BETA

124 Amendments of Alyn SMITH related to 2011/0282(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) To ensure the sustainable development of rural areas, it is necessary to focus on a limited number of core priorities relating to knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas, the ~~competitiveness~~different levels of competitiveness (local, regional, national and international) of all types of agriculture and farm viability, food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture, restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems dependant on agriculture and forestry, resource efficiency and the shift towards a low carbon economy in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors, and promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and the economic development of rural areas. In addition, the encouragement of co- operation and joint actions between farmers, enterprises and rural development networks must be a strong priority to ensure long-term prosperity and sustainability for farming and rural areas. In doing so account must be taken of the diversity of situations that affect rural areas with different characteristics or different categories of potential beneficiaries and the cross-cutting objectives of innovation, environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation action should relate to both limiting emissions in agriculture and forestry from key activities such as livestock production, fertilizer use and to preserving the carbon sinks and enhancing carbon sequestration with regard to land use, land use change and the forestry sector. The Union priority for rural development relating to knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas should apply horizontally in relation to the other Union priorities for rural development.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9

(9) Member States should be able to include in their rural development programmes thematic sub-programmes to address specific needs in areas of particular importance to them. Thematic sub- programmes should concern among others young farmers, small farms, mountain areas, wetlands, peri-urban areas and the creation of short supply chains. Thematic sub-programmes should also be used to provide for the possibility to address restructuring of agricultural sectors which have a strong impact on the development of rural areas. As a means to increase the efficient intervention of such thematic sub- programmes Member States should be allowed to provide for higher support rates for certain operations covered by them.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24

(24) The development of local infrastructure and local basic services in rural areas, including leisure and culture, the renewal of villages and activities aimed at the restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages and rural landscapes is an essential element of any effort to realise the growth potential and promote the sustainability of rural areas. Support should therefore be granted to operations with this aim, including the access to Information and Communication Technologies and the development of fast and ultra-fast broadband. Such support should revolve around the principle of community ownership, with investments focused at projects owned and managed by a variety of types of democratic bodies representing the communities themselves. In line with these objectives, development of services and infrastructure leading to social inclusion and reversing trends of social and economic decline and depopulation of rural areas should be encouraged. In order to achieve the maximum effectiveness for such support, covered operations should be implemented in accordance with plans for the development of municipalities and their basic services, where such plans exist, elaborated by one or more rural communes. In order to ensure coherence with the Unions climate objectives the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of defining the types of renewable energy infrastructure that shall be eligible for support

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27

(27) Producer groups help farmers to face jointly the challenges posed by increased competition and consolidation of downstream markets in relation to the marketing of their products including in local markets. The setting up of producer groups should therefore be encouraged, with the explicit aim of helping farmers improve their bargaining power in the food supply chain. In order to ensure the best use of limited financial resources only producer groups that qualify as SMEs should benefit from support. In order to ensure that the producer group becomes a viable entity, a business plan should be submitted as a condition for the recognition of a producer group by Member States. To avoid providing operating aid and maintain the incentive role of support, its maximum duration should be limited to five years.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28

(28) Agri-environment-climate payments should ~~continue to~~ play a prominent role in ~~supporting the sustainable development of rural areas~~promoting a transition of agriculture towards advanced sustainable farming systems, and to respond to agro-environmental challenges in and in ~~responding to society's increasing demands for environmental services~~tegrated way, through water management, biodiversity, nutrient recycling and ecosystem maintenance, for example. They should further encourage farmers and other land managers to serve society as a whole by introducing or continuing to apply agricultural practices contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment, the landscape and its features, natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity. In this context the conservation, sustainable use and development of genetic ~~resources~~diversity in agriculture and the additional needs of farming systems that are of high nature value should be given specific attention. Payments should contribute to covering additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitments undertaken and should only cover commitments going beyond relevant mandatory standards and requirements, in accordance with the ‘polluter pays’ principlempensate beneficiaries for investments in the improvement of the environmental and climate performance of their holding, through tackling the new challenges such as climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity and water and soil management. In many situations the synergies resulting from commitments undertaken jointly by a group of farmers multiply the environmental and climate benefit. However, joint action brings additional transaction costs which should be compensated adequately. In order to ensure that farmers and other land managers are in a position to correctly implement the commitments they have undertaken, Member States should endeavour to provide them with the required skills and knowledge. Member States should maintain the level of efforts made during the 2007-2013 programming period and have to spend a minimum of 2530% of the total contribution from the EAFRD to each rural development programme for climate change mitigation and adaptation and land management, through the agri- environment-climate, organic farming and ~~payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints measures~~NATURA 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments. It shall be obligatory for Member States to offer measures to support crop rotation.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36

