There was clear support among EU experts on Monday 10 April for the compromise text submitted by the Maltese Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers on the so-called omnibus regulation which contains provisions to simplify common agricultural policy (CAP) rules.
It would seem certain after Monday’s discussion in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) that a qualified majority will be achieved in Council. The Maltese Presidency hopes, however, to submit a final compromise text containing minor changes (see EUROPE 11760). The text is expected to be adopted by Council through a written procedure which expires at midday on 20 April.
The CSA discussions on Monday made it clear that Poland and Romania are not able to support the text. They feel that their requests on coupled support (greater flexibility) and the capping of aid (Poland asked that it be possible to deduct labour costs in degressivity and aid-capping measures) were not reflected in the text. Belgium is believed to have indicated its wish to abstain in the vote.
Capping of aid. The main changes made in the latest text, put to the CSA on Monday, relate to Article 11 of Regulation 1307/2013 on direct payments. This states that member states may amend their decisions every year on reducing direct payments over €150,000 per farm (capping) made to farmers, provided that the amendment does not lead to a reduction in the money available under rural development schemes. The proposed provisions will allow countries, for the first time, to bring in a cap on direct payments.
The text also states that countries may review their voluntary coupled support decisions annually.
A fall of at least 20% in farmers’ average annual income would result in the income stabilisation tool (within the context of rural development) being triggered, covering up to 70% of losses incurred.
Parliament’s many amendments. The agriculture section of the omnibus regulation has attracted 505 Parliamentary amendments which may be put to the vote in Parliament’s agriculture committee on 3 May (see EUROPE 11736). These amendments (which, for the most part, fall outside the scope of the proposal) will be communicated to Parliament’s budgets committee. This committee will have to accept the amendments as they stand when it comes to adopt its position on 11 May on the whole proposal – which comprises mainly budgetary provisions – and thereafter when it seeks a negotiating mandate at the June or July the plenary session. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)