Brussels, 18/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commission adopted the proposal aimed at introducing a simplified system of direct aid to small farmers. This system, which Commissioner Fischler announced to the "Agriculture" Council of 23 November (see EUROPE of 25 October, p.7) provides for a lump sum payment of a maximum of 1000 euro a year, on the basis of an average established over a reference period. It would be implemented over a three year trial period (2002-2005) and should allow fir a steep drop in administrative charges. 500,000 European farmers are concerned, or 20% of the people working in the sector. In some countries, this system would concern over 20% of farmers (Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria, notably) and even 65%, Portugal.
Franz Fischler explained that this new scheme comes within the work carried out by the Commission to reduce bureaucracy. "We need farmers, not accountants", he said, placing emphasis on the goal of the project: "enable farmers to spend their time in the field rather that filling in forms." In concrete terms, small farmers would have the possibility of only filling in one form for the three year period (whereas today that sometimes have to fill in up to seven a year). This simplification will also considerably lighten the task of the European administration.