On Thursday 22 February, Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italy) presented his draft report on the Commission’s communication on the future of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to the agriculture committee of the European Parliament (see EUROPE 11964).
Dorfmann called for greater caution regarding the subsidiarity that the Commission hopes to introduce. In his view, the delegation for CAP implementation should not be granted to member states unless a “uniform approach” is agreed, mainly for the first pillar (direct aid), in order to ensure “a fair playing field”.
Given all the details, and contrary to what the European Commission would like, a final agreement might not be concluded before the end of the current legislature, Dorfmann says with regret. At any rate, he calls for a transitional period that is sufficiently long before application of the new model of implementation so as to allow “a soft landing” and avoid any delay in payments to farmers.
Review of method for calculating direct payments
Dorfmann takes the view that the CAP budget in the EU’s multiannual financial framework post-2020 should be maintained “at least at current levels” (see EUROPE 11966).
Aid should “target family farms more” with a “higher compulsory rate of support” for small structures and, at the same time, degressive support for the larger farms, if not a ceiling to be decided at national level.
Dorfmann also takes a stance in favour of: - replacing the current system of calculation for direct payments, often based on historic rights, by a uniform Community method; - equitable distribution of aid between member states, taking into account socio-economic differences and production costs; - maintenance of coupled payments “on condition that equitable rules on the single market are guaranteed”; - and a comprehensive approach for renewal of generations in each national strategy.
New crisis reserve
When it comes to greening, one of the main points on which the future CAP focuses, Dorfmann recommends the establishment of a “new, complete legislative framework” allowing the integration of different types of environmental action currently existing (conditionality, greening) as well as agri-environmental measures for rural development.
The current common market organisation (CMO) must be kept in place, as well as sectoral regimes for wine, fruit and vegetables and the distribution of fruit in schools, the MEP also says. However, he goes on to say that reactive instruments for crisis management must be contemplated, especially in the dairy sector.
The rapporteur also calls for review of the current crisis reserve in order to create “an independent financial instrument” not linked to the principle of annual budgetary payments.
Finally, the trade agreements with third countries are “on the whole beneficial for the agricultural sector”, he acknowledges. Such deals, however, require “strengthened safeguard mechanisms to ensure a fair playing field between EU farmers and the rest of the world”.
The final report by Herbert Dorfmann, once amended, should be voted on 17 May by the Parliament’s agriculture committee, before being brought before the plenary session from 28 to 31 May. The European Commission is expected to present its legislative proposals on the future CAP early June. (Original version in French)