Negotiations on the reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) continue at a steady pace (see EUROPE 12643/14).
The next trilogue (EU Council, European Parliament and Commission) on strategic plans for the CAP is scheduled for 10 February. As promised by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council, the EU Council made public the ‘four-column’ document drawn up after the trilogue of 22 January (https://bit.ly/2L78VkO ).
At the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) on Monday 1 February, EU Council experts answered two very technical questions on strategic plans: - do you consider that the possibility for Member States to set maximum average unit amounts for rural development could be limited to Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) interventions? Most of the delegations, except some from northern countries, answered no; - could you accept that the tolerance deviation levels are reduced if the performance review is done biennially? Would 35% and 30%, as opposed to the 25% requested by the European Parliament, be appropriate? A majority of countries opposed these ideas.
CMO. At the SCA on Monday 8 February, delegations will discuss the negotiations on the Common Market Organisation (CMO).
During the last trilogue, on 27 January, the European Parliament is said to have suggested a compromise proposal to extend the vine planting authorisation regime until 2045. The EU Council, in its initial position, had set a date of 2040, while the Parliament had proposed an extension of this arrangement until 2050.
Moreover, during the trilogue, the Commission allegedly reiterated its proposal to provide for a percentage of renewal of authorisations of 2% per year, as opposed to 1% at present (see EUROPE 12645/15). The European Parliament is hostile to this proposal.
The subjects of alcohol-free wines and prohibited varieties were also discussed during the trilogue on 27 January. The next trilogue on the CMO will take place on 3 March. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)