Consultation on the European Commission Proposal for a single Common Market Organisation Regulation

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) published a consultation document on 30 January 2007 seeking views on the European Commission’s proposal for a Single Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation, published on 18 December 2006.  Similar consultations were conducted in England, Scotland, and Wales

This proposal aims to streamline and harmonise the existing 21 regulations for managing a range of support arrangements for agricultural commodities under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and various other technical regulations relating to the functioning of the CAP. This is a technical simplification proposal: a legal tidying exercise which does not aim to change any of the underlying support policies.  

The views of stakeholders were requested with respect to:

•the options for handling this proposal;

•the likely costs of the new regulation, including costs associated with familiarising businesses with the new rules;

•the benefits anticipated in terms of increased efficiency, transparency and accessibility, or reduced administrative burdens; and,

•the establishment of the single Management Committee.

The consultation document was published on the Internet and sent electronically to 70 individuals and organisations that may have an interest in the subject. By the close of the 8 week consultation period, 2 written responses had been received. The Department has considered and summarised (along with the views obtained across the rest of the UK) without attribution the views expressed in these responses.

•Summary of Responses

A list of those individuals and organisations from Northern Ireland that provided comments is shown below. To view responses please click on the relevant link.

•Disability Action

•Ulster Farmers' Union