Simplification of CAP is a 'top priority for 2015' according to farming union leaders who met recently with the new European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan.
"It was apparent from the contributions made by farming unions from all member states that implementation of the new CAP is proving far more challenging than was expected," NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker said.
Commissioner Hogan also recognised the impact that red tape can have on business decisions and that simplification makes for greater competitiveness and increases the potential of agriculture to grow.
He also acknowledged that farmers need stability and simplification for the coming years and referred to elements that can be changed within the current policy framework to aid this.
The Russian trade ban and the impact it was currently having on the dairy sector was also discussed and confirmation was made that the Commission had adopted additional market measures, such as prolonging private storage aid and public intervention in order to offer a safety net to help stabilise the market.
Walker said: “We harbour genuine concerns over how Scotland plans to introduce the new CAP scheme in 2015 with transition measures for established businesses and national reserve support for some new and developing businesses falling far short of original promises.
“This trip offered up an opportunity to meet with fellow farmers from other nations as well as Commission officials to discuss a host of issues around CAP. Others have taken a different path on implementation and we will engage in further discussions with Scottish Government officials shortly to see if its plans can be improved to better serve our farmers.
“At yesterday’s meeting with Commissioner Hogan, it was apparent from the contributions made by farming unions from all member states that implementation of the new CAP is proving far more challenging than was expected."
Earlier this week Commissioner Hogan made it clear that he will not postpone the introduction of greening measures in 2015.
Given implementation issues across Europe and the complexities associated with the new schemes, many farming representatives, including the NFU, called for the Commissioner to allow for greater flexibility within the inspection process and a proportionate response when unintentional errors are found on farm.
