Community agricultural statistics: improvement and information

The Council approved the substance of the Commission proposal, with the introduction of some changes. On three points, those changes correspond perfectly to three of the four amendments approved by the European Parliament. In making the last amendment, the Council is to a large extent taking account of the European Parliament's expressed concern on the advisability of establishing a database on EAGGF (Guarantee Section) payments. The changes introduced by the Council include, firstly, three new recitals which: - stress that the development of the CAP, enlargement and the new trade negotiations militate in favour of better pinpointing of statistical needs and, where appropriate, the supplementing of the current regulatory framework; - specify the new total appropriation for the entire duration of the programme; - stress the desirability of continuing the feasibility studies under way, in order to determine the technical possibilities and means necessary to establish a database on aid paid out by the EAGGF. With regard to the financial provisions, under the system in force the Community contribution to the expenditure borne by Member States is paid entirely after the conclusion of the measures provided for, sometimes entailing significant delays. The Commission plans to remedy this difficulty by making an advance payment of 30% of the cost of the measure, after acceptance by the Commission of the work plan for the measure concerned. In accordance with the European Parliament amendment, the Council specifies that the advance payment of 30% refers to the Community contribution to the cost of the measure. Lastly, the Council approves the desirability of looking into the possibility of setting up a database on EAGGF (Guarantee Section) payments and makes provisions for the Commission to continue the feasilibilty studies under way and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of those studies. In conclusion, the Council adopted as its common position the Commission proposal, as approved by the European Parliament, subject to changes set out above, that the Commission can take on board, and which to a very large extent incorporate the amendments submitted by the European Parliament.