Talks on cross compliance system

PROPOSALS by the European Commission to improve and simplify the system of cross compliance will be discussed by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday.

Cross Compliance, a key element of the 2003 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, means that farmers have to respect a set of standards to avoid cuts in payments from the European Union.

These cover protection of the environment, public, animal and plant health, animal welfare and the maintenance of the land in good agricultural and environmental condition.