Activities of George LYON related to 2011/0282(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
Amendments (41)
Amendment 76 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
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 of all types of agriculture and farm viability, food chain organisation and risk management in agriculture, animal welfare improvements, 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 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 and promoting linkages between rural and urban areas for improved nutrient circuits. 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.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
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 of all types of agriculture and farm viability, safety measures and increased awareness of farm safety; 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 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.
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The evolution and specialisation of agriculture and forestry and the particular challenges faced by micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (hereinafter ‘"SMEs’") in rural areas require an appropriate level of technical and economic training as well as an increased capacity to access and exchange knowledge and information including in the form of diffusion of best agricultural and forestry production practices. Knowledge transfer and information actions should take not only the form of traditional training courses but be adapted to the needs of rural actors. Workshops, coaching, apprenticeship schemes, demonstration activities, information actions but also short-term farm exchange or visit schemes should therefore also be supported. Knowledge and information acquired should enable farmers, forest holders, persons engaged in the food sector and rural SMEs to enhance in particular their competitiveness and resource efficiency and improve their environmental performance while at the same time contributing to the sustainability of the rural economy. In order to ensure that knowledge transfer and information actions are effective in delivering these results it should be required that the providers of knowledge transfer services have all the appropriate capabilities.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) In particular, with the objectives of generational renewal in rural areas and increased knowledge and skills transfer in agriculture, Member States are encouraged to establish agricultural apprenticeship schemes as part of their rural development programmes whereby young persons would be invited to register as apprentices. The schemes should be multiannual, spread over 3 to 5 years where the apprentice would be employed on the holding of a participating farmer. In the final year(s) of the scheme, the apprentice would be sent to a hosting farm in another Member State to ensure best practice exchange across the Union. Professional training should be provided throughout the apprenticeship period. Upon successful completion, the apprentice shall be eligible to apply for business start-up aid and business development support either as a young farmer, new entrant, small farmer or rural entrepreneur.
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Farm advisory services help farmers, forest holders and SMEs in rural areas to improve the sustainable management and overall performance of their holding or business. Therefore both the setting up of such services and the use of advice by farmers, forest holders and SMEs should be encouraged. In order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the advice offered, provision should be made for the minimum qualifications and regular training of advisors. Farm advisory services, as provided for in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No HR/2012 of […]14 should help farmers assess the performance of their agricultural holding and identify the necessary improvements as regards the statutory management requirements, good agricultural and environmental conditions, agricultural practices beneficial to the climate and the environment set out in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No DP/2012 of […]15 , requirements or actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, protection of water, animal disease notification and innovation at least as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No HR/2012. Where relevant, advice should also cover occupational safety standards. Advice may also cover issues linked to the economic, agricultural and environmental performance of the holding or enterprise. Farm management and farm relief services should help farmers improve and facilitate management of their holding. Furthermore, in the context of the growing number of farm fatalities and accidents, farm advisory services should offer advice and guidance on improving farm safety measures and the safety of those working and living on farms.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Farm advisory services help farmers, forest holders and SMEs in rural areas to improve the sustainable management and overall performance of their holding or business. Therefore both the setting up of such services and the use of advice by farmers, forest holders and SMEs should be encouraged. In order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the advice offered, provision should be made for the minimum qualifications and regular training of advisors. Farm advisory services, as provided for in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No HR/2012 of […]14 should help farmers assess the performance of their agricultural holding and identify the necessary improvements as regards the statutory management requirements, good agricultural and environmental conditions, agricultural practices beneficial to the climate and the environment set out in Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No DP/2012 of […]15 , requirements or actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, protection of water, animal disease notification and innovation at least as laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No HR/2012. Where relevant, advice should also cover occupational safety standards. Advice may also cover issues linked to the economic, animal welfare related, agricultural and environmental performance of the holding or enterprise. Farm management and farm relief services should help farmers improve and facilitate management of their holding.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The creation and development of new economic activity in the form of new farms, new businesses or new investments in non-agricultural activities is essential for the development and competitiveness of rural areas. A farm and business development measure should facilitate the initial establishment of young farmers and those who have completed apprenticeships and the structural adjustment of their holdings after initial setting up, diversification of farmers into non- agricultural activities and the setting up and development of non- agricultural SMEs in rural areas. The development of small farms which are potentially economically viable should also be encouraged. In order to ensure the viability of new economic activities supported under this measure, support should be made conditional on the submission of a business plan. Support for business start up should cover only the initial period of the life of a business and not become operating aid. Therefore, where Member States opt to grant aid in instalments these should be for a period of no more than five years. In addition in order to encourage the restructuring of the agricultural sector, support in the form of annual payments should be provided for farmers participating in the small farmers scheme established by Title V of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012 who commit to transfer their entire holding and the corresponding payment entitlements to another farmer who does not participate in that scheme.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54 a (new)
Recital 54 a (new)
(54 a) To contribute to the achievement of specific objectives set out under a priority, financing instruments may be used based on an ex ante assessment which has identified market failures or suboptimal investment situations, and investment needs. These instruments may be established as laid down in Title IV Articles 32-40 of Regulation (EU) No...CSF/2012.
