– Continued examination of the suggested compromise package
The SCA examined the revised compromise suggestions (document 6574/2/17 REV2).
All four Regulations under the agricultural part of the "Omnibus Regulation" were
discussed (Horizontal Regulation, Direct Payment Regulation, Common Market
Organisation and Rural Development Regulation).
The Commission provided feedback on MS' comments received ahead of the meeting,
focusing on the
permanent grassland under the Direct Payments Regulation and the
national financial assistance under the CMO Regulation. MS were invited to indicate in
which areas they could not accept the compromise proposal.
With regard to Direct Payments, although several MS indicated to need further time for
assessment, a majority of MS seems now to be able to accept the compromise proposal.
The most problematic points for the Commission are the changes to permanent grassland
and voluntary coupled support.
In the CMO Regulation the most sensitive issues are national financial assistance and the
additional amendment to the definition of wine requested by France.
As regards as Rural Development, again most MS seem to be able to accept the
compromise proposal, though some MS still have problems with regard to investments in
irrigation, crop, animal and plant insurance and investments in physical assets and
advisory services.
MS generally supported the compromise text for the Horizontal Regulation. Two MS
indicated however that the compromise proposal for the threshold for recoveries is
unacceptable to them.
After two table rounds, the Commission clarified some of the questions raised. The
Presidency concluded by saying that the Omnibus will be on the agenda of the SCA of
March 27 for which they will prepare a consolidated document. All issues on which no
agreement will be found on the 27th, will be tabled for the AGRIFISH Council on April
3th.
The SCA took note of the views expressed by the delegations and of the Commission
reaction.
Reporting:
, DG AGRI, Unit I.5 Tel.:
8.
Organisation of future work
The next
SCA will take place on 27 March. The indicative agenda includes the
Omnibus point (with the aim for submission in the AGRIFISH Council of 3 April) and a debriefing
on the Trilogue meeting of 22 March on
organics.
The next
AGRIFISH Council will take place on 3 April in Luxembourg. The provisional
agenda includes
Omnibus and the Commission report on
EFA (Ecological Focus Areas).
2
Reporting:
, DG AGRI, Unit I.5 Tel.:
3