(36) During the 2007-2013 programming period only one type of co-operation was explicitly supported under rural development policy: co-operation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and the forestry sector. Support for this type of co-operation is still necessary but should be adapted in order better to meet the requirements of the knowledgThe future of farming and the sustainable development of rural areas depends largely on the ability of farmers (particularly small and young farmers), SMEs and rural development networks to co-operate, and to work together in joint projects and investments, to achieve eco~~nomy. In this context the possibility should be provided for projects by a single operator to be financed under this measure, on condition that~~mmon goods which benefit all actors: in contrast to the rdes~~ults obtained are disseminated, thus achieving the purpose of diffusion of new practices, processes or products. In addition, it has become~~tructive, "race to the bottom" logic of "competitiveness". It is clear that supporting a ~~much~~ broader range of types of co-operation, with a wider range of beneficiaries, ~~from small operators to larger ones,~~ can contribute to achieving the objectives of rural development policy by helping operators in rural areas to overcome the economic, environmental and other disadvantages of fragmentation. ~~Therefore, the measure should be widened.~~ Support for small operators to organise joint work processes and share facilities and resources should help them to be economically vi, environmentally and socially successful and sustainable despite their small scale. Support for horizontal and vertical co-operation among actors in the supply chain, as well as for promotion activities in a local context, should catalyse the economically rational development of short supply chains, local markets and local food chains. Support for collective approaches to environmental projects and practices should help to provide greater and more consistent environmental and climate benefits than can be delivered by individual operators acting without reference to others (for example, through practices applied on larger unbroken areas of land). Therefore, the measure should be widened and promoted, through an 80% co-financing rate. Support in these various areas should be provided in various forms. Clusters and networks are particularly relevant to the sharing of expertise as well as the development of new and specialised expertise, services and products. Pilot projects are important tools for testing the commercial applicability of technologies, techniques and practices in different contexts, and adapting them where necessary. Operational groups are a pivotal element of the European Innovation Partnership (hereinafter ‘EIP’) for agricultural productivity and sustainability. Another important tool lies in local development strategies operating outside the framework of LEADER local development – between public and private actors from rural and urban areas. Unlike within the LEADER approach, such partnerships and strategies could be limited to one sector and / or to relatively specific development aims, including those mentioned above. Inter-branch organisation should also be eligible for support under this measure. It should be limited to seven years except for collective environmental and climate action in duly justified cases.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37

(37) Farmers are exposed today to increasing economic and environmental risks as a consequence of climate change and increased price volatility. In this context, effective management of risks has an increased importance for farmers. For this reason a risk management measure should be set up to assist farmers in addressing the most common risks faced by them. This measure should therefore support farmers to cover the premiums they pay for crop, animal and plant insurance as well as thMember States should be able to support the start-up and running costs of mutual funds to protect farmers against the impact of animal and plant diseases, and environmental incidents. However, under no circumstances should public money be use~~tting up of mutual funds and the compensation paid by such funds to farmers for losses suffered as a result of the outbreak of animal or plant dis~~d to subsidise compensation payments to farmers: public money is better used investing in precautionary measures or environmental incidents. It should also cover an income stabilisation tool in the form of a mutual fund to support farmers facing a severe drop in their income. In order to ensure that there is equal treatment among farmers across the Union, that competition is not distorted and that the international obligations of the Union are respected, specific conditions should be provided for the granting of support under these measures. In order to ensure the efficient use of EAFRD budgetary resources the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty should be delegated to the Commission in respect of defining the minimum and maximum duration of commercial loans to mutual fundsto prevent disasters from happening in the first place. Furthermore, compensation will only be granted to farmers who have taken the necessary precautions against animal and plant diseases, environmental protection and climate change events. All other instruments regarding risk management shall be dealt with in the Single CMO.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54

