Brussels, 16/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, in a speech to the Committee of the Regions on 13 October, set out the timetable for the on-going work on simplifying common agricultural policy (CAP) rules.
The Commission has already approved two rafts of simplification measures: the first in March provided a one month extension of the deadline for aid applications in 2015 and more flexibility for member states on crop diversification as part of the greening of aid and in eligibility conditions for voluntary coupled support for animals; then the second, in May, brought technical relaxation of greening constraints for farmers and national administrations.
A third package, in the form of delegated acts and implementing acts, is likely to be presented very soon and will provide for simplification on integrated administration and control system (IACS), the young farmers' scheme, and voluntary coupled support (which is still linked to production levels). “Discussions with member states have already begun, and adoption should take place this autumn, with the aim of being in place for claim year 2016 or at the latest by claim year 2017”, Hogan said.
A fourth package scheduled for spring 2016, will review greening and cross compliance and present proposals for simplification.
A number of simplification measures on the common market organisation (CMO) are also expected very soon, including on public intervention, private storage, member state notifications and fruit and vegetables. Once all the rural development programmes have been adopted, the Commission will work on improving implementation.
Hogan acknowledged in his speech that the choices made by the member states in the area of direct payments and rural development tend to complicate the CAP “more than necessary” for farmers and other recipients. “I want to make the CAP simpler for our hard-working farmers”, he stated.
On 13 October, the Committee of the Regions adopted an opinion calling for a simpler, more flexible CAP - which will reduce the impact of the volatility of the market and revitalise rural economies. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)