Brussels, 25/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - During Monday's Agriculture-Fisheries Council, Commissioner Franz Fischler gave a very detailed presentation of the European Commission communication on the financial perspectives 2007-2013. Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the EU Member States welcomed the Commission's excellent work and above all welcomed the anticipated simplification of rural development policy.
Mr Fischler mainly stressed that agricultural spending, which accounted for 0.60% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI) in 2003, will be gradually reduced to 0.33% of GNI. He recalled that the share of agricultural expenditure for EU25 represents 45% of the total commitments of the EU budget in 2006 but that this will have decreased to 35% in 2013. "This reflects the shift in the budgetary resources towards new policies", he stressed. Proposing a volume of payment appropriations representing 1.14% of GNI, "the Commission opted for a rigorous approach", the Commissioner said, adding that the budgetary limit of 1% of GNI, defended by six Member States, "would lead to drastic cuts from 200è".
The Commission reminded ministers that the amounts foreseen for total agricultural expenditure (EUR 55.3 billion in 2007, EUR 55.9 billion in 2010, EUR 55.5 billion in 2013): - fully comply with the European Council agreement of November 2002 (ceiling of agricultural spending until 2013 at the level foreseen for 2006); - take into account the integration of Romania and Bulgaria (two countries with an important farm sector); - and reflect the aim of helping the sustainable development of rural communities, with a special effort for the new Member States. Funding proposed for market expenditure amounts to EUR 43.5 billion in 2007, 43.7 billion in 2008, 43.4 billion in 2009, 43.0 billion in 2010, 42.7 billion in 2011, 42.5 billion in 2012 and 42.3 billion in 2013.
Mr Fischler restated his resolve to create a single funding instrument for rural development measures. Spending for the "second CAP pillar" increases progressively from EUR 11.8 billion in 2007 (as opposed to EUR 10.5 billion in 2006) to EUR 12.8 billion in 2010 and up to EUR 13.2 billion in 2013.
Funds for the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will also be grouped under a single sub-heading to "increase transparency and simplify management", Mr Fischler noted. Funding would increase little by little from EUR 1.03 billion in 2007 (0.92 billion in 2006) to 1.13 billion in 2013.
After Mr Fischler's presentation, French Minister Hervé Gaymard declared that the Commission's proposals allow for a "calm and stable basis" for agriculture and fisheries. According to his Spanish counterpart, Miguel Arias Canete, the communication is a "good base for discussions" and, according to Greece, the document allows "stability". Portuguese Minister Armando Sevinate Pinto mainly welcomed the simplification of policies (mainly rural development). Austria felt it would be necessary to set new priorities for CAP in 2007 and took a stance in favour of a single rural development funding instrument.