(54) In order to facilitate the management of EAFRD funds, a single contribution rate of the EAFRD to rural development programming should be set in relation to public expenditure in the Member States. In order to take account of the particular importance or nature of certain types of operations, specific contribution rates should be set in relation to them. Therefore, a 60% co-financing rate should be set for the activities in Articles 29, 30, 31 and 34, and higher co- financing rates should also be available for co-operative actions. In order to mitigate the specific constraints resulting from level of development, remoteness and insularity an appropriate contribution rate of the EAFRD should be set for less- developed regions, outermost regions referred to in the Treaty and the smaller Aegean islands.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point t

(t) ‘short supply chain’: a supply chain involving a limited number of farmers and other economic operators, committed to co-operation, local economic development, and close geographical and social relations between producers and consumers;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x a (new)

(x a) "innovation": initiatives and activities carried out by farmers, farmers groups, rural communities, NGOs, rural enterprises or public-private partnerships with or without involvement of researchers and academics which facilitate exchange of good practices and know-how and implementation of research and techniques which bring new products, processes and new forms of organisation between the actors into economic use and so contribute to improved living conditions, sustainable practices and income;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x b (new)

(x b) "community led local development": decentralised bottom-up governance and partnership action at local and sub- regional level which encourage rural actors to plan and carry out multi-sectoral area based local development strategies, promoting community ownership, capacity building and innovation;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x c (new)

(x c) "small farms": small scale farming units including part-time and semi- subsistence farmers with less than 5 ha or 25% of average farm based turnover of a member state or region;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x d (new)

(x d) "non-chemical agriculture": meaning alternative methods of pest management based on agronomic techniques such as through reference in point 1 of annex III of directive 2009/128/EC or physical, mechanical or biological pest control methods

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x e (new)

(x e) "advanced sustainable farming system": integrated farming practices going beyond existing cross compliance rules (regulations ..xxx) and in continuous progress to improve management of nutrient cycles, energy efficiency and waste reduction, maintaining and increasing diversity of crops, animals and wildlife on farm;

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x f (new)

(x f) "unsustainable farming systems": farming and animal husbandry practices which repeatedly breach existing cross compliance rules (as laid down in Annex II of the horizontal regulation ) due to the fundamental nature of the farming system used

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point x g (new)

(x g) High Nature Value farming" means farming systems that host farming activities and farmland that, because of their characteristics, can be expected to support high levels of biodiversity or species and habitats of conservation concern. These systems are characterized by low intensity farming and high proportions of natural or semi-natural vegetation. It may also be characterized by a high diversity of land cover.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2

2. As regards the definition of young farmer laid down in paragraph 1(u), and of small farms laid down in paragraph x(c), the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 90 concerning the conditions under which a legal person may be considered a ‘young farmer’, or a small farmer, including the setting of a grace period for the acquisition of occupational skills, and taking into account the specificities of each member state.

2012/07/20
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1

(1) the competitiveness of ~~agriculture~~farming within local, regional, national and international markets;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2

(2) the sustainable management of farming systems and of natural resources, ~~and~~including climate action;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3

(3) a balanced territorial development of rural ~~area~~economies and communities.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)

(3a) maintaining and expanding agricultural employment.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part

(1) fostering knowledge transfer and exchange of best practice as well as innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas with a focus on the following areas:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a

(a) fostering innovation, new ways of cooperation, and the knowledge base in rural areas;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – introductory part

(2) enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and ~~enhancing farm viability,~~ the functioning of various markets, and enhancing farm viability and sustainable performance, with a focus on the following areas:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a

(a) facilitating restructuring, cooperation and agronomic improvements of farms facing major structural problems~~, notably farms with a low degree of market participation, market-oriented farms in particular sectors and farms in need of agricultural diversification~~;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b

