming;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Notes that in order to take better account of the increased cost of taking over farms and the difficulties involved in setting up in problem farming areas, the Community aid ceiling should be raised from EUR 55 000 and the time limit for achieving compliance with the rules should be increased from three years to five years after set-up;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Notes that farming is very often the last activity to survive in rural areas and that incentives for young people to set up in farming should therefore be introduced; points out, however, that, over and above the need for holdings to be viable, efforts are also required to make the rural environment a place in which people wish to live, by fostering equal access to public services (post offices, schools, public transport, health services, etc.) and maintaining normal service provision (shops and trades, childcare facilities, care facilities for the elderly, social housing, rental accommodation, etc.) and social amenities enabling people not to feel isolated (cafés, community centres, sports centres, etc.);

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Stresses that arrangements enabling young farmers to leave their holdings for training, holidays, births, etc. need to be put in place;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the ~~provision made for the~~ granting of ~~setting-up~~ support to young farmers ~~to be conditional on the submission of a business pl~~for the development of their farming activities; considers that aid should be introduced by granting soft loans for the ~~development of their farming activities~~early payment of rent, for a minimum period of five years or until investments are stabilised;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the provision made for the granting of setting-up support to young farmers, even partial setting-up, to be conditional on the submission of a business plan for the development of their farming a~~ctivitie~~nd non-farming activities linked to rural areas;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the provision made for the granting of setting-up support to young farmers to be conditional on the submission of a business plan ~~for the development of their farming activitie~~, as an instrument which, over time, will enable the development of activities on their new farms;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the provision made for the granting of setting-up support to young farmers to be made conditional, on a voluntary basis, on the submission of a business plan for the development of their farming activities;

Amendment 6 #

Luis Manuel CAPOULAS SANTOS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, according to Eurostat data from 2003, the percentage of farmers in the European Union aged under 35 is only 7% and falling, while in future food production will have to continue to rise; deploring the lack of complete and recent statistics on the number of young farmers and their position in European agriculture,

Amendment 60 #

Stéphane LE FOLL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Takes the view that the dominant model in today's farming, which has resulted in the concentration of production in the hands of undertakings with increasingly extensive land holdings and farming activities, making it increasingly difficult for new generations of farmers to take over such holdings, needs to be rethought; considers that farming models that are more sustainable and less concentrated and, above all, generate lower running costs should now be promoted; points out that such models, based on a change in production methods, would make it easier for people to become farmers and would make a more effective contribution to job creation;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recommends that, as part of the incentive scheme for initial setting up, provision should be made for incentives for owners who rent farms to young farmers and/or for rent support until the tenth year after setting up;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the high level of indebtedness of young farmers severely diminishes the likelihood of farming providing them with an income comparable to that which may be earned in other economic sectors;Deleted

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Notes that the high level of indebtedness of young farmers severely diminishes the likelihood of farming providing them with an income comparable to that which may be earned in other economic sectors;~~Draws attention to the difficulties experienced by young people wishing to set up in farming in gaining access to funding, and to the useful role played by subsidised loan arrangements in enabling young farmers to set up and continue in farming without incurring an excessive amount of debt;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that the high level of indebtedness and high installation costs of young farmers semakes it verely di~~minishes the likelihood of farming providing them with an income comparable to that which may be earned in other economic sector~~fficult to establish a good competitive position; calls on the Commission and Member States therefore to devise additional solutions to these specific problems;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that, because of the high level of indebtedness of young farmers ~~severely diminishes the likelihood~~, greater efforts must be made to ensure that, for young entrepreneurs in agriculture, there is the prospect of farming providing them with an income comparable to that which may be earned in other economic sectors;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Takes the view that young farmers' entrepreneurialism should be supported through transparent, simpler and less cumbersome rules and through the lower costs that this would entail;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Believes, therefore, that Member States and regional authorities should examine the options for introducing or improving schemes to provide start-up capital to new farmers at preferential rates;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the influence of speculative factors preventing an adequate return from being gained on land, labour and capital, such as the security required on loans, high interest rates, legal and tax barriers, social security charges and administrative charges; , and considers that suitable policy measures are necessary in order to reduce excesses and distortions of competition;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Deplores the influence of speculative or structural factors preventing an adequate return from being gained on land, labour and capital, such as the security required on loans, high interest rates, legal and tax barriers, social security charges and administrative charges;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the forthcoming review of the common agricultural policy (CAP) ('health check') is an opportunity to improve the channelling of support for young farmers which should not be missed,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop new (fiscal) measures to help young farmers carry the heavy interest costs they face following the procurement of their farms; calls on the Commission to come up with specific proposals to that end within the framework of the CAP reform;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Notes that, in many Member States, the lack of legislation regulating distributors’ profit margins discourages young people from setting up in farming;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Notes that some~~Calls for such measures in support of young farmers ~~are still not~~to be made compulsory as part of the action provided for under axis 1 in Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 with a view to improving the competitiveness of the farming sector;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Notes that some measures in support of young farmers are still not compulsory as part of the action provided for under axis 1 with a view to improving the competitiveness of the farming sector; calls on the Commission to analyse the use of these measures for young farmers in Member States and where necessary to submit proposals for encouraging the take-up of these measures;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Notes that some~~Insists on the mandatory introduction of measures in support of young farmers ~~are still not compulsory~~ as part of the action provided for under axis 1 with a view to improving the competitiveness of the farming sector;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Reaffirms its opinion that rural development measures should be aimed directly at farmers;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Considers that the Commission must examine specific financing for young farmers in Axes II and III of the rural development policy, for example with regard to the social infrastructure and improving the employment rate among young people in rural areas;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls for setting-up support for farmers carrying out multifunctional activities (farming and non-farming) to be extended to allow access to initial setting- up support for young farmers who carry out farming activities only, or who complement them with other income acquired in rural areas;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Calls on the Member States to allow access to initial setting-up support for young people, both men and women, who are in a precarious situation as regards ownership and require such support to adapt their farms, either by carrying out farming activities or by complementing them with other income, so that they provide them with a livelihood measured in terms of available income and work;

