Brussels, 25/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 25 May, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted, without debate, the rule extending the period of restructuring in the cotton sector (instead of four years, it will now last eight: EUROPE 9889 on EP opinion submitted on 22 April). The text was adopted by qualified majority. Only the United Kingdom voted against.
The regulation authorises producer member states (Greece and Spain) to submit a cotton sector restructuring programme for eight years, 2010-17. The annual level of aid remains unchanged. Provisions are also planned for ensuring that all deseeding factories benefit from the aid. Cotton sector reform has been in force since 1 January 2006. It includes partial uncoupling of sector aid. (L.C./transl.rh)