Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission
22.3.2013
As from the 2003 CAP reform, the support under Pillar I has been decoupled from production and therefore, by definition, is granted per eligible hectare to farmers holding payment entitlements. Consequently, as there is no link to production — let alone a link to the final destination of any bulls reared by the farmer — there can be no legal provision preventing support to be paid to breeders, whose bulls are sold on for bullfighting.
Under Pillar II there is no specific support for bullfighting-related activities; however, it cannot be excluded that these farmers receive support under a certain measures of Rural Development (farm modernisation, agri-environment schemes, Less Favoured Areas, etc). Moreover, the Commission understands that the majority of these potential beneficiaries do not focus exclusively on the activities related to bullfighting. Finally, it is under the responsibility of each Member State or Region to select the projects.
As far as regional policy is concerned, Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999[1], sets up the framework for Community support to strengthen economic and social cohesion across regions. To achieve this objective, Member States are solely entitled to select and implement EU-part-financed operations, within the framework of operational guidelines approved by the Commission. Those operations typically consist in Community-approved state aid schemes and investments in public facilities. In this sense, the ERDF can support actions for enhancement of tourist activities, which potentially do not exclude bullfighting facilities.
- [1] Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999, laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
OJ C 347 E, 28/11/2013