L 270/70 Official Journal of the European Union 21.10.2003 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1783/2003 of 29 September 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 36 and 37 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Whereas: (1) In order to achieve the objectives of the common agricultural policy, as laid down in Article 33 of the Treaty, it is appropriate to reinforce the rural development policy by increasing the range of accompanying measures as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 (4. Young farmers representing a key factor in the development of rural areas, support to this category of farmers should be considered as a priority. In order to facilitate the establishment of young farmers and the structural adjustment of their holdings, it is necessary to reinforce the specific support already granted. A more rapid implementation in the agricultural sector of demanding standards based on Community legislation concerning the environment, public, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety should be promoted. Those standards may impose new obligations on farmers giving rise to a loss of income or additional costs. Temporary and degressive support should be provided to farmers to help cover partly the costs arising from the implementation of such standards. (') Opinion delivered on 5 June 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3 0J C 208, 3.9.2003, p. 64. (®) Opinion delivered on 2 July 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (% OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 80. 4 () Following the introduction of the ‘meeting standards’ measure, support currently permitted under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 to farmers for limitations on agricultural use in areas with environmental restrictions should henceforth cover limitations arising from the implementation of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (°) and Council Directive 92[43[EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (6). Accordingly, a higher level of support may be proposed under certain circumstances and the area limitation of 10 % will be restricted to the measure concerning areas with specific handicaps. Farm advisory systems as provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers (7), are to identify and propose improvements in current performance with regard to statutory environmental, public, animal and plant health and animal welfare standards. Support should be provided to farmers towards the costs of such advisory services. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt high standards of animal welfare. The scope of the existing agri-environment Chapter of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 should be extended to provide for support to farmers who undertake to adopt standards of animal husbandry which go beyond statutory minima. Experience has shown that the range of instruments to promote food quality in rural development policy needs to be reinforced. Farmers should be encouraged to participate in Community or national food quality schemes. Participation in such schemes can give rise to additional () OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 807/2003 (O L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 36). (®) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 97/62/EC (O] L 305, 8.11.1997, p. 42). () See page 1 of this Official Journal.