EU agriculture ministers will take stock of the state of negotiations on the post-2020 common agricultural policy (CAP) in Luxembourg on Monday, 14 October.
They will discuss the EU’s forest strategy and the effects of certain international measures (US customs duties) on certain agricultural markets.
The European ministers are waiting for decisions to be made regarding the EU’s 2021–2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) before they take a position on post-2020 CAP proposals. The Finnish Presidency considers that progress has been made on certain technical aspects and intends to continue the technical discussion on some of the elements listed and to use the next two meetings of the Agriculture Council (to be held in November and December) to discuss the higher level of environmental ambition in the CAP and the new implementation model. These are the two most difficult subjects in the package of proposals.
Seventeen ministers in favour of maintaining the CAP budget after 2020. In addition, on behalf of 17 countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain), the French minister of agriculture will present a common paper calling for the CAP budget to be maintained at its current level (in current prices for EU-27) during the 2020–2021 period.
Agricultural markets. The Italian delegation will express its concern about the United States’ intention to impose additional customs duties on a list of EU agri-food products as of 18 October. Italy is calling for measures to avoid market disturbance and protect European farmers. The Spanish delegation will also mention Washington’s threat to slap punitive customs tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European products (in the context of the dispute between Boeing and Airbus).
Forests. The Commission will present its communication from last July entitled ‘stepping up EU action to protect and restore the world’s forests’. The EU Council will also hold a policy debate on ‘EU Forest Strategy post-2020’. It will adopt conclusions on this topic in the near future.
Other topics. France will discuss wolf-population management. The Italian delegation will provide the EU Council with information on the damage caused by the spread of the Asian stink bug in the fruit and vegetable sector. The Commission will take stock of the evolution of African swine fever cases and will discuss the state of play of the major issues in the field of food safety. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)