A4-0173/99

Proposal for a Council Regulation on measures to promote and provide information on agricultural products in third countries (COM(98)0683 - C4-0158/99 - 98/0330(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas such a policy can usefully supplement and strengthen the measures undertaken by the Member States, especially by promoting the image of Community products on international markets as regards food quality and safety in particular: whereas this activity, by helping to open up new markets, is also likely to have a multiplier effect on national and private initiatives;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas such a policy can usefully supplement and strengthen the measures undertaken by the Member States, especially by promoting the image of Community products on international markets as regards

production methods and food quality and safety in particular: whereas this activity, by helping to open up new markets, is also likely to have a multiplier effect on national and private initiatives;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas, as a general rule, the Commission should bear only part of the requisite funding, so that the proposer organisations and interested Member States can share the responsibility; whereas however, in exceptional cases, it may be appropriate not to require a financial contribution from the Member State concerned;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, as a general rule, the Commission should bear only part of the requisite funding, so that the proposer organisations and interested Member States can share the responsibility; whereas however, in

certain cases, it may be appropriate not to require a financial contribution from the Member States concerned;

(Amendment 24)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas provision should be made whereby the Commission, through the appropriate procedures, can delegate management and implementation of the measures to bodies with the necessary facilities and skills;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas provision should be made whereby the Commission, through the appropriate

transparent procedures, can delegate management and implementation of the measures to bodies with the necessary facilities and skills, and whereas the proposer organisations should be made jointly responsible for the implementation of the programmes; whereas the proposer organisations may also include sales promotion bodies in the Member States, provided that, in terms of their internal structure, they represent the companies in the various sectors;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas, to monitor the proper conduct of the programmes and the impact of the measures, provision should be made for effective monitoring by the Commission and the Member States, and for evaluation of the results by an independent body.

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, to monitor the proper conduct of the programmes and the impact of the measures, provision should be made for effective monitoring by the Commission

, the proposer organisations and the Member States, and for evaluation of the results by an independent body.

(Amendment 5)

Article 1(1)

>Original text>

1. The Community may fund in whole or in part measures in third countries that promote or provide information on agricultural products.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The Community may fund in whole or in part measures in third countries that promote or provide information on processed foodstuffs and agricultural products.

(Amendment 6)

Article 2(a)

>Original text>

(a) public relations, promotional or publicity measures, in particular highlighting the advantages of Community products especially in terms of quality, hygiene, food safety, nutrition, labelling, animal welfare considerations or respect for the environment,

>Text following EP vote>

(a)

public relations, promotional or publicity measures, in particular highlighting the advantages of Community products especially in terms of quality, hygiene, food safety, nutrition, labelling, animal welfare considerations or respect for the environment and organic farming,

(Amendment 7)

Article 2(f)

>Original text>

(f) high-level visits by Community representatives,

>Text following EP vote>

(f) trade visits promoted by the Community,

(Amendment 8)

Article 2, 2nd paragraph (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Promotion measures shall not be directed solely at final consumers but also at the retail trade and producers of finished goods.

(Amendment 9)

Article 3(a)

>Original text>

(a) products intended for direct consumption or processing for which export opportunities or potential new market outlets in third countries exist, especially where export refunds will not be required,

>Text following EP vote>

(a) agricultural products and processed agricultural products for which export opportunities or potential new market outlets in third countries exist,

(Amendment 10)

Article 5(1)

>Original text>

1. In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11, the Commission shall draw up every two years a list of the products and markets referred to in Articles 3 and 4 respectively.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11, the Commission shall draw up every three years a list of the products and markets referred to in Articles 3 and 4 respectively.

>Original text>

However, this list may be amended in the interim, if necessary.

>Text following EP vote>

However, this list may be amended in the interim, if necessary

, following consultation of the European Parliament.

(Amendment 11)

Article 5(2)

>Original text>

2. Before the list referred to in paragraph 1 is drawn up, the Commission may consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Product Health and Safety.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

Before the list referred to in paragraph 1 is drawn up, the Commission shall consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Product Health and Safety.

(Amendment 12)

Article 6

>Original text>

Where measures are decided for the olive oil and table olive sector, the Community may carry them out through the International Olive Oil Council. In the case of other sectors, the Community may seek the help of international organisations offering similar guarantees.

>Text following EP vote>

Where measures are decided for the olive oil and table olive sector, the Community may carry them out through the International Olive Oil Council. In the case of other sectors, the Community may seek the help of

European organisations offering similar guarantees. Such organisations shall include members from at least two Member States.

(Amendment 13)

Article 7(1)

>Original text>

1. To carry out the measures referred to in Article 2 (a), (b) and (d) and subject to Article 6, the trade or inter-trade bodies representing the sector(s) concerned shall draw up promotion and information programmes lasting no longer than three years.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

To carry out the measures referred to in Article 2 (a), (b) and (d) and subject to Article 6, the trade or inter-trade bodies representing the sector(s) concerned shall draw up promotion and information programmes lasting no less than three and no more than five years.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

In connection with those programmes, the abovementioned bodies shall designate the body responsible for implementing the planned measures. They shall give reasons for their choice and, in particular, shall assess the candidates' operational capabilities.

>Original text>

Once approved by the Member States which, without prejudice to the second subparagraph of Article 9(3), shall undertake to contribute to their funding, the programmes referred to in the preceding subparagraph shall be submitted to the Commission. It shall approve the programmes after it has informed the Management Committees for the sectors in question, and shall give preference to programmes from organisations that cover several Member States.

