Brussels, 27/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The agriculture committee of the European Parliament has brought changes to the proposal on the next general farm census, to be carried out in 2009/2010, and the intermediary surveys to be conducted between 2013-2016. The report by Gábor Harangozó (PES, Hungary), adopted on Tuesday 26 February by the members of the committee concerned, will be put to the vote in April by the EP (codecision, first reading).
Amendments mainly aim to: - facilitate the task of member states when it comes to conducting inquiries: - increasing from 50 to 75% the share of the financial contribution from the Community budget for carrying out surveys; - and increasing the overall budget earmarked for implementing the programme (i.e. €58.85 million from 2008 to 2013, instead of €54.27 million). The main part of these amendments were drafted in concert with the EU Council's working group responsible for the dossier with a view to reaching an agreement at first reading, thus leaving member states more time to prepare inquiries. (L.C.)