"I believe now is the time to discuss concrete simplifications in the new implementation model," the minister said at the meeting discussing the future CAP.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, Pivec called for all contributions other than the basic scheme of direct payments to be voluntary. The same should apply for measures concerning risk management and sector programmes, she believes.

Pivec particularly highlighted production-related payments addressing specific problems of different sectors and argued that the current ceiling for the direct payments envelope should be preserved. For Slovenia, it currently stands at 15%.

Commenting on efforts to make the CAP more efficient, the minister said that CAP must focus more on environment protection and climate change.

"These higher goals will be easier to achieve through voluntary measures for farmers, where countries would have more opportunity to adjust them to their specific situation," Pivec said, adding that this would also boost the sense of inclusion among producers.

Raising demands will not necessarily mean better results in environment protection, she believes.

She pointed to the full ban of ploughing grassy areas in the Natura 2000 area, which is completely unrealistic for Slovenia, which has the highest share of such areas in the EU.

The minister thus called for a certain degree of flexibility and granting of exceptions based on countries' specifics.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Pivec also held talks with European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella and Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.