On Thursday 23 January, Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, said in Brussels that the European Green Deal represents an opportunity to provide greater support to (small and medium-sized) family farms.
Members of the European Parliament Committee on Agriculture have expressed concern that farmers are being asked to do more and more for the climate and the environment, while the funds paid to them may be reduced in the period 2021-2027.
The Commissioner said in his opening remarks that farmers “support the European Green Deal”. The European Commission is still at the analysis phase in the process of measuring the impact of the Green Deal on the agricultural sector.
In response to questions, from Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italy) and Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy) in particular, the Commissioner for Agriculture said that the Green Deal would allow more support to be given to small and medium-sized farms. The 'Green Deal' should help to stop family farms from disappearing and should 'curb' intensive farming businesses, he said.
Defending the budget. Wojciechowski promised Luke Ming Flanagan (GUE/NGL, Ireland) that he would “defend the agricultural budget” during the debates on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, but “within the scope of his mandate”. In its proposals, the Commission has made provision for a 5% cut in agricultural funds, whereas 20 EU agriculture ministers are calling for the agricultural budget to be maintained at the current level for the period 2021-2027.
Wojciechowski intends to “convince” member states, and has asked them to be “bold in their budgetary choices”. “I hope there will be a budget increase”, otherwise the European Green Deal will not come to fruition, he said. The Agriculture Council on Monday 27 January is due to discuss the agricultural aspects of the European Green Deal (see other news). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)