For the third consecutive year, the European Commission agreed on Thursday 4 May to the request from EU member states for the deadline for the submission of applications for 2017 aid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to be extended by a month. This will allow countries that so wish to push the deadline back from 15 May to 15 June (see EUROPE 11544).
Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan stressed that member states which decide to take up this option must still ensure that rules on sound financial management are respected.
The Commission will shortly publish a regulation in the Official Journal of the EU allowing farmers to submit applications for direct payments up until 15 June 2017 (rather than the 15 May deadline).
Every year, European farmers submit their applications for income support from the CAP. National administrations handle the applications and, after carrying out the necessary checks, make payment of the aid which is later reimbursed by the Commission from the European budget. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)