Amendment 216 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) '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.
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) strengthening farm safety awareness and training;
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) Facilitating innovation in the agricultural sector to secure a sustainable future, notably on environmental, climate, resource-efficiency and animal welfare issues.
Amendment 485 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) High Nature Value Farming systems
Amendment 581 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) in relation to local development, a specific description of the coordination mechanisms between the local development strategies, the measure co- operation referred to in Article 36, the measure basic services and village renewal in rural areas referred to in Article 21 and, the support for non-agricultural activities in rural areas under the measure farm and business development in rural areas referred to in Article 20 and the planned linkages between rural and urban areas for improved nutrient circuits;
Amendment 586 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point m
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point m
(m) information on the complementarity with measures financed by the other common agricultural policy instruments, through cohesion policy or by the EMFF, and application of financing instruments referred to in Title IV Articles 32-40 in Regulation (EU) No...CSF/2012;
Amendment 640 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Support under this measure shall cover vocational training and skills acquisition actions, demonstration activities and information actions. Vocational training and skills acquisition actions may include training courses, apprenticeship schemes, workshops and coaching.
Amendment 667 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Bodies providing knowledge transfer and information services shall have the appropriate capacities in the form of staff qualifications and regular training to carry out this task and access to relevant information from the EIP network.
Amendment 722 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) where applicableas a priority, the agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment as laid down in Chapter 2 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012 and the maintenance of the agricultural area as referred to in Article 4(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) No DP/2012;
Amendment 733 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) where relevant, advice and information on improving farm safety measures and the safety of those working and living on farms and occupational safety standards based on Union legislation. .
Amendment 747 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 9
Article 16 – paragraph 9
Amendment 824 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) improve the bio security of a holding including animal welfare improvements;
Amendment 882 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. Support under paragraph 1(a) shall be granted to agricultural holdings. Farmers participating in the measures delivering carbon, nutrient and/or energy efficiency described in Chapter 2 of Title III of Regulation (EU) No [DP/2012] shall have priority access to available support under paragraph 1(a) in order to complement the actions they carry out through the payment for agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. 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.
Amendment 923 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) young farmers and those who have completed apprenticeships;
Amendment 963 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Support under paragraph 1(a)(i) shall be granted to young farmers and those who have completed apprenticeships.
Amendment 1317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 5
Article 29 – paragraph 5
5. Commitments under this measure shall be undertaken for a period of five to seven years. However, where necessary in order to achieve or maintain the environmental benefits sought, Member States may determine a longer or shorter (minimum 1 year) period in their rural development programmes for particular types of commitments, including by means of providing for their annual extension after the termination of the initial period.
