WRITTEN QUESTION E-1577/02 by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Redefining the CAP.
Date: 2002-06-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European agricultural model, agricultural market, aid to agriculture, common organisation of markets, farmers' income, market intervention, reform of the CAP, rural development, sustainable development

12.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 309 E/139

regulate the transport of deceased persons, must, in conformity with the case law of the Court of Justice,
apply any requirements on a non-discriminatory basis. Any derogation based on public health grounds
must also be in conformity with the case-law of the Court.

In the light of the above, the Commission will continue to follow these issues closely, but does not
envisage any specific initiative for the moment.

(1) See page 59.

(2002/C 309 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1577/02

by Brice Hortefeux (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 June 2002)

Subject: Redefining the CAP

Agriculture has always occupied a leading position in the European venture. Articles 38 and 39 of the
Treaty of Rome set out its objectives: to ensure a fair standard of living for farmers, to assure the
availability of supplies and to ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices. However, current
constraints on agricultural policy leave practically no margin of manoeuvre for farmers.

Successive reforms have reduced the effectiveness of market management tools. They have emphasised
direct aids, without ensuring that these form a safety net for agricultural incomes.

Against this background, how does the Commission intend to redefine the objectives of the CAP while
distinguishing between those that concern management of agricultural markets and those that are part of
policy on farmers’ incomes?

Could the Commission also list objectives and tools in the areas of regional development and agri-
environmental constraints?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2002)

In successive reforms of the common agricultural policy, market management measures have increasingly
focused on stabilising agricultural markets, while the income stabilisation role has been taken by direct
payments.

The Commission is of the view that the objectives for the common agricultural policy defined in the
Agenda 2000 reform meet the needs and expectations of European Society. These objectives give concrete
form to a European Model of Agriculture in the years ahead involving more market orientation and
increased competitiveness, food safety and quality, stabilisation of agricultural
integration of
environmental concerns into agricultural policy, the development of the rural areas, simplification, and
strengthened decentralisation.

incomes,

these objectives. As regards market
However, policy instruments could be adjusted to better meet
management there should be greater focus on the safety net role of intervention. For direct payments, it is
necessary to examine how direct payments could play a more effective role in stabilising agricultural,
particularly as regards increasing the margin for manoeuvre for farmers.

In the field of agri-environment, more could be done to achieve the objective of integrating environmental
concerns with the tools of agri-environmental programmes and cross-compliance. The objective of a
balanced territorial development of rural areas could be better achieved through a reinforcing the second
pillar of the common agricultural policy, rural development.