natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission’s approach, whereby the 2003 reforms would be completed before a revolutionary restructuring of the CAP or the payment systems was discussed, is endorsed.
The Commission’s approach, whereby the 2003 reforms would be completed before a revolutionary restructuring of the CAP or the payment systems was discussed, is endorsed.
The rapporteur does not consider that a radical restructuring of payments would be beneficial at this point.
The rapporteur does not consider that a radical restructuring of payments would be beneficial at this point.
One of the main functions of the present direct payments, by means of which a large number of aims – alongside that of income support – are pursued, is to help farmers with the transition from the old system to the new, markedly more market-oriented structure.
One of the main functions of the present direct payments, by means of which a large number of aims – alongside that of income support – are pursued, is to help farmers with the transition from the old system to the new, markedly more market-oriented structure.
It does not, therefore, seem sensible to review the size of individual payments or of the total budget every time agricultural prices rise.
It does not, therefore, seem sensible to review the size of individual payments or of the total budget every time agricultural prices rise.
The 2003 reforms are a long way from being complete, and conditions in different parts of Europe are as yet not even partially comparable.
The 2003 reforms are a long way from being complete, and conditions in different parts of Europe are as yet not even partially comparable.
After 2013, the system of direct payments and of rural development policy will probably need to be comprehensively restructured on the basis of experience gained during the transition phase, whilst the time until then should be used to consolidate the successes of previous reforms and not be taken up with discussions on financing, which would in any case produce scant results.
After 2013, the system of direct payments and of rural development policy will probably need to be comprehensively restructured on the basis of experience gained during the transition phase, whilst the time until then should be used to consolidate the successes of previous reforms and not be taken up with discussions on financing, which would in any case produce scant results.
What farmers need, at this time of transformation and reorientation and in view of hefty price rises on world markets, is investment security and reliability rather than uncertainty.
What farmers need, at this time of transformation and reorientation and in view of hefty price rises on world markets, is investment security and reliability rather than uncertainty.
Consequently, the pledge made by heads of state and government to leave the total expenditure for market measures untouched until 2013 must be adhered to.
Consequently, the pledge made by heads of state and government to leave the total expenditure for market measures untouched until 2013 must be adhered to.
Decoupling/ending coupled payments/cross-compliance
Decoupling/ending coupled payments/cross-compliance
At the moment, some direct payments are still coupled to production and, in Member States which employ the farm model, calculated on the basis of past reference amounts.
At the moment, some direct payments are still coupled to production and, in Member States which employ the farm model, calculated on the basis of past reference amounts.
The rapporteur supports the Commission’s plan to have a single payment by surface area at national or regional level in place as soon as possible, and preferably by 2013.
The rapporteur supports the Commission’s plan to have a single payment by surface area at national or regional level in place as soon as possible, and preferably by 2013.
The current system is difficult to justify to the general public, added to which most Member States have already decided to implement the system of payment by surface area and drop the system of historical payments.
The current system is difficult to justify to the general public, added to which most Member States have already decided to implement the system of payment by surface area and drop the system of historical payments.
The annual report of the European Court of Auditors on spending in 2006 shows, moreover, that administering single payments by surface area is markedly less cumbersome and subject to error than the farm model.
The annual report of the European Court of Auditors on spending in 2006 shows, moreover, that administering single payments by surface area is markedly less cumbersome and subject to error than the farm model.
Maintaining the historical model would also make further reforms after 2013 much more difficult.
Maintaining the historical model would also make further reforms after 2013 much more difficult.
The rapporteur also supports further decoupling, in principle, particularly in the area of plant production, as this contributes to a simplification of agricultural policy and has not suffered from predicted negative consequences such as the loss of regionally or environmentally important crops.
The rapporteur also supports further decoupling, in principle, particularly in the area of plant production, as this contributes to a simplification of agricultural policy and has not suffered from predicted negative consequences such as the loss of regionally or environmentally important crops.
The rapporteur points out that in Member States which have opted for national or regionalised single payments by area, redistribution of direct payments in favour of livestock farms using extensive farming methods has regularly been seen.
The rapporteur points out that in Member States which have opted for national or regionalised single payments by area, redistribution of direct payments in favour of livestock farms using extensive farming methods has regularly been seen.
Livestock farming must, however, on the whole be treated separately.
Livestock farming must, however, on the whole be treated separately.
It is very susceptible to crises, as can be seen in the current price evolution of cereals and the resulting problems for feedstuffs.
