Under the new EU Rural Development Policy Framework an advisory service providing advice to farmers on meeting cross-compliance requirements, which are compulsory for those receiving direct payments, must be introduced in Member States by 1 January 2007. The service will provide advice on meeting statutory European requirements in relation to the environment, food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare. Participation by farmers is voluntary but priority must be given to those receiving more than €15,000 annually under the Single Farm Payment.
The body/bodies selected to provide the service must have the appropriate resources in the form of qualified staff, administrative and technical facilities and advisory experience. Detailed arrangements for the provision of the service will be considered in the context of the new rural development programme which is being drawn up for the period 2007-2013.