Improvement of the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products (consolidation of Objective 5A)

In adopting the report by Mrs Encarnacion REDONDO JIMENEZ (PPE, E), the European Parliament approved the three proposals aiming to consolidate the Council regulations based on objective 5a of the structural funds on improving the efficiency of agricultural structures, on improving the processing and marketing conditions for agricultural products and on producer groups and associations thereof. However, the European Parliament notes that the Commission proposals go beyond mere consolidation and constitute a recasting of the provisions concerned. It therefore calls for: - the definition of 'direct sale of products of the farm' to be improved; - the saving of water to be included as well as energy among the conditions of eligibility for investment aid for farm improvements; - aid for improving living and working conditions to be confined to subsidies for aspects directly related to activities carried out on the farm; - for 'mountain-breeds' to be exempt from the refusal to grant aid to pig-farming. �