European Commission opens 12-week public consultation on greening measures
Comprising three environmentally-friendly agricultural practices — ecological focus area, crop diversification and maintaining permanent pasture — greening has applied from the start of 2015 and is linked to 30% of CAP direct payments.
At the time of the reform, it was agreed the Commission should review the rules about the Ecological Focus Area after the first year of application.
This would look, in particular, at the administrative burden, simplification potential, and aspects of production potential.
The public consultation will be open until March 8, 2016.
Commissioner Phil Hogan told a recent conference that while he can’t and wouldn’t prejudge the outcome of the review, he would like it to look at more than just the EFAs.
“In my view, we need to look at the wider greening measures and ask ourselves the question whether they are delivering on their intended environmental objectives or whether there are ways to deliver these objectives in a way that is efficient but with less red tape,” he said.
