WRITTEN QUESTION P-2086/01 by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission. Simplification of CAP administration.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aid system, common agricultural policy, payment, simplification of formalities

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/241

European Union; and given the current delay in the approval of the Leader+ operational programme
guidelines and the subsequent difficulties which this is causing to groups and companies on the ground in
Ireland; could the Commission explain the undue delay in the approval of the guidelines, and can it
confirm that it will approve the Leader+ programme guidelines in the very near future, before further jobs
are put in jeopardy?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

The Commission has tried, as far as possible, to avoid any lack of continuity in programming between the
1994-1999 period and the new 2000-2006 period. In the case of Leader, the Commission Notice to the
Member States setting out guidelines for the Leader+ Community Initiative was published in the Official
Journal on 18 May 2000 (1). Member States (and regions) were asked to submit their programmes under
Leader+ within six months from this date (i.e. by mid-November 2000). The Commission indicates within
the Leader+ guidelines that it will approve such programmes within five months of their receipt (but
respect of this timescale is clearly subject to a receipt of an admissible programme, and to satisfactory
progress in subsequent negotiations). The selection of beneficiaries (the Leader Local Action Groups
(LAGs)) should take place within a maximum two-year period from the date of approval of programmes.

It is understood that the Irish authorities provided funding to maintain group capacities in the interim
the selection of LAGs (to be undertaken by the competent national
period. That said, given that
authorities) must be by open and competitive procedures, in order to ensure the selection of the highest
quality LAGs, there should be no assumption that LAGs which received financing under Leader II will
(cid:145)automatically(cid:146) be re-selected under Leader+. This decision should depend upon the quality of their bids
alongside competing applications.

Turning to the specific example of the Irish Leader+ programme, the programme has been submitted to
the Commission on 15 November 2000 and has just been approved on 3 July 2001. This approval took
place after a complex negotiation procedure. The initial proposal submitted by the Irish authorities has
been completed and amended, and this required a considerable effort from both parties. The scope for
selection of LAGs will be large enough. It will to a large extent depend on the specific timetable and
selection procedures envisaged by the Irish authorities, whom the Commission suggests to contact direct
for further details on these matters.

(1) OJ C 139, 18.5.2000.

(2001/C 364 E/266)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2086/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(5 July 2001)

Subject: Simplification of CAP administration

Could the Commission provide an update on the present situation regarding the simplification of CAP
procedures following the decision to simplify direct aid payments, and does it have any plans to extend
this scheme on a wider basis?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2001)

Following the adoption by the Council, on 19 June 2001, of the Commission(cid:146)s proposal (1) to simplify
payments of small amounts to farmers, work has begun on the preparation of the necessary detailed
implementing rules. A first meeting on these rules was held between the Commission and representatives
of the Member States(cid:146) administrations on 3 July 2001, and further meetings are planned.

C 364 E/242

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

The Council Regulation (EC) No 1244/2001 of 19 June 2001 amending Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999
establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy (2) provides
for the simplified payments scheme to be applied from 1 January 2002, although it should be recalled that
participation is voluntary for Member States as well as for farmers. Work on the implementing rules
should be completed in time for those Member States which so wish to be able to apply the scheme as
from that date.

In his declaration in the Parliament(cid:146)s plenary session of 14 July 2001, the member of the Commission
responsible for agriculture stressed that this simplified payments scheme is for a trial period, and that it is
hoped that a successful outcome will lead to the scheme being extended.

(1) OJ C 120 E, 24.4.2001.
(2) OJ L 173, 27.6.2001.

(2001/C 364 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2088/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Regulation on the set-aside of European farmland

(5 July 2001)

The European Union authorises plots of land set aside under the relevant regulation to be used for the
cultivation of leguminous plants for use as fodder. However, that positive measure is erroneously restricted
to farms which convert to organic farming.

Because of that restriction, the cultivation of leguminous plants offers no solution to some pressing
agricultural problems such as manure, sharply diminishing soil fertility and the heavy dependence on
concentrated feed (protein) from the United States. What is more, the difficult relationship between
conventional farmers and organic farmers is being further exacerbated.

Accordingly, an extension of the set-aside regulation to all farms is becoming a matter of urgency.

Will the Commission extend the regulation on the cultivation of leguminous plants on land set aside to all
farms, since its restriction to organic farms offers no solution to pressing agricultural problems such as
manure, sharply diminishing soil fertility and the heavy dependence on concentrated feed (protein) from
the United States? If not, why does it oppose an extension of the regulation on the cultivation of
leguminous plants on land set aside to all farms? What alternatives can it put forward for tackling pressing
agricultural problems such as manure, sharply diminishing soil fertility and the heavy dependence on
concentrated feed (protein) from the United States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2001)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1038/2001 of 22 May 2001 amending Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999
establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops (1) is not intended to offset the shortfall
in plant proteins resulting from the total ban on the use of meat and bone meal in animal feed.

It is nevertheless clear that the BSE crisis has made public opinion highly critical of current agricultural
production methods, particularly as regards animal feed, and demonstrates the need to return to more
environment-friendly farming practices. One appropriate means of encouraging this can be to use the set-
aside scheme to promote organic production of fodder legumes.