The Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council was able to note on Monday 8 February that a majority of countries within the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) accepted the extension of the planting authorisation scheme for vines until 2045.
This compromise had been suggested by the European Parliament during the last trilogue on the Regulation of the Common Market Organisation (CMO), one of the components of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Initially, the EU Council had set its sights on 2040 and Parliament on 2050 (see EUROPE 12649/6).
The Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council asked the SCA experts to provide guidance for the next trilogue on the CMO at the beginning of March: - planting authorisation scheme (extension until 2045); - forbidden vine varieties (allow replanting in existing historic vineyards); - dealcoholisation (partially dealcoholised wine could be both a PDO (protected designation of origin) and a PGI (protected geographical indication), while fully dealcoholised wine could be only a PGI. In general, a majority of delegations accepted the compromise proposals. But some delegations from wine-producing countries (Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Greece...) criticised the compromise on forbidden varieties and asked that the existing restrictions be maintained.
Social conditionality. Regarding the Regulation on the CAP strategic plans, the Portuguese Presidency has proposed to the SCA possible options to facilitate discussions with Parliament on ‘social conditionality’: - make social conditionality (with sanctions) subject to rulings by the EU Court of Justice; - include a chapter on social elements in national strategic plans; - develop provisions on the ‘implementation conditions’ that the Commission would check before approving the national strategic plans (implementation of specific articles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights); - enlarging the role of Farm Advisory Services in advising farmers on social legislation. The options elicited mixed reactions from the delegations. Several argued that some of the options would increase the administrative burden and the need for new resources. Others argued that some of the options are late in the process, as strategic plans are already being developed.
The SCA will meet again on 15 February, specifically regarding the issue of CAP strategic plans. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)