Support system for producers of certain arable crops: use of land set aside

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mrs Danielle AUROI (Greens/EFA, F) which calls for a support system for producers for certain arable crops. As part of the plan to combat the BSE crisis, the Commission proposed measures to pay subsidies to farmers who use set-aside land to grow protein-rich crops to feed as fodder to cattle. However, the House calls on the Commission not to restrict its plans to organic farms but include holdings taking part in an agri-environment programme in the scheme and to enable conventional farms to join it from 2002. It wants the new rules to enter into force immediately so that crops can be harvested from 15 August this year. It should be noted that Agriculture Commissioner, Franz FISCHLER told the House that it was cheaper to increase soya imports than to boost EU production of fodder crops.