The Committee has adopted a position broadly endorsing the package of Agenda
2000 farm reforms, in the light of the deal struck at the Berlin Summit and
with certain reservations.
Although the committee, chaired by Juan Luis COLINO SALAMANCA (PES, E), is
not entirely happy with the Berlin agreement, it finds it more acceptable
than the original, more drastic, Commission proposals and does not want to
hold up the CAP reforms.
"In many areas my Group is not satisfied ... but we cannot open up Pandora's
Box again", said German Socialist Klaus REHDER, echoed by Livio FILIPI (EPP,
I) who said: "We must be realistic. We have done what we can. Public opinion
thinks the results are the best that can be obtained." The MEPs' main
reservations are set out in a dozen compromise amendments adopted at the
committee's last meeting before the European elections. These amendments
reflect compromises hammered out with the Commission and Council and will be
tabled in plenary next month, as the committee's "last word", replacing the
amendments on those points adopted in plenary in November and January.
In the dairy sector, which will not now be reformed until 2005/6, Lutz
GOEPEL (EPP, D) presses the Commission to review the current arrangements in
2002 and produce proposals as soon as possible for replacing milk quotas
after 2006. He also wants a flexible super levy.
MEPs will debate the entire package of Agenda 2000 reforms. The farm
legislation will probably be passed by the Agriculture Council. Although,
under the consultation procedure, the content of the EP's formal opinions on
the CAP reforms is not legally binding, the proposals cannot become law
without them. They will also be an important political statement and will
provide a basis for the work of the new parliament which will be faced with
the next round of discussions on CAP financing. After Parliament postponed
delivering its formal opinions on the CAP proposals in November and January
because the Commission could not accept its amendments, the EP held a series
of informal 'conciliation' talks with the Council, in which it was able to
bring some pressure to bear, resulting in the Council accepting many of
Parliament's demands.