WRITTEN QUESTION P-2088/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Regulation on the set-aside of European farmland.
Date: 2001-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aid to agriculture, common agricultural policy, fallow, leguminous vegetable, organic farming, redirection of production

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.

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/243

That was the intention behind expanding the scope for using set-aside land under the support system for
producers of certain arable crops established by Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999.

The measure was restricted to agricultural holdings whose entire production complies with Council
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and
indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs (2),
in order to prevent any abuse
which could jeopardise this production method.

A more general measure on set-aside land would undermine the purpose of the set-aside scheme, which
must remain an instrument for controlling production.

The Commission therefore sees no need to take further measures at present.

(1) OJ L 145, 31.5.2001.
(2) OJ L 198, 22.7.1991.

(2001/C 364 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/01

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Ban on night working for young people (cid:129) 4 a.m. start for bakers(cid:146) apprentices

Council Directive 94/33/EC (1) of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work lays down
restrictions on night work for young people. Article 9 stipulates a rest period for young people between
10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. According to Article 9(2)(a) Member States may
authorise young people to work during these periods in specific areas of activity, but working between
midnight and 4 a.m. is prohibited under all circumstances according to subparagraph (b).

This provisions creates problems for bakeries in particular. Because of changing customer requirements it
has become necessary to extend bread production later and later into the night. Bread and pastries have to
be available in bakers(cid:146) shops by 6 o(cid:146)clock in the morning. However, according to the legislation quoted
above bakers(cid:146) apprentices may not work before 4 a.m., which means that they are unable to learn how to
make dough, which is an essential part of professional training for bakers. An amendment to the Directive
on the protection of young people at work could remedy the problem.

It is precisely small and medium-sized bakeries, who have always been responsible for most of the training
of apprentices, who would be increasingly willing to train apprentices.

Is the Commission aware that Article 9(2)(b) of Directive 94/33/EC is hindering the training and
employment of bakers(cid:146) apprentices?

Can the Commission consider proposing an amendment to Article 9(2)(b) of Council Directive 94/33/EC
on the protection of young people at work to ensure that the compulsory rest period of 4 hours is
movable, depending on the year of training for bakers(cid:146) apprentices, to make it possible to lay down a rest
period from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. for second-year apprentices and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for third-year
apprentices?

(1) OJ L 216, 20.8.1994, p. 12.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention to Article 1 of Council Directive
94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work (1), which states that Member States
shall take the necessary measures to ensure that work by adolescents is strictly regulated and protected
under the conditions laid down in the Directive and, furthermore, that Member States shall ensure in
general that employers guarantee that young people have working conditions which suit their age.