The ministers had on the 14 November an exchange of views on a regulation establishing rules for direct payment to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and a discussion on the greening of direct payments. In addition, most delegations were in favour to strictly maintain the deadline for implementing the directive on the protection of laying hens.

The direct payments to farmers and the greening of direct payments included on the CAP reform proposal have been discussed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 14 November. As regards the proposed structure for direct payments for 2014-2020, several member states questioned the proposed definition of "active farmer" and some elements of the "greening", like the share of national envelopes devoted for this task of fraction of agricultural land to become ecological focused areas. However actions proposed in favour of small farms and young farmers were generally well received, also some countries thought they should be voluntary.

The proposal on direct payments is part of the CAP reform package which was presented by the Commission during the last Agriculture Council in October. During the 14 November meeting, a vast majority of delegations insisted that the new procedures for direct payments seemed to run counter to the important objective of simplification of the CAP. Concerning the distribution of direct payments between Member states, several countries raised concerns or stated their opposition to the proposed redistribution of payments between Member states.

Additionally, Ministers were briefed by the Commission on the implementation of directive 1999/74 on the protection of laying hens. Most delegations were in favour to strictly maintain the deadline for implementing the directive on the protection of laying hens because they considered producers had made huge efforts on this important animal welfare issue and delaying implementation would be unfair on these farmers. Some other member states in which the directive is not fully implemented indicated that they will accelerate the process in order to comply with the directive.