WRITTEN QUESTION E-0007/02

by Guido Sacconi (PSE), Paolo Bartolozzi (PPE-DE)and Enrico Ferri (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 January 2002)

Subject: Incentives for young farmers in Tuscany

In the present situation an adequate rural development policy must include measures to reduce the average age of farmers by helping young farmers to set up their own holdings. This is one of the priorities of EU agricultural policy.

The Tuscany Region has taken consistent action to this end by implementing the 2000-2006 rural development plan and was the first region in Italy to fund around 3 000 start-up projects for young farmers, giving their applications priority.

The Directorate-General for Agriculture, placing form before substance, does not appear willing to accept the revision of the funding plan proposed by the Tuscany Region to ensure that priority is given to young farmers. Nor does it appear to be prepared to accept the new situation. Community cofinancing of measures already taken therefore seems compromised and, as a result, both the Tuscany Region and the national authority responsible for payments, which have already paid out the funds, are facing serious difficulties.

Furthermore, the press was informed of DG Agriculture's decision before the Member State and Region. This is contrary to the spirit of cooperation and genuine partnership on which relations between the institutions should be based.

In the light of the above, will the Commission provide assurances that it will duly respect the interests of farmers and the action of the Tuscany Region, which is firmly resolved to implement the Community priorities through a renewed policy in favour of agriculture and rural development?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2002)

The Tuscany Region's Rural Development Plan for 2000-2006, approved by Commission Decision C(2000)2510 of 7 September 2000, includes a support measure for establishment of young farmers that is in line with Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(1).

The financial schedule annexed to the approval decision specifies for that measure a contribution from the EAGGF Guarantee Section of 10 million for the whole programming period.

During the 2000 financial year, faced with demand for assistance under the measure very much in excess of the overall projection in the plan, the Region and the national paying agency Agenzia per le erogazioni in agricoltura paid out a sum in excess of the ceiling for the measure for the entire seven years.

These payments were made without the Commission's receiving any notification or request for modification of the plan in line with the relevant rules. Under Article 35 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1750/1999 of 23 July 1999(2) such notification was needed before the financial allocation for the measure could be increased to give appropriate cover for expenditure incurred and a date for commencement of eligibility of the expenditure specified.

While aware of the importance of the young farmer support measure in Tuscany and of the difficulties met in the first year of applying the new regulatory provisions on rural development, the Commission as responsible authority for monitoring rural development plans and for execution of the Union's budget must see that these provisions are rigorously respected. With that consideration in mind and after carefully examining the situation it notified the Italian authorities, by a letter from the Commissioner responsible for Agriculture and Fisheries dated 21 December 2001, of its inability to recognise the expenditure in question incurred by Tuscany.

The Commission denies that the position it adopted was notified to the press by the Directorate-General for Agriculture before notification was made to the national and regional authorities.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 214, 13.8.1999.