(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2006)0170)(1),

–   having regard to Articles 36, 37 and 300(2), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 300(3), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0144/2006),

–   having regard to Rules 51 and 83(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A6-0199/2006),

1.  Approves conclusion of the Protocol;

2.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3.  Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

4.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monaco, and the Swiss Confederation.

(1) Not yet published in the OJ.