Fischler reiterates objectives of the mid-term review

Speaking on September 20th 2002 at the European Policy Centre, Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler succinctly summarised what the mid-term review was about, namely: farmers resuming their role as businessmen, producing for customers rather than for intervention; ensuring farmers a fair income by rewarding them for producing quality products, environmental services and conserving country landscapes; freeing farmers from the 'red tape' imposed by the CAP; supporting farmers in meeting higher quality standards. In short, he said, the European Commission wants to pay farmers not for overproducing but for providing what society needs. To achieve this Commissioner Fischler sees two things as essential: removing from direct payments the incentive to overproduce expanding rural development. He also emphasised the importance of introducing 'cross compliance', with direct aid payments being linked to meeting standards, and introducing dynamic 'modulation' to finance an expanded rural development policy.Speaking on September 20th 2002 at the European..