EU Agriculture Ministers tentatively opened the door to concessions to the European Parliament on some elements of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during a debate held in Brussels on Tuesday 23 March.
The Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council confirmed the compromise package as a gesture towards the European Parliament’s demands (see EUROPE 12683/7), but the EU Ministers of Agriculture generally reaffirmed the EU Council’s general approach on the reformed CAP.
The Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, presented the following compromise package: a compulsory definition of ‘active farmer’, an (optional) definition of ‘new farmer’, internal convergence of aids to reach 85% in 2026 (75% in the EU Council’s initial position and 100% for the Parliament) and a 3% share of direct payments reserved for young farmers (the EU Council wants to limit itself to 2% while the Parliament defends 4%).
On the sensitive subjects of capping and degressivity of aid, or redistributive payments as well, the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council is sticking to the position of the EU countries on the optional nature of these systems of targeting aid.
Most of the EU Ministers of Agriculture also supported maintaining the voluntary nature of the capping and degressivity of aid, like the European Council had requested as well.
Janusz Wojciechowski, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, insisted on the need for, among other things, a compulsory redistributive payment, a compulsory definition of ‘active farmer’ or a greater ambition for internal convergence as well. He also supported a reference in the regulation on strategic plans to social and working conditions.
Against a mandatory definition of ‘active farmer’. Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands supported the idea of a mandatory definition of ‘active farmer’ (Finland is open, provided that a negative list is not included).
The other countries (Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Finland, etc.) are against it.
Redistributive payment. France, Germany and Spain are ready to accept the mandatory nature of this aid system, as requested by the European Parliament.
On the other hand, ministers from other countries (Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, Malta, Estonia) insist that the redistributive payment should remain voluntary.
Internal convergence. The differences between the European Parliament and the EU Council concern whether payment entitlements should be fully aligned by the year 2026 (as requested by the Parliament) or whether they should reach a minimum value of 75% of the foreseen average unit amount (EU Council position).
Italy, Belgium and Ireland said ‘no’ to the Portuguese Presidency’s suggestion of an 85% rate as a compromise. They want to maintain the 75% figure.
Young farmers. A few countries (Luxembourg, Spain, Poland, Sweden) supported the suggestion of a 3% share of direct payments for young farmers (2% in the EU Council position, while the Parliament defends 4%). But several others (Hungary, Latvia, Ireland...) are asking to maintain the 2% rate.
After a discussion on the proposal on strategic plans, the ministers held an exchange of views late on Tuesday afternoon on the other two texts (Horizontal Regulation and common market organisation) of the reform.
New delivery model. France, supported by thirteen countries (including Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and Austria), presented its ideas for simplifying the implementation or delivery of the CAP.
Julien Denormandie, the French Minister, insisted in particular on the need, in the final agreement on the ‘new delivery model’, to retain all the flexibilities provided by the EU Council: - recognition of the right to error; - simplification of the modalities of the new delivery model (clarify procedures on Commission verifications and amounts to be excluded from EU funding).
Italy said it feared “a double level of controls” and called for further simplification measures.
This new delivery model must respect the principle of subsidiarity, Germany argued. Hungary criticised the Parliament’s position on a ‘hybrid’ system.
The EPP, S&D and ECR groups in the European Parliament have presented a compromise between the Parliament’s mandate and the EU Council’s position.
These debates in the Agriculture Council of the EU are allowing for the preparation of the ‘super trilogue’ which will take place on Friday 26 March in order to advance negotiations between the institutions on the reformed CAP.
The objective remains, according to the Portuguese Presidency, to reach an European Parliament/EU Council agreement on the new CAP by the end of June at the latest.
The new CAP will enter into force in 2023, but the Commission and the Member States must draw up and validate the new national strategic plans by 2022. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)