On Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October, the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee is finalising compromise texts on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including a provision to devote 30% of direct aid to ecological programmes (eco-schemes).
A compromise, which still has to be confirmed by Wednesday 14 October (deadline for tabling amendments), has in fact been reached on the “green architecture” of the future CAP between the EPP, S&D and Renew Europe groups.
In addition to the 30% earmarked for the eco-schemes, there would be the possibility for Member States who so wish to transfer part (up to 12%, a figure which could change by Wednesday 14 October) of the funds from the eco-schemes to the second pillar of the CAP (rural development), if the money is not spent.
In addition, again in the context of the CAP 'strategic plans', the proposed compromise provides for a reservation of a total of 60% of the direct payment envelope for: - the basic payment; - the 'redistributive' payment (for the first hectares of a farm); - coupled support; - the 'other sectors'.
It is also envisaged that a minimum of 35% of environmental and climate-related measures will be included in the second pillar programmes of the CAP.
The European Parliament Agriculture Committee wants to reach an overall agreement on the three regulations of the future CAP by 14 October, ahead of the plenary vote scheduled for next week in Strasbourg.
The EU Council is working on a common approach. Looking ahead to the Agriculture Council on 19 and 20 October, the German Presidency of the EU Council presented a document (https://bit.ly/3iZGDnr ) on Monday 12 October to the experts of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) regarding the main elements of the compromise texts presented on the post-2020 CAP regulations.
As regards the strategic plans, it notes that it proposes a figure of 20% of direct aid devoted to 'eco-schemes'.
With regard to GAEC 9 (Good agro-environmental condition), the Presidency proposes a minimum share of 3% of non-productive land and 5%, taking into account catch crops or nitrogen-fixing crops. It specifies that States may exempt from this obligation small farms or areas with a high proportion of permanent grassland or forests.
The Agriculture Council hopes to reach a 'general approach' on the post-2020 CAP in Luxembourg on 19 and 20 October. Then negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU Council for a final agreement can begin. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)