Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that in the future there will be major simplifications of the payment and cross compliance system for farmers in view of the fact that the vast majority of farmers do their best to comply in every way possible with all rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5829/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The European Commission proposals on CAP post 2013, published in October 2011, form a comprehensive package to address various different policy objectives, including simplification for both farmers and national authorities. The aim of the package is to propose measures and instruments that are as simple as possible, while still being effective tools to achieve overall policy objectives.

Negotiations on the proposals are ongoing and it is not yet possible to predict what the finer details of the agreement will be, including any elements of simplification.