The position is that both I and my Department officials have been in regular contact with the European Commission with a view to simplification of the Single Payment Scheme with particular reference to the issue of the arrangements for cross-compliance inspections. I have also raised my concerns with Commissioner Fischer Boel and also with Minister Seehofer, the German President of the Agriculture Council.
I believe that the initiative on simplification of the CAP and the Commission's review of cross-compliance, which is expected to be finalised during March and debated in the Council of Agriculture Ministers in April, provides an ideal opportunity to have a fresh look at cross-compliance and other Single Payment related issues. At the same time, the need to safeguard the €1.9m annual payments to Irish farmers under the Single Payment Scheme, REPS and Compensatory Allowances must remain a critical factor for Ireland.
My officials are currently undertaking a review of the various inspection report forms with a view to simplification and these will be discussed with the farming organisations in advance of the start of inspections under the 2007 scheme.