WRITTEN QUESTION P-1543/00 by Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission. Progress on the horizontal plan for the development of rural areas.
Date: 2000-05-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Finland, agri-environmental plan, operational programme, rural region

6.3.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 72 E/71

As regards the Intergovernmental Conference, the agenda, as established at present, does not include the
revision of the EC Treaty in respect of sport in the way suggested in the question or otherwise. As the
Honourable Member is probably aware, the Council has no role in the Conference of the Representatives
of the Governments of the Member States and is therefore unable to comment on work being undertaken
by the Conference.

(2001/C 72 E/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1543/00

by Mikko Pes(cid:228)l(cid:228) (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 May 2000)

Subject: Progress on the horizontal plan for the development of rural areas

rural development was

Finland(cid:146)s horizontal plan for
the end
of October1999. The programme contains plans relating to environmental subsidies for agriculture and
aid to less favoured areas (LFAs). The Finnish programme should have been the first to be considered.
The problems which had arisen were resolved and all the necessary clarifications and additional informa-
tion had been forwarded in time. The horizontal plan for rural development was to have been discussed at
the meeting of the STAR committee on 29 March. However, this discussion was postponed to the meeting
on 26/27 April. The Commission has now sent Finland a new notification stating that it will not be
possible for STAR to consider the plan until May.

forwarded to the Commission at

The Finnish Agriculture and Forestry Ministry has confirmed that the last date for applying for a subsidy in
respect of Spring 2000 is 26 May. No later than that date farmers will have to commit themselves for five
years to new environmental and LFA aid schemes. Specialised contracts for the commitment of environ-
mental subsidies were due to have been finalised on 24 April.

The farmers have been put in an impossible position.

1. What does the Commission intend to do about this?

Can the farmers alter their commitment to aid schemes after the Commission and national decisions

2.
have been made and notified to the farmers?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2000)

The Finnish horizontal rural development plan was foreseen to be presented to the committee on
agricultural structures and rural development (STAR-committee) on 29 March 2000. However, due to
some pending problems of the Finnish action plan under the Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 Decem-
ber 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural
sources (1), the point was withdrawn to ensure further clarification of the situation. The April 2000
meeting of the STAR-committee was partially cancelled as the committee on the development and
conversion of regions acted as STAR-committee dealing only with objective 1 issues. Therefore, the
Finnish plan was on the agenda of the STAR-committee on 24 May 2000 when a favourable opinion was
given. The final step on the approval procedure will be the Commission decision.

Agri-environmental support can be granted to farmers who give commitments for at least five years.
However, Member States may provide for adjustment of commitments during the period of operation,
provided that: the approved programme includes the scope for such adjustment, and the adjustment is
duly justified, having regard to the objectives of the undertaking.

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991.