Brussels, 08/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has adopted two reports evaluating the volume and the impact from 1996 to 2000 of the long-term national aid regime that Finland and Sweden were authorised to maintain after their EU membership, in favour of their northern regions. For these two countries, the Commission considers that: - the ceilings authorised for production and aid were not exceeded during this period 1996-2000; - total Community aid (compensatory indemnities and agri-environmental aid) also remained below the ceiling set; - controls were carried out according to the rules of good financial management; - and aid granted "plays an important role for the protection of the environment and for preservation of the landscape".
We would point out that a working group created last year by the Finnish Ministry for Agriculture in order to develop a strategy for the farming sector had concluded that the most serious threat to the profitability of its country's agriculture was the "expiry of the aid payment authorisation", which could cause "serious difficulties" end 2003. According to these experts, Helsinki must ensure that such aid will be continued in an appropriate manner, taking into account any changes to the CAP.