A4-0281/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal (COM(96)0422 - C4-0447/96 - 96/0211(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 39)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas the market in beef and veal has been seriously disturbed, mainly as a result of consumer fears concerning bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE); whereas this situation has led to a sudden, continuing deterioration on the market, entailing a sharp fall in consumption, a collapse in prices paid to producers and public intervention buying-in; whereas forecasts show that, despite the battery of measures adopted by the Community in this area, consumption is unlikely to return to previous levels in the near future; whereas measures should therefore be taken to restore balance on the market while safeguarding the operational practicability of the support arrangements for the beef industry; whereas, to that end, production must be brought more closely into line with consumption;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the market in beef and veal has been seriously disturbed, mainly as a result of consumer fears concerning bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE); whereas this situation has led to a sudden, continuing deterioration on the market, entailing a sharp fall in consumption, a collapse in prices paid to producers and public intervention buying-in; whereas forecasts show that, despite the battery of measures adopted by the Community in this area, consumption is unlikely to return to previous levels in the near future; whereas measures should therefore be taken to restore balance on the market while safeguarding the operational practicability of the support arrangements for the beef industry; whereas, to that end, production must be brought more closely into line with consumption and the existing premiums must be appropriately upgraded;

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas the total number of animals qualifying for the special premium each calendar year depends on the regional ceilings fixed in Article 4b(3) and (3a) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68; whereas, in line with past experience, the number of animals covered by premium applications in certain Member States is substantially below those ceilings while in others it is significantly above them; whereas, in order to adjust the ceilings to actual production, they should be redefined on the basis of actual applications; whereas, with a view to reducing the total quantity produced, the adjusted ceiling should be further reduced by 5% and any increase which might result from this financial year in certain Member States should be reduced by a half;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the total number of animals qualifying for the special premium and the suckler cow premium each calendar year depends, in the case of the special premium, on the regional ceilings in Article 4b(3) and (3a) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 and, in the case of suckler cows, on the aggregate premium rights available in the Member States; whereas, in order to adjust these ceilings to the lower level of production to be achieved, they should temporarily be redefined on the basis of premiums granted; whereas, with a view to reducing the total quantity produced, a uniform ad hoc reduction of 5% is needed, starting in 1997;

(Amendment 42)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas the impact on production of the processing premium provided for in Article 4i of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 must be stepped up; whereas it should accordingly apply compulsorily in all Member States, its scope should be extended to cover all male calves and the Member States should be authorized to extend it to animals withdrawn before they are 20 days old on condition they introduce the controls necessary to eliminate from the human food chain the animals thus withdrawn; whereas also, given the existence of certain special types of production in some Member States, beef-breed animals slaughtered before or at the age of six weeks should also be eligible for the premium; whereas, in order to ensure that the premium or premiums, as the case may be, are adjusted to the requirements of the arrangements, the Commission should also be given the task of setting the amount;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the impact on production of the processing premium provided for in Article 4i of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 must be stepped up; whereas it should accordingly apply compulsorily in all Member States, its scope should be extended to cover all male calves and the Member States should be authorized to extend it to animals withdrawn before they are 20 days old on condition they introduce the controls necessary to eliminate from the human food chain the animals thus withdrawn; whereas also, given the existence of certain special types of production in some Member States, beef-breed animals slaughtered before or at the age of six weeks should also be eligible for the premium; whereas, in order to ensure that the premium or premiums, as the case may be, are adjusted to the requirements of the arrangements, the Commission should also be given the task of setting the amount in such a way as to avoid the level thereof destabilizing the sector rearing calves for slaughter;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 5a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in order to reduce production in the calf, young animal and adult male animal categories, farmers shall be granted early marketing premiums if the actual carcase weights are markedly below the average carcase weights for each category;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas there is likely to be an overrun in the ceilings fixed in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 as a result of the quantities which have had to be bought in since the onset of the BSE crisis; whereas, in order to prevent the application of the ceilings from triggering the 'safety net' arrangements provided for in Article 6(4) of that Regulation, the ceilings for 1996 and 1997 should be raised to levels corresponding to the requirements of the market; whereas the measures to restore balance on the market can nevertheless be expected to allow a return to previous levels from 1998 on;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas there is likely to be an overrun in the ceilings fixed in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 as a result of the quantities which have had to be bought in since the onset of the BSE crisis; whereas, in order to prevent the application of the ceilings from triggering the 'safety net' arrangements provided for in Article 6(4) of that Regulation, the ceilings for 1996 and 1997 should gradually be raised to levels corresponding to the requirements of the market; whereas the measures to restore balance on the market can nevertheless be expected to allow a return to previous levels from 1998 on;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 7

