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II Preparatory Acts

European Economic and Social Committee

411th Plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Action Plan: The European agenda for Entrepreneurship’

COM(2004) 70 final

(2005/C 74/01)

On 11 February 2004 the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the abovementioned communication.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Butters.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004 (meeting of 15 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion with 150 votes in favour, one against and six abstentions.

1.   Context

2.   Objectives of this opinion

3.   General comments on the Action Plan: does it meet its stated aim of providing a ‘strategic framework for boosting entrepreneurship’?

3.7   Structure

4.   Specific comments on the five strategic priority areas

4.1.1   Fuelling entrepreneurial mindsets

4.1.2   Encouraging more people to become entrepreneurs

4.1.3   Gearing entrepreneurs for growth and competitiveness

4.1.4   Improving the flow of finance

4.1.5   Creating a more SME-friendly regulatory and administrative framework

5.   Recommendations for maximising the positive impact of the Action Plan

6.   Conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

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(1)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004

(2)  COM(2004) 70 final, page 4

(3)  COM(2004) 18

(4)  See EESC opinions 242/2000 (Olsson) and 528/2004 (Fusco and Glorieux) for further references to the significance of social economy enterprises.

(5)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, points 5.4 and 6.12

(6)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 2.2.2

(7)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 5.3

(8)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, points 6.10.1 and 6.10.2

(9)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 6.11.1

(10)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 6.2.1

(11)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 4.3

(12)OJ C 10 of 14.1.2004, point 8.4 final bullet point.

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Tourism policy and public-private cooperation’

(2005/C 74/02)

On 29 January 2004, the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under the second paragraph of Rule 29 of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an opinion on ‘Tourism policy and public-private cooperation’.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Mendoza.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 148 votes to one with three abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   Definition of stakeholders and sectors in the tourism industry: public and private sectors

3.   Current situation

4.   Objectives of public-private cooperation today

5.   Principles and criteria of cooperation

6.   Instruments and types of association and cooperation

7.   Role of networks of stakeholders: of towns and cities, businesses, specific projects

8.   Positive examples of public-private cooperation in the sphere of European tourism

9.   Promoting cooperation at European level

10.   Final comments

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to their re-usability, recyclability and recoverability and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC’

COM(2004) 162 final – 2004/0053 (COD)

(2005/C 74/03)

On 30 March 2004 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Ranocchiari.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004) the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 125 votes to four, with seven abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   The Commission's proposal

3.   General comments

4.   Specific comments

5.   Summary and conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)OJ L 269 of 21.10.2000.

(2)OJ C 129 of 27.4.1998.

(3)OJ L 42 of 23.2.1970.

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on film heritage and the competitiveness of related industrial activities’

COM(2004) 171 final - 2004/0066 (COD)

(2005/C 74/04)

On 26 March 2004 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 157 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 8 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Braghin.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 129 votes to three with six abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   General comments

3.   Conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, in OJ L 167 of 22.6.2001.

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Council Directive on the common system of value added tax (Recast)’

COM(2004) 246 final - 2004/0079 (CNS)

(2005/C 74/05)

On 30 April 2004, the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 13 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Burani.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004) the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 147 votes to six with 10 abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   The EESC's comments

3.   Conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  COM(2004) 246 final – 2004/0079 (CNS)

(2)OJ C 77 of 28.3.2002

(3)OJ C 117 of 30.4.2004

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Better economic governance in the EU’

(2005/C 74/06)

On 29 January 2004 the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under Rule 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an opinion on ‘Better economic governance in the EU’.

The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 13 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr van Iersel.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 130 votes in favour and 3 votes against, with 7 abstentions.

