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In 2008 a “health check” of the CAP took place. No change was approved that could bring major farm animal welfare improvements. However, the transfer of funds from direct aid to rural development increased slightly and Member States have the possibility to use this additional rural development funding for new challenges such as tackling climate change, which could entail more extensive farming, with potential benefits for animal welfare. There is also the possibility for member states to use part of their direct aid budget to support quality products or to support specific sectors such as meat or milk production.
Concerning rural development, the 2005 Regulation did not make it compulsory for Member States to include animal welfare payments in their 2007-2013 plans. Consequently only 21 programmes out of the 90 approved by the European Commission include animal welfare payments.
Eurogroup is concerned that the limited funds available for rural development are not necessarily enough of an incentive for Member States to implement the new animal welfare measures.
: : CAP after 2013?
On 12 April 2010, the new EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Dacian Ciolos, launched a public debate on the EU Agriculture Policy post 2013. At the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, the Commissioner called for citizens, the European Parliament, NGOs, think-thanks, and all interested parties to join the debate currently on-going with farmers and the EU agri-food sector.
He proposes to articulate the debate around four main questions:
- Why do we need a European Common Agricultural Policy?
- What are society’s objectives for agriculture in all its diversity?
- Why should we reform the CAP and how can we make it meet society’s expectations?
- What tools do we need for tomorrow’s CAP?
The Commissioner specifically stated that he wanted to get the reactions of animal welfare groups, among other organisations.
One specific question for the debate concerns the management of EU qualitative requirements, such as animal welfare standards, in a Community market that is increasingly opening up to imports from third countries. The public debate is open until the 3 June 2010.
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