Brussels, 17/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Presentation of a first draft of conclusions on simplifying the common agricultural policy (CAP) at the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Tuesday 14 April gave rise to a somewhat stormy debate. The Latvian Presidency is hoping that the Council will adopt conclusions on 11 May. The SCA will return to this issue when it next meets, on 27 April.
In general terms, some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, back significant simplification of the CAP, possibly going as far as reviewing provisions in the new CAP, if necessary. In the opposite camp, other countries, including France, Ireland and Austria, are adamant that the debate on CAP reform must not be re-opened.
Several countries, which included France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Portugal, wanted the conclusions to be clearer on the participation of all EU institutions in the process. The paragraph on sector-specific priorities is the one that provoked greatest debate. Some counties, such as Austria and Bulgaria, argued that the priorities on the greening of aid should be clearer and more concrete. (Lionel Changeur)