SUMMARY

The European Union is entering upon a new phase. 2004 is the year of the accession of ten new Member States, of a new Commission, of a new European Parliament, and hopefully also the year of the Constitution. In the course of this year the Midterm Review of the Lisbon Strategy is being prepared for 2005. The Commission's analyses, including those in the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, draw attention to shortcomings in the progress of integration. These shortcomings are partly due to the weak points in the current economic situation, but also partly to insufficient readiness on the part of the Member States to hold firmly to objectives and promises which they themselves agreed upon. It is of great importance to activate economic growth and breathe new life into the Lisbon Strategy. This opinion focuses on the governance of this strategic concept, which is essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the Union. There is an urgent need for a confidence-inspiring institutional framework in terms of the proper division of tasks within the Union – who is responsible for what, and when? – and in terms of the implementation in the Member States of objectives and directives decided upon by the European Council and the specialised Councils. There are successful models for a ‘new style’ Lisbon Strategy: they include Europa '92 and Economic and Monetary Union. The opinion argues strongly in favour of the Community method. There is a need for an integrated approach on the basis of a previously agreed plan comprising successive steps.

1.   Introduction

2.   The analysis for 2004

3.   Internal market, employment and the Lisbon process

4.   The institutional framework

5.   Europe at a new crossroads

6.   Recommendations and conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)OJ C 133 of 6.6.2003

OJ C 80 of 30.3.2004

(2)  Communication from the Commission on the Implementation of the 2003-05 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, COM(2004) 20 final)

(3)  The 2004 Update of the 2003-05 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, COM(2004) 238)

(4)  The EESC issued an opinion on this in 2002 – see OJ C 221 of 17.9.2002

(5)  In parallel to this, there is also more and more emphasis on better EU regulation: see the Better regulation Action Plan, 2003, and the Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of 17 and 18 May 2004

(6)  See judgment of the Court (Full Court) of 13 July 2004, Case C-27/04

(7)  Economic Forecast, Spring 2004, page 31

(8)  Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – Creating more employment in Europe – Report of the Employment Taskforce chaired by Wim Kok, 26 November 2003

(9)  Letter from Prime Minister Blair, President Chirac and Chancellor Schröder dated 18 February 2004, and the ‘Joint Contribution to the Spring Council 2004’ by government leaders Aznar (Spain), Balkenende (Netherlands), Berlusconi (Italy), Durão Barroso (Portugal), Miller (Poland) and Parts (Estonia)

(10)  Report on the implementation of the Internal Market Strategy (2003-2006) of 21 January 2004 – COM(2004) 22 final

(11)  Report on the implementation of the Internal Market Strategy (2003-2006) of 21 January 2004 – COM(2004) 22 final

(12)  Opinion on Employment support measures – OJ C 110 of 30.4.2004 (SOC/159)

(13)  Report from the Commission to the Spring European Council: Delivering Lisbon – reforms for the enlarged European Union – COM(2004) 29 final/2

(14)  Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament – researchers in the European Area: one profession, multiple careers – OJ C 110 of 30.4.2004 (INT/216), and Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Europe and basic research’ – OJ C 110 of 30.4.2004 (INT/229)

(15)  Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of 17 and 18 May 2004

(16)  See footnote 4

(17)  See Internal Market Scoreboard, Edition 13, 13 July 2004, http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/score/docs/score13/score13-printed_en.pdf

(18)  Letter from Prime Minister Blair, President Chirac and Chancellor Schröder of 18 February 2004

(19)  See the Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of 26 and 27 November 2003

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament — Building our common future: Policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013’

COM(2004) 101 final

(2005/C 74/07)

On 18 March 2004 the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned communication.

The Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 13 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Dassis.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004 (meeting of 15 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 143 votes to 26 with 11 abstentions.

