WRITTEN QUESTION P-3479/97 by Raúl Rosado Fernandes (UPE) to the Commission (29 October 1997)

Subject: Programme to support modernization of agriculture and forestry (PAMAF)

The agriculture subprogramme forming part of the Community support framework for 1994 to 1999, known as PAMAF (programme to support modernization of agriculture and forestry) is a vitally important measure, since its central aim is to bring Portuguese agriculture up to the standard of its European counterparts, first and foremost by enabling Portuguese farmers to double their income.

Bearing in mind that the Commission is jointly responsible with the Portuguese State for managing and implementing PAMAF - in accordance with the basic Regulation governing the Structural Funds (Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93) ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 5.)) and the relevant coordinating Regulation (Regulation (EEC) No 2082/93) ((OJ L 193, 31.7.1993, p. 20.)) - and that there is mounting disquiet among Portuguese farmers on this subject, caused not least by the incomprehensible failure of the national officials in charge to supply reliable information, will the Commission answer the following questions:

1. Has the Portuguese State made any request to the Commission in the last two years to alter the substance of the agriculture subprogramme?

2. What findings and proposals have emerged from the assessment already carried out, and what practical action has been taken on them?

3. What reprogramming has been undertaken within the agriculture subprogramme and the CSF as a whole? Has it worked to the disadvantage or benefit of the agricultural sector?

4. Has the Commission blocked any proposal submitted by the Portuguese authorities during the life of the subprogramme?

5. Does the Commission know how many projects have been submitted by farmers and either rejected or approved and agreed upon? What sums of money were involved? Can the Commission give brief details of each measure concerned?

6. What was the out-turn of expenditure under PAMAF in the period from 1994 to 1996? What figure was laid down in the programme?

7. Will the Commission take the step of penalizing the agricultural sector by making a further cut in the total appropriations for the agriculture subprogramme on account of maladministration by the national authorities?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (15 December 1997)

1. A request by the Portuguese authorities in November 1995 for modification of the agriculture subprogramme was approved by Commission Decision in March 1996. A second request made in October 1997 is under examination.

2. The Commission and Portugal are now discussing, using the results of the mid-term assessment, changes in funding from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) Guidance Section under the Portuguese Community Support Framework (CSF).

3. The agriculture subprogramme was approved by the Commission on 4 March 1994 with an EAGGF contribution for the period 1994-99 of ECU 1 637 million. A Commission Decision of 19 March 1996 raised this amount to ECU 1 685 million. This increase came from the 1995 CSF deflator amounts and has mostly served to tackle damage caused by drought. There has so far been no other reprogramming.

4. The Honourable Member is referred to points 1 and 3.

5. The Commission has no information on numbers of projects submitted and rejected, since under the principle of subsidiarity approval of individual projects falls to the Portuguese authorities. It does know the number of projects approved by measure and the corresponding public expenditure. For 1995 and 1996 the figures are:

>TABLE>

ECU 1 = ESC 200.21 escudos (October 1997).

6. Cumulated financial outturn (payments) for 1994-96 was 75% of the programmed amount (1994: 59.51%; 1995: 75.4%; 1996: 88%). The commitment rate for the same period was 95%.

7. As far as financial modifications are concerned, the present negotiations with the Portuguese authorities have already seen, in September 1997, agreement on assignment of the 1996 and 1997 CSF deflators and on the financial adjustments to all programmes. The programme in support of modernisation of agriculture and forestry (PAMAF) will be increased by ECU 13 million taken from the EAGGF funding assigned to the operational programme in promotion of regional development potential. Delayed implementation of the 'rural centres' measure of that OP has made this sum available.