Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The aim of this proposal for a Regulation is to facilitate the transition from earlier vineyard restructuring arrangements and the application of a policy of generational replacement in the wine sector.

In a number of Member States young farmers are encouraged to set up as winegrowers in return for new planting rights and the option to take part in vineyard restructuring and conversion plans. This policy has been followed in part in Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 through the implementation of the system of reserves of planting rights. During the transition from earlier arrangements in a number of Member States to the new market organisation, it has been necessary to provide for the new planting rights awarded within the framework of the former material improvement plans (MIP) and those awarded to young farmers to be eligible, on a temporary basis, for the restructuring aid scheme as was previously the case. The implementation of the system of reserves provided for in Article 5 of the above Regulation will subsequently allow full application of the "young winegrowers" policy with no further need for a derogation.

2001/0132 (CNS)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ C , , p. .

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [2],

[2] OJ C , , p. .

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee [3],

[3] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) A number of Member States pursue an active policy of generational replacement in the agricultural sector. This policy has proved its worth particularly in the wine sector, where there is a great need to attract younger growers.

(2) In order to facilitate the application of such a policy in the wine sector, and pending implementation of the system of reserves of planting rights, provision should be made for the new planting rights awarded to young farmers to be eligible, on a temporary basis, for the restructuring aid scheme introduced by Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 [4]. This should also be allowed for the new planting rights awarded within the framework of the former material improvement plans referred to in Council Regulation (EC) No 950/97 of 20 May 1997 on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures [5] to facilitate the transition from earlier arrangements.

[4] OJ L 179, 14.7.1999, p. 1. Regulation amended by Regulation (EC) No 2826/2000 (OJ L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 2).

[5] OJ L 142, 2.6.1997, p. 1.

(3) Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 should therefore be amended,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 is amended as follows:

1. The following third subparagraph is added to Article 11(3):

"It shall cover the new planting rights awarded within the framework of material improvement plans referred to in Regulation (EC) No 950/97 and those awarded to young farmers and used during the 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 marketing years."

2. In the second subparagraph of Article 15, point (b) is replaced by the following:

"(b) provisions governing the use of replanting rights in general and of new planting rights awarded within the framework of material improvement plans and to young farmers, in the implementation of programmes."

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

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