Commission adopts proposals for CAP reform

The European Commission adopted a package of proposals on January 22nd 2003 as the first stage in moving towards agreement for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. These proposed regulations will now be put out to consultation with member states' governments, with the aim of reaching agreement by the end of the Greek Presidency (June 2003). The press release summarises the main features of the proposals as follows: the establishment of a single farm payment, independent of production ('de-coupling'); the linking of these payments to respect for environmental, food safety occupational safety and countryside stewardship ('cross-compliance'); the establishment of a stronger rural development policy; a reduction in direct aid payments according to farm size; a final 5% cut in the cereals intervention price, partially compensated by increased direct aid payments; a wider ranging and accelerated reform of the milk regime; reforms of the rice, durum wheat, starch potatoes, dried fodder and nut sectors. Each of these proposals is then summarised in the press release.The European Commission adopted a package of proposals on January 22nd 2003 as..