EU Member States discussed compromises on some elements of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Monday 8 March.
The Portuguese Presidency reiterated its intention to organise a ‘super trilogue’ on the CAP on 26 March, after the Council of 22 and 23 March devoted to this dossier (see EUROPE 12672/9).
In view of this Council, the Portuguese Presidency is preparing a document on the targeting of direct payments (aid capping, definition of active farmer, redistributive payment) and the ‘new implementation model’. Social conditionality will also be part of the discussions.
The Portuguese Presidency also took stock of the trilogues.
Horizontal regulation. The Presidency asked the experts to give their opinion on two subjects:
- publication of information on CAP beneficiaries: the European Parliament has put forward a compromise proposal suggesting that beneficiaries of funds must provide Member States with the information needed to identify them and that it is the responsibility of Member States to ensure that they obtain this information from beneficiaries. Many delegations expressed concerns about the possible increase in administrative burden resulting from this measure, while some seemed more open to the idea.
- the protection of financial interests. The Commission proposes to record information on organisations receiving EU funding through the compulsory use of ARACHNE (single data management tool). Several delegations called for a voluntary and progressive approach.
Common market organisation. The Presidency obtained support from EU countries for the European Parliament amendments concerning the modification of the marketing years for olive oil (1 October to 30 September) and table olives (1 September to 31 August).
The Presidency criticised Parliament’s trade-related amendments. The next trilogue on the CMO is scheduled for 24 March (and the following one on 21 April). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)