1.   Scope of the opinion

2.   General review of the European Commission communication

2.3   Sustainable development: growth, cohesion and employment

2.9   Citizenship

2.11   The European Union in the world

2.13   Financial requirements

3.   Comments of the EESC on the Commission's document and proposals

4.   Alternative options for the appropriations ceiling

5.   Specific comments

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  COM(2004) 107 final

(2)  COM(2004) 101 final) of 10 February 2004

(3)  CESE 661/2004 of 28 April 2004

(4)  EESC Opinion on Budgetary policy and type of investment, OJ C 110, 30.4.2004, p. 111

(5)  The funding of the European Union: Commission report on the operation of the own resources system

(6)OJ C 32, 5.2.2004, p. 36, point 4.1

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘The role of women's organisations as non-state actors in implementing the Cotonou Agreement’

(2005/C 74/08)

At its plenary session of 17 July 2003, the European Economic and Social Committee decided, under Rule 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, to draw up an opinion on ‘The role of women's organisations as non-state actors in implementing the Cotonou Agreement’.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 7 July 2004. The rapporteur was Ms Florio.

At its 411th plenary session (meeting of 15 September 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 115 votes to eight, with eight abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   General comments

3.   The European institutions and mainstreaming policies

4.   Cotonou: participatory approach and gender issues

5.   Participation of women's associations, NGOs and organisations

6.   Women in the development process and priority action areas

—   Education and training

It has been shown that promoting education and training not only brings about improvements in the lives of individuals, but can also have a positive impact on the local community. The correlation between education and other areas of the economy and society and its effect on the role of (educated) women has been demonstrated in many studies, research projects and sets of statistics. It is therefore of fundamental importance to promote the availability of schooling and training, particularly in rural and impoverished areas of developing countries, and ensuring that both women and men can access it free of charge. Worldwide, it is still the case that 24 % of girls of primary school age do not attend school (for boys, the figure is 16 %). In developing countries, 61 % of men have at least a basic education, against 41 % of women.

—   Access to resources

Access to financial resources, in particular ease of access for women to bank loans, micro-credit, savings opportunities and insurance services, is seen as one of the priority action areas. Information on such matters is one possible approach. A series of recommendations in this area, in particular on improving access for women to financial resources, have already been made at the UN. Given the rapid pace of change in the global economy and marketplace, all aspects of resources for development should be looked at from the perspective of women. The differences between men and women in relation to access to and control of economic resources, public goods and services, and land ownership, have deprived women of fundamental rights and economic opportunities, of power, and of an independent voice in political and decision-making processes.

—   Employment policies

Despite a few small advances in the area of women's participation in the labour market, it certainly cannot be said that there is equality of opportunity in access to the formal labour market and fair pay in ACP countries. In developing countries, the informal sector is the biggest source of earnings and employment. It is women who have been most heavily affected by the loss of jobs in many ACP countries. They have often ended up either unemployed or in unprotected, informal, precarious employment, which often does not pay well enough even to meet vital needs. The opportunity to access forms of micro-credit, to promote micro-entrepreneurship among women, and to own land is fundamental to ensuring a decent lifestyle for both men and women, but, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), women are effectively denied that right in many developing countries. An analysis of credit schemes in five African countries shows that women receive 10 % of loans for small landowners; the remaining 90 % goes to men.

—   Women and health

The concepts of reproductive health, and women's right to health in general, are still alien to many developing countries. This has disastrous results not only for individual women, whose very lives are at risk, but also for society in general. For an emblematic example of how critical the situation is, one only needs to think of the difficulties in treating and preventing STI/HIV, and the effect that the spread of disease is having on the social and economic systems in many countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sexual and biological differences between men and women are also reflected in the area of health and medical treatment. The role and status given to women do not reflect their real need for proper access to healthcare and medicines, nor do they take account of their responsibility within society. Scant attention is paid to the various needs that are particular to women. This has lifelong negative repercussions for women. The problem becomes even more alarming in those places where the socio-cultural context tends to justify physical, psychological and sexual abuse of women.

—   Combating all forms of violence against women

Violence against women is still one of the most difficult battles to fight and even to quantify. One has only to think of the phenomenon of domestic violence, which is difficult enough to report in Western societies, of genital mutilation, and of the trafficking of human beings, which seems to be constantly on the rise. The main victims of this phenomenon, which translates into sexual slavery and other forms of forced labour, are women and children, especially those who live in countries ravaged by war and conflict.

