Improve systems for mapping farm fields
The EU-wide systems for mapping farm fields eligible for subsidy are helping to cut the number of errors in payments to farmers, but there is still room for further improvement, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors i. The Land Parcel Identification Systems are a key control mechanism under the Common Agricultural Policy.
The auditors examined whether the Land Parcel Identification Systems (LPISs) were well managed by Member States and adequately monitored by the European Commission. They visited five Member States: Austria, Germany (Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia), Ireland, Poland and the United Kingdom (Scotland).
They concluded that although the LPISs are useful for determining the eligibility of agricultural land, their management could be further improved. “Weaknesses in the systems are affecting Member States’ ability to check the eligibility of land,” said Mr Nikolaos Milionis, the Member of the European Court of Auditors responsible for the report. “Reliable data is essential to ensure payments are legal and regular.”
Press Release: Improve systems for mapping farm fields, say EU Auditors
Special report No 25/2016: The Land Parcel Identification System: a useful tool to determine the eligibility of agricultural land - but its management could be further improved