(b) facilitating generational renewal in the agricultural sector and rural communities.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – introductory part

(3) promoting ~~food chain organisa~~better functioning of the food chain to improve farm and risk prevention and ~~risk~~ management in agriculture, with a focus on the following areas:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b

(b) supporting farm risk ~~management~~prevention and management through precautionary measures which reduce risks of animal disease and harvest loss:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – introductory part

(4) restoring, preserving and enhancing agro-ecological and agro-forestry systems as well as ecosystems dependent on agriculture and forestry, with a focus on the following areas:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a

(a) restoring and preserving biodiversity and sustainable use of genetic diversity, including in Natura 2000 areas and high nature value farming, and the state of European landscapes;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b

(b) improving water saving and management;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c

(c) improving soil fertility and management.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point c a (new)

(c a) improving air quality

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a

(a) increasing saving and efficiency in water use by agriculture;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b

(b) increasing saving and efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point c

(c) facilitating the local supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by- products, wastes, residues and other non food raw material for purposes of ~~the bio- economy~~improved agronomic practices and nutrient cycles, and the sustainable use of waste;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point a

(a) facilitating co-operation between farmers and rural enterprises, diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point b

(b) fostering community led local development in rural areas;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2

All of the priorities shall contribute to the cross-cutting objectives of improving the agronomic practices and advanced sustainable farming practices, innovation, environmental protection and climate change mitigation a~~nd adaptation~~s well as improvement of governance and community ownership of rural development measures.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)

3 a. Member States and regions are obliged to ensure a balanced and integrated spread of financial resources among all six priorities. To this end, for each rural development programme, the combined Community EAFRD and national spending on each priority must be at least 10% of the total financial resources available for the programme. Coherence between the different priorities must be guaranteed.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a

(a) young farmers and new farmers;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b

(b) small farms as referred to in Article 2 and the third subparagraph of Article 20(2);

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)

(d a) measures enhancing advanced sustainable farming systems and High Nature Value farm systems

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)

(da) wet areas referred to in Article 33(3);

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point d b (new)

(db) peri-urban areas;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2

2. Thematic sub-programmes may also address specific needs relating to the restructuring of agricultural sectors and diversification of the rural economy and income with a significant impact on the development of a specific rural area.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3

3. The support rates laid down in Annex I may be increased by 10 percentage points for operations supported in the framework of thematic sub-programmes concerning ~~small farms and short supply chain~~advanced sustainable and High Nature Value farming systems, small farms and short supply chains. In addition, operations supported in the framework of thematic sub-programmes involving co- operation and joint actions between farmers may receive similar additional 10 percentage points. In the case of young farmers and mountain areas, the maximum support rates may be increased in accordance with Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate shall not exceed 90%.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point b – paragraph 1

The analysis shall be structured around the Union priorities for rural development. Specific needs concerning advanced sustainable farming systems, biodiversity, water and soil management, the environment, climate change mitigation and adaptation and innovation shall be assessed across Union priorities for rural development, in view of identifying relevant responses in these three areas at the level of each priority;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1 – point iv

(iv) a pertinent approach towards innovation, exchange of good agronomic and agro-environmental practices, the environment, including the specific needs of Natura 2000 areas, and climate change mitigation and adaptation is integrated into the programme;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c – paragraph 1 – point viii

(viii) an appropriate approach has been defined laying down principles with regard to the setting of selection criteria for projects and local development strategies, which takes into account relevant stakeholder interests and targets. In this context Member States may provide for priority to be given or for a higher support rate for operations undertaken collectively by groups of farmers;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c

(c) a separate specific indicator plan, with planned outputs and planned expenditure, broken down between public and private, including the procedures and rules for inclusion of stakeholders and community led local development.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

Support under this measure shall be for the benefit of persons engaged in the agricultural, food and forestry sector, land managers, rural development associations and networks and other economic actors which are SMEs operating in rural areas.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) promote the setting up of farm management, farm relief and farm advisory services, ~~as well as~~including specific coordination to organise cooperation between young farmers, new entrants as well as advisory measures for generational renewal on farms, forestry advisory services, including the Farm Advisory System referred to in Articles 12, 13 and 14 of Regulation (EU) No HR/2012;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) promote the training of advisors, with the specific goal of promoting advanced sustainable farming systems and organic farming.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

