Experts from EU Member States welcomed, on Monday 28 March, the European Commission’s various proposals to ensure food security in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
At the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA), several delegations also expressed their approval for the idea of a European protein strategy, which was welcomed by Austria, the initiator of this request.
During the debate in the SCA on the food security measures, several countries (Italy, Finland, Greece, Germany, Slovenia...) considered that the deadline of 30 September to make payments for the exceptional aid (of €500 million) was too short (see EUROPE 12917/9).
In addition, some delegations, such as Slovenia, Slovakia and Greece, said that the derogation for cultivation on set-aside land should be granted also in 2023 (and not only in 2022). Many delegations have asked to be able to utilise unused funds under Pillar 2 (rural development) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as well as to have more flexibility to transfer funds between the first (direct aids) and the second pillar (the Commission does not accept these requests, at this stage).
Finally, some countries have expressed concern about high food prices for EU consumers (especially families living on low income).
Market situation. The Commission noted that the EU’s food supply was stable for this year, as was the availability of fertiliser. It also noted good prices for animal products, including dairy, beef and poultry (it noted a sharp rise in pigmeat prices, which is still a cause for concern, however).
The Commission also expects:
- a good harvest for cereals and oilseeds;
- high prices for fruit and vegetables, although the loss of markets (Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian) could have an impact on this sector;
- high sugar prices (but affected by rising energy prices);
- an increase in olive oil prices caused by a shortage of sunflower oil.
The Agriculture Council of the EU will return to these issues (food security, market situation) at its next meeting on 7 April in Luxembourg, and will also adopt conclusions on the subject of low-carbon farming. More information: https://aeur.eu/f/10o (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)