(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2007)0523),

−   having regard to Article 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0302/2007),

−   having regard to Rules 51 and 134 of its Rules of Procedure,

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 if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

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

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

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 7 Recital 3 (3)  It is therefore appropriate, for 2008, to allow the use of land set aside for agricultural purposes, (3)  It is therefore appropriate, for 2008 and 2009, to allow the use of land set aside for agricultural purposes, Amendment 10 Recital 3 a (new) (3a)  The set aside system has positive effects on soil quality and biodiversity. The consequences of abandoning set aside and the means by which the positive effects thereof may be preserved should therefore be examined, Amendment 9 Article 1 By way of derogation from Article 54(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, for 2008, farmers shall not be obliged, in order to be entitled to the amount fixed by the set aside entitlements, to set aside from production land eligible for those entitlements. By way of derogation from Article 54(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, for 2008 and 2009, farmers shall not be obliged, in order to be entitled to the amount fixed by the set aside entitlements, to set aside from production land eligible for those entitlements. Amendment 11 Article 1 a (new) Article 1a To assist the development of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Commission shall assess the environmental impact of abandoning set aside.