The authorities or bodies selected to provide advice shall have the appropriate resources in the form of regularly trained and qualified staff and advisory experience ~~and reliability~~, shall be independent from private commercial interests and shall be reliable with respect to the fields they advise in. The beneficiaries shall be chosen through calls for proposals. The selection procedure shall be objective and be open to public as well as to private bodies.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part

Advice to farmers shall be linked to at least onthree Union priorityies for rural development and shall cover as a minimum one of the following elements:

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a

(a) ~~one or more of th~~the applicable statutory management requirements and/or standards for good agricultural and environmental conditions provided for in Chapter I of Title VI of Regulation (EU) No HR/2012;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c

(c) the requirements or actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, the protection of water and soil, animal and plant disease notification, and innovation as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No HR/2012; in addition, the promotion of effective recycling of nutrients and non-chemical alternatives to artificial inputs;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point d

(d) the sustainable development of the economical activity of the small farms and new entrants as defined by the Member States and at least of the farms participating in the Small farmers scheme referred to in Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012; or

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)

(e a) the development of on-farm sources of renewable energy and measures to promote energy efficiency and savings;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e b (new)

(e b) information services providing transparency on land available for rent or purchase, land ownership and related prices;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e c (new)

(e c) specific capacity building activities supporting and preparing cooperation between young farmers, new entrants and farmers beyond the age of 55;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e d (new)

(e d) specific advisory services supporting local processing and short distance marketing including the training and implementation of adapted hygiene rules and food safety standards;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e e (new)

(e e) specific information and training services supporting young farmers and new entrants in getting access to loans and credit facilities, individually or as producer groups.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i – indent 3 a (new)

- short and local food supply chains

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) improve the overall economic and environmental performance of the agricultural holding's production systems as referred to in Article 29, including its resource efficiency and greenhouse gas balance;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) concern infrastructure related to the development and adaptation of agriculture, including access to farm and forest land, land consolidation and improvement, energy s~~upply~~avings and, water management; or

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2

2. Support under paragraph 1(a) shall be granted to agricultural holdings, except unsustainable farming systems. In the case of investments to support farm restructuring, only farms not exceeding a certain size, to be defined by the Member States in the programme based on the SWOT analysis carried out in relation to the Union priority for rural development ‘enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability’, shall be eligible.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3

3. Support under this measure shall be limited to the maximum support rates laid down in Annex I. These maximum rates may be increased for young farmers,; cooperation projects between small farmers to improve the sustainable productivity of their holdings and to diversify into alternative sources of revenue including processing; farmers or groups of farmers investing into agro- ecological production systems; collective investments and integrated projects involving support under more than one measure, investments in areas facing significant natural constraints as referred to in Article 33(3) and operations supported in the framework of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability in accordance with the support rates laid down in Annex I. However, the maximum combined support rate may not exceed 90%.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) investments in preventive actions aimed at reducing the risks and consequences of probable natural disasters and catastrophic events;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i

(i) young farmers and new entrants;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii

(ii) community led local development partnerships and other non-agricultural activities in rural areas;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii

(iii) the development of and co-operation between small farms;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) investments in community led local development partnerships and other non- agricultural activities;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) annual payments for farmers participating in the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012 (hereafter "the small farmers scheme") who permanently transfer their holding to another farmer.deleted

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

Support under paragraph 1(a)(i) shall be granted to young farmers and new entrants to farming.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

Support under paragraph 1(a)(ii) shall be granted to farmers or members of the farm household diversifying into non- agricultural activities ~~and~~, to non- agricultural micro- and small- enterprises in rural areas, to community led local development partnerships, local action groups, and other rural development associations and networks.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3

Support under paragraph 1(a)(iii) shall be granted to small farms as defined by this Regulation and Member States.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 5

Support under paragraph 1(c) shall be granted to farmers participating in the small farmer’s scheme, at the time of submitting their application for support, for at least one year and who commit to permanently transfer their entire holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to another farmer. Support shall be paid from the date of the transfer until 31 December 2020.deleted

