For his vision on CAP reform

are allowed to choose a maximum of five responses from the list of nine possible answers.

Some environmental groups have criticised the format of the questionnaire because the many multiplechoice questions do not provide sufficient space for meaningful debate.

However, there is some scope in the questionnaire to provide some additional explanation of the choices that are made, as well as to upload short additional materials.

The responses will be summarised over a sixweek period following the end of the consultation on May 2, and a CAP reform conference is scheduled for July 7.

Mr Hogan has indicated that almost 10,000 responses were received in the first two weeks.

Many people refer to the process initiated by the public consultation as the beginning of the post-2020 CAP reform. However, Mr Hogan avoids describing the process either as another CAP reform or as part of a CAP post-2020 process.

He sees the need to improve the functioning of the CAP in the three areas he has identified — market resilience, environmental sustainability and generational renewal.

But he has also stressed that he is determined to maintain basic income support and an effective safety net through a system of direct payments.

The big question for farmers is whether the Commissioner’s objectives, all desirable in themselves, can be addressed through relatively minor amendments to the CAP regulations, or whether they will require a more radical overhaul of the CAP?

This question will only be answered in the Communication in November. The way the question is answered will no doubt also be influenced by the budget resources made available for the CAP which will become known at around the same time.

In the meantime, everyone should take the opportunity to make their views known before May 2 in the public consultation which is readily available on the DG AGRI website.