Improvement of the efficiency of agricultural structures (consolidation of Objective 5A of the Structural Funds)

By adopting the report by Mrs Encarnación Redondo Jiménez (PPE, E), Parliament approved three proposals seeking to consolidate the Council Regulations under Objective 5(a) of the Structural Funds on: improving the efficiency of agricultural structures; improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products; and producer groups and associations thereof. Parliament noted, however, that the Commission proposals amounted to more than just consolidation, since the provisions in question had in fact been recast. It consequently called for: - the definition of 'direct sale of farm products' to be improved; - the saving of water as well as energy to be included among the conditions of eligibility for investment aid for farm improvements; - aid for improving living and working conditions to be confined to aspects directly related to the activities carried out on the farm; - the exclusion from aid to be waived in the case of extensive pig-farming of 'mountain breeds'. �