Brussels, 18/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Council is to pursue its debates in Luxembourg on Monday 22 October relating to a number of chapters of common agricultural policy (CAP) reform, namely the proposals for regulations on direct payments, the common market organisation for agricultural products (Single CMO) and the financing of common agricultural policy (“horizontal regulation”). The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on the follow-up to be given to adoption of maximum residue levels (MRL) for ractopamine by the Codex Alimentarius.
Ministers will hold two policy debates within the framework of CAP reform.
Internal convergence. The debate on direct payments will cover two aspects: - internal convergence for which the Commission suggests that member states reach a uniform level of direct payments at regional or national level by 2019; - and the regime in favour of young farmers put forward to help this specific category of farmers to have access to agriculture. On convergence, debates at technical levels have shown that several member states (Ireland, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal) are concerned by the foreseeable impact that the proposal could have (uniform level of basic payments at national or regional level by 2019), in particular on the livestock sector. They have defended a system which limits the extent of gains or losses by each farm taking into account local realities (and they have presented a joint document supported by other countries such as France and Greece). Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia call for some flexibility in implementing internal convergence measures. They envisage delaying the end of the transitional period to 2021 and putting the new and old member states on an equal footing. Some countries defend the timetable proposed by the Commission, while admitting the need for some flexibility (Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, etc.). As far as the regime in favour of young farmers is concerned, a majority of delegations would like an optional scheme that allows member states to decide regarding application and the form to be given to it, depending on needs.
Single CMO. In order to strengthen farmers' power of negotiation and the way the food supply chain works, the Commission proposes extending provisions currently in force in the fruit and vegetables sector to producer organisations and to inter-professional organisations of all sectors. A majority of delegations is opposed to the proposal for compulsory recognition of those organisations in all sectors (optional recognition is requested). (LC/transl.jl)