CAP Simplification

Plans are being prepared in Brussels to simplify the workings of the Common Agricultural Policy.  On taking up his post the new Farm Commissioner, Phil Hogan, pledged that one of his key aims was to reduce the red-tape associated with the CAP.  

As a first step, the EU Commission is issuing revised ‘technical guidance’ on how Member States should be implementing the new BPS rules.  As this does not require legislation it will apply for the 2015 year, and is due to be agreed in June.  It is unlikely that it will make much difference at farm level however, as most of the changes are quite minor and technical or have already been factored-in to UK BPS rules though informal discussions between UK and EU officials. 

Longer-term, the Commission will present a package of amendments to the CAP Implementing and Delegated Acts (i.e. the legislation setting out the detailed rules).  This will be presented in the autumn, with any changes applying for the 2016 year.  However, there could be a delay until 2017 if the changes prove contentious and the legislative process is drawn out.  These would be more fundamental reforms and might include such things as;

• making the Active Farmer rule voluntary for Member States
• allowing greater flexibility in the imposition of penalties
• widening the eligibility for EFA areas and harmonising the weighting factors
• dropping the 30 Ha limit on Greening exemptions
• re-sowing grass leys would mean they keep their arable status