Amendment 1445 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
In order to be eligible for payments under Article 32, areas, other than mountain areas, shall be considered as facing significant natural constraints if at least 66% of the UAA meets at least one of the criteria listed in Annex II at the threshold value indicated. Respect of this condition shall be ensured at the appropriate level of local administrative units (‘LAU 2’ level) or smaller units if motivated based on objective criteria presented in the programme.
Amendment 1457 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 33 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Areas affected by specific constraints shall comprise farming areas which are homogeneous from the point of view of natural protection conditions and their total extent shall not exceed 10% of the area of the Member State concerned, except under circumstances where major shifts would occur in area delimitations from the 2007- 2013 programme period and a higher percentage is duly justified and motivated by Member States based on the objective natural protection conditions.
Amendment 1466 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 4
Article 34 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 90 concerning the definition of the areas in which animal welfare commitments shall provide upgraded standards of production methods, taking into account knowledge from a European coordinated animal welfare network and practices based on the latest research.
Amendment 1493 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 36 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) co-operation approaches among different actors in the Union agriculture and food chain, forestry sector and bio- based economy and among other actors that contribute to achieving the objectives and priorities of rural development policy, including inter-branch organisations;
Amendment 1500 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) the development and/or deployment of new products, practices, processes and technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors and bio-based products
Amendment 1531 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Article 36 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
(ha) promotion of linkages between rural and urban areas for improved nutrient circuits;
Amendment 1543 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 9
Article 36 – paragraph 9
9. Co-operation under this measure may be combined with projects supported by Union funds other than the EAFRD in the same territory. Member States shall ensure that overcompensation as a result of the combination of this measure with other national or Union support instruments is avoided. Specification of the characteristics of pilot projects, clusters, networks, short supply chains and local markets that will be eligible for support shall be laid down in programmes submitted by the Member States.
Amendment 1544 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 10
Article 36 – paragraph 10
Amendment 1589 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 3
Article 37 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that overcompensation as a result of the combination of this measure with other national or Union support instruments or private insurance schemes is avoided. Direct income support received under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund36 (hereinafter ‘EGF’) shall also be taken into consideration when estimating the income levels of farmers.
Amendment 1590 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 3 – footnote 36
Article 37 – paragraph 3 – footnote 36
Amendment 1601 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 1
Article 38 – paragraph 1
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. In order to calculate the individual losses of a farmer caused by the event, validated index-based systems may be used.
Amendment 1631 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1
Article 40 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 37(1)(c) may only be granted where the drop of income exceeds 30% of the average annual income of the individual 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. Income for the purposes of Article 37(1)(c) shall refer to the sum of revenuesincome the farmer receives from the market, including any form of public support, deducting input costsagricultural produce on the market. Payments by the mutual fund to farmers shall compensate for not more than 70% of the income lost.
Amendment 1641 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1
Article 40 – paragraph 1
1. Support under Article 37(1)(c) may only be granted where the drop of income exceeds 30% of the average annual income of the individual 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. Income for the purposes of Article 37(1)(c) shall refer to the sum of revenues the farmer receives from the market, including any form of public support, deducting input costs. Payments by the mutual fund to farmers shall compensate for not more than 70% of the income lost. In order to calculate the losses for an individual farmer, validated index-based systems may be used.
Amendment 1668 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) demarcation with other measures, conversion to units other than those used in Annex I, calculation of transaction costs and conversion or adjustment of commitments under the agri-environment- climate measure referred to in Article 29, the organic farming measure referred to in Article 30, the animal welfare measure referred to in Article 34 and the forest- environmental and climate services and forest conservation measure referred to in Article 35;
Amendment 1764 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 53 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) Establish a dialogue between farmers and the research community;
Amendment 1791 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 3 – point b – point vii a (new)
Article 55 – paragraph 3 – point b – point vii a (new)
(vii a) a plan to encourage local "one stop shops", digital or physical, to make information on rural development programmes and the other CSF Fund programmes locally accessible for potential beneficiaries.
Amendment 2078 #
Proposal for a regulation
ANNEX I – Article 20(6)
ANNEX I – Article 20(6)