Common agricultural policy (CAP): direct support schemes

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation 1259/1999/EC establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy. CONTENT: in order to reduce the administrative burden, in particular for farmers receiving small amounts of direct aid, the Commission is proposing that a simplified system for paying such aids be establsihed for a trial period. The scheme will also bring about substantial simplification for the national administration responsible for paying and controlling the aids. The administrative cost of processing an application, making the payment and carrying out the necessary controls can be considerable in relation to the amounts paid, particularly when these amounts are small. On the other hand, the scheme must avoid any substantial risk of additional expenditure or of fraud or abuse. The maximum payment available to farmers under the scheme will be limited to EUR 1000 per year during the trial period. A farmer entering the scheme will have the right to remain within it from the year in which he applies for participation in the scheme until the end of the trial period in 2005. The Commission will assess the effects of the scheme during the third year of the trial period and may make appropriate proposals. �