Commission warns new member states on farm payments

With just over six weeks until enlargement day on 1 May, agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler spelt out the threat clearly. "I do not need to remind people here of what is at stake: any further delay could result in farmers missing out on EU support, or national budgets being faced with significant claw-backs of farm subsidies". The Commission's warning comes as new member states have been slow to fully implement systems and train staff, so that EU money from farm funds can flow to their farmers. These "are areas, which are still causing us serious headache" said Mr Fischler adding "In many cases the timetable for finishing the work is very tight".