On Monday, 14 September, the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union presented the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) with a document aimed at implementing the European Council conclusions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 in the area of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The majority of the Member States meeting in this Committee are said to have supported the suggestions concerning the voluntary reduction or capping of direct payments. Several countries have allegedly accepted the ideas on transitional national aid, the contribution rates of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and flexibility between the pillars of the CAP.
In addition, the Dutch and Danish delegations presented a note with suggestions for provisions on CAP strategic plans, asking for compensation for farmers implementing the Directives on nitrates, on the sustainable use of pesticides and on the reduction of national emissions.
The next Agriculture Council of the EU on 21 September will discuss the post-2020 CAP (see EUROPE 12555/7). The aim is to bring the EU Council to a common position in October on the future CAP.
See document: https://bit.ly/3hp4Y56
See note from the Netherlands and Denmark: https://bit.ly/2Rwucnr (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)