Parliament adopted the report by Duarte FREITAS (PPE-DE, PT) by 59 votes in favour to 14 against and 3 abstentions for specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union. Parliament has included a certain number of improvements to the text.
Parliament suggests that the Commission should propose the necessary derogations to the Council to enable rural development programmes to be implemented, taking account of the specific features of the outermost regions.
In order to meet local consumption needs in the French overseas departments, duty-free imports from third countries of equine, bovine, bubaline, ovine and caprine animals intended for fattening should be authorised subject to certain conditions and up to a maximum annual limit. With a view to improved quality in beef production in the Azores, aid should be granted for the supply of male breeding stock of beef cattle breeds to the region, under certain conditions and up to a maximum limit to be determined. With a view to improved quality in beef production in the Azores, aid shall be granted for the supply of male breeding stock of beef cattle breeds to this region, under the conditions and up to the maximum amount to be defined.
The annual financial limits set for support under the specific supply arrangements should take account of aid for supply and the amounts corresponding to exemptions from duties granted under this scheme over a set period.
Parliament also suggested that the Commission should apply an effective policy to promote SMEs in the agri-foodstuffs sector in the outermost regions to enable them to maintain their traditional exports and increase trade with neighbouring third countries.