Commission prepares CAP extension for farmers
The Commission says it is preparing the legal steps to allow Member States to extend by one month the deadline for farmers to submit their CAP’s application.
In a letter to EU agricultural ministers, Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, wrote: “I have asked my services to be ready to support you in case any other flexibility in relation to CAP’s implementation would be needed.
“The next Council meeting organised by the Presidency will provide us with the opportunity to update each other on the current needs in each Member State. Decisive and effective actions are needed to swiftly respond to this crisis and to alleviate the impact on our farmers and the entire food chain.”
He added: “It is clear that there will be serious economic impacts. President von der Leyen announced last Friday a very significant economic package to respond to the crisis. The lockdown in many Member States will cause extreme hardship in many sectors, including the agri-food sector.
“We will need to continue to work together and coordinate our actions in order to support the efforts of our farmers, agri-food industry and retailers to continue to secure the food supply chain. Flexibility and responsiveness will continue to guide us in the coming weeks.
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