Brussels, 09/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - All parties have finally reached agreement on a text which takes up, in legal form, the Franco-German political agreement of 14 November of this year on continuing, in 2012 and 2013, the programme to distribute food to the poorest people of the EU (see EUROPE 10494). The text of the compromise borrows elements of the Franco-German agreement which ensure that this programme of aid to those in the greatest need will be extended: - removing the reference to Article 175(3) on social cohesion and reference only to Articles 42 and 43(2) of the Treaty (common agricultural policy); - programme applicable only in 2012 and 2013; - a declaration of the Commission on the end of this programme post-2013.
Under this declaration, which is finally satisfactory to France and Germany, the Commission takes note of a blocking minority of six member states opposed to its initial proposal regarding the distribution programme.
It also takes note of the joint declaration of France and Germany, whereby the two countries: - agree to continue this programme for a transition period to end on 31 December 2013, to allow the charity organisations of the member states to use this period to come to terms with the new situation; - take the view that “the conditions have not been met” for a proposed new programme for a post-2013 period to be presented by the Commission and adopted by the Council; - stress that they cannot agree with any legislative and financial proposals of the Commission for a programme of this kind in the future.
The Commission also takes note of the wishes of a “significant group” of member states not to continue the programme beyond 2013 and accordingly to amend the regulation on the single common market organisation (CMO) and the forthcoming multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020. “Without prejudice to its right of initiative” by virtue of the Treaty, the Commission will take due account of this strong opposition to any legislative and financial proposal for a programme of this kind in the future, says the declaration.
The committee on agriculture of the European Parliament is to hold an extraordinary meeting on the evening of Monday 12 December in order formally to accept the text, which will subsequently be voted on in plenary. This meeting of the EP committee will take place further to a special agriculture committee (SAC), in which the countries of the EU are expected to accept the agreement on behalf of the Council before writing to the EP to explain that if the text is voted on in plenary, it will be formally adopted without debate at a subsequent Council meeting. (LC/transl.fl)