Simplification of the CAP

State of play & next steps

Michael Niejahr

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Simplification is …

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a key priority for Commissioner Hogan and the Commission as a whole

timely because it comes after a comprehensive policy reform

a shared responsibility of the EU institutions and Member States, notably in view of the flexibility enjoyed by Member States in the areas of direct payments and rural development

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What has happened so far ?

First discussions in December Council

DG AGRI has launched internal screening exercise of the entire agricultural acquis (ongoing)

Commissioner Hogan's letters to Member States of 14/1/2015 and to COMAGRI of 6/2/2015

Commissioner Hogan's letters to Council and to COMAGRI of 27/2/2015

MEP proposals received mid March, first discussion with Commissioner Hogan at COMAGRI meeting of 24/3/2015

Discussions in Council WP on 5-6/3/2015 and in Council on 16/3/2015

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Guiding principles for simplification

The basic political decisions taken in the 2013 reform should be respected, so work to concentrate on elements which can be changed within the current policy framework

Simplification proposals should not jeopardize the sound financial management of the CAP or make it more prone to errors

Priority should be given to those areas which are of most concern to farmers and other beneficiaries and where there is the largest benefit from a reduction in administrative burden

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DG AGRI's screening exercise

DG AGRI's screening exercise includes application of the subsidiarity principle

Priority given to direct payments and market measures as well as quality policy, rural development to follow after approval of Member States programmes

Clear distinction between short-term and medium-term perspective

Analysis will take account of Member States' implementation choices in the areas of direct payments and rural development

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Next steps

Next discussion in Council on 11/5/2015 with the intention to have Council conclusions adopted

Analysis of Member States' & MEPs' proposals in the context of DG AGRI's screening exercise

Commissioner Hogan's detailed simplification and subsidiarity intentions scheduled for later this year

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Main sectors and their timeline

Common Market Organisation New delegated and implementing acts throughout 2015-2016

Direct payments First-year review following Commission's commitment of 4/2014

Next steps remain to be decided

Rural development Work to start after the approval of Member States' programmes

Quality policy /Organic farming

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Thank You