natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
Nature of the opening-up of agricultural markets
Nature of the opening-up of agricultural markets
Considers that a framework for agricultural cooperation between the EU countries and the South and East Mediterranean countries (SEMC) must be established on the basis of respect for the diversity and the specific nature of farming in the two regions and for the purpose of promoting the development of local and regional markets and traditional products of a particular quality and of creating conditions for the development of a socially fair income for farmers (commensurate with the work done) which will encourage the rural population to remain on the land;
Considers that a framework for agricultural cooperation between the EU countries and the South and East Mediterranean countries (SEMC) must be established on the basis of respect for the diversity and the specific nature of farming in the two regions and for the purpose of promoting the development of local and regional markets and traditional products of a particular quality and of creating conditions for the development of a socially fair income for farmers (commensurate with the work done) which will encourage the rural population to remain on the land;
Expresses concern at the low level of South-South economic integration within the Mediterranean area, despite the significant progress made with the signing of the Agadir Accord in 2004; considers that the creation of a regional trade zone between the SEMC might enable their dependence on the major agricultural powers to be reduced; is convinced that this would help to stimulate investment and modernise agricultural production structures in order to facilitate their integration into world trade;
Expresses concern at the low level of South-South economic integration within the Mediterranean area, despite the significant progress made with the signing of the Agadir Accord in 2004; considers that the creation of a regional trade zone between the SEMC might enable their dependence on the major agricultural powers to be reduced; is convinced that this would help to stimulate investment and modernise agricultural production structures in order to facilitate their integration into world trade;
Considers that an improvement in access to the Community market might enable the SEMC to optimise part of their agricultural production via an increase in exports; points out, however, that the agriculture sector in the SEMC employs a substantial proportion of the working population and is based principally on small farms (of under 5 ha) typified by low productivity levels; stresses the fact that a sudden and generalised opening-up of agricultural trade with the European Union threatens the survival of these small farms and producers of food crops and is liable to exacerbate regional imbalances (acceleration of the rural exodus towards urban and coastal areas) and to sacrifice a multifunctional agriculture sector for the sake of cash crops that are often unsuited to the land and water resources in those countries;
Considers that an improvement in access to the Community market might enable the SEMC to optimise part of their agricultural production via an increase in exports; points out, however, that the agriculture sector in the SEMC employs a substantial proportion of the working population and is based principally on small farms (of under 5 ha) typified by low productivity levels; stresses the fact that a sudden and generalised opening-up of agricultural trade with the European Union threatens the survival of these small farms and producers of food crops and is liable to exacerbate regional imbalances (acceleration of the rural exodus towards urban and coastal areas) and to sacrifice a multifunctional agriculture sector for the sake of cash crops that are often unsuited to the land and water resources in those countries;
Considers that promotion of locally adapted farming mainly on a small scale, an improvement for the environment and therefore for the economic and health situation of the rural population, could not be reached by a simply liberalised market access for agricultural products, but could be reached by an improved and qualified market access scheme; within this scheme, farm products would have easier access to EU markets if they are produced according to EU environmental rules and taking into account food security concerns; imports of products that do not fit into these rules would be sanctioned with a charge at the EU borders; the fund consisting of these charges would be used to support projects promoting rural development in the exporting countries;
Considers that promotion of locally adapted farming mainly on a small scale, an improvement for the environment and therefore for the economic and health situation of the rural population, could not be reached by a simply liberalised market access for agricultural products, but could be reached by an improved and qualified market access scheme; within this scheme, farm products would have easier access to EU markets if they are produced according to EU environmental rules and taking into account food security concerns; imports of products that do not fit into these rules would be sanctioned with a charge at the EU borders; the fund consisting of these charges would be used to support projects promoting rural development in the exporting countries;
Points to the significant efforts made by farmers in the European Union at the time of past CAP reforms; also points out that these farmers have faced, are facing and will have to face further changes which are designed to reduce the artificiality of the market structure and of prices in the agricultural sector, which relate to the reform of the various common organisations of the market (not least in the wine and fruit and vegetable sectors) and which will influence social and economic balances in rural areas, especially in European countries situated in the Mediterranean basin; points out that in recent years the wine and fruit and vegetable sectors have invested large (albeit in certain cases not yet adequate) sums of money in order to increase the added value of products through the certification of product quality and origin, with particular reference to the certification of organic produce and certification based on Regulation 510/2006;
