EEC: Council Decision of 4 December 1962 on the co- ordination of policies on the structure of agriculture

COUNCIL DECISION of 4 December 1962 on the co-ordination of policies on the structure of agriculture
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament;
Whereas the operation and development of the common market in agricultural products must be accompanied by the establishment of a common agricultural policy, of which a policy on the structure of agriculture constitutes an integral part;
Whereas under Article 39 (1) (a) and (b) of the Treaty one of the objectives of the common agricultural policy is to increase agricultural productivity and thus to ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, in particular by increasing the individual earnings of persons engaged in agriculture ; whereas if these objectives are to be attained the sound elements in the structure of agriculture must be conserved and defects in the structure eliminated;
Whereas in implementing a policy on structure within the framework of the common agricultural policy account must be taken of trends in agricultural markets ; whereas close co-ordination is consequently necessary between policy on agricultural markets and policy on agricultural structure ; whereas it is, furthermore, essential to bear in mind that the structure of agriculture is closely linked to the economy as a whole;
Whereas it is therefore necessary both to co-ordinate structural policy with regional development policy and, within the framework of regional development policy, to take additional measures designed to facilitate the adjustment of agriculture to economic and social trends;
Whereas structural defects exist at local and regional level and structural improvements are possible only with the active co-operation of those directly concerned ; whereas the implementation of a policy on structure is thus primarily the responsibility of the Member States;
Whereas steps should, however, be taken within the framework of the Community to stimulate efforts to improve the structure of agriculture and to do everything possible to increase the economic potential and competitiveness of agriculture;
Whereas co-ordination by the Community of the structural policies of Member States affords a means of harmonising such policies with the common agricultural policy and with the other objectives of the Community;
Whereas co-ordination of structural policies calls for close and sustained co-operation between Member States and the Commission ; whereas this can most effectively be brought about by the creation of a Standing Committee consisting of representatives of each of the Member States, with a representative of the Commission as chairman;
Whereas it is necessary that the Commission submit annually to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on structure, setting out the overall situation in the Community as regards the structure of agriculture and including an assessment of the structural policies of the Member States in relation to the objectives of the common agricultural policy;
Whereas as part of the co-ordination of structural policies steps should be taken to ensure that adequate and co-ordinated use is made of Community financing facilities for the purpose of benefiting the structure of agriculture, the facilities in question being those afforded by, principally, the Guidance and Guarantee Fund (in respect of action covered by Articles 3 (1) (d) and 2 (2) (c) of Council Regulation No 25 on the financing of the common agricultural policy), by the European Social Fund and by the European Investment Bank;
Whereas it is necessary that the Commission, basing itself in particular on the report on structure, submit to the Council for adoption under Article 43 of the Treaty proposals designed to improve the structure of agriculture and to make it possible for the structural policies of Member States to be co-ordinated;
Whereas to co-ordinate structural policies it is essential to be informed of the situation in Member States with regard to the structure of agriculture and of their agricultural policies, and in particular of measures taken to improve that structure and also of conditions at regional level ; whereas Member States should provide the Commission with the necessary information;
Whereas if effective co-ordination of structural policies is to be achieved the Commission needs to be provided by Member States with particulars of all proposed multiannual plans and regional programmes and with drafts of all proposed laws, regulations and administrative provisions or, where these do not exist in draft form, with a description in broad outline of the provisions envisaged;
Whereas effective co-ordination of the structural policies of Member States can be ensured in respect of such proposals only if the Commission is empowered to express its opinion on the proposals and is required to make known its opinion when so requested by a Member State;
Whereas, with a view in particular to the harmonisation of national legislation, the co-ordination of structural policies requires a knowledge of all relevant laws, regulations and administrative provisions in force in the Member States ; whereas it is desirable that Member States provide the Commission with any other information it may need for the purposes of co-ordinating structural policies;