Press Release: CAP simplification: Commission implements its commitment to improve Cross Compliance system

Following the commitment made in its March 2007 report to improve and simplify the system of Cross Compliance, the European Commission adopted most of the regulatory measures presented in the report and which are under its own responsibility. The changes adopted today aim at easing the management of the system where experience gained over the past two years showed up undue difficulties. They do not water down the efficiency of the system. The changes mainly concern harmonising control provisions so that the burden for the farmers and the national administrations is reduced to the minimum necessary. For instance, farmers' participation in the farm advisory system or relevant certification schemes could be now taken into account in the control system. The calculation of reduction of payments will now also take into account the possible improvement or worsening of the situation in case of repeated infringement.