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1

Support under paragraph 1(a) shall be conditional on the submission of a business plan, including an impact assessment for environmental performance. Implementation of the business plan has to start within six months from the date of the decision granting the aid.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2

Member States shall define upper and lower thresholds for allowing agricultural holdings access to support under paragraphs 1(a)(i) and 1(a)(iii) respectively. The lower threshold for support under paragraph 1(a)(i) shall be significantly higher than the upper threshold for support under paragraph 1(a)(iii). These thresholds shall take into account co-operation between small farms. Support shall, however, be limited to holdings coming under the definition of micro- and small- enterprises.

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 7

~~7. Support under paragraph 1(c) shall be equal to 120% of the annual payment that the beneficiary received under the small farmers scheme.~~deleted

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) investments in the creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure, including investments in decentralised energy saving measures and renewable energy;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) investments in the setting-up, improvement or expansion of local basic services for the rural population, including leisure and culture, and the related infrastructure, with priority investment in community led local development initiatives owned, governed and controlled by the community, through ownership models such as local associations and community trusts, with democratic management by and participation of the local population ;

2012/07/24
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2

2. Support under this measure shall only concern small-scale infrastructure, as defined by each Member State in the programme. However, rural development programmes may provide for specific derogations from this rule for investments in broadband ~~and renewable energy~~. A similar derogation may be provided for investments in renewable energy and energy savings infrastructure, if the project is subject to community ownership and control, with the community in question participating in revenue sharing. In this case, clear criteria ensuring complementarity with support under other Union instruments shall be provided.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2

2. Both agricultural and non-agricultural land shall be eligible. Species planted shall be adapted to the environmental and climatic conditions of the area and answer to minimum environmental requirements, with a preference where possible for native species. No support shall be granted for the planting of short rotation coppice, Christmas trees or fast growing trees for energy production. In areas where afforestation is made difficult by severe pedo-climatic conditions support may be provided for planting other perennial woody species such as shrubs or bushes suitable to the local conditions.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)

(aa) ensuring fair prices for producers in the organisation, through strengthening their bargaining power in the food chain;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

Support shall be granted to producer groups which are officially recognised by the Member States’ competent authority on the basis of a business plan. It shall be limited to producer groups coming under the definition of ~~SME~~micro/small enterprises.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)

Support shall be targeted at such producer organisations where the members control policy, either through majority voting rights or through majority membership on the governing board.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1

1. Member States shall make support under this measure available throughout their territories, in accordance with their national, regional or local specific needs and priorities. Inclusion of this measure in rural development programmes shall be compulsory. These measures shall include support for crop rotation, the inclusion of protein crops in the rotation, the improvement of perennial cultivations, and the use of biological pest control methods as a means of reducing or mitigate pests such as the use of natural plant strengtheners and natural enemies;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2

2. Agri-environment-climate payments shall be granted to farmers, groups of farmers or groups of farmers and other land-managers who ~~undertake, on a voluntary basis, to carry out ope~~adopt farming practices and environmental management tools which respond to agro- environmental challenges in an integrated way. Priority shall be given to transition into organic farming and advanced sustainable farming systems. Agri- environmental programmes should target examples of best practi~~ons consisting of one or more agri- environment-climate commitments on agricultural land~~ce in soil management, water management, biodiversity, nutrient recycling and ecosystem maintenance (the "forerunner principle"), prioritise investment in these techniques, and seek to spread best practice throughout the territory of the programme. Climate schemes shall be targeted at improving the greenhouse gas reduction performance of the entire agricultural holding or farm system. Where duly justified to achieve environmental objectives, agri- environment-climate payments may be granted to other land-managers or groups of other land-managers. Member states should give priority to existing agro- environmental measures which have proven high environmental performance.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 6

