Brussels, 11/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 11 September, the management committee of the EU approved the proposal authorising the member states to pay an advance of 50% on the direct payments for 2013 on 16 October, the start of the 2014 budgetary financial year of the common agriculture policy (CAP), instead of on 1 December. Up to 80% may be advanced for specific payments for beef and veal.
Farmers are faced with cash flow problems due, amongst other things, to poor weather conditions. In order to receive advances on their direct aid, the member states must have verified applications in the usual way. The budget earmarked for direct payments is in the region of €41 billion. The remaining balance of the direct payments will be paid at a later date, taking account of the financial discipline decision. The Commission is soon to reach its decision on the rate for the reduction to be applied to the 2013 direct aid in order to keep within the upper limit for agricultural expenditure for the financial year. This reduction will ultimately come down to the most recent revised estimates to be submitted by the Commission in mid-October. (LC/transl.fl)