7.   Recommendations

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  The role of civil society in European development policy (REX 097/2003)

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the topic: ‘Towards the seventh Framework Programme for Research: Research needs in the area of demographic change — quality of life of elderly persons and technological requirements’

(2005/C 74/09)

On 29 January 2004, the European Economic and Social Committee, acting under Rule 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, decided to draw up an opinion on the topic: ‘Towards the seventh Framework Programme for Research: Research needs in the area of demographic change — quality of life of elderly persons and technological requirements’.

The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 14 July 2004. The rapporteur was Ms Heinisch.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004 (meeting of 15 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 144 votes to one, with two abstentions:

1.   Summary

Reason

There are close links between the biological, psychological, social, cultural, technological, economic and structural aspects of ageing. Also, people always age within a specific physical and social environment. In Europe, this environment varies widely in geographical, cultural and socio-structural terms. Neither fact – the fact that the ageing process has many different dimensions and the fact that it takes place under a variety of conditions – is adequately reflected in current research programmes. However, given the changes in the population age structure, only such broad and long-term research can provide the sound basis for planning and decision-making needed in the many different areas of society involved and at all tiers of decision-making.

With regard to point (a), research is needed in particular in the following fields:

The fact that the ageing process has many different dimensions and involves different cultural, economic and structural disciplines necessitates long-term multi- and interdisciplinary research.

With regard to point (b), the following flanking measures are in particular deemed necessary to ensure compliance with Article 85 of the Fundamental Rights Charter, which guarantees all older EU citizens the right to live in dignity and to participate actively as citizens and in decision-making processes:

Purpose:

To establish a comprehensive knowledge base:

2.   Introduction

3.   Background and case for an own-initiative opinion

4.   Individual research needs

This own-initiative opinion focuses on areas where research is needed so that the people of Europe can lead a life worth living - including as they grow older - in an environment of demographic change. Issues to be looked at include the ageing processes and living conditions of older people themselves, which can vary widely across Europe, and also the general conditions obtaining in society as a whole, which also differ considerably in individual countries.

Demographic change has many facets, but this opinion addresses only those areas in which there is a particularly strong need for innovation, and thus for more interdisciplinary research.

4.1   Research needs in economic and financial policy

4.2   Research needs in work and employment

4.3   Research needs in elderly people's everyday lives

4.4   Research needs in the social and spatial environment

4.5   Research needs with regard to lifelong learning

4.6   Research needs with regard to maintaining a healthy life and care requirements

4.7   Research needs and new technologies

4.8   Processing, collating and adding to existing knowledge

5.   Aims and recommendations

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  COM(2004) 146 final; Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation; Communication from the Commission: Strengthening the implementation of the European Employment Strategy, Annex 1, 26 March 2004, COM(2004) 239 final; http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/legis/legln_en.htm.

(2)  Council Decision 2000/750/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006), http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/index_en.htm; EESC opinion, OJ C 284, 14.9.1998; Booklet EESC-2000-018 Jobs, Learning and Social inclusion: The work of the European EESC

(3)  Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 (2002/C 163/01), OJ C 163, 9.7.2002; COM(2002) 678 final (November 2001); cf .also COM(2004) 156 final

(4)  European Communities (2002), European social statistics: population, Eurostat, theme 3: population and social conditions, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

(5)  COM(2004) 9 final.; cf also COM(2002) 565 final, especially points 3.3 and 4.2

(6)  Cf. also point 4.7 of the EESC opinion on innovation policy, OJ C 10, 14.1.2004. (COM(2003) 112 final)

(7)  European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT). (2002). Transport and ageing of the population. Paris Cedex: OECD Publications.

(8)  COM(2001) 678 final; Council Resolution of 27 June 2002 (2002/C 163/01), OJ C 163, 9.7.2002

(9)  Eurostat (2002), The Social Situation in the European Union 2002, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

(10)  Cf. J.M Robine and J. Vaupel (2001): Emergence of supercentenarians in low mortality countries. The Gerontologist, 41 (special issue II), 212

(11)  Cf. Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Towards a European research area, OJ C 204, 18.7.2000

(12)  Cf. again EESC opinions OJ C 95, 23.4.2003 (COM(2002) 565 final.

