The European Parliament in its first reading adopted the report by Agnes SCHIERHUBER (EPP/ED, Austria) amending the Commission proposal on including flax and hemp grown for fibre in the regulation establishing a support system for producers of certain arable crops. The main amendments made by the Parliament are as follows:
-to prevent fraud, the producer must provide to the competent authorities proof of supply to the processor, and the processor must provide proof of the processing of the delivered fibre. If sufficient proof is not provided within 18 months, aid will fall to the level of the set-aside rate.
-flax and hemp cultivation needs to be taken into account in establishing the regional base area. For Austria, Finland and Sweden, the reference years 1995 to 1997 will be applicable to flax and hemp.
-the new arrangements will apply from the 2001/2002 marketing year rather than 2000/2001.