DG AGRI Seminar on Simplification 16 October 2007 Simplification of the CAP Keys to future success

2 CAP simplification Why is the CAP complex?  heterogeneous conditions  market intervention  political compromises

3 CAP simplification Objectives  Lisbon agenda: Better Regulation  better use of EU funds  public acceptance

4 CAP simplification Limits  policy objectives  protection of EU financial interests (controls)

5 CAP simplification Target groups  farmers, operators, other stakeholders  public administrations

6 CAP simplification Steps:  Communication of 19 October 2005  Simplification experts group meetings  Simplification conference 3/4 October 2006  Simplification seminar 16 October 2007 i.e. Joint meeting of Simplification experts group (Member States) and Advisory Committee (stakeholders)

7 CAP simplification Two sides of one coin  Technical simplification  Political simplification

8 CAP simplification ‘Technical simplification’ (i.e. within a constant policy framework) -> implies revision of the legal framework, administrative procedures and management mechanisms to achieve streamlining and greater cost-effectiveness and attain existing policy objectives more effectively, without changing the underlying policies.

9 CAP simplification Technical simplification  Action plan: - « rolling plan » - input by Member States and stakeholders - 37 measures (more to follow)  Single CMO

10 CAP simplification Study on administrative burden related to direct payments - targeted at farmers - five Member States analysed - different models of implementation

11 CAP simplification ‘Political simplification’ ->reduces complexity through improvements to the agricultural support and rural development policy instruments. It may be described as ‘policy development with simplification implications’. Impact assessment has a particular role to play here.

12 CAP simplification Political simplification  Cross compliance report  Policy reforms (fruit and vegetables, wine)  Health check 2008

13 Key to future success of the CAP Simplification ? Dialogue with all CAP actors Keep an open mind identify bottlenecks adapt/change/remove current legislation SIMPLER LEGISLATION

14 Possible ways forward  Horizontal rules and further harmonization : limit the number of specific sectoral approaches by mapping out a general line and bringing everything under one roof  simpler  more accessible  clearer

15  Subsidiarity: increase the role of Member States; rather than prescribing complex solutions at Community level, focus on a general approach and leave fine tuning to Member States  simpler  more accessible  clearer + avoiding doubling-up of national and Community rules Possible ways forward

16  Self-regulation and co-regulation: the legislator could regulate from a distance and leave decisions on certain matters, such as marketing standards, to producers and economic operators.  simpler  More accessible  clearer + better adapted to the actors’ need? Possible ways forward

17 Possible ways forward  Changing rules with a view to reducing administrative burdens  simpler  more accessible  clearer + better adapted to the actors ’ needs? + More cost-effective?

18 Key to future success of CAP simplification ? Four theories to discuss with you today via two workshops !

19 Workshop 1 Horizontal rules: is this simplification? SINGLE CMO  Fewer pages and articles  Easier to access and understand  More transparent  More consistent  Good basis for further policy development

20 Workshop 1 Horizontal rules: is this simplification? Advantages and disadvantages of horizontal legislation compared to sectoral legislation?

21 Workshop 2 Marketing standards and labelling  How do we improve policies on marketing standards whilst simplifying the rules?  How to strike a balance between regulating and optimising benefits for consumers and producers ?

22 Key to future success of CAP simplification ? We need your ideas!