EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/600

(2004/C 84 E/0675)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0483/04

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(23 February 2004)

Subject: Rural development: young farmers

The recently adopted reform of the CAP improves some forms of aid for young farmers (chiefly as regards setting-up and investment).

Rural development policy still does not give priority to young farmers, even though the rapid ageing of the European farming population may make agriculture a residual economic activity. The new CAP reform does not yet resolve all the difficulties experienced by young farmers in successfully running a farm, and this is currently the real obstacle to the survival of the traditional model of European farming.

Has the Commission considered tackling the problem within the framework of the forthcoming reform of the structural funds?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 March 2004)

The concerns of young farmers in European agriculture have been taken seriously into account in the Common agricultural policy (CAP) reform agreed in June 2003. The modifications that the Honourable Member states in his written question (higher aids for setting up and investment) have been introduced through an amendment to the rural development Regulation (1) approved by this reform.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/03 (2) has introduced three new provisions in the new rural Development Regulation which will improve the treatment given to young farmers: an increase of 5 % in the percentage of public support for investments in agricultural holdings: the previous percentage for public aid in young farmers' agricultural holdings investments was of 45 % — and 55 % in less favoured areas — (LFA); now it will be of 50 % — and 60 % in LFA; higher support for the setting-up of young farmers: until now it was EUR 25 000 and now, with the new Regulation, the setting up premium can go up to EUR 30 000 to young farmers who are using farm advisory services linked to the setting-up of their activity during a period of three years after setting-up; and finally, a new recital has been introduced in the Regulation which establishes that because ‘young farmers represent a key factor in the rural areas, support to this category of farmers should be considered a priority’.

Member States can now take the chance of this reform to adapt their rural development programmes according to new provisions of the Regulation.

Currently, and after the presentation of the Communication on the new financial perspectives 2007-2013 (3) and the Third Cohesion report, the Commission is working on the preparation of the future new rural development Regulation, which will be presented before the summer break of 2004. In preparing the new draft Regulation, the Commission will reflect on how the new Rural Development policy can take specific account of the needs of young farmers.

(1) 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, OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1783/2003 of 29 September 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), OJ L 270, 21.10.2003.

(3) COM(2004) 101 final.