(13)  Communication from the Commission COM(2002) 277 final

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 2002/54/EC and 2002/57/EC as regards examinations carried out under official supervision and equivalence of seed produced in third countries’

COM(2004) 263 final - 2004/0086 CNS

(2005/C 74/10)

On 29 April 2004, the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 6 July 2004. The rapporteur working without a study group was Mr Bros.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004 (meeting of 15 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 85 votes to one, with three abstentions.

1.   Introduction

2.   The Commission proposal

3.   General comments

4.   Conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee on the Integration of Environmental Aspects into European Standardisation’

COM(2004) 130 final

(2005/C 74/11)

On 25 February 2004, the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned communication.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 6 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Pezzini.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 September 2004, the European Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following opinion:

1.   Introduction

2.   Summary of the Communication

3.   General comments

4.   Specific observations

5.   Conclusions

Brussels, 15 September 2004

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

----

(1)  COM(2001) 264 final.

(2)  Opinion CESE 1494/2001 of 29 November 2001 and CESE 661/2004 of 29 April 2004

(3)  EC Treaty Articles 2 and 6 (consolidated version)

(4)  Decision 1600/2002/EC of 22 July 2002

(5)  EESC Opinion on the Green Paper on Integrated Product Policies (OJ C 260, 17.9.2001 and Opinion CESE 1598/2003 of 10.12.2003 on the Communication from the Commission on Integrated Product Policy - Building on Environmental Life-Cycle Thinking.

(6)  Communication from the Commission COM(2002) 278

(7)  Communication from the Commission : Industrial Policy in an Enlarged Europe COM (2002) 714

(8)  Communication: Internal Market Strategy – Priorities 2003-2006 COM(2003) 238 final

(9)  IEC/109 on Environmental aspects – Inclusion in electro-technical product standards

(10)  ISO/TR 14062 on Environmental management – integrating environmental aspects into product design and development

(11)  Opinion CESE 560/1999 of 29 May 1999 (OJ C 209, 22.7.1999)

(12)OJ C 66, 15.3.2002

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Agriculture in peri-urban areas’

(2005/C 74/12)

On 17 July 2003, the European Economic and Social Committee decided to draw up an opinion, under Rule 29(2) of its Rules of Procedure, on ‘Agriculture in peri-urban areas’.

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 6 July 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Caball i Subirana.

At its 411th plenary session of 15 and 16 September 2004 (meeting of 16 September), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 132 votes in favour and three abstentions.

1.   Introduction

1.1   A productive activity conditioned by the urban environment

1.2   Much more than merely an economic activity

1.3   Constraints and opportunities: agriculture in heterogeneous and constantly-changing areas

2.   Objectives for the conservation and development of peri-urban agriculture

2.2   Objective 1: Social, political and administrative recognition that peri-urban areas with agricultural activity are rural areas facing specific constraints

2.2.1   Bolstering an active and powerful network of ‘intermediate cities’

2.2.2   Acknowledging the role of agriculture in the relationship between city and country

2.2.3   Raising awareness as a tool for recognition

2.3   Objective 2: Preventing peri-urban agricultural areas from becoming part of the urban process through regional planning, urban planning and municipal initiatives

2.4   Objective 3: Ensure the dynamic and sustainable development of peri-urban agriculture and the areas in which it is practised

3.   Conclusions

Brussels, 16 September 2004

The president

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH

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(1)  Literally, ‘A living countryside is essential for farming, as agricultural activity is essential for a living countryside.’ - Conclusions of the second European conference on rural development in Salzburg, 12-14 November 2003 – MEMO/03/236.

(2)  See footnote 1.

(3)  CESE 961/2004 – NAT/243

(4)  CESE 968/2004 – ECO/120

(5)  See footnote 1.

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