Brussels, 16/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Monday EU agriculture ministers took note of the Commission's ideas for best managing future risks and crises in the agriculture sector (financial assistance for insurance premiums incurred during natural disasters, support for the farming mutual fund and income support: EUROPE on 11 March p 11). The Council is expected to return on 30 May.
France, Italy, Spain and Poland consider that the communications is a good start but that other measures are needed. They regretted that the Commission has so far refused to extend the crisis management measure to the bovine meat sector (the sectors were established in 1974). They insist on the need for complementary measures regarding certain production sectors, such as fruit and vegetables. Commissioner for agriculture, Mariann Fischer Boel, however, did not exclude specific needs being considered in certain sectors on a case-by-case basis. Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Italy thought planned funding for such risk management measures were insufficient (1% of direct aid modulation through rural development programmes). Germany and Austria have highlighted their own insurance model for agricultural risks, which could act as an example to follow at a Community level. Austria also doubted whether the level of planned funding would be sufficient. Portugal welcomed the Commission's ideas.
French Minister, Dominique Bussereau said that Commission indicates “represented a significant move towards French ideas in this area”. However, he called oh the Commission to work in two directions: to bring clarity to horizontal and common measures in all areas of production; complete the range of tools, for example by adding promotion actions that were applied flexibly and swiftly in crises affecting specific products.