Amendment 79 #

Jan MULDER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Believes that EU young farmers should be able to compete with each other on a level playing field within the EU; calls, therefore, for cautious revision, and subsequent implementation, of the current Article 69 of Council Regulation 1782/2003 so as to prevent any distortion of competition on the European internal market;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas, with a view to meeting the challenges of EU food and energy security, growth and employment in all rural areas in Europe and sustainable long-term management of rural areas, young farmers need to be set up on viable holdings in a liveable environment,

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Calls for all agricultural and rural development policies to be made fully coherent with the objectives the EU has set itself as part of the Lisbon Strategy, so as to enable young farmers to operate in a dynamic economic environment;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Proposes that preference be given to young people, and above all women, in all rural development measures (Leader, investment, etc.);

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, ~~in line with the new thrust of the CAP, the diversification of income sources should be encouraged and the focus should be placed on European agricultu~~as part of the CAP 'health check', action should be taken to foster more stable and secure farm incomes – an essential pre-condition for generation change in farming – through the introduction at European level of innovative risk and crisis management tools to addre'ss ~~distinguishing features~~market fluctuations and increased price volatility;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, in line with the new thrust of the CAP, the diversification of income sources should be encouraged and the focus should be placed on European agriculture's distinguishing features; considers that the introduction of the single payment scheme (SPS) and progressive decoupling of production aid are making the majority of new farms virtually unviable and support needs to be introduced for young farmers to acquire rights under the SPS;

Amendment 84 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, in line with the new thrust of the CAP, ~~the diversification of income sources should be encouraged and the focus should be placed on European agriculture's distinguish~~action should be taken to make farming younger and more dynamic with a view to meeting the growth, competitiveness and employment targets that Europe has set for the coming fyea~~ture~~rs;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, in line with the new thrust of the CAP, the diversification of income sources should be encouraged ~~and the focus should be placed on~~by supporting farming and complementary activities and the recognition of European agriculture's ~~distinguishing~~characteristic features;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, in line with the new thrust of the CAP, development of the multifunctional role of agriculture, including via the diversification of income sources, should be encouraged ~~and the focus should be placed on European agriculture's distinguishing features~~;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that, in line with the new thrust of the CAP, it may be desirable to encourage the diversification of income sources ~~should be encouraged and the focus should be placed~~and place the focus on European agriculture's distinguishing features;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Believes that priority should be given to securing genuine simplification and greater transparency in the implementation of instruments and measures for young farmers carrying out farming activities, even where they are complemented by other non-farming activities linked to rural areas which are necessary for the farm's viability;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a ~~multisectoral approach is required and, in particular, there should be a firm policy of support for young farmers~~policy of support for young farmers is required in view of the fact that they form part of the primary food production sector and thus underpin the agri-foods industry, as well as making a vital contribution to Europe's food sovereignty,

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Believes that priority should be given to securing genuine simplification and greater transparency in the implementation of instruments and measures for young farmers and, in the process, to making it possible to maximise financial assistance and set-up advice;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Believes that priority should be given to securing genuine simplification and greater transparency in the implementation of instruments and measures for young farmers, with a view to avoiding any misguided investment;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Points out that farmers who are no longer classified as young farmers but will continue to farm in the medium term, who are also facing new challenges, should not be disadvantaged;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Points out that, because of the great demands on 'tomorrow's managers', curricular training must be systematically stepped up to ensure genuine knowledge transfer from agrarian research to farming;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Considers that the amounts of the payments made under the policy to support young farmers must be reasonable and proportionate to the interest which they serve for society;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers, in respect of succession arrangements, that ~~consideration should be given to introducing legislation that focuses more closely on keepi~~support should be introduced for farms to be kept together and for young farmers to~~gether, with a view to achieving both economies of scale and economies of scope~~ acquire land under the initial setting-up scheme, and that increased support should be introduced for setting up in mountain areas and other less-favoured regions, such as the outermost regions;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers, in respect of succession arrangements, that consideration should be given to introducing legislation ~~that focuses more closely on keeping farms together, with a view to achieving both economies of scale and economies of scope~~under which the young generation of farmers is provided with a conducive environment for continuing to farm, with productive value to be given priority over market value, and necessary adjustments and changes to how farming production activities are conducted, and innovations, have to be taken into account in the light of market circumstances and developments;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers, in respect of succession arrangements, that consideration should be given to introducing legislation that focuses more closely on keeping farms together, with a view to achieving both economies of scale and economies of scope, succession arrangements involving parties who are not family members should be facilitated in order to preserve farms and to enable young entrepreneurs with an education in farming to become farmers;

Amendment 99 #