The European Commissioner for the Budget, Günther Oettinger, is looking at a 6% cut in the EU's agricultural and cohesion expenditure over the period 2021-2027, he told the conference of the presidents of the political committees of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday 19 April.
The EU's two traditional major policies would therefore both be trimmed by a similar amount. The figures may still change, as the proposals on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) post-2020, which are expected for Wednesday 2 May, are currently the subject of inter-services consultations at the Commission.
Sources indicate that the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, spoke on Wednesday 18 April of a cut to agricultural expenditure of between 10% and 15%.
The European Parliament is making the case for keeping agricultural and cohesion spending at the current level, in view of the challenges ahead (see EUROPE 11981).
On 2 May, the Commission will adopt its general and detailed proposals on the 2021-2027 MFF. Various sectorial proposals will be unveiled at Parliament's plenary session to be held in Strasbourg at the end of May.
Concerning agriculture, sources refer to three texts: national strategic plans, the financial regulation (conditionality, including the greening of aid) and the common market organisation provisions (on the transparency aspects). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)