Brussels, 24/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has agreed to the advance payment of common agricultural policy (CAP) direct aid from 16 October 2011 to help stock rearers (lack of fodder as a result of the drought) and fruit and vegetable producers (fall in sales as markets are affected by fears after the E.coli outbreaks). A regulation to this effect was published in the Official Journal of the EU of 6 August.
The advance will affect up to 50% of direct aid payments (area payments, and sheep and goat premia). The Commission has also authorised member states to increase advances to 80% of the payment for beef (suckler cow premium and slaughter premium). At the Council of European agriculture ministers on 17 May, several countries asked to be able to make advance payments of CAP aid, in particular to stock farmers. The European Commission agreed in principle. (L.C./transl.rt)