Brussels, 21/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 20 January, the European Parliament's agricultural committee approved (in exchange for a number of amendments), the European Commission's proposal (of July 2008) to improve Regulation 3/2008 on information and promotion of action in favour of agricultural products in the internal market and third countries. The proposal aims to enable member states to set up information programmes in third countries' markets when the professional bodies concerned have not done so. The proposal also aims to provide member states with the possibility of expanding the field of action covered and requests aid from international organisations to implement the programmes, particularly in view of promoting olive oil and table olives.
Adopting the consultative report by Constantin Dumitriu (EPP-ED, Romania) by a very large majority, the agriculture committee amended the initial proposal so that national authorities consult the professional organisations or associations concerned before drawing up their programmes, in order to ensure that actions planned are well targeted and of quality. Furthermore, MEPs added provisions so that the sectors in which member states may request aid from international organisations are extended to wines that benefit from registered designation of origin (RDO) or protected geographical indication (PGI). Finally, the EP agriculture committee raises the ceiling of Community participation from 50% to 60% of the real cost of programmes approved by the EU, or even to 70% for actions to promote fruit and vegetables in schools. (L.C./transl.rh/jl)