site.btaEC Vision Provides for CAP Simplification by Reducing Requirements to Bare Minimum

Sofia, December 4 (BTA) - The European Commission's (EC) vision regarding the new period for implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020 provides for CAP's simplification by reducing the requirements to a bare minimum, it transpired from a forum here on Monday, held at the House of Europe. EC representatives stressed that currently CAP's implementation is burdened by too much bureaucracy and a common model applied under various circumstances. In that sense, the proposed new plan aims to transition from a universal to an individual approach, which means that the requirements will be simplified to a maximum.

The new measures also aim to achieve better environmental results, reduce harmful emissions, etc.

The new CAP provides for retaining its two pillars: direct payments to farmers and market measures, and rural development. An emphasis is placed on implementing them more justly and providing guarantees for support to small- and medium-sized farmers.

The EC guarantees that support will be aimed at the true farmers and focus on those who are actively involved in agriculture and making a living from it. Young farmers will be supported, as well as innovations. Support is provided in times of instability and market crisis via the solidarity packages.

Addressing the forum, Deputy Agriculture Minister Verginia Krusteva underscored that CAP's post-2020 future is a key issue for the whole EU. According to her, the results from the public consultation this spring have shown that CAP continues to be necessary, but needs to be updated and simplified. The challenges must be taken unto account when drafting the future policy, which includes Brexit and the budget losses resulting from it, the unsustainability of agricultural markets, climate change, demographic changes, food security and the limited natural resources.

CAP's future is the Bulgarian EU Presidency's main priority in the agriculture sector, Krusteva noted, adding that it will be discussed during an informal ministerial meeting in Sofia next June.