WRITTEN QUESTION P-0692/96 by Honor Funk (PPE) to the Commission (12 March 1996)

Subject: Funds under Article 8 of the EAGGF Regulation (EEC) No. 4256/88

1. How many innovative pilot projects and studies in the individual EU Member States received funds under Article 8 of the EAGGF Regulation (EEC) No. 4256/88 ((OJ No. L 374,31.12.1988, p. 25. )) and what is the breakdown of EAGGF co-financing funds by Member State and year since 1989?

2. What were the subjects of the individual pilot projects and studies?

3. What was the take-up rate of the appropriations set aside for those projects and studies?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (1 April 1996)

1. Since 1989, 138 projects have been cofinanced under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 ((OJ L No 374, 31.12.1988. )) on the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) guidance section concerning follow-ups, assessment, studies, technical assistance, pilot and demonstration projects and circulation. The table, which we have sent both the Honourable Member and the General Secretariat of Parliament, shows the breakdown of cofinancing under the EAGGF by year and Member State.

It should be noted that 1995 was the transitional year for the pilot and demonstration projects. With the aim of providing greater information on measures financed under Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88, a call for proposals was published in the Official Journal ((OJ C No 303, 29.10.1994. )); the projects had to be submitted before 31 March 1995. The 583 projets received as part of this new procedure were assessed by independent experts and the Commission over the course of 1995. The projects chosen will be financed during the 1996 budget year.

2. During this period, 52 projects concerned the assessment of Community programmes and the carrying out of general studies launched at the Commission's initiative. A number of these measures were implemented in an individual Member State, as can be seen from the table. These projects also cover technical assistance measures which focus, for the most part, on assistance in implementing Community regulations and their follow-up.

The pilot and demonstration projects (78 cofinanced projets since 1989) have been aimed at different sectors. In the agri-environment sector, the measures have concerned the demonstration of more environment-friendly techniques and the setting up of pilot farms. The projects linked to agricultural diversification and improvement in production have been largely based on non-food crop production, but also on the promotion of traditional quality products. The development of activities linked to forestry, rural tourism and town and country planning have been the other main areas covered by the pilot and demonstration projects financed between 1989 and 1995.

The circulation measures cofinanced since 1989 (8 projects) have mainly concentrated on the financing of brochures and the organization of seminars with the aim of distributing information on Community rural development policy.

3. The EAGGF guidance section can finance measures laid down in Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 4256/88 up to a maximum of 1% of its annual budget. In relation to the amount available the percentage allocated each year has been as follows: 1989 = 16.5%, 1990 = 8.7%, 1991 = 45%, 1992 = 86.9%, 1993 = 97.8%, 1994 = 15.2%, 1995 = 2.1%.