A4-0506/98

Proposal for a Council Regulation on a programme to supply agricultural products to the Russian Federation (COM(98)0725) - C4-0678/98 - 98/0343(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Article 1(3)

>Original text>

3. Supply shall be staggered as determined in consultation with the Russian authorities.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

Supply, which shall be subject to a maximum amount set by the budget authority, shall be staggered as determined in consultation with the Russian authorities and, starting with the first delivery, following verification of full compliance by the Russian authorities with the conditions of internal distribution and use of the resources obtained.

(Amendment 2)

Article 1(4), 1st subparagraph

>Original text>

4. The terms of the operation shall be the subject of a memorandum between the Community and Russia negotiated and concluded by the Commission. They shall include, on the responsibility of the Russian authorities, sale of the products supplied on local markets at prices whereby the regional market will not be disturbed and also the principle of exclusive allocation of the net receipts of sales to social measures. Exceptionally the products supplied may be distributed free to the neediest people of the regions concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

4.

The terms of the operation shall be the subject of a memorandum between the Community and Russia negotiated and concluded by the Commission. They shall include, on the responsibility of the Russian authorities, sale of the products supplied on local markets at prices whereby the regional market will not be disturbed and also the principle of exclusive allocation of the net receipts of sales to social measures. They shall also include a definition of principles to be observed in invitations to tender issued by the Russian authorities and criteria for the distribution of products, to ensure that European Union aid is visible and to enable non-government organisations to help in this task, in particular the Red Cross and Caritas Internationalis. Exceptionally the products supplied may be distributed free to the neediest people of the regions concerned.

(Amendment 9)

Article 3

>Original text>

The maximum quantities for free supply shall be:

1 000 000 tonnes of common wheat of breadmaking quality,

500 000 tonnes of rye of breadmaking quality,

50 000 tonnes of milled rice,

100 000 tonnes of pig carcasses,

150 000 tonnes of beef carcasses,

50 000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder,

>Text following EP vote>

The maximum quantities for free supply shall be:

1 000 000 tonnes of common wheat of breadmaking quality,

500 000 tonnes of rye of breadmaking quality,

50 000 tonnes of milled rice,

100 000 tonnes of pig carcasses,

150 000 tonnes of beef carcasses,

50 000 tonnes of skimmed milk powder,

50 000 tonnes of frozen mackerel fillet.

(Amendment 3)

Article 4(1), 2nd subparagraph

>Original text>

The Commission shall defer execution of one or more instalments of the operation or suspend it if it is not ensured that the operation is being carried out satisfactorily, in particular if the provisions of the memorandum referred to in Article 1(4) are not being respected.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall defer execution of one or more instalments of the operation or suspend it if it is not ensured that the operation is being carried out satisfactorily

in terms of internal distribution and use of the resources by the Russian authorities, and in particular if a risk of re-export is detected or if the provisions of the memorandum referred to in Article 1(4) are not being respected.

(Amendment 4)

Article 4(1), 4th subparagraph

>Original text>

The Commission shall, by means of open or restricted invitations to tender or private contracts, as provided for in the Financial Regulation, call on outside technical assistance for monitoring, auditing, control and evaluation of the proper conduct of the operation, including on Russian territory.

>Text following EP vote>

In implementing this measure the Commission shall be assisted by external Technical Assistance Offices responsible for monitoring, auditing, control and evaluation of the programme, particularly on Russian territory. The Commission shall, by means of open or restricted invitations to tender or private contracts, as provided for in the Financial Regulation, define this outside technical assistance. The amount allocated for this technical assistance shall be laid down in the budget procedure.

(Amendment 5)

Article 4a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 4a

The Commission shall forward the memorandum concluded with Russia to the European Parliament and the Council. It shall regularly inform (at each delivery) the budget authority about implementation of these appropriations and compliance with the memorandum, particularly as regards the distribution and use of aid.

(Amendment 6)

Article 6a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Article 6a

The Russian government shall draw up regular reports on the implementation of the programme (distribution of aid and use of resources obtained), which shall be forwarded to the Commission and the European Parliament.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on a programme to supply agricultural products to the Russian Federation (COM(98)0725 - C4-0678/98 - 98/0343(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0725 - 98/0343(CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0678/98),

- 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 (A4-0506/98),

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.