The IFA met with the European Commission in Brussels this week to discuss the new rules on the CAP simplification and how they can be implemented in 2016.

According to the IFA, the Commission made a commitment that the new rules currently on the table by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan will become mandatory this year.

The new CAP simplification involves a reduction in land area penalties where there is an overclaim of land, a yellow card system for first-time offenders and a preliminary check of applications with a 35-day grace period.

Clean sheet

All farmers will start with a clean sheet in 2016 with regard to the new regime on tolerances, the Commission also confirmed to the IFA.

The IFA pointed out to the Commission that moves on simplification must be followed up by further relaxations on cross-compliance regulations.

Jer Bergin discussed with the Commission the difficulties farmers are facing with the greening requirements under the CAP, which applied for the first time in 2015.

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Land area penalties to be reduced

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