Common organisation of agricultural markets (CMO): simplify the common agricultural policy (CAP), creation of one single Regulation  ("single CMO Regulation")

The Council held a policy debate on the "Single CMO", on the basis of a questionnaire seeking guidance on the inclusion of fruit and vegetables and wine in the "Single CMO", the transfer of certain powers to the Commission and the possibility to abolish pigmeat intervention scheme.

Following a first examination of the proposal at expert level, and with a view to allowing a further examination at the same level, the Council noted the general support of delegations' for the objective of simplification.

- With regard to the inclusion of the fruit and vegetables and wine sectors, although there was agreement on their inclusion in the "Single CMO", the question of the Commission's proposed two-step approach (certain provisions to be introduced now and the remainder after the reform is completed) remained open.

- On transfer of certain competences, a clear majority of delegations, whilst underlining that some issues were too political to be transferred to the Commission, considered the examination could be conducted on a case by case approach.

- As regards the omission of the possibility of pigmeat intervention, a majority of the delegations considered it would be better to keep that option at that stage.

The Council gave the Council preparatory bodies a mandate to pursue the examination of the proposal intensively, with a view to reaching a conclusion during Germany's Presidency. Commissioner Fischer Boel welcomed the wide support for the objective of the proposal and indicated that the Commission would cooperate with the Presidency in order to comply with that timetable.

The Parliament is expected to be adopt its opinion at the plenary session on 21 May.