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The European Commission has presented a draft reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period after 2013. This draft aims to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and permanence of agriculture throughout the EU in order to secure for European citizens a healthy and high-quality source of food, preserve the environment and develop rural areas.
The ten key points of the reform
1) More targeted income support in order to stimulate growth and employment
The Commission is proposing to support farmers' income in a fairer, simpler and more targeted manner. Basic income support will affect only active farmers. It will reduce gradually from EUR 150 000 (degressivity), with a ceiling of EUR 300 000 per farm per year, and will take account of the number of employees created by holdings. It will also be more fairly distributed among farmers, regions and Member States.
2) More responsive and adequate crisis management tools in order to meet new economic challenges
The Commission is proposing more effective and more responsive safety nets for the agricultural aspects of the supply chain that are most at risk of crisis (private storage and public intervention) and to promote the creation of insurance and mutual funds.
3) 'Green' payments for long-term productivity and for preserving ecosystems
The Commission is proposing to dedicate 30% of direct payments to practices which enable optimal use of natural resources: crop diversification, maintenance of permanent pasture, preservation of ecological reserves and landscapes.
4) Additional investment in research and innovation
Double the agronomy research and innovation budget and to take steps in order to ensure that the research results are translated into practice by means of a new partnership for innovation.
5) A more competitive and balanced food chain
To support producer organisations and inter-branch organisations and to develop short circuits between producers and consumers (without too many intermediaries).
6) Encouraging agri-environmental initiatives
The Commission is proposing that the preservation and the restoration of ecosystems and the fight against climate change, together with the effective use of resources, should be two of the six priorities of rural development policy.
7) Aid for young farmers setting up
To support job creation and encourage the younger generation to enter the agricultural sector, the Commission is proposing to create new start-up assistance accessible to farmers under 40 during the first five years of their project.
8) Rural employment and entrepreneurship stimulated
The Commission is proposing a number of measures to stimulate economic activity in rural areas and encourage local development initiatives. For example, a ‘starter kit’ will be created which will provide support for micro-business projects with financing of up to EUR 70 000 over a period of five years. LEADER local action groups will be strengthened.
9) Better account taken of fragile areas
With a view to avoiding desertification and preserving the richness of our territory, the Commission is enabling the Member States to provide more support for farmers located in areas with natural handicaps by means of additional compensation. Such aid would be in addition to other subsidies already available in the context of rural development policy.
10) A simpler and more efficient CAP
To avoid unnecessary additional administrative costs, the Commission is proposing to simplify several CAP mechanisms, including the cross-compliance rules and control systems, without sacrificing effectiveness. Moreover, support for small farmers will also be simplified. A flat-rate payment will be created for the latter, ranging from EUR 500 to 1 000 per farm per year. The sale of land by small farmers who cease agricultural activity to other farms willing to restructure their farms will be encouraged.
Wednesday October 12, 2011.
http://europa.eu/rapid/
