MEP urges Commission to take note of CAP concerns
Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has said that the concerns and suggestions raised by those who will have the task of implementing the reformed CAP must not be swept under the carpet.
The comments come after Agriculture Ministers considered a report prepared by the EU’s Paying Agencies at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg this week.
The Paying Agencies raised several concerns including; the complexity and cost of implementing the proposals put forward by the Commission – including the greening proposals – for both Paying Agencies and farmers, the lack of time for implementation, the unavailability of the draft implementing acts, uncertainty amongst farmers and lack of resources.
Commenting on the report Mr Nicholson said: “When Paying Agencies, ie DARD’s equivalents from across the 27 member states are raising concerns about the implementation of the reformed CAP everyone involved in this process should take note.
“Those who criticise the intervention by the Paying Agencies in the political element of the discussion are failing to recognise that ultimately the reformed package must be implementable and workable on the ground. If those who will have the task of doing this have come together to consider the proposals and are flagging up issues or making suggestions then these must be taken on board. For example the report suggests that capping and active farmer proposals might actually cost more to administer than they save, makes important suggestions regarding the transition period and highlights the benefits that could flow from sharing information between member states regarding their experiences and mistakes,” he added.
“It makes sense that the negotiations will be much better informed if they include input relating to the practicalities of actually delivering the package. The report from the Paying Agencies outlines several important concerns and suggestions and these should not be swept under the carpet during the negotiations especially as many of these issues have been repeatedly voiced throughout this reform process.”
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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