A4-0336/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation introducing specific measures for live plants and floricultural products (COM(96)0261 - C4-0390/96 - 96/0155(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas on 21 June 1996 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on a Community initiative for ornamental horticulture1,

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1 OJ C 198, 8.7.1996, p. 266.

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the common organization of the market provides only for quality standards and customs duties without any other specific import protection measure, with the exception of possible safeguard measures,

(Amendment 3)

Recital 1c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the increase in the number of free trade areas and generalised systems of preferences favours imports of horticultural products and in particular cut flowers from third countries; whereas the resulting loss of earnings for the European Union caused by the reduction on import duties amounts to some ECU 50 million,

(Amendment 4)

Article 1

>Original text>

The Community may contribute to the financing of measures put forward and implemented by groups representing the sector to promote the consumption of Community live plants and floricultural products falling within CN code 06.

>Text following EP vote>

The Community may contribute to the financing of measures put forward and implemented by groups representing the sector in one or more Member States to promote the consumption of Community live plants and floricultural products falling within CN code 06.

(Amendment 5)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. Contributions to the financing of the measures provided for in this Regulation shall be deemed intervention intended to stabilize the agricultural markets within the meaning of Article 3(1) of Regulation (EEC) No. 729/90.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Contributions to the financing of the measures provided for in this Regulation shall be deemed intervention intended to stabilize the agricultural markets within the meaning of Article 3(1) of Regulation (EEC) No. 729/90. The estimated EU contribution shall be ECU 60 million every year from 1997 onwards.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation introducing specific measures for live plants and floricultural products (COM(96)0261 - C4-0390/96 - 96/0155(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0261 - 96/0155(CNS) ((OJ C 216, 26.7.1996, p. 14.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0390/96),

- 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 (A4-0336/96),

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 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.