Arable crops: conversion of land to extensive livestock farming in Portugal

PURPOSE : to extend for a period of three years the implementation of a programme for the conversion of land currently under arable crop to extesive farming in Portugal. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 2582/2001 amending Regulation 1017/94/EC concerning the conversion of land currently under arable crops to extensive livestock farming in Portugal. CONTENT : Council Regulation 1017/94/EC authorises Portugal to implement for a period of eight years ending on 31 December 2002 a programme for the conversion of land in certain regions of the country currently under arable crops to extensive livestock farming, up to a maximum of 200 000 hectares. Because of delays in the effective application of the conversion programme, caused in particular, by the need to make the adjustment to the initial scheme by the adoption of Council Regulation 1461/95/EC, it appears that it has not yet been possible to convert a large number of areas that are potentially eligible for the scheme. According to information supplied by Portugal, only 46 000 hectares were convereted during the first six years of the scheme and at the current rate of conversion, only an estimated total of 64 000 hectares will be converted by 31 December 2002, rather than the 200 000 hectares provided for by Regulation 1017/94/EC. In order to permit the objective set for the scheme to be achieved more fully, this Regulation authorises Portugal to continue with the conversion scheme for an additional period of three years. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 29.12.2001.