>Original text>

Whereas the temporary buying-in of light animals can also help to restore sound conditions on the market for beef and veal; whereas, to that end, special intervention arrangements covering male animals from 7 to 9 months old and of a live weight not exceeding 300 kilograms should be introduced;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the temporary buying-in of light animals can also help to restore sound conditions on the market for beef and veal; whereas, to that end, special intervention arrangements covering male animals of a carcase weight of 150-200 kilograms should be introduced;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas, in order to deal with the special situation stemming from German unification, Article 4k of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 provides for a system of special regional ceilings for the new German Laender by way of derogation from the provisions on regional and individual ceilings for the special and suckler cow premiums; whereas in the meantime there has been sufficient progress in the structuring of the beef industry in the new Laender for special measures no longer to be indispensable; whereas, however, certain adjustments should be made;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in order to deal with the special situation stemming from German unification, Article 4k of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 provides for a system of special regional ceilings for the new German Laender by way of derogation from the provisions on regional and individual ceilings for the special and suckler cow premiums; whereas, since there has not been sufficient progress in the structuring of the beef industry in the new Laender, the review shall be postponed until 1998;

(Amendment 19)

Recital 8a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the measures set out in this Regulation are designed as an initial short-term approach to the unforeseen widespread deterioration in the market for beef and veal, and whereas consideration must now be given to proposals for reform seeking to establish a more cohesive and more practical set of long-term policy instruments for the entire beef and veal sector;

(Amendment 30)

ARTICLE 1(1)(-a) (new)

Article 4b(1) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

-a . Add the following to paragraph 1:

This special premium may also be granted in less-favoured and mountain and hill areas within the meaning of Directive 75/268/EEC for young female animals intended for fattening. Cost-effective measures to rebalance the beef market should also be taken in particular to increase consumption. For this purpose a specific fund should be made available to restore consumer confidence through the promotion of beef and beef products.

(Amendment 8)

ARTICLE 1(1)(a)

Article 4b(2), first subparagraph (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Original text>

2. The premium shall be granted no more than:

>Text following EP vote>

2. The premium shall be granted no more than:

>Original text>

(a) once in the life of each uncastrated male bovine animal from 10 to 21 months old, or

>Text following EP vote>

(a) once in the life of each uncastrated male bovine animal aged 8 months or more, or

>Original text>

(b) twice in the life of each castrated male bovine animal:

>Text following EP vote>

(b) twice in the life of each castrated male bovine animal:

>Original text>

- the first time at the age of 10 months,

- the second time after it has reached the age of 22 months.

>Text following EP vote>

- the first time at the age of 8 months,

- the second time after it has reached the age of 22 months.

(Amendment 9)

ARTICLE 1(1)(b) (new)

Article 4b(3)(3)(ba) (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

(ba) by way of derogation from (b) the following regional ceilings shall apply for the calendar years 1997 and 1998: the number of animals for which the special premium was paid within a region in the reference year 1994, reduced by 5%.

In Member States in which the number of special premiums paid in 1994 exceeds the number of special premiums listed under (b), the regional ceiling stipulated in (b) shall be reduced by 5%.

(Amendment 29)

ARTICLE 1(1)(c)

Article 4b(6), first subparagraph, second indent (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Original text>

- ECU 123.9 per uncastrated male animal.

>Text following EP vote>

- ECU 163.1 per uncastrated male animal and per young female animal intended for fattening.