Points to the significant efforts made by farmers in the European Union at the time of past CAP reforms; also points out that these farmers have faced, are facing and will have to face further changes which are designed to reduce the artificiality of the market structure and of prices in the agricultural sector, which relate to the reform of the various common organisations of the market (not least in the wine and fruit and vegetable sectors) and which will influence social and economic balances in rural areas, especially in European countries situated in the Mediterranean basin; points out that in recent years the wine and fruit and vegetable sectors have invested large (albeit in certain cases not yet adequate) sums of money in order to increase the added value of products through the certification of product quality and origin, with particular reference to the certification of organic produce and certification based on Regulation 510/2006;
Considers, consequently, that any opening-up of the markets between the European Union and the SEMC must be gradual, quality-orientated and measured and take into account the farm structures, agriculture policies and reforms pursued on either side of the Mediterranean; stresses the fact, moreover, that negotiations on access to markets cannot under any circumstances be conducted globally, but rather on a case-by-case and product-by-product basis, and must take account of the need for protection in the case of 'sensitive' products, which should be excluded from any full liberalisation in order to prevent local producers from suffering irreparable damage;
Considers, consequently, that any opening-up of the markets between the European Union and the SEMC must be gradual, quality-orientated and measured and take into account the farm structures, agriculture policies and reforms pursued on either side of the Mediterranean; stresses the fact, moreover, that negotiations on access to markets cannot under any circumstances be conducted globally, but rather on a case-by-case and product-by-product basis, and must take account of the need for protection in the case of 'sensitive' products, which should be excluded from any full liberalisation in order to prevent local producers from suffering irreparable damage;
Considers that the European Union should be able to apply special safeguard clauses (SSG) as a basic instrument for countering any threats from excessive and unduly cheap imports;
Considers that the European Union should be able to apply special safeguard clauses (SSG) as a basic instrument for countering any threats from excessive and unduly cheap imports;
Points out that many Mediterranean countries have expressed the wish to preserve their trade preferences vis-à-vis the Community market; considers that maintaining this preferential and asymmetric system is incompatible with a general liberalisation of the agriculture sector; emphasises, furthermore, that it is in the mutual interest of all Mediterranean countries to preserve certain tools with which to manage supply on their respective markets; calls accordingly on the Commission and the representatives of the SEMC to seek in the course of the multilateral trade negotiations being conducted within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) any possible means (including the classification of milk, fruit and vegetables as sensitive products) of limiting market imbalances and also any possible asymmetry and distortion of competition between the agricultural markets in the SEMC and those in the EU which might cause farmers in either group of countries to suffer loss;
Points out that many Mediterranean countries have expressed the wish to preserve their trade preferences vis-à-vis the Community market; considers that maintaining this preferential and asymmetric system is incompatible with a general liberalisation of the agriculture sector; emphasises, furthermore, that it is in the mutual interest of all Mediterranean countries to preserve certain tools with which to manage supply on their respective markets; calls accordingly on the Commission and the representatives of the SEMC to seek in the course of the multilateral trade negotiations being conducted within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) any possible means (including the classification of milk, fruit and vegetables as sensitive products) of limiting market imbalances and also any possible asymmetry and distortion of competition between the agricultural markets in the SEMC and those in the EU which might cause farmers in either group of countries to suffer loss;
Developing closer partnerships
Developing closer partnerships
Expresses its concern, against the backdrop of standstill in the Doha round of multilateral WTO negotiations, at the upturn in bilateral trade relations in the agriculture sector, like the recently signed agreements between the United States and Morocco; considers that it is in the shared interest of all the Mediterranean countries to strengthen their partnership in order to construct together an area of cooperation and trade with the goal of ensuring mutual economic prosperity;
Expresses its concern, against the backdrop of standstill in the Doha round of multilateral WTO negotiations, at the upturn in bilateral trade relations in the agriculture sector, like the recently signed agreements between the United States and Morocco; considers that it is in the shared interest of all the Mediterranean countries to strengthen their partnership in order to construct together an area of cooperation and trade with the goal of ensuring mutual economic prosperity;
