Due to the crisis related to the COVID-19 outbreak, the European Commission announced on Tuesday 17 March that it will allow all Member States, not just Italy (see EUROPE 12446/5), to grant a one-month extension to the deadline for farmers to submit their applications for direct payments and certain rural development payments.
This extension will be applicable to all eligible farmers in all EU Member States. However, it is up to the Member States to decide whether or not they wish to make use of this extension.
The new application deadline will now be 15 June 2020, instead of 15 May, giving farmers more flexibility in filling out their applications during these difficult times.
Every year, European farmers apply for income support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The national authorities then process the applications and carry out the necessary checks. CAP payments are then distributed at the national or regional level and reimbursed by the Commission through the EU budget. The Commission is currently preparing the legal steps to be taken to allow a derogation from the current rules. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)