It is very susceptible to crises, as can be seen in the current price evolution of cereals and the resulting problems for feedstuffs.
This is compounded by the European standards for precisely the fields of livestock farming and animal health being much higher than in other parts of the world, with European producers finding it extremely difficult to pass on the extra costs thus entailed.
This is compounded by the European standards for precisely the fields of livestock farming and animal health being much higher than in other parts of the world, with European producers finding it extremely difficult to pass on the extra costs thus entailed.
This situation cannot be maintained in the long term; it is already leading to a continuous reduction in herds.
This situation cannot be maintained in the long term; it is already leading to a continuous reduction in herds.
Livestock farming is also relatively labour-intensive and is very important in many regions for regional development or the maintenance of important natural areas.
Livestock farming is also relatively labour-intensive and is very important in many regions for regional development or the maintenance of important natural areas.
Coupled payments may be a way of countering such crises.
Coupled payments may be a way of countering such crises.
The rapporteur is, therefore, not in favour of a compulsory elimination of existing coupled payments, and he considers that any funding which is freed as a result of a reformed Article 69 should be used, not least, to preserve sectors which are regionally or environmentally significant, in particular livestock farming.
The rapporteur is, therefore, not in favour of a compulsory elimination of existing coupled payments, and he considers that any funding which is freed as a result of a reformed Article 69 should be used, not least, to preserve sectors which are regionally or environmentally significant, in particular livestock farming.
The rapporteur also considers that the proposals made thus far are not sufficient to safeguard livestock farming in Europe in the long term.
The rapporteur also considers that the proposals made thus far are not sufficient to safeguard livestock farming in Europe in the long term.
He therefore expects the Commission to undertake, by way of preparation for the post-2013 financing period, a comprehensive analysis of the situation of livestock farming in Europe and to produce new proposals on how this, a key sector for Europe, can be safeguarded.
He therefore expects the Commission to undertake, by way of preparation for the post-2013 financing period, a comprehensive analysis of the situation of livestock farming in Europe and to produce new proposals on how this, a key sector for Europe, can be safeguarded.
The rapporteur also supports the integration of smaller production-linked payment systems which are cumbersome to administer into the decoupled direct payment model (dried fodder, flax, hemp, potato starch) and the elimination of the set-aside obligation, which no longer has a place as a volume-control system in a decoupled support system which is largely market-oriented.
The rapporteur also supports the integration of smaller production-linked payment systems which are cumbersome to administer into the decoupled direct payment model (dried fodder, flax, hemp, potato starch) and the elimination of the set-aside obligation, which no longer has a place as a volume-control system in a decoupled support system which is largely market-oriented.
The modest environmental benefits can better be achieved through national legislation or, if appropriate, a change to Annex IV of Regulation 1782/2003 on the preservation of good agricultural and environmental condition.
The modest environmental benefits can better be achieved through national legislation or, if appropriate, a change to Annex IV of Regulation 1782/2003 on the preservation of good agricultural and environmental condition.
The energy crop premium also runs counter to the system.
The energy crop premium also runs counter to the system.
As can be seen from this year’s oversubscription, there is no lack of energy crops; on the contrary, these are being planted as a result of the high demand and current prices and require no further support.
As can be seen from this year’s oversubscription, there is no lack of energy crops; on the contrary, these are being planted as a result of the high demand and current prices and require no further support.
The funds which are thus freed could be spent on support measures according to Article 69, and particularly on transition measures for the dairy sector.
The funds which are thus freed could be spent on support measures according to Article 69, and particularly on transition measures for the dairy sector.
Parliament has only recently given a comprehensive outline of its position on cross‑compliance, which is a vital element, if not the raison d'être, of the direct payment system.
Parliament has only recently given a comprehensive outline of its position on cross‑compliance, which is a vital element, if not the raison d'être, of the direct payment system.
The standards can only be expanded if the burdens are clear (impact assessment) and, where appropriate, other standards are first abolished.
The standards can only be expanded if the burdens are clear (impact assessment) and, where appropriate, other standards are first abolished.
The Commission must estimate the cost of potential new standards, before submitting the legislative proposal.
The Commission must estimate the cost of potential new standards, before submitting the legislative proposal.
Otherwise, increased demands at times of decreasing payments would scarcely seem justified.
Otherwise, increased demands at times of decreasing payments would scarcely seem justified.
