The European Commission is putting the finishing touches to its legislative proposals on the common agricultural policy (CAP) after 2020. The official presentation will be on 1 June.
Before then, the College of Commissioners will meet in Strasbourg on 29 May to discuss the agriculture proposals within the framework of sectoral legislative proposals for the 2021-2027.
A few changes have been brought to the first version of the texts (see EUROPE 12009). The most important of these are: - the addition of provisions stipulating that at least 60% of the total sum of direct payments should be devoted to support for basic income; - internal convergence has been introduced; - the Commission has backtracked on the ceiling it was proposing for coupled payments (that is, linked to production levels).
The CAP needs to be modernised to be able to deal with new challenges (fall in agricultural prices, market access in international negotiations, international commitments on climate change, migration, etc.) the explanatory notes on the legislative proposals state.
The Commission will present three legislative texts: 1) “CAP support plans” covering direct payments, market measures and rural development; 2) amendments to be made to the regulation on the common organisation of the markets; 3) cross-cutting provisions for funding, management and control.
60% for basic payment. Since its first draft, the text has changed somewhat. It its latest version, safeguards have been introduced. In particular, so that the common character is maintained in the new CAP, it is stated at least 60% of the total amount of direct payments should be devoted to supporting basic income. The new architecture proposed for direct payments is, in a sense, multi-layered, comprising this support for basic income (in return for compliance with tougher conditionality rules), a redistributive payment (premium on the first hectares), a premium (of at least 2% of the national first pillar envelope) for young farmers and, finally, an optional environmental mechanism rewarding additional efforts to help the environment.
In addition, internal convergence (between a member state’s various regions or productions) has been introduced. In those member states where (notably historic) disparities exist between levels of payment per hectare, the text states that, by 2026 at the latest, no payment should be less than 75% of the national average.
Coupled payments. In the latest draft, voluntary couple payments would be capped (as they are at present) at 13% of the member state’s envelope, plus a maximum of 3% for protein crops. Initially the Commission was proposing a 10% cap, plus 3% for protein crops.
€60,000 cap. For the remainder, the broad thrust of the proposal has remained unaltered: - greater subsidiarity for the member states which will be required to draft “strategic plans” for achieving the goals set at EU level; - stronger conditionality, with, here too, the details left to national or regional administrations; - a cap on support of €60,000 per farm with the possibility of account being taken of employment provided.
Last minute changes could still be made to the texts.
EU agriculture ministers will have the opportunity to begin discussions on the Commission proposals at their informal meeting in Sofia on 4 and 5 June. European Commissioner Phil Hogan will then present the proposals to the members of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee in Strasbourg on 11 June. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)