Support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the pre-accession period

The committee adopted the report by Xaver MAYER (EPP-ED, D) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a few amendments. It said that the Sapard Regulation should provide for efficient support and specific measures to deal with exceptional disasters (particularly natural disasters). This could be achieved inter alia by promoting local partnerships between the public, private or voluntary sector and supporting capacity development among those involved in local authorities or NGOs. �