Member States back move to allow advance of CAP Direct Payments

A Commission proposal to allow Member States to pay up to 50% of farmers' direct payments for 2013 in advance has received unanimous support from Member States today in the Management Committee for Direct Payments. This percentage may be increased to up to 80% for specific beef and veal payments. This Regulation will help farmers alleviate the financial difficulties resulting from unfavourable weather conditions, notably a harsh winter and severe rainfall experienced in some regions earlier in the year.
As in previous years, these advance payments can be granted as of 16 October 2013, rather than 1 December, on condition that Member States have verified applications in the usual way. EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Cioloş commented today: "Past experience shows that an adjustment like this can be a major boost for a farmer's cash-flow situation, which is needed in some regions after difficult weather conditions earlier in the year."