WRITTEN QUESTION E-0782/02

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 March 2002)

Subject: Support for horse-farming

In recent years, horse-farming has become an increasingly important factor in rural development, while during the same period the number of traditional farmers has declined. Within the EU, horses are used as trotting-horses, for riding and as pets. Demand for horsemeat has also risen in Europe. At present, much horsemeat is imported from outside Europe.

Horse-farming is hampered because of problems of viability and certain structural problems. Aid to horse-farming ought to be sufficient to provide an incentive and enable the sector to develop. At the same time, it should be possible to preserve original breeds.

What will the Commission do to improve the economic position of horse-breeders in the EU, thereby making horse-farming an important element in a multifunctional countryside? Can substantial slaughter grants play a leading role in aid to horse-farming, so as to increase the number of horses for slaughter and thereby accelerate the turnover of the horse stock and encourage horse-breeding?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

In the framework of the rural development policy, second pillar of the Common agricultural policy (CAP) established with the Agenda 2000, a broad bundle of support measures has been introduced to promote the multifunctional role of agriculture going beyond the production of agricultural goods and including objectives such as improving the environmental situation and contributing to the development of the rural society.

The underlying 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) foresees measures as aids for investments in agricultural holdings or in processing and marketing of agricultural products. Furthermore, eco-compatible production methods or farming in less favoured areas are subject to Community support, as well as rearing endangered breeds or farmers' diversification activities.

Common to these measures is that they are implemented through rural development programmes designed, at the appropriate level, by the Member States who decide whether or not to give preference to certain designated sectors.

In the Commission's opinion horse farming has a potential to contribute to sustainable rural development as it is objective of the above-mentioned aid schemes.

This potential consists in particular of:

- creation of income in rural economies by diversification of animal husbandry and offering services (e.g. pension animal keeping; sport events, rural tourism etc.); the demand for these services is expanding, however limited and regionally concentrated;

- Improvement of the environment: horse-farming is usually extensive and requires (permanent) grassland. Both extensive farming methods and the preservation of grassland are important elements of the Commission's agri-environment policy;

- Contribution to the upkeep of economic activities in less favoured areas, since horse-farming is possible also on marginal sites: the continuation of agricultural activities in such areas is an important objective of the Community's rural development policy;

- Preservation of genetic diversity: the rearing of animals (including horses) of local breeds indigenous to the area and in danger of being lost for farming is part of the agri-environment measures.

The Honourable Member may see from these examples that the instruments and means already exist to foster the economic situation of horse breeders in the framework of rural development. In the spirit of subsidiarity it is up to the Member States to include the relevant measures in their programmes.

As to substantial slaughter grants, the Commission envisages no Common Market Organisation for horses that might include such grants.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.