6. Payments shall be granted annually and shall ~~compensate~~reward beneficiaries for ~~all or part of the additional costs and income foregone resulting from the commitments made~~efforts made in improving the environmental and climate performance of the holding, with a particular focus on investments which address the new challenges of climate change, renewable energy, water and soil management, and biodiversity. Where necessary they may also cover transaction costs to a value of up to 20% of the premium paid for the agri- environment- climate commitments. Where commitments are undertaken by groups of farmers, the maximum level shall be 30%.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 9

9. Support ~~may~~shall be provided for the conservation and sustainable use and development of genetic ~~resources~~diversity in agriculture for operations not covered by the provisions under paragraphs 1 to 8. It shall be mandatory for rural development programmes to offer such support.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1

1. Support under this measure shall be granted, per hectare of UAA, to farmers or groups of farmers who undertake, on a voluntary basis to convert to or maintain organic farming practices and methods as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 834/200735. It shall be mandatory for rural development programmes to offer this measure.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Member States shall set out in their rural development programmes how this measure can be combined with additional measures in the regulation, with specific reference to articles 17, 18, 28, 29, 31, 36 to provide coherent policy frameworks for the expansion of organic farming.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1

1. Animal welfare payments under this measure shall be granted to farmers who undertake, on a voluntary basis, to carry out operations consisting of one or more animal welfare commitments. It shall be mandatory for rural development programmes to offer this measure.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

Those commitments shall be undertaken ~~for a renewable period of one year~~as a general rule for a period between five and seven years. Where necessary and justified, a longer period shall be determined.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) co-operation approaches among ~~different actors in the Union agriculture and~~farmers, rural enterprises and rural development associations and networks with a special attention to small farmers and micro/small enterprises as well as different actors in local and regional food chains, forestry sector and among other actors that contribute to achieving the objectives and priorities of rural development policy, including inter-branch organisations;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point d

(d) horizontal and vertical co-operation among supply chain actors for the establishment of logistic platforms to promote short supply chains ~~and~~, local markets and strengthened added value for producers in the supply chain;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point g

(g) collective approaches to agro- ecological systems, environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 37

~~[...]~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 38

Article 38 Crop, animal, and plant insurance 1. Support under Article 37(1)(a) shall only be granted for insurance contracts which cover for loss caused by an adverse climatic event or by an animal or plant disease or a pest infestation or a measure adopted in accordance with Directive 2000/29/EC to eradicate or contain a plant disease or pest which destroys more than 30 % of the average annual production of the farmer in the preceding three-year period or a three-year average based on the preceding five-year period, excluding the highest and lowest entry. 2. The occurrence of an adverse climatic event or the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or pest infestation has to be formally recognised as such by the competent authority of the Member State concerned. Member States may, where appropriate, establish in advance criteria on the basis of which such formal recognition shall be deemed to be granted. 3. Insurance payments shall compensate for not more than the total of the cost of replacing the losses referred to in Article 37(1)(a) and shall not require or specify the type or quantity of future production. Member States may limit the amount of the premium that is eligible for support by applying appropriate ceilings. 4. Support shall be limited to the maximum rate laid down in Annex I.deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

1. Support under this measure shall cover administrative and technical assistance to mutual funds which pay financial compensations to farmers for economic losses caused by the outbreak of an animal or plant disease or an environmental incident. In order to be eligible for support the mutual fund concerned shall:

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 2

2. Member States shall define the rules for the constitution and management of the mutual funds, in particular for the granting of compensation payments to farmers in the event of crisis and for the administration and monitoring of compliance with these rules. However, as a general rule, farmers will only be eligible for compensation if they have taken all necessary precautionary measures to improve the resilience of their holding against environmental degradation, animal and plant diseases, and climate change events

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part

The financial contributions ~~referred to in Article 37(1)(b)~~from all public funds, such as the EAFRD, and national and regional funding, to the mutual funds may only relate to:

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b

(b) the a~~mounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compensation to farmers. In addition, the financial contribution may relate to intere~~dministrative costs o~~n commercial loans taken out by the mutual fund for the purpose of paying the financial compensation to farmers in case of crisis~~f running the mutual fund.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2

No contribution by public funds shall be made to initial capital stock. No contributions by public funds shall be made to the amounts paid by the mutual fund as financial compensation to farmers.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 4

