On Tuesday 11 June, the European Commission presented a proposal to simplify the rules applicable to geotagged photos, in order to reduce the administrative burden on farmers (see EUROPE 13417/10).
The proposal gives Member States greater flexibility to include geotagged photos in the area monitoring system (system for monitoring and evaluating agricultural activities) during the programming period of their strategic plans under the common agricultural policy (CAP).
It will remove the requirement for Member States to perform the majority of CAP-related farm compliance checks using geolocated photos by 2027.
The proposal has been discussed with EU Member States and is currently in the public consultation phase until 9 July.
According to the 2022 implementing regulation on the integrated administration and control system for the CAP, Member States must ensure that 70% of monitoring of agricultural activities uses geotagged photos by 2027.
The proposal removes the obligation to reach 70% by 2027. Other, more traditional methods of checking compliance with CAP requirements for receiving aid include visits to farms by inspectors.
Initially, the geotagged photos were intended to facilitate the work of farmers by enabling them to provide information about their activities using their smartphone. However, some farmers and Member States have expressed reservations about the system.
Following the consultation period, the Commission will ask Member States to approve the text by mid-July.
Link to text: https://aeur.eu/f/cnf (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)