The transition to single or more uniform payments by area is highlighting and revealing the significant regional differences in the level of CAP support (this also applies, in part, to the second pillar).
The transition to single or more uniform payments by area is highlighting and revealing the significant regional differences in the level of CAP support (this also applies, in part, to the second pillar).
The rapporteur considers that this problem must be solved in the medium term.
The rapporteur considers that this problem must be solved in the medium term.
Detailed studies and consideration of the reasons and justification for different payment levels are, however, still needed.
Detailed studies and consideration of the reasons and justification for different payment levels are, however, still needed.
The Commission should submit a report in good time before 2013.
The Commission should submit a report in good time before 2013.
A possible way of removing such differences could be for payments to be geared more closely to the performance of services of general interest.
A possible way of removing such differences could be for payments to be geared more closely to the performance of services of general interest.
Market instruments/risk insurance
Market instruments/risk insurance
The rapporteur considers that, in the light of more marked climatic fluctuations, new animal diseases and the growing speed at which these are spreading, and the opening of European agriculture to the world market, there will be a continuous increase in crises pertaining to yield, income and epidemics.
The rapporteur considers that, in the light of more marked climatic fluctuations, new animal diseases and the growing speed at which these are spreading, and the opening of European agriculture to the world market, there will be a continuous increase in crises pertaining to yield, income and epidemics.
There is an urgent need for an extra safety net.
There is an urgent need for an extra safety net.
The current instruments are either inadequate in this context or need to be replaced by new systems.
The current instruments are either inadequate in this context or need to be replaced by new systems.
Introducing multi-hazard insurance schemes or setting up a fund would seem feasible.
Introducing multi-hazard insurance schemes or setting up a fund would seem feasible.
State co-financing of such systems is vital and is standard practice for all major trading partners in the world market.
State co-financing of such systems is vital and is standard practice for all major trading partners in the world market.
We must take the first step now.
We must take the first step now.
In doing so, we must not forget that the risks in Europe are distributed very unevenly across sectors and regions, and that the acceptance of a solution depends to a large extent on the agricultural structure and the experiences of farmers in the individual regions.
In doing so, we must not forget that the risks in Europe are distributed very unevenly across sectors and regions, and that the acceptance of a solution depends to a large extent on the agricultural structure and the experiences of farmers in the individual regions.
The first phase should therefore be to introduce solutions at regional or national level.
The first phase should therefore be to introduce solutions at regional or national level.
The requisite funding should be made available under the first pillar, which, as the appropriate pillar for market organisation measures, is preferable to the second pillar.
The requisite funding should be made available under the first pillar, which, as the appropriate pillar for market organisation measures, is preferable to the second pillar.
Within the framework of the redistribution of up to 2% of funds from direct payments, Member States should be given the opportunity to develop appropriate risk management systems based on their own decisions.
Within the framework of the redistribution of up to 2% of funds from direct payments, Member States should be given the opportunity to develop appropriate risk management systems based on their own decisions.
The Commission must implement strict monitoring with regard to distortions of competition.
The Commission must implement strict monitoring with regard to distortions of competition.
This could be done, for example, by establishing common framework rules within the single market organisation.
This could be done, for example, by establishing common framework rules within the single market organisation.
The participation of producer groups or sectoral associations should be examined by the Commission and Member States.
The participation of producer groups or sectoral associations should be examined by the Commission and Member States.
The rapporteur considers that the systems used so far, such as intervention or storage, should not be completely abandoned but reduced in terms of their function to a genuine safety net in the event of extreme price increases, i.e. exceptional events.
The rapporteur considers that the systems used so far, such as intervention or storage, should not be completely abandoned but reduced in terms of their function to a genuine safety net in the event of extreme price increases, i.e. exceptional events.
He supports the Commission’s proposals in this context.
He supports the Commission’s proposals in this context.
Payments/second pillar
Payments/second pillar
The Commission proposes various reductions for direct payments:
The Commission proposes various reductions for direct payments:
· increasing minimum thresholds,
· increasing minimum thresholds,
· introducing significant, stepped degressivity in the case of payments in excess of EUR 100 000, and
· introducing significant, stepped degressivity in the case of payments in excess of EUR 100 000, and
· a further annual modulation of 2% for the 2010 - 2013 period (making a total of 8% in 2013).
· a further annual modulation of 2% for the 2010 - 2013 period (making a total of 8% in 2013).
The rapporteur rejects the proposed reductions as they appear here.
