EU-level reporting framework 'must not lead to more paperwork' for farmers
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has warned that a proposed new EU budget performance framework "must not lead to more inspections, audits or paperwork" for farmers.
MEP Mullooly made his contribution to the European Parliament debate after taking his new position as a full voting member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Mullooly was speaking following a presentation by the European Court of Auditors to the committee, on its opinion concerning the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing a budget expenditure tracking and performance framework for EU programmes and activities under the 2028–2034 EU budget.
The proposal is intended to simplify and harmonise the way EU spending is tracked and reported across programmes.
However, the Court of Auditors raised a number of concerns, including the complexity of the system, weaknesses in impact indicators, and the absence of clear links between funding and results in some areas.
'Warning signs'
Responding in the agriculture committee, Mullooly said the "warning signs must be taken seriously".
Mullooly said farmers are "already subject to detailed obligations" under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and must not be asked to carry a "further bureaucratic burden" as a result of a new EU-level reporting framework.
“Farmers are already subject to extensive rules, inspections and targets under the CAP payments, including on animal welfare, environmental standards, and indeed land management,” he said.
“They are already doing their part, and they are already carrying out a significant administrative burden."
The MEP said transparency and accountability in EU spending is important.
However, he warned that these objectives "must not be achieved by placing further reporting obligations" on farmers or on member states administering CAP and rural development programmes.
Simplification
“We all support transparency and public accountability in how our EU funds are spent,” Mullooly said.
“But this must not translate into additional administrative work for farmers, or indeed for member states responsible for administering these programmes.
"So the key mission here must be to remain on simplification. That goal cannot be secondary. It must remain our priority.”
Mullooly said the European Court of Auditors’ opinion "should act as a warning" to the commission and parliament as negotiations on the next EU budget framework continue.
“This presentation was important because it showed that simplification cannot just mean a tidier reporting system in Brussels,” he said.
“It has to mean a real reduction in burden for the people and sectors actually delivering EU policy on the ground. In agriculture, that means farmers."
