Finland's incoming EU Council Presidency hopes to be able to progress discussions on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, these negotiations will be heavily dependent on parallel talks on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12277/3).
The new Finnish government, formed a few weeks ago by Antti Rinne (Social Democrat) after the April parliamentary elections, is finalising the programme for its six-month EU presidency, which begins on 1st July. A first general document of some 20 pages outlining the main priorities was published on 26 June.
“We want to promote a CAP that accounts for climate change to a greater degree”, Finland points out. In the chapter on the MFF, it states that it is necessary to “ensure the profitability of agricultural activity in all Member States of the Union. The reformed CAP must address challenges in the areas of food and food security, climate change and environmental protection”. Additionally, the funds allocated to rural development, which are the most heavily affected by the cuts proposed by the Commission in the 2021-2027 CAP envelope, play “an essential role”.
Jari Leppä, Finnish Minister of Agriculture, will chair his first Council meeting on 15 July in Brussels. His main task will be to bring the Council to an agreement on the future CAP, which, on the most important points, will only be possible if the European Council finds a compromise on the MFF 2021-2027.
The other meetings of the Agriculture Council are scheduled for 16 September, 14 October, 18 November and 16 December.
An informal meeting of agriculture Ministers will take place from 21 to 23 September in Helsinki. The Finnish Presidency is also committed to “advancing the implementation of the bio-economy strategy”. A conference on this topic will be held in Helsinki from 8 to 10 July. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)