European Parliament
Joseph Daul (PPE-DE ),
in writing
(FR)
I voted in favour of the Böge report because the absence of an agreement on the financial perspective for the period 2007-2013 could undermine the European Union’s work as from next year. I should like to pay tribute to Parliament’s negotiators led by Mr Böge, who obtained an extra EUR 4 billion for important initiatives in the fields of competitiveness, education, research and youth exchanges.
I deeply regret the fact that the Council did not agree to grant more resources to European farmers, particularly in the field of rural development, in which a sum amounting to EUR 20 billion less than that proposed by the Commission will be made available. I should like to take advantage of this opportunity to remind the Council of its obligations to ensure that the principles of the 2003 CAP reform are respected.
I am completely opposed to the Council proposal on voluntary modulation, which transfers 20% of direct aid to rural development without the obligation of cofinancing. A system of that kind is unacceptable, given that it could create an imbalance in the market and could constitute a first step towards the renationalisation of the CAP.
(The explanation of vote was abbreviated pursuant to Rule 163 of the Rules of Procedure)

