Archive Article: 2000/07/21
EURO-BRIEFS
• EU farm commissioner Franz Fischler came under increasing pressure this week to show greater flexibility towards new area payments for hill farmers.
UK farm minister Nick Brown met him in the margins of the farm council to stress the need to avoid wide variations from current receipts.
And Irish Farmers Association president Tom Parlon told him on Tuesday that many hill producers faced financial ruin if their supports were cut.
• NEW proposals are expected this autumn to ensure adequate labelling and traceability of genetically modified organisms when they are released into the environment.
Brussels also plans to present proposals governing environmental liability should any damage result from future releases next year.
In a statement this week, environment commissioner Margot Wallstrom said she wanted to unblock the approvals process, while maintaining maximum consumer protection and choice.
• RURAL development funds that remain unused this year may be rolled over into next year, the commission confirmed at this weeks farm council.
This follows reports that many member states will fail to get all their programmes up and running, in part due to delays in getting Brussels approval. *