The proposal was amended as follows:

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 1 RECITAL 3    (3) Growing fodder legumes is an agronomic practice that restores the soil's fertility in a natural way; the extension of such crops is therefore important for developing organic production of agricultural products.    (3) Growing fodder legumes is an agronomic practice that restores the soil's fertility in a natural way; the extension of such crops is therefore important for developing sustainable production of high-quality agricultural products. Amendment 2 RECITAL 4    (4) To encourage the development of organic production methods, the use of land set aside under the support scheme for arable crops in order to grow fodder legumes on agricultural holdings taking part for the totality of the production in the scheme provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 should be authorised.    (4) To encourage the development of production methods that take environmental requirements into account , the use of land set aside under the support scheme for arable crops in order to grow all types of fodder legumes should be authorised , as a first step, on agricultural holdings taking part for the totality of the production in the scheme provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 or taking part in an agri-environment programme under Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations(1 ). In addition, from 2002 onwards, it should be permissible to grow fodder legumes on land set aside on conventional livestock holdings. ______________    (1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80. Amendment 3 RECITAL 4 a (new) (4a) To encourage the development of protein-rich crops within the EU, the use of land set aside under the support scheme for arable crops should be authorised to grow protein-rich crops such as oilseeds, linseed, peas, beans and lupins. Amendment 4 ARTICLE 1, POINT 1 Article 6, paragraph 3, first subparagraph (Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999)    1. The first subparagraph of Article 6(3) is replaced by the following:    1. The first subparagraph of Article 6(3) is replaced by the following: "3. The land set aside may be used for: "3. The land set aside may be used for:    - producing materials for the manufacture within the Community of products not directly intended for human or animal consumption, provided that effective controls are applied,    - producing materials for the manufacture within the Community of products not directly intended for human or animal consumption, provided that effective controls are applied,    - growing legume crops on a agricultural holding, for the totality of its production, in compliance with the obligations laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91.”    - growing legume crops on an agricultural holding, for the totality of its production, in compliance with the obligations laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 or on organic holdings taking part in agri-environmental measures under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999. From 2002 onwards, this measure may also be extended to conventional livestock holdings .” Amendment 5 ARTICLE 1, POINT 2 Article 9, paragraph 1, indent 9 (Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999) The ninth indent of the first paragraph of Article 9 is replaced by the following: “- those relating to set-aside, and in particular those relating to Article 6(3); these conditions shall define the fodder legumes that may be grown on land set aside and, with regard to the first indent of the first subparagraph of that paragraph, may include the growing of crops without compensation,” The ninth indent of the first paragraph of Article 9 is replaced by the following: “- those relating to set-aside, and in particular those relating to Article 6(3); these conditions shall define the fodder legumes and protein-rich crops that may be grown on land set aside and, with regard to the first indent of the first subparagraph of that paragraph, may include the growing of crops without compensation,” Amendment 6 ARTICLE 2, PARAGRAPH 2 It shall apply from the 2001/02 marketing year. The changes to this Regulation shall enter into force immediately so as to enable crops to be harvested as from 15 August 2001.

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2001) 87 ),

-  having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 36 and 37 of the EC Treaty (C5-0083/2001 ),

-  having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A5-0117/2001 ),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Asks to be consulted again if the Council intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

5.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.