Brussels, 19/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission proposed on Thursday 19 March to extend the deadline for applications from farmers for direct payments by a month. Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan had already announced the measure at the last Agriculture Council in the course of a debate on simplifying the common agricultural policy (CAP) (see EUROPE 11276).
Farmers will have until 15 June 2015 to submit their aid applications, rather than 15 May. The extension also applies to area-based payments in the second pillar of the CAP, rural development.
Commissioner Hogan said that he had acted so that farmers did not suffer the consequences of delays on the part of administrations, which are faced with the challenge of the first year of implementation of the new common agricultural policy. The member states can now take up this option, which should also help avoid penalties for late applications from recipients, he added. “It goes without saying that member states who would decide to postpone the final date for submission of aid application should ensure that their administration and control system allow safeguarding sound financial management”, the commissioner made clear. The extension of the deadline for aid submission will apply only to 2015 and will be voluntary. (Lionel Changeur)