The rules of the CAP after 2020 should be stricter than currently proposed so as to improve agriculture's environmental record and ensure the money is spent efficiently, the European Court of Auditors said in an opinion published this Wednesday.
The European Commission's proposal, now debated by member states and the European Parliament, includes measures to tackle climate change, but the auditors found that "these are neither clearly defined nor translated into quantified targets".
Direct payments criticised
The financial watchdog is also critical of the proposed continuation of area-based direct payments to farmers. "This instrument is not appropriate for addressing many environmental concerns, nor is it the most efficient way of supporting viable income," the auditors said.
With each country receiving more freedom to define eligible farmers and report performance to the Commission, the Court of Auditors fears "the lack of a robust external system of control".
"There will be fewer and less-effective checks and audits," the auditors predict – and while a drop in the pressure of inspections may be good news for farmers, the watchdog warned that this would weaken the Commission's accountability in how it spends taxpayers' money.
Europe needs farmers
Reacting to the report, MEP Mairead McGuiness said: “The court is critical of the direct payment system linked to land as a means of delivering for the environment and for income support, but fails to suggest alternatives.”
She said Europe needed farmers on the ground to deliver on the environmental and climate objectives and that they in turn need adequate incomes to remain on farms.
She said direct payments are vital for many farmers and without them they would not be able to continue farming.
Read more
2019 EU budget negotiations set to enter final stages
60% surge in farmers facing penalties
Budget and simplification still sticking points for next CAP
The rules of the CAP after 2020 should be stricter than currently proposed so as to improve agriculture's environmental record and ensure the money is spent efficiently, the European Court of Auditors said in an opinion published this Wednesday.
The European Commission's proposal, now debated by member states and the European Parliament, includes measures to tackle climate change, but the auditors found that "these are neither clearly defined nor translated into quantified targets".
Direct payments criticised
The financial watchdog is also critical of the proposed continuation of area-based direct payments to farmers. "This instrument is not appropriate for addressing many environmental concerns, nor is it the most efficient way of supporting viable income," the auditors said.
With each country receiving more freedom to define eligible farmers and report performance to the Commission, the Court of Auditors fears "the lack of a robust external system of control".
"There will be fewer and less-effective checks and audits," the auditors predict – and while a drop in the pressure of inspections may be good news for farmers, the watchdog warned that this would weaken the Commission's accountability in how it spends taxpayers' money.
Europe needs farmers
Reacting to the report, MEP Mairead McGuiness said: “The court is critical of the direct payment system linked to land as a means of delivering for the environment and for income support, but fails to suggest alternatives.”
She said Europe needed farmers on the ground to deliver on the environmental and climate objectives and that they in turn need adequate incomes to remain on farms.
She said direct payments are vital for many farmers and without them they would not be able to continue farming.
Read more
2019 EU budget negotiations set to enter final stages
60% surge in farmers facing penalties
Budget and simplification still sticking points for next CAP
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