(2004/C 78 E/0115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2448/03

by Georges Berthu (NI) to the Commission

(23 July 2003)

Subject:   Inappropriate incentive to destroy hedgerows

Article 22(2) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001 (1) of 11 December 2001 specifies that the width of hedgerows taken into account when determining the surface area of agricultural parcels eligible for area aid ‘must correspond to a traditional width in the region in question and shall not exceed 2 metres. The Member States may [ …] allow a width greater than 2 metres if those areas were taken into account for the fixing of the yields of the regions concerned.’

The upshot of these provisions is to encourage farmers to destroy hedgerows that exceed the permitted width, at a time when their conservation would often seem to be an objective in the general interest.

Might the Commission present to the Council and the European Parliament a measure reforming the article in question so as to put an end to its perverse effects?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2003)

The Commission is committed to improving and maintaining the rural environment in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy. It considers hedges and field ditches as being of great importance for wildlife and other environmental functions across the whole farming spectrum. However, the Commission has also to ensure that only eligible land may benefit from Community aid, hence the provisions under Article 22 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001 of 11 December 2001 laying down detailed rules for applying the integrated administration and control system for certain Community aid schemes established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 3508/92, which were adopted only after much consideration of the environmental issues involved, allow the Member States to decide that certain features such as hedgerows may be considered part of the fully utilised area of an agricultural parcel.

Thus, the Commission considers that the regulatory provision cited by the Honourable Member provides sufficient flexibility for Member States to account for specific environmental needs, and does not agree with his assertion that the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 2419/2001 encourage farmers to destroy hedgerows.

Consequently, there are no plans to amend the article in question.

(1)  OJ L 327, 12.12.2001, p. 11.