Scrutiny of the Commission’s proposals on the future common agricultural policy (CAP) by experts of EU member states shows that the latter would like more flexibility when it comes to preparing and assessing their “strategic plans” (see EUROPE 12103, 12093).
The Agriculture Council in Luxembourg on 15 October will take stock of the state of progress of discussions, further to a progress report presented by the Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU.
The presidency trusts that, by end December, member states may reach a common approach on the texts of CAP post-2020, despite the fact that this seems very difficult to achieve.
On 1 October, the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) examined the third and last report prepared by the Austrian presidency on the regulation concerning strategic planning. The paper - which covers direct payments, rural development and sectoral programmes - is the central element of the Commission’s proposal. The other two sections are horizontal regulation and review of the common single market organisation. After a first report on strategic planning and a second on greening measures, the third report relates to financial provisions, monitoring, reports and assessment, provisions relating to competition, and general provisions.
Generally speaking, the delegations are pleased with the transition from a compliance-based policy to a results-based policy. Nonetheless, there are many who fear farmers will find this over-complicated and that there will be an additional burden on national administrations, as well as delays in payments due to achievement problems (if farmers cannot reach the targets imposed). It was therefore requested that deadlines be made more flexible for reports on results and that their frequency be reconsidered (being annual at this stage).
Furthermore, many member states have asked for prior assessment of strategic planning to be less detailed and more flexible. Here again, in order to avoid all delay in approval, this will be conducted by both the Commission’s agriculture and environmental departments.
During the next SCA meeting, on Monday 8 October, experts will be briefed on a consolidated progress report (made up of the first three reports) with a view to preparing for discussion on this issue by EU agriculture ministers, in Luxembourg on 15 October. It will be possible to see whether the objective of reaching a common approach in Council is achievable or not. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)