On Tuesday 4 May, the European Commission adopted rules allowing, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, to extend until 2021 the flexibilities for carrying out checks required for common agricultural policy (CAP) aid.
These rules allow for the replacement of farm visits by the use of other sources of evidence, including new technologies (satellite imagery or geo-tagged photos).
The Commission assures that these arrangements ensure reliable checks while respecting the movement restrictions in place to combat the pandemic and minimising physical contact between farmers and inspectors.
In addition, the rules allow for flexibility in the timing of checks. This allows Member States to postpone checks until a time when movement restrictions are lifted.
Finally, the rules provide for a reduction in the number of physical on-the-spot checks to be carried out in respect of: - area and animal-related aid (under direct payments and rural development programmes); - rural development investments; - market measures for the fruit, vegetable, wine, olive oil, and apiculture sectors.
The rules will apply retroactively to cover controls from the beginning of 2021. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)