Kelly bets on 2013 reference year for SFP
EU agriculture ministers want options of a 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 reference year.
The commission proposed only 2011, and the parliament wants 2009, 2010 or 2011 options, or 2013 for incoming EU member, Croatia.
It will be up to these three EU institutions to agree on a compromise CAP reform.
Mr Kelly made his 2013 reference year MEP prediction when addressing the Agricultural Consultants Association AGM in Dublin.
With the May deadline for 2013 applications passed, consultants in the audience were wondering if they should avail of the opportunity to amend clients’ SFP applications before the May 31 deadline.
Mr Kelly also revealed that the European Parliament may seek to have the CAP reviewed on a more frequent basis, in line with its own five-year cycle of elections.
To date, the CAP has been reformed every seven years.