>Text following EP vote>

Once approved by the Member States which, without prejudice to the second subparagraph of Article 9(3), shall undertake to contribute to their funding, the programmes referred to in the

first subparagraph shall be submitted to the Commission. It shall approve the programmes after it has consulted the Management Committees for the sectors in question. These programmes must come from organisations which include members from at least two Member States.

>Original text>

Before approving the programmes, the Commission may consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products of the Advisory Committees on Agricultural Product Health and Safety.

>Text following EP vote>

Before approving the programmes, the Commission

shall consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products of the Advisory Committees on Agricultural Product Health and Safety.

(Amendment 14)

Article 7(2)

>Original text>

2. The Commission shall decide on the measures

(a) referred to in Article 2(c), (e) and (f), or

(b) carried out by an international organisation as referred to in Article 6

after the Management Committee for the sectors in question or, where appropriate, the Regulatory Committees referred to Regulations (EEC) No 2092/91, (EEC) No 2081/92 and (EEC) No 2082/92 have been informed.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

The Commission shall decide on the measures

(a) referred to in Article 2(c), (e) and (f), or

(b) carried out by a European organisation as referred to in Article 6

after the Management Committee for the sectors in question or, where appropriate, the Regulatory Committees referred to in Regulations (EEC) No 2092/91, (EEC) No 2081/92 and (EEC) No 2082/92 have been consulted.

>Original text>

Before taking a decision, the Commission may consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products referred to in paragraph 1.

>Text following EP vote>

Before taking a decision, the Commission

shall consult the Standing Group on the Promotion of Agricultural Products referred to in paragraph 1.

(Amendment 15)

Article 8(1)

>Original text>

1. Subject to Article 6, the Commission shall choose, on the basis of an open or restricted invitation to tender, the body or bodies to manage and implement the measures, and the body to evaluate the results. The body or bodies responsible for implementation shall have specialist knowledge of the products concerned and the targeted markets, and the resources to ensure that the measures are implemented as effectively as possible, taking account of the European dimension of these programmes.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The proposer organisation which is responsible for implementing the measures shall indicate in the programme it submits to the Commission the arrangements planned for the implementation of measures other than those referred to in Article 7(1) and, where necessary, the name of the body or bodies to manage and implement the measures. The body or bodies responsible shall have specialist knowledge of the products concerned and the targeted markets, and the resources to ensure that the measures are implemented as effectively as possible, taking account of the European dimension of these programmes.

(Amendment 16)

Article 8(1a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

1a. Subject to Article 6, the Commission shall choose on the basis of an open or restricted invitation to tender the body or bodies responsible for evaluation of the results.

(Amendment 17)

Article 8(2)

>Original text>

2. A Monitoring Committee, comprising representatives of the Commission, the Member States concerned and the proposer organisations shall supervise the proper conduct of the measures.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

A Monitoring Committee, comprising representatives of the Commission, the Member States concerned and the proposer organisations shall supervise the proper conduct of the measures and the results of the measures evaluated by the body or bodies responsible for the evaluation.

(Amendment 18)

Article 8(3)

>Original text>

3. The Member States concerned shall be responsible for monitoring and making payments in respect of the measures referred to in Article 2(a), (b) and (d).

>Text following EP vote>

3. Where Article 7(1), second subparagraph, is applied, the Member States concerned and the Commission shall be responsible for monitoring and making payments in respect of the measures referred to in Article 2(a), (b) and (d).

(Amendment 20)

Article 9(2)

>Original text>

2. The Community¨s contribution to the annual measures referred to in paragraph 1(b) shall not exceed 50% of the real cost of the measures. In the case of promotions lasting at least two years, the contribution shall be degressive, falling from 60% to 40% of the real cost of the measures.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

The Community¨s contribution to the annual measures referred to in paragraph 1(b) shall correspond to 60% of the real cost of the measures. In the case of promotions lasting at least two years, the contribution shall be variable, covering between70% and 50% of the real cost of the measures.

(Amendment 21)

Article 9(3)

>Original text>

3. The Member States shall contribute to the measures referred to in the preceding paragraph by covering 20% of their real costs, the remaining balance to be borne by the proposer organisations.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Where Article 7(1), second subparagraph, is applied, the Member States shall contribute to the measures by covering 20% of their real costs, deducting that part of the funding to be borne by the proposer organisations.

>Original text>

However, in duly justified cases and on condition that the programme concerned is clearly of Community interest, it may be decided, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11, that the proposer organisation should bear all that part of the funding not supported by the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

However,

where the programmes concerned are of Community interest, it may be decided, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11, that the proposer organisation should bear all that part of the funding not supported by the Community.

(Amendment 22)

Article 10a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 10a

In order to finance the measures referred to in Article 1, provision shall be made for an annual appropriation of EUR 30 million for the financial year 2000, EUR 35 million for the financial year 2001, EUR 40 million for the financial year 2002 and EUR 50 million for the financial year 2003.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The annual appropriation shall include the sum of EUR 6 million needed to enable the European Community to take part in the information and promotional activities of the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC).

(Amendment 23)

Article 12a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 12a

The Commission shall carry out a study into the possibility of abolishing export refunds and making part of the funds released available for promotional measures.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on measures to promote and provide information on agricultural products in third countries (COM(98)0683 - C4-0158/99 - 98/0330(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0683 - 98/0330(CNS) ((OJ C 32, 6.2.1999, p. 12.)),

- having being consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0158/99),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on External Economic Relations (A4-0173/99),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.