4. As regards animal diseases, financial compensation ~~under Article 37(1)(b)~~ may only be granted in respect of diseases ~~mentioned in the list of animal diseases established by the World Organisation for Animal Health and/or in the Annex to Decision 90/424/EEC.~~which do not occur due to unsustainable systems like industrial farming and monocultures

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 40

~~[...]~~deleted

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)

(ba) actions promoting local participation in planning and implementing of improved medical care, education, cultural activities, and other fields of local public services

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 1

1. In order to be eligible for EAFRD support investment operations shall be preceded by an assessment of the expected environmental impact in accordance with legislation specific to that kind of investment where the investment is likely to have negative effects on the environment. Member States shall give priority to investments which substantially improve environmental, climate and animal welfare performance of the holdings, which help diversify the income streams of farmers, and where groups of farmers, enterprises and rural development associations and networks engage in joint activities and investments.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 – point a

(a) the construction, acquisition, including leasing, or improvement of immovable property;, giving priority to energy saving and climate friendly construction materials

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) the purchase or lease purchase of ~~new~~ machinery and equipment including computing software up to the market value of the asset; these investments must take into account the best energy efficiency standards and must respond to the challenges of climate change and the loss of biodiversity and soil fertility;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) the purchase or lease purchase of ~~new~~ machinery and equipment including computing software up to the market value of the asset;

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 46 – paragraph 3

3. In the case of irrigation, (a) for existing equipment and for the modernisation of storage and transport infrastructures, only investments that lead to a reduction of previous water use by at least 10% shall be considered as eligible expenditure; for the modernisation of equipment and parcel irrigation practices, only investments that lead to a reduction of previous water use by at least 25% shall be considered as eligible expenditure. By way of derogation, in the Member States that adhered to the Union from 2004 onwards investments in new irrigation installations can be considered eligible expenditure in cases where an environmental analysis provides evidence that the investment concerned is sustainable and has no negative environmental impact. (b) investments in new irrigation installations may be considered as admissible expenditure where they form part of a territorial climate change adaptation strategy, i.e. one based solely on the choice of water-efficient systems and equipment.

2012/07/25
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 2 – point d

(d) collect, consolidate and disseminate good practice relevant to innovation and knowledge exchange;

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) promote a resource efficient and energy saving, productive, low emission, climate friendly and resilient agricultural sector, working in harmony with the essential natural resources on which farming depends;

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) improve processes to preserve the environment, promote agro-ecological production systems, adapt to climate change and mitigate it;

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 61 – paragraph 1 – point d

(d) build bridges between cutting-edge research knowledge, local know-how, and technology and farmers, rural communities, businesses and advisory services.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 1

1. EIP operational groups shall form part of the EIP for agricultural productivity and sustainability. They shall be set up by interested actors such as farmers, researchers, advisors, rural development associations and networks, and businesses involved in the agriculture and food sector. Formation of an operational group shall be determined by a consensus of stakeholders representing the broad spectrum of interests across the fields of agriculture rural development and research. Operational groups shall not be set up by a single stakeholder or by a group of stakeholders representing only one set of interests.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 62 – paragraph 2

2. EIP operational groups shall establish internal procedures that ensure transparency in their operation and avoid situations of conflict of interest. The internal structure, procedures and decision making processes of the operational groups shall be democratic, with all stakeholders having a full opportunity to participate and contribute to decision making. Decisions shall be subject to a consensus procedure.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4 – point b

~~(b) past performance.~~deleted

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 4 – point a a (new)

(a a) 60% for the agri-environment- climate measures referred to in Article 29, 60% for the organic farming measures referred to in Article 30, 60% for the NATURA 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments referred to in Article 31, and 60% for the animal welfare payments referred to in Article 34.

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI

Proposal for a regulation
ANNEX II – Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2

CLIMATE Dryness Ratio of the annual precipitation (P) to P/PET ≤ 0.5 the annual potential evapotranspiration (PET) Text amended CLIMATE Dryness Ratio of precipitation (P) to potential P/PET ≤ 0.5 evapotranspiration (PET) over the growing season

2012/07/26
Committee: AGRI