Brussels, 25/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 25 May, agriculture ministers from European Union member states adopted conclusions supporting continued simplification of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules. The Council considers that CAP simplification: “creates business conditions in which farmers and other economic operators are less burdened by administrative and compliance costs, better equipped to adapt to market signals as well as to cope with the challenges of the current economic crisis; and thus helps European agriculture better respond to general societal expectations”.
The Council welcomes the Communication from the European Commission, dated last March and entitled: “A simplified CAP for Europe - a success for all”. It takes note of the Commission's intention to set up a training programme for officials from the Commission Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development (including a farm stay for these officials) which aims to “further deepen understanding of the challenges European agriculture faces”.
Member states welcome the achievements on CAP simplification since 2005 and the work undertaken by the Commission in the context of the CAP Simplification Action Plan. They underline that CAP simplification is an ongoing priority requiring continuous attention. Member states consider that efforts need to be stepped up by all involved parties. The Council: - declares its ambition to bring about further practical benefits for farmers and national administrations in particular on direct payments, while maintaining the role of the CAP for European agriculture; - confirms that the exercise on establishing a single common organisation for agricultural markets marked an important accomplishment and welcomes the completion of the process with the integration of the rules on the reformed wine sector; - reaffirms its health check commitment, given together with the Commission, to continue work with the objective of obtaining further simplification for farmers, as well as national administrations, regarding the application of the requirements on cross-compliance (aid paid for meeting certain criteria, particularly environmental); - considers that the Commission Simplification Experts Group should be given a more proactive role in regularly identifying and considering simplification related issues and the reduction of undue administrative burden, involving the full participation of member states and their relevant experts; - takes note of the Commission's intention to simplify and harmonise the legal framework for communication and conservation of information and documents in the context of the shared management of the CAP; - encourages the Commission in its efforts to bring the Information System for Agricultural Market Management and Monitoring (ISAMM) into full operation as soon as possible.
Finally, the Council remains committed to reaching the target of a 25% reduction in administrative burdens arising from EU legislation by 2012 at the latest, and shares the view of the Commission that work is on track. According to Commission estimates, the expected reduction in the administrative burden on farmers could equal €1,400 million by 2012. (L.C./transl.rh)