With the mid-term review of the 2014-2020 EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) taking place (see EUROPE 11624), the European Commission announced proposals on Wednesday 14 September on simplifying some of the rules of the common agricultural policy (CAP).
With its adoption of the proposals on the so-called “omnibus” regulation, the Commission is now on the fifth wave of suggestions within a year to simplify some of the CAP rules. This simplification package relates to income stabilising tools (within the framework of rural development, see EUROPE 11621), access to financial instruments and what is meant by “active farmer”.
The Commission suggests allowing member states the possibility of making use of a sector-specific income stabilisation tool, jointly financed by the European Rural Development Fund (ERDF), to cover, by means of a mutual fund, up to a maximum of 70% of losses incurred by farmers in the event of a fall in their average annual incomes of more than 20%. This crisis management instrument is currently much under-used.
The Commission also proposes to make it simpler to access financial instruments under the ERDF, for young farmers, in particular.
With regard to direct payments, which have presented difficulties in numerous member states, the Commission suggests, too, that countries be allowed not to apply the criteria for “active farmer” set out in the 2013 CAP reform.
European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said he was “particularly pleased” with these developments which “respond directly to the concerns of farmers that I have been hearing consistently since my appointment and throughout my visits to member states”.
The changes could be put into effect for 2018, after the texts have been negotiated (co-decision procedure) between the Council and the European Parliament.
“Not enough”. The Commission proposal on the income stabilisation tool “will perhaps help the mechanism but it won’t be enough”, said French Agriculture Minister Stéphane Le Foll on Tuesday 13 September on the sidelines of the informal ministerial meeting in Bratislava. “What we’re proposing goes much further”, he stated, referring to the possibility of a “third pillar” that he suggested after a meeting with some 20 of his European colleagues in Chambord on 2 September. Germany has indicated, however, that it is not in favour of a third pillar on risk management measures.
No progress on greening. The Slovak Presidency of the Council is unwilling to begin negotiations with the member states on the proposals on simplifying the greening of direct aid until the Commission has officially published the texts (see EUROPE 11598). The Commission has already announced that it planned some 15 simplification measures in this area relating, in particular, to ecological focus areas (one of the three greening criteria). Some member states have called for debate on this issue to be opened in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA).
Several delegations, especially Germany, oppose the Commission proposal to ban the use of plant protection products on ecological focus areas (including for protein crop production). The Slovak Presidency would, at this stage, prefer to await the official publication of the regulations. In addition, the Commission is due to publish regulations simplifying arrangements on fruit and vegetables at the end of September or start of October (with the new rules coming into effect from 2017). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)