Urges the SEMC to improve the quality of the products they export and to comply with the quality and phytosanitary standards required by the EU;
Urges the SEMC to improve the quality of the products they export and to comply with the quality and phytosanitary standards required by the EU;
Calls upon the Euro Med partners to implement a system of heightened cooperation and twinnings in order to accelerate reform of the administrative and business environment, in tandem with the measures initiated in the context of the sectoral adjustment facilities already in existence, which, in the field of agriculture policy, would mean mainly veterinary measures and measures to strengthen rural economies according to the principles of the EAFRD programme;
Calls upon the Euro Med partners to implement a system of heightened cooperation and twinnings in order to accelerate reform of the administrative and business environment, in tandem with the measures initiated in the context of the sectoral adjustment facilities already in existence, which, in the field of agriculture policy, would mean mainly veterinary measures and measures to strengthen rural economies according to the principles of the EAFRD programme;
Urges the SEMC to take the necessary measures to encourage investment by private-sector Euro-Mediterranean players, including socio-professional organisations; considers that the gradual and regulated opening-up of markets will make for a first step forward in Mediterranean and Euro-Mediterranean socio-economic development; expresses concern, however, at the fact that bureaucratic rules continue to constrain such investment and Community incentives for that investment; calls, therefore, on the SEMC and the Commission to work towards overcoming the obstacles to the reciprocal development of investment and the harmonised spread of support instruments designed to facilitate market and production integration;
Urges the SEMC to take the necessary measures to encourage investment by private-sector Euro-Mediterranean players, including socio-professional organisations; considers that the gradual and regulated opening-up of markets will make for a first step forward in Mediterranean and Euro-Mediterranean socio-economic development; expresses concern, however, at the fact that bureaucratic rules continue to constrain such investment and Community incentives for that investment; calls, therefore, on the SEMC and the Commission to work towards overcoming the obstacles to the reciprocal development of investment and the harmonised spread of support instruments designed to facilitate market and production integration;
Calls upon all the socio-professional players in the Euro-Mediterranean agriculture sector to foster cooperation in complementary sectors by promoting the complementarity of products both between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean and (where possible) between the SEMCs' South-South shores; emphasises, by way of example, the case of the wine industry or the fruit and vegetable sector, where production from both sides of the Mediterranean could help develop a more comprehensive and attractive commercial supply for consumers;
Calls upon all the socio-professional players in the Euro-Mediterranean agriculture sector to foster cooperation in complementary sectors by promoting the complementarity of products both between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean and (where possible) between the SEMCs' South-South shores; emphasises, by way of example, the case of the wine industry or the fruit and vegetable sector, where production from both sides of the Mediterranean could help develop a more comprehensive and attractive commercial supply for consumers;
Emphasises, in the same vein, the value of jointly developing a common Euro-Mediterranean labelling policy on the basis of registered designations of origin - a policy which must be sufficiently compatible with the EU's current rules based on registered designations of origin and organic certification, and of ensuring traceability and transparency of production methods;
Emphasises, in the same vein, the value of jointly developing a common Euro-Mediterranean labelling policy on the basis of registered designations of origin - a policy which must be sufficiently compatible with the EU's current rules based on registered designations of origin and organic certification, and of ensuring traceability and transparency of production methods;
Insists upon the need for partnership agreements to be encouraged and for decentralised cooperation networks to be developed between regional territories and systems with a view to promoting research, the exchange of best experience, training and the development of food technologies and European know-how in respect of food safety in the case of operators active within the various sectors in both the SEMC and the EU countries;
Insists upon the need for partnership agreements to be encouraged and for decentralised cooperation networks to be developed between regional territories and systems with a view to promoting research, the exchange of best experience, training and the development of food technologies and European know-how in respect of food safety in the case of operators active within the various sectors in both the SEMC and the EU countries;
Urges the Euro-Mediterranean partners to focus on technical progress aimed at economically and ecologically sustainable farming methods in order to enable small-scale farmers to increase yields in the cereals sector and in the primary-goods sector and to process and market their harvests locally, in order to provide an urgent response to the problem of food security in the SEMC;
Urges the Euro-Mediterranean partners to focus on technical progress aimed at economically and ecologically sustainable farming methods in order to enable small-scale farmers to increase yields in the cereals sector and in the primary-goods sector and to process and market their harvests locally, in order to provide an urgent response to the problem of food security in the SEMC;