The rapporteur rejects the proposed reductions as they appear here.
The proposal could be justified if the sole aim of the direct payments were to support household income – even if this would mean small beneficiaries often appearing to be in less need of funding.
The proposal could be justified if the sole aim of the direct payments were to support household income – even if this would mean small beneficiaries often appearing to be in less need of funding.
However, the payments serve not least to maintain agricultural land management and, to a lesser extent, they are made in order to balance the high European standards.
However, the payments serve not least to maintain agricultural land management and, to a lesser extent, they are made in order to balance the high European standards.
Yet the latter aims are virtually unattainable in a situation of high degressivity.
Yet the latter aims are virtually unattainable in a situation of high degressivity.
The rapporteur rejects the planned degressivity, which would mainly affect farms and regions in Eastern Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Great Britain and Spain and would lead, for example, to the suppression of over 1/3 of payments in some regions of Eastern Germany when taken together with the other planned reductions.
The rapporteur rejects the planned degressivity, which would mainly affect farms and regions in Eastern Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Great Britain and Spain and would lead, for example, to the suppression of over 1/3 of payments in some regions of Eastern Germany when taken together with the other planned reductions.
The proposed degressivity would, moreover, lead to the economically senseless restructuring of farms or the abandonment of marginal land precisely in disadvantaged areas, and offers no agropolitical gains.
The proposed degressivity would, moreover, lead to the economically senseless restructuring of farms or the abandonment of marginal land precisely in disadvantaged areas, and offers no agropolitical gains.
There has been no impact assessment of the effects of the reductions on individual farms, regional labour markets or entire regions, nor has any justification on agroeconomic grounds been advanced.
There has been no impact assessment of the effects of the reductions on individual farms, regional labour markets or entire regions, nor has any justification on agroeconomic grounds been advanced.
We would expect the degressivity in its proposed form to receive a completely negative evaluation if considered in a purely agroeconomic sense, as it principally puts strong farms at a disadvantage.
We would expect the degressivity in its proposed form to receive a completely negative evaluation if considered in a purely agroeconomic sense, as it principally puts strong farms at a disadvantage.
High degressivity, which, moreover, disregards the specific structures in certain regions, the number of workers, the composition of ownership or special regional characteristics, is unacceptable.
High degressivity, which, moreover, disregards the specific structures in certain regions, the number of workers, the composition of ownership or special regional characteristics, is unacceptable.
However, the rapporteur agrees that, to a certain extent, we can assume that larger enterprises operate more efficiently and therefore require less assistance.
However, the rapporteur agrees that, to a certain extent, we can assume that larger enterprises operate more efficiently and therefore require less assistance.
He also considers the second pillar to be underfinanced.
He also considers the second pillar to be underfinanced.
Since there are, realistically, no other sources of financing available, he proposes a moderate redeployment along the lines of a ‘progressive modulation’ .
Since there are, realistically, no other sources of financing available, he proposes a moderate redeployment along the lines of a ‘progressive modulation’ .
This would involve the following:
This would involve the following:
EUR 10 000 - 100 000 - 1% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
EUR 10 000 - 100 000 - 1% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
EUR 100 000 - 200 000 - 2% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
EUR 100 000 - 200 000 - 2% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
EUR 200 000 - 300 000 - 3% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
EUR 200 000 - 300 000 - 3% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
over EUR 300 000 - 4% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
over EUR 300 000 - 4% (for the whole 2009 - 2013 period)
This progressive reduction of direct payments, moderate in its impact, would appear to be reasonable and appropriate, without the need for further scrutiny.
This progressive reduction of direct payments, moderate in its impact, would appear to be reasonable and appropriate, without the need for further scrutiny.
It does not give rise to structural breaks or the hectic restructuring of existing farms which function efficiently.
It does not give rise to structural breaks or the hectic restructuring of existing farms which function efficiently.
The exemption level of EUR 10 000 means that pressure on middle-sized family farms will be relieved, and there is a beneficial financing effect for the second pillar, as the modulation will begin in 2009 and, unlike the Commission proposal concerning degressivity, will also include farms with between EUR 10 000 and 100 000, albeit to a very limited extent.
The exemption level of EUR 10 000 means that pressure on middle-sized family farms will be relieved, and there is a beneficial financing effect for the second pillar, as the modulation will begin in 2009 and, unlike the Commission proposal concerning degressivity, will also include farms with between EUR 10 000 and 100 000, albeit to a very limited extent.