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The full amended CAP package has received the green light from European Parliament on Friday, which sets the mandate for trilogue negotiations with the European Council and European Commission.
The three final votes passed with a resounding majority and so have been adopted.
MEPs took a significant step in finalising their position on the reform of the EU’s farm policy for the next seven years as they voted on an extensive list of amendments on Tuesday night.
This list of amendments has been subsequently voted through Parliament on Friday.
Passed amendments
MEPs decided on 30% of member states’ direct payment budgets to be set aside for eco schemes, equating to €355m annually for Ireland.
However, they concluded that 60% of all farm subsidies must be in the form of direct payments to protect farm incomes.
They also decided that 35% of the rural development budget is to be dedicated to similar green measures, or €110m in Ireland’s case to be spent on these schemes annually.
However, they have stated that 40% of ANC payments can count in this total, something the Commission does not want.
Passed sanctions
MEPs approved an increase in sanctions for those who repeatedly fail to comply with regulations, in areas such as animal welfare and the environment, from 5% currently to 10%.
They want member states to dedicate at least 6% of the direct payment budget to supporting small and medium farmers.
The Commission had wanted a mandatory percentage of all farm to be set aside as non-productive areas aimed at promoting biodiversity.
MEPs voted that only tillage farmers will have to meet a 5% requirement, similar to ecological focus areas under Greening.
This will come under cross-compliance and amendments have passed which set out details for nine mandatory Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), two more than the current CAP.
MEPs voted for a farm advisory service be set up in every EU country and that 30% of all funds advisers receive from the EU should be to help farmers fight climate change and protect biodiversity.
SHARING OPTIONS: