On Monday 15 October, many of the EU agriculture ministers meeting in Luxembourg took the view that the new model for implementation of rules for the future common agricultural policy (CAP) was too complex.
Ministers will struggle to reach a common position by end December on CAP post-2020. Several ministers (including from Spain, Poland, Ireland and France) called for the farm budget to be maintained over the period 2021-2027, while the European Commission is banking on a 5% reduction in such spending. The CAP budget must not be used to fill the gap left by Brexit, the Spanish minister, Luis Planas, commented. Several countries (Malta, Finland and Portugal to name a few) protested against budget cuts for the second pillar (rural development).
Commissioner Phil Hogan wished to leave the budgetary debate up to those who deal with the multiannual financial framework (MFF).
The Council has discussed the “new model proposed” (in particular strategic planning) which will entail a significant shift not only of responsibility between the EU and the member states, but also of environmental performances.
Strategic planning. Italy, Germany, Spain and Belgium in particular called for account to be taken of specific regional characteristics, while the Commission foresees a strategic plan for each country. Several countries, such as Poland, Germany, Portugal and France, called for a sufficiently long transition period before moving on to the new model, in order to ensure constant payment. Spain and France request that the CAP should not lose its common nature.
The Czech Republic is against placing a limit on payments for large farms.
Environmental performance. The new ecological architecture proposed aims to improve the environmental performance of CAP. Green architecture is a priority for Denmark and the Netherlands in particular. Ministers found the strengthened conditionality proposed was too complex.
France advocated flexibility for first pillar environmental programmes. A majority of the countries take the view that such programmes should be optional and voluntary.
18 October protests. On Thursday 18 October, about one hundred farmers from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic will demonstrate in Brussels, calling for a sound CAP budget and equitable conditions for all farmers. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)