Cyprus asks for EU solidarity in efforts to achieve agreement on CAP

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Egli Pantelaki has expressed Cyprus’ support to the efforts of the Irish EU Presidency to achieve an agreement on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and pointed out the need to take into consideration, in the context of the reform, the new situation in Cyprus, asking for the support and solitary of Cyprus’ EU partners.

In an intervention during a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, held in Luxembourg, Pantelaki underlined the importance of maintaining the Council’s position regarding the new status of small producers and the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS). She also reiterated Cyprus’ opposition regarding the non-exemption of producers receiving less than 5,000 euros from the fiscal correction mechanisms.

As regards the transitional measures, Pantelaki asked the Committee to introduce in its proposals some provisions agreed by the Council, which will significantly reduce the administrative cost for its member states.

Pantelaki also referred to the Maximum Sustainable Yield, noting the need to include guarantees for jointly-managed stocks with third countries, to secure the efficiency of management measures and equal terms of competition for all European fishermen.

She also referred to the flexibility on issues concerning discards and supported the General Approach of the Council on regionalization and capacity management.