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Parliamentary question - E-004251/2015Parliamentary question
E-004251/2015

Difficulties with CAP implementation

Question for written answer E-004251-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Michel Dantin (PPE) , Arnaud Danjean (PPE) , Alain Lamassoure (PPE) , Angélique Delahaye (PPE) , Elisabeth Morin-Chartier (PPE) , Nadine Morano (PPE) , Michèle Alliot-Marie (PPE) , Renaud Muselier (PPE) , Anne Sander (PPE) , Jérôme Lavrilleux (PPE) , Maurice Ponga (PPE) , Françoise Grossetête (PPE) , Marc Joulaud (PPE) , Franck Proust (PPE) , Rachida Dati (PPE) , Philippe Juvin (PPE) , Tokia Saïfi (PPE) , Constance Le Grip (PPE) , Brice Hortefeux (PPE)

European farming is facing a major generational renewal challenge, which should lead us to pay particular attention to young farmers.

Yet current implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) is causing problems, particularly for this category of working people.

In particular, the compensatory allowance for permanent natural handicaps (CANH) no longer includes an age limit. The result, therefore, is that a retiring farmer will have access to both state benefits and the CANH, while a young farmer, who needs to be prioritised for our support, will receive more modest aid.

Moreover, while it used to be possible for the subsidies on loans to run over five years regardless of which was the first year of investment, it seems like young farmers wishing to benefit fully from the subsidies now need to make all their investments in the first year of their business plan.

Finally, access to some aid is now subject to a standard gross product (SGP) ceiling, which would prevent some young farmers from receiving set-up support.

1. As regards the age criteria for the CANH, could the Commission fill this legal void as part of the upcoming measures to simplify the CAP?

2. As regards the loan subsidies and the SGP ceiling, what measures is it considering to respond to the problems highlighted here?