52001AE1126

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine"

(2001/C 311/14)

On 2 July 2001 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 37 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Kienle as rapporteur-general for this opinion.

At its 384th plenary session of 12 and 13 September 2001 (meeting of 12 September), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. The Commission proposal stresses the need to encourage "generational replacement" in the agricultural sector - and in the wine sector in particular.

1.2. The Commission points out that, in a number of Member States, young farmers are already encouraged to set up as winegrowers by awarding them new planting rights and giving them the option to take part in vineyard restructuring and conversion plans.

1.3. In order to ensure a smooth transition from earlier arrangements to the new wine CMO, the Commission is now proposing a temporary derogation, under which new planting rights may be awarded to young winegrowers and incorporated into the restructuring aid for material improvement plans. This derogation is to apply until such time as the support measures can be implemented through the system of reserves provided for under the new market organisation. No additional costs are involved for the Community budget.

2. Comments

2.1. The Economic and Social Committee emphatically endorses the aims of the proposal for a Regulation and the two amendments to Article 11(3) and the second subparagraph of Article 15, point (b), of Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999.

2.2. In this connection, the Economic and Social Committee would refer to its opinion on prospects for young farmers, which is currently in the pipeline. At an ESC public hearing attended by the rapporteurs from the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee, and a delegation from the European Council of Young Farmers (ECYF), a particularly strong call was made for cutting young farmers' start-up costs, especially in the acquisition of production rights.

Brussels, 12 September 2001.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Göke Frerichs