Fischer Boel takes major step to simplifying CAP

A MAJOR step in simplifying the complex Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), long regarded as a quagmire of red tape, has been taken by the European Commission.

It has adopted a streamlining proposal by Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Marian Fischer Boel for a single Common Market Organisation (CMO) for all agricultural products.

This will replace 21 different CMOs, covering everything from the beef and veal market to olive oil. It will bring under a single roof rules on everything from public intervention to marketing and quality standards.