In a video conference, on Wednesday 13 May, several EU agriculture ministers called for the adoption of additional measures notably in the wine and veal sectors to remedy the negative effects of the coronavirus crisis (see EUROPE 12482/12).
The agriculture ministers thanked the European Commission for the latest aid package for farmers affected by the crisis (see EUROPE 12479/3). However, several of them have called for additional measures in favour of the sectors which have been the hardest hit. Germany is not requesting new aid at this stage, but insisted on the need to monitor developments on the markets.
EU agricultural cooperatives and organisations (Copa-Cogeca) have castigated allegations, “even from the Commission, about the link between EU agriculture and Covid-19”. The EFSA has made it clear that food is not a vector of transmission, Copa-Cogeca hammered home.
No to the crisis reserve. Some delegations (including Lithuania) called for the activation of the reserve for agricultural crises in the context of Covid-19. Most ministers, however, are against it, including ministers from Germany, France, Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg.
Meat. Several ministers (Italy, France, Netherlands) and Copa-Cogeca called, on Wednesday, for the extension of private storage aid for beef producers.
Dairy products. Regarding cheese, “unfortunately, the possibility of reviewing the quantities not used by the various countries has not even been provided for”, lamented Italian Minister Teresa Bellanova. She said the storage measures for milk powder and butter were “inefficient and very costly”.
Slovakia advocated direct financial support for milk producers, similar to that provided during the Russian embargo on EU agricultural products, including aid to reduce milk production for Member States with overproduction after the loss of export markets. Romania also suggested direct aid for milk, pig and poultry producers.
Fruits and vegetables and wine. Several countries (France, Italy, Spain...) have requested additional financial resources to help the wine sector, in particular through promotional actions. Italy and Spain, notably, have requested, for the fruit and vegetable sector, an increase in the community co-financing rates for operational funds (in the so-called 'operational programmes').
In addition, several delegations, including France and Italy, considered the derogation granted to the horticultural sector from the competition rules to be insufficient.
Coupled support. The Slovak Minister of Agriculture, Ján Mičovský, called for an increase in the level of funding possible for voluntary coupled support. The Czech Republic also made this request.
Rural development. Many delegations supported the principle of the proposal on extraordinary measures from rural development programmes (second pillar of the CAP). However, most felt that the proposed percentage (1%) of credits that could be used for crisis measures should be increased. Italy, for example, asked for 5%, while Romania proposed 2%.
The Netherlands reported that it had used up all its second pillar funds; therefore, they will not be able to use this flexibility. They accept the proposal, provided that the 1% ceiling is maintained.
CAP budget. Most ministers (France, Ireland, Spain, Italy...) have called for a strong budget for the CAP, i.e. at least maintaining the CAP budget at its current level for the period 2021-2027. Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski also defended a strong budget for the post-2020 CAP.
Some delegations, including Poland and Romania, even asked for an increase in the agricultural budget to take account of the imperatives of the European Green Deal.
The Portuguese minister said that the next initiatives to be taken by the European Commission should “entail continuous action with measures at EU level to support farmers' liquidity and regulate supply”.
Fisheries. Italy asked in particular for flexibility in the bluefin tuna fishing season taking into account the crisis. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)