Agenda 2000: arable crops, support system for producers

The proposal was approved with a number of amendments and the matter was then referred back to committee pursuant to Rule 60 (2). The Parliament's Rapporteur was Mr. Giulio FANTUZZI (I, PSE). The amendments covered the following aspects : - the cultivation of maize in irrigated areas produces higher yields than in the case of other cereals cultivated in the same areas and therefore justifies differentiated treatment; - a separate base area for maize may also be established; - to ensure that the area payment is not linked to production, it should be calculated by multiplying a basic amount per ton by the cereals yield, to be calculted one-third on the basis of the average historic yield for the Community and two-thirds on the basis of the average historic yield determined for the region concerned; - crop specific payments for oil seeds and linseed should be maintained and adjusted in line with WTO and market trends; - set aside requirement should be fixed at 10%; - set aside obligations should be equivalent to the area payments allocated to cereals; - compensation should also be granted when these areas are used for the growing of crops intended primarily for the non-food sector; - in view of the specific characteristics of the oilseed and linseed sector, the current rules should be retained; - given the substantial shortfall in the EU, it is advisable to maintain the differentiation in aid between oilseeds and cereals.