THE COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL POLICY (CAP) SHOULD BE TOTALLY REVISED TO FACILITATE AND SIMPLIFY EACH MEMBER STATE’S INVOLVEMENT, SAID THE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, PHIL HOGAN

Total revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to see what can be simplified, and to evaluate which policy decisions are more effective for Member States. Within one year a strategy will be put in place including concrete steps and how to achieve those goals.
This is the commitment of the designated European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, from Ireland. The Ansa news agency reported that on an institutional level he “supports the requirement of equal treatment between the European Parliament and the EU Council”.
MEPs met at the Agriculture Committee of the EU Parliament, and Hogan told them he intends to “evaluate whether the new CAP, in particular regarding EU direct payments to farmers, is configured so that it can be applied correctly in practice. Otherwise, he is ready to intervene with new rules. His assessment will include the agreement on “green” aid and areas related to ecological interest. In 2016, he will contribute to the examination of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, trying to further concentrate CAP jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness”.

Focus – Highlights of the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan’s speech
EU budget: he is ready to defend the agriculture budget. He will wait until October 15th, closing date of the current financial year, to get an accurate picture of spending for 2015. Dipping into the "crisis reserve" means reducing income to farmers.

Export: he wants to have an active role in the diversification of agro-food exports, but with more coordination.
Quality: he refuses to lower production standards. He defends natural resources (such as soil and water) to ensure quality and sustainable agriculture.
Geographical Indications: he is aware of their importance and promises a concentrated effort to protect them. It is an important issue and we will not neglect nor pay homage to the United States or other social counterparts when it comes to GI, which should be harmonized and simplified.

Milk quotas: he is in favor of doing away with the European system.

Youth: he says yes to generational change, pointing also to a partnership between the young and the old, since 69% of EU companies do not have more than five hectares of land.

Schools: he wants to harmonize and simplify the program of free distribution of fruit and vegetables.

Research: he relies on tradition with an eye towards innovation.