Strasbourg, 13/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 December, in Strasbourg, the agriculture committee at the European Parliament formally adopted, without a vote, the compromise text on continuing the programme for the distribution of foodstuffs to the EU's poorest in 2012 and 2013. The compromise text takes on board the elements of the Franco-German agreement (see EUROPE 10494 and 10513) which allowed the programme on aid to the poorest to be extended: - removal of the reference to Article 175(3) on social cohesion and a reference to only Articles 42 and 43(2) of the treaty (common agricultural policy); - a programme applicable in 2012 and 2013 only; - and a Commission statement on ending the programme after 2013.
The Parliament's rapporteur on this dossier, Czeslaw Adam Siekierski (EPP, Poland), who was part of the trialogue for conciliation with Commission and Council, called on his colleagues to adopt the text without amendment so that it may be set in place as soon as possible. The chairman of the EP agriculture committee, Paolo de Castro (S&D, Italy), backed the rapporteur's position.
“This statement provides a satisfactory solution. There is no other better solution (…). The compromise is far from perfect but it is the only solution given the current situation, otherwise one runs the risk of endangering the lives of millions of Europeans who live under the food programme”, Siekierski said.
Although MEPs showed they upheld the proposal, they nonetheless did so because there was no other choice. Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany) said: “We must think of those who depend on the programme. It is not possible to block it”. “The vote in favour does not imply that we agree to the suspension of the programme after 2013”, took up Sergio Paolo Francesco Silvestris (EPP, Italy). “It is disappointing to agree to a statement without taking into account the blocking minority and the problems that are raised”, said Liam Aylward (ALDE, Ireland), for his part.
Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos (S&D, Portugal) expressed concern about the initialling of the declaration stating that “without prejudice to its right of own initiative”, the Commission must take into account the opposition to continuation of the programme voiced by certain member states. “The Commission must not find itself with both hands tied”, otherwise it will not be able to propose anything for post-2013, he said.
The members of the agriculture committee underlined how important it was to begin to negotiate without delay for the post-2013 period. Peter Jahr (EPP, Germany) wanted to launch a “vibrant appeal” to the Commission. He went on to explain: “It must take advantage of the next two years to propose the bases for a new programme”. The compromise text should be approved in plenary session of the European Parliament in early 2012. (CG/transl.jl)