WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1210/96 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Protection of agricultural land and renewable energy resources
Date: 1996-05-15
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: afforestation, area of holding, biomass, cessation of farming, crop production, fallow, land use, raw material, renewable energy, wooded area













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91996E1210

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1210/96 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Protection of agricultural land and renewable energy resources  


Official Journal C 345 , 15/11/1996 P. 0040 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1210/96 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (15 May 1996)Subject: Protection of agricultural land and renewable energy resourcesUnder Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 96. )), the European Union introduced incentives for the afforestation with eucalyptus, conifers and broadleaves of land set aside from agricultural production. However, despite specific European Union recommendations concerning the development of renewable energy resources, the regulation makes no reference to biomass crops. In view of this, does the Commission envisage:1. extending the list of crops covered by the aid scheme for southern Europe to include:(a) reed (arundo donax)(b) wild artichoke (cynara cardunculus) and(c) miscanthus gigandeus,which provide raw material for biomass production;2. increasing aid to encourage the production of crops which provide raw material for biomass production so as to encourage agricultural land set-aside schemes?Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (2 July 1996)With Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 a Community afforestation scheme has been instituted in order to accompany the changes introduced under the market organization rules (reform of the common agricultural policy) through an improvement in forest resources and a countryside management which is more compatible with good environmental practices. At the same time the scheme aims to combat the greenhouse effect and the negative impact of erosion on agricultural land.Although an improvement in forest resources could contribute to the development of renewable energy resources (wood), the afforestation scheme is not specifically established for the promotion of biomass crops. Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 is therefore restricted to afforestation, and will not be extended with biomass crops such as reed, wild artichoke and miscanthus.For the cultivation of non-food crops on set-aside land, the non-food set-aside scheme, Commission Regulation (EEC) No 334/93 ((OJ L 38, 16.2.1993. )), has been established. This scheme makes it possible for farmers to use their set-aside land for the production of non-food raw materials. The non-food set-aside scheme includes a broad range of biomass crops. Reed, wild artichoke and miscanthus are eligible under this scheme and have been produced under the scheme in various Member States.For set-aside land which is used for non-food production under Regulation (EEC) No 334/93 the same amount of area aid is granted as for normal set-aside land. However, Member States are allowed to grant national aid to producers to help them to cover the costs of planting multiannual crops for biomass production. The aid may not be more than the equivalent of the interest rate on 5 years' set-aside premia.