Fostering rural development
Fostering rural development
Welcomes the interest expressed by the Mediterranean countries with regard to rural development; calls on the European Union to support the development of civil society networks in order to contribute to a strategic rural development plan for the south of the Mediterranean centring on the diversification of activities, enhancement of infrastructure for better access to information, vocational training, processing and marketing, reconnection of urban and rural areas and conservation of the environment (particularly in the context of the responsible management of natural resources around suitable methods of production); calls upon European Union to develop that strategic plan in association with the transnational, interregional, cross-border and neighbourhood partnership initiatives which are currently being devised on the basis of operational intervention programmes; emphasises the need to promote - in this connection - the establishment of networks and of structured cooperation for the purpose of disseminating LEADER experience and the experience gained in the integrated enhancement of rural areas;
Welcomes the interest expressed by the Mediterranean countries with regard to rural development; calls on the European Union to support the development of civil society networks in order to contribute to a strategic rural development plan for the south of the Mediterranean centring on the diversification of activities, enhancement of infrastructure for better access to information, vocational training, processing and marketing, reconnection of urban and rural areas and conservation of the environment (particularly in the context of the responsible management of natural resources around suitable methods of production); calls upon European Union to develop that strategic plan in association with the transnational, interregional, cross-border and neighbourhood partnership initiatives which are currently being devised on the basis of operational intervention programmes; emphasises the need to promote - in this connection - the establishment of networks and of structured cooperation for the purpose of disseminating LEADER experience and the experience gained in the integrated enhancement of rural areas;
Calls upon the Euro-Mediterranean partners to develop and implement a quality policy based on stringent product monitoring and monitored traceability procedures, including in the light of the technical rules and the related restrictions laid down in respect of Community agricultural and agri-food products;
Calls upon the Euro-Mediterranean partners to develop and implement a quality policy based on stringent product monitoring and monitored traceability procedures, including in the light of the technical rules and the related restrictions laid down in respect of Community agricultural and agri-food products;
Flanking measures
Flanking measures
Calls on the Commission, in the field of rural development as in those of trading standards and the state of technical advancement of production structures, to harness the future European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument as a genuine tool for convergence and sustainable development, not simply as a means of compensating for liberalisation of the markets; calls on the Commission consistently to apply a conditionality clause which makes the granting of financial aid dependent on closer convergence between the Mediterranean countries with respect to the Barcelona objectives, particularly as regards regional integration;
Calls on the Commission, in the field of rural development as in those of trading standards and the state of technical advancement of production structures, to harness the future European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument as a genuine tool for convergence and sustainable development, not simply as a means of compensating for liberalisation of the markets; calls on the Commission consistently to apply a conditionality clause which makes the granting of financial aid dependent on closer convergence between the Mediterranean countries with respect to the Barcelona objectives, particularly as regards regional integration;
Is convinced that liberalisation of the markets in the SEMC would primarily benefit large mechanised farms, which already benefit in full from the compensation fund system; calls on the institutional players of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to improve access to loans for small-scale producers and to develop a system for weighting aid towards small farmers, who constitute the overwhelming majority of the farming population of these countries and who will be the first to suffer from competition with the European Union and, in the long run, to replace the old system of compensation and aid with a new system of support for sustainable farming and small-scale food processing industry investments in order to strengthen the competitiveness of rural economies through diversification, local marketing and the production of specific qualities.
Is convinced that liberalisation of the markets in the SEMC would primarily benefit large mechanised farms, which already benefit in full from the compensation fund system; calls on the institutional players of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to improve access to loans for small-scale producers and to develop a system for weighting aid towards small farmers, who constitute the overwhelming majority of the farming population of these countries and who will be the first to suffer from competition with the European Union and, in the long run, to replace the old system of compensation and aid with a new system of support for sustainable farming and small-scale food processing industry investments in order to strengthen the competitiveness of rural economies through diversification, local marketing and the production of specific qualities.