Fræðaþing landbúnaðarins - 13.02.2009, Page 29

SAMEIGINLEG DAGSKRÁ I 27
The correct management and control of these very important payments is a major task
for Member States and Commission services, under the constant scrutiny of the tax
payer.
Legislative context:
The aims of the CAP is decided upon through the high level agreement by the
European Council resulting in the budget, targets and general operation principles,
defined in a Council Regulation (currently Council Regulation 1782/03, recently
however amended following the “Health Check” process of 2008). The Commission
follows up this legislative guide with implementing rules, laid down in the
corresponding Commission Regulation (currently Commission Regulation 796/04, at
present under revision).
Member States have very clearly defíned responsibilities for implementation, even if
many technical choices are still open, or at least subject to “subsidiarity principles”.
Implementation
In practice, the Commission and Member States alike prefer to lay down more
detailed technical guidance, and exchange information on best practices. Transferring
know-how between the implementing bodies indeed facilitates much of the progress
in implementation. The Joint Research Centre plays a key role in this area.
Operational use
The main tool for CAP management - the Integrated and Administration Control
System - is usually under the responsibility of a specialized body, responsible for
payments (the “Paying Agency”); although in smaller countries this might be
incorporated into a suitable department of a Ministry.
Of course, the activity of carrying out this administration and control (of payments) is
a highly operational affair, with a strong technical component. Much attention must
be paid to fiscal accountability, as well as the technical compliance.
Nonetheless, the main client of IACS (and target of the CAP in general) must not be
forgotten: the farmer. Experience has shown that the more successful implementations
place farmers’ needs and interests at the heart of the process, focusing mainly upon a
means of effectively distributing the intended support to the rural business and
community at large, whilst simultaneously ensuring compliance and achievement of
the CAP’s aims.
Audit
Due to the high financial importance of the system, multiple layers of audit can be
expected to oversee the system: intemal, national, Commission and European audits
are common. This helps to ensure not only basic compliance, but also a relatively
harmonized implementation amongst Member States.
Lessons from other implementations
Although each implementation of the CAP is specific to that country, much can be
leamt by examining the experience of other member states tliat have undergone the
transition from relatively low technology implementations, to full GIS and remote
sensing based systems. Again, acknowledging these differences and identifying the
similarities can provide a strong foundation for implementation.