(Amendment 11)

ARTICLE 1(1a)(new)

Article 4d(2) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

1a. Article 4d(2) is replaced by the following:

"2. The producers' right to the premium shall be limited by the application of an individual ceiling. This ceiling shall be equal to the number of animals for which a premium was granted in respect of the reference year, reduced so that the national reserve referred to in Article 4f may be set up. Member States may select 1990, 1991 or 1992 as the reference year. The Member States shall inform the Commission by 31 January 1993 of the reference year selected. The premium rights available in the Member States as at 31 December 1996 shall be reduced by 5% with effect from 1 January 1997.¨

(Amendment 13)

ARTICLE 1(3)

Article 4i(3a) (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

3a. Each Member State may decide not to apply the processing premiuim, taking account of its production structure. In that case, it shall participate in the special intervention arrangements for lightweight carcases provided for in Article 6a.

>Text following EP vote>

The premium per eligible animal shall be ECU 120.8.

(Amendment 14)

ARTICLE 1(4)

Article 4k (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Original text>

4. Article 4k is replaced by the following:

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(The Commission's proposed amendment of Article 4k is not accepted)

(Amendment 15)

ARTICLE 1(4a) (new)

Article 4k(3) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

4a. Article 4k(3) is replaced by the following:

"3. Before the end of 1998, the Commission shall submit a report to the Council, accompanied by proposals on the application in the territory of the new German Laender of the rules which apply in the rest of the Community. The Council shall decide on these proposals by the end of 1999.¨

(Amendment 32)

ARTICLE 1(4b) (new)

Article 4la (new) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Text following EP vote>

4b. The following article is inserted after Article 4l:

'Article 4la

1. Market participants may receive a premium for the early slaughter of calves, young animals and adult male animals originating in the Community (early marketing premium).

>Text following EP vote>

(a) Calves may not exceed a carcase weight 15% less than the average carcase weight established for calves under Community price-setting in the individual Member States in the calendar year 1995.

>Text following EP vote>

(b) Young animals must have a carcase weight of at least 200 kg and not more than 230 kg.

>Text following EP vote>

(c) Adult male bovine animals may not exceed a carcase weight 15% less than the average carcase weight established for adult male animals under Community price-setting in the individual Member States in the calender year 1995.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The premium per eligible animal shall be:

- ECU 120.8 for calves,

- ECU 180 for young animals, and

- ECU 125 for adult male animals.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Should the market situation so require, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide to amend the premiums under paragraph 2.

>Text following EP vote>

4. The Commission shall adopt the detailed rules for implementing this Article in accordance with procedure laid down in Article 27.¨

(Amendment 17)

ARTICLE 1(5)

Article 6(1), second subparagraph (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Original text>

Such purchases may not exceed the following quantities, per year and for the whole Community:

>Text following EP vote>

Such purchases may not exceed the following quantities, per year and for the whole Community:

>Original text>

- 720,000 tonnes for 1996,

- 500,000 tonnes for 1997,

- 350,000 tonnes for 1998.

>Text following EP vote>

- 500,000 tonnes for 1996,

- 400,000 tonnes for 1997,

- 350,000 tonnes for 1998.

>Text following EP vote>

Should the market situation so require, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, shall decide to increase these quantities in tranches of up to 100,000 tonnes each, up to annual ceilings of:

>Text following EP vote>

- 720,000 tonnes for 1996,

- 500,000 tonnes for 1997.

(Amendment 18)

ARTICLE 1(6)

Article 6a(1) (Regulation (EEC) No 805/68)

>Original text>

1. Notwithstanding Article 5(2), where market forecasts demand, certain kinds of fresh or chilled meat of lean male bovine animals from seven to nine months old of a live weight not exceeding 300 kilograms and originating in the Community may be bought in by intervention agencies in one or more Member States or in a region thereof under invitations to tender.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Notwithstanding Article 5(2), where market forecasts demand, certain kinds of fresh or chilled meat of lean male bovine animals of 150-200 kg carcase weight and originating in the Community may be bought in by intervention agencies in the Member States under invitations to tender.

(Amendment 33)

ARTICLE 3, second paragraph

>Original text>

Article 1(1), (2) and (4) shall apply from 1 January 1997.

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1(1) shall apply from 1 January 1997.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 805/68 on the common organization of the market in beef and veal (COM(96)0422 - C4-0447/96 - 96/0211(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0422 - 96/0211(CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0447/96),

- 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 opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0281/96),

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 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.