Simplificação & Política Agrícola Comum: uma nova abordagem 23 mance can be translated into a lower number of eligibility criteria or requirements and/or into less evidence requested at time of application, translating into fewer burdens for beneficiaries for submitting applications and for national administrations to perform administrative checks. The wider use of geo-spatial aid applications, possibly combined with Sentinel images, can further decrease burden for beneficiaries. Likewise, digitisation, for example through the development of applications, can positively impact time for applications. Although setting up these systems may involve some additional burden for national administrations, these investments are likely to pay off for both administrations and farmers in the next years. Is the new CAP simpler? Simplification has been one of many objectives discussed between Member States and the Commission ahead of the approval of the CAP Strategic Plans in the second half of 2022. Clearly, Member States have used the possibility of subsidiarity to design measures that match their situation and political priorities. Several Member States are planning significant steps forward with regard to the use of technology in administration and control. Detailed mapping of Member State Strategic Plans is ongoing, but at first sight the reform has delivered on its promise of simplification. However, it is too early to draw clear conclusions. Member State authorities and farmer organisations underline simplification as a key concern in relation to the new strategic plans. Careful scrutiny of the implementation is necessary to understand and respond to those concerns. This being said, a first preliminary analysis suggests that certain Member States tend to avoid changes for beneficiaries, thus ensuring stability of the CAP framework within which they are operating, while other Member States aim for a wide range of ambitions, resulting in a multitude of detailed measures, which may not necessarily lead to a simpler administration. One aspect of the political negotiations on this latest CAP reform concerned the need for a ‘learning period’ in relation to the eco-schemes, a new feature of environmental support that is obligatory in all strategic plans and must in principle represent 25% of direct support expenditure. Member States underlined the need to ‘learn’ how this intervention should be best designed to ensure effective implementation: good uptake by farmers and good results. This notion of a learning period for the new strategic plans could be key, in particular to ensure lower administrative burden and simplicity in administration. Looking back over the past decades, it can be concluded that simplification has been an important political priority in CAP debates and that this is likely to continue. Both the co-legislators and the Commission have worked to translate this priority into a wide range of simplifications during that period. It is likely that the issue will remain in focus and simplification continues to be part of the Commission’s overall strategy for better law making. We have also tried to make clear that the nature of the CAP has changed now that it directly affects farmers through its payments. Notably the increased link of these payments with practices that are beneficial for the climate and the environment may give rise to complexities that must be carefully managed through the intelligent design of interventions and the use of technologies for management and control. It remains essential to reduce complexities and burdens of EU legislation on beneficiaries and public administrations, as this will increase the competitiveness of the EU’s agricultural sector as well as reduce costs for farmers and for public authorities who have to comply with or manage the CAP. Moreover, simplification can improve understanding and acceptability of the policy by citizens and beneficiaries, thereby improving implementation.
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