 |
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
|
|
Home | A-Z Index | Mission | Staff | FAS Offices in the EU | Euro Exchange Rates |
|
|
Exporter Guides | Finding EU Legislation | Links to EU & US Websites | Tips for Travelers |
|
|
|
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
|
|
Home | A-Z Index | Mission | Staff | FAS Offices in the EU | Euro Exchange Rates |
|
|
Exporter Guides | Finding EU Legislation | Links to EU & US Websites | Tips for Travelers |
|
Budgetary ProcedureThe budgetary procedure involves the three institutions of the EU: the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. After an internal orientation debate to lay down the main political and budgetary priorities for the coming year and after a trialogue meeting between the three institutions, the Commission puts together a preliminary draft budget (PDB). After adoption by the Commission, the PDB is sent to the budgetary authority (the Council and the European Parliament) in all EU languages. The Commission has the possibility to propose amendments to the PDB to allow for new information that was not available when the PDB was established (e.g. policy changes, USD exchange rates). Adoption of the PDB involves two readings by the European Parliament and two readings by the Council. The Parliament has the final word on “non-compulsory spending (e.g. rural development) while the Council has the final word on “compulsory spending” such as agricultural expenditure. However, the Parliament is entitled to propose amendments to compulsory expenditure and it is the President of Parliament’s signature that makes the budget enforceable. If Parliament and the Council fail to reach agreement on the PDB, Parliament has the right to reject the entire budget in which case the procedure must start all over again. Timetable:
Rural DevelopmentIn September 2005, the Agriculture Council formally adopted a new regulation for the implementation of the rural development policy (Regulation 1698/2005) for the period 2007-2013. It establishes a European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and aims to simplify and better control the implementation of the new policy by introducing a single funding and programming system. Commission Regulation 1974/2006 lays down detailed rules for the application of Regulation 1698/2005. Commission Regulation 1975/2006 lays down detailed rules for the implementation of control procedures as well as cross-compliance in respect of rural development measures. The new regulation focuses on three axes: Axis 1:
Improving agricultural competitiveness - gets minimum 10 percent of the Rural
Development budget Another 5 percent of the Rural Development budget will go to LEADER+ type schemes of which 2.5 percent will go to the new member states. LEADER+ is designed to help rural actors consider the long-term potential of their local region. Encouraging the implementation of integrated, high quality and original strategies for sustainable development. It has a strong focus on partnership and networks of exchange of experience. A distinctive feature of LEADER+ is the implementation of integrated development programs for local rural areas. It is structured around three actions, in addition to technical assistance: - Support
for integrated territorial development strategies of a pilot nature based on a
bottom-up approach |
