SPECIAL DOSSIER Justice/Notaries Pages 10-11 EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Tuesday 17 March 2009 N° 3715 37th year FOCUS AGRICULTURE Commission plans to ‘green’ KW takes over DG Agri and simplify CAP By Célia Sampol By Luc Vernet particular a revision of legislation at more regular intervals. Too much paperwork and too distant: This could include the question of The European Parliament has a new the most flagrant flaws of the Common whether existing measures should be secretary-general since 15 March. Agricultural Policy (CAP) are in the maintained and if so, in what form. It Klaus Welle of Germany takes over European Commission’s sights. will also try to simplify and harmonise from Harald Rømer of Denmark, who is It promises to correct them in a com- the legal framework applicable to the retiring in accordance with the Bureau’s munication on simplification of the CAP and to extend it to all communica- decision of 3 December 2008. This CAP, to be presented on 18 March. tions under agricultural policy. appointment is not expected to go Its idea of ‘greening’ all the officials Another project in the works is the unnoticed in Parliament, not because of the Agriculture DG is symbolic in adoption of a proposal this year to the former head of cabinet of President this respect. From 2010, a training pro- repeal several Council instruments that Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP-ED, Ger- have lapsed. many) and ex-secretary-general of the The idea of making legislative EPP-ED likes to be in the limelight. On It will bring a 25% cut in changes at common dates will also be the contrary, Welle seems little inclined the CAP’s administrative explored, in order to facilitate moni- to draw attention to himself. The fact is, toring, along with the possibility of though, that he is perceived, despite his costs by 2012 developing a proposal for a single youthfulness (age 45) and his capacity cross-compliance instrument. to blend in with the decor, as an ‘instru- ment of warfare’, placing EPP-ED mem- gramme that includes a mandatory stay ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE OF INFO bers - preferably German – in all of Par- on a farm will be developed. Lastly, a system to facilitate the liament’s bodies. With his eagle eye and Another weakness of Commission electronic exchange of information provocative smile, Welle, known as KW officials that the executive plans to cor- between the Commission’s services and in Parliament to keep from saying his rect is their tendency to use and abuse the member states (information system name too loud, and even as the ‘Prince incomprehensible jargon. Writing for agricultural market management of Darkness’, will take over manage- courses will be offered. Simplification and monitoring) is in the final stage of ment of the EP’s administrative affairs, will also result in considerable sav- development. probably for many years to come. He ings, notes the Commission, for both The system’s first module is set to be should be comfortable in this role of the the administration and operators in the fully operational by this summer. highest official, as the border between sector, and ultimately for citizens. In January 2009, the ‘sliding’ action administrative and political powers is The revamping of agricultural regu- plan for CAP simplification comprised often vague. With KW, Germany also lations begun in 2005 is therefore set around 50 proposals, of which 43 have extends its hold on the institution’s key to continue. It will bring with it a 25% been implemented. positions. cut in the CAP’s administrative costs The communication details several by 2012, the Commission pledges. A more that offer a good example of the number of options will be explored, in impact simpli- (continued on page 4) Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info We have the details EUROPOLITICSTHE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DAILY EU news for professionals www.europolitics.info ❏ Yes, I would like to subscribe to EUROPOLITICS daily: ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €890 (1). HELPGETTING US GET TO TO KNOW KNOW YOU YOU BETTER… BETTER… ❏ 1 YEAR, 223 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €1,700 (1). 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