26. Calls on the Commission to submit practical proposals for helping the livestock farming sectors in the medium and long term to cope with the rising prices of inputs; considers that this could entail incentives for using grassland systems and protein crops in arable rotation, which would deliver greater economic advantages for farmers, respond to the new challenges and lessen dependence on protein crop imports and could have a favourable impact on the cost of animal feed; calls upon the Commission to propose an element of flexibility for Member States along the lines of the current Article 68, to avoid excluding livestock farms focu ...[+++]ssed on quality and sustainability from the new support system and to take into account their specific character;

26. Calls on the Commission to submit practical proposals for helping the livestock farming sectors in the medium and long term to cope with the rising prices of inputs; considers that this could entail incentives for using grassland systems and protein crops in arable rotation, which would deliver greater economic advantages for farmers, respond to the new challenges and lessen dependence on protein crop imports and could have a favourable impact on the cost of animal feed; calls upon the Commission to propose an element of flexibility for Member States along the lines of the current Article 68, to avoid excluding livestock farms focu ...[+++]ssed on quality and sustainability from the new support system and to take into account their specific character;

26. Calls on the Commission to submit practical proposals for helping the livestock farming sectors in the medium and long term to cope with the rising prices of inputs; considers that this could entail incentives for using grassland systems and protein crops in arable rotation, which would deliver greater economic advantages for farmers, respond to the new challenges and lessen dependence on protein crop imports and could have a favourable impact on the cost of animal feed; calls upon the Commission to propose an element of flexibility for Member States along the lines of the current Article 68, to avoid excluding livestock farms focu ...[+++]ssed on quality and sustainability from the new support system and to take into account their specific character;

- The introduction and maintenance of extensive pasture.

The other schemes, relating to the "extensive" farming of meadow land, come under Regulation (EEC) N###_0 797/85 (on the improvement of the efficiency of agricultural structures), and a Community financing proposal will be submitted, as appropriate.

All work carried out by hand or by mechanical means connected with the harvesting and handling at farm level of the products of arable land and grassland (harvesting of fruit, vegetables, horticultural products and special crops is covered by heading (d)), and in particular: