03/04/2014

Press Release
COPA-COGECA WELCOMES RELEASE OF EU COMMISSION DECLARATION ON CAP DELEGATED ACTS Copa-Cogeca welcomed today the EU Commissions declaration on the delegated acts for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), stressing it should enable farmers to implement the greening measures under reform without jeopardizing EU production . This is crucial when food demand is on the rise, stocks are low and markets are volatile, Copa President Albert Jan Maat said. He continued We have been pressing hard to ensure that the delegated acts respect the political deal on CAP reform struck by the EU last summer and that additional arable crop land is not taken out of production. The declaration released by the Commission today should ensure this and give farmers sufficient flexibility when implementing the greening requirements. If conditions are too strict, farmers would opt for set-aside. EU Ministers and MEPs should now be able to agree this. Cogeca President Christian Pees said "Under the move, the Commission has agreed to monitor obligations for Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) as part of the 'greening' obligations, after the first year of reform and ensure red tape is minimized and that there is a level playing field for farmers across the EU. Should the requirement to meet the EFA obligations result in a noticeable reduction of the production potential of the EU, the Commission will revise the relevant delegated act. Changes have also been made to calculate nitrogen fixing crops on EFAs thus recognizing the environmental benefits of these crops and contributing to the protein plan and keeping in line with the spirit of the political agreement. This is a very welcome change". Crucial next step is as well the proper national implementation in member states of the new CAP rules. Albert Jan Maat concluded`Member States should implement the new CAP rules in a similar way across the EU and ensure a level-playing-field for their farmers.

For further information, please contact: Francesca Bignami Senior Policy Advisor Tel.: +32 2 287 27 36 francesca.bignami@copa-cogeca.eu Amanda Cheesley Press Officer Mobile: + 32 474 840 836 amanda.cheesley@copa-cogeca.eu

CDP(14)2806:1

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