Reporting year for direct payments

5.6.2018

Question for written answer E-003036-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE)

Farmers declare their crops in spring each year. Therefore, except for minor irregularities, sufficient data about the crop plots declared by farmers is available in the autumn of this year. This was the situation in 2012-2013, while planning the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020.

However, in practice, while calculating national payment packages for 2014-2020, the Commission used the 2009 crop area data. For this reason, Lithuanian farmers, who receive one of the lowest payments in the EU, were not assured an adequately-sized package of direct payments, which is necessary to reach the minimum payment in the amount of EUR 196/ha by 2020.

Please note that the obligation to reach this amount was specified by the European Council at its summit from 7 to 8 February 2013.

How does the Commission explain this embarrassing fact?