EU agriculture ministers are expected to discuss the proposal on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans at their next formal meeting on 14 October (see other news).
Agricultural experts from EU Member States discussed informally in Helsinki on Monday 23 September some technical aspects of the proposal on the post-2020 CAP Strategic Plans.
The Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) was able to give its assessment of the technical and legal suggestions made by the Finnish Presidency of the EU Council on Articles 3 and 4 on definitions: - on the concept of eligible hectare (for direct payments), the Finnish Presidency's suggestions received broad support at the CSA; - on the definition of a 'genuine farmer', a majority of delegations supported option 1, according to which the definition should remain voluntary and Member States should be given maximum flexibility; - with regard to the definition of arable land, most delegations welcomed the suggestions, but technical adjustments are still needed; - as regards permanent grassland and permanent pasture, there was broad support from delegations for the suggestions made (but technical adjustments are still needed); - as regards the definition of 'young farmer', a majority of delegations supported the planned provisions, but technical adjustments are still needed.
The SCA will meet again on 7 October and, on this occasion, the Finnish Presidency will present a compromise text on the articles on rural development, the farm advisory system and the 'new implementation model'.
To consult the Finnish Presidency document on definitions: http://bit.ly/2kDbRs6 Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)