BRUSSELS (Chatnewstv.com) — EU member states agreed Wednesday on a plan to simplify the common agricultural policy (CAP), aiming to cut bureaucracy, reduce costs, and make life easier for farmers across Europe.
In a press release, the Council of the EU said the proposal — part of the so-called “Omnibus III” package adopted by the European Commission in May — is designed to boost competitiveness by streamlining rules, encouraging innovation, and supporting young and new farmers.
“The Council has treated this initiative with utmost priority, aiming to provide EU farmers and national administrations with the necessary legal certainty,” the statement said.
According to the Commission, the reforms could save farmers up to €1.6 billion annually and member state administrations more than €200 million.
The Council’s position broadly supports the Commission’s objectives, including easing administrative burdens, increasing payments to small farmers, simplifying rules for organic farms, and reducing on-the-spot checks. It also scraps the annual performance clearance, a move officials say will free up time and resources.
The agreement gives member states more flexibility in defining environmental standards for partially organic farms, expands access to risk management tools, and raises advance payment rates for farmers hit by crises such as natural disasters.
Proposed new types of crisis payments under the CAP strategic plan regulation were deferred to a wider review of the policy.
“The aim is to boost productivity and improve funding of farmers in times of crises,” the Council noted.
The EU presidency said it is ready to begin negotiations with the European Parliament once lawmakers adopt their own position.
The “Omnibus III” simplification package is part of a wider EU effort to cut administrative burdens on businesses in line with European Council priorities set in 2023.
