The European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, committed himself on Tuesday 1 October in Brussels to develop a long-term strategy (2050) on EU agriculture, but failed to convince the majority of MEPs of his vision on this policy. He was open to suggestions to "improve the proposals" on the table for the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) (see EUROPE 12337/2).
The Polish candidate for the post of Commissioner in the new Commission, Janusz Wojciechowski, nevertheless failed the hearing test before the MEPs of the two relevant committees (Agriculture and Environment), chaired respectively by Norbert Lins (EPP, Germany) and Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, France).
Indeed, the EPP, S&D and Renew groups, in particular, have asked the Commissioner-designate to provide additional written answers on some important issues. The performance of the Commissioner-designate has been very poor, according to the EPP. The S&D, which refers to poor performance, has decided, however, to give him a second chance by asking for additional information "before they can consider approving his application". The Renew group even mentions the possibility of a second hearing.
On the investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) into Janusz Wojciechowski’s certain expenses (EUROPE 12338/10), the latter assured that he had reimbursed the sums in question "five months before the start of the investigation". "No euro has ever been part of an abuse by me", he guaranteed.
Report on the state of EU agriculture. Janusz Wojciechowski first described a rather gloomy picture of European agriculture (fewer young people, four million fewer farmers in ten years, suicides in France...) He then showed himself to be more optimistic, indicating that he wanted to have a better picture of the situation. He will also present a Report on the state of agriculture in the EU (number of farmers and farms, demographic situation, problem of generational renewal, etc.).
On the 'conditionality' of aid, including agricultural aid, Janusz Wojciechowski said that the new Commission would discuss this and that he wanted to 'take into account the criticisms' made by the EU Court of Auditors on this subject.
A ‘green’ agriculture. In his opening remarks, the Commissioner-designate said that "green agriculture is the best solution, an agriculture that respects the environment". He pledged to provide support to farmers who protect the environment and climate and improve animal welfare standards (he referred to the 30% of rural development funds to be spent on climate and on the environment). Mr Wojciechowski stressed the support to be given to "family"-run small and medium-sized enterprises. He supported measures to reduce the use of certain pesticides.
Measures in the event of a crisis. In response to a question from Anne Sander (EPP, France), he said he was in favour of "doing more to protect farmers in the event of a crisis".
Improve the proposals for the CAP post-2020. Janusz Wojciechowski, who has been a Member of the Court of Auditors for three years, said he was open to dialogue with the European Parliament, farmers' organisations, civil society and NGOs, particularly on the proposals for the CAP post-2020.
In response to a question from Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italy) on his change of opinion on the CAP (the Court of Auditors published a critical report on the proposals for the CAP post-2020, EUROPE 12132/5), Janusz Wojciechowski said he would have to "implement" the proposals presented by his predecessor, Phil Hogan. But he was "open" to ideas that would improve the initial proposal, which he said "is not the Bible and is not set in stone".
The Commissioner-designate confirmed that the Commission will present a proposal on transitional measures between the current CAP and the CAP post-2020, which, in his opinion, should enter into force early in 2022.
Optional capping of aid. In response to questions from Peter Jahr (EPP, Germany) or Matt Carthy (GUE/NGL, Ireland) on the CAP reform, the Commissioner-designate indicated that the proposal presented did not go far enough in catching up on direct aid levels in Member States. He also called for a flexible approach to degressivity and capping of aid to large businesses, "to allow Member States to decide". The Commission had proposed a mandatory cap, yet Mr Wojciechowski is in favour of an optional cap, which is more realistic because of the reluctance of some Member States.
Re-nationalisation of the CAP. In response to questions from Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy) and Dacian Ciolos (Renew Europe, Romania) on the risks of re-nationalisation of the CAP, the Commissioner-designate indicated that he was "open to discussions to find solutions". He indicated that, in his view, re-nationalisation was not the solution: "It might be necessary to have more controls and to improve the Commission's initial proposal".
On the CAP budget, the Commissioner-designate is not against maintaining the current level of appropriations for the period 2021-2027.
Agriculture must not be the victim of trade agreements. "Yes, I will have the courage to support farmers, who must not be the victims of trade agreements," the Polish candidate said to the Commission, in response to many questions about the effects, in particular, of the EU/Mercosur Free Trade Agreement.
He reiterated that the Commission will publish in 2020 a cumulative impact study on the effects of the various trade agreements (including the one with the Mercosur countries) on European agriculture.
Animal welfare. In response to questions from Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany), Janusz Wojciechowski, who was Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development from 2004 to 2016 and Chairman of the European Parliament's intergroup on animal welfare, said he would help small farms which use their own fodder instead of importing Brazilian soya, for example.
He reiterated that animal welfare was very important to him and that he wanted, in this context, to improve animal density standards and provide for measures in pig farming businesses to better protect the environment. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)