Several EU agriculture ministers called, on Thursday 7 April in Luxembourg, for a new budgetary boost to guarantee food security, which has been shaken by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The EU Ministers of Agriculture generally supported the content of the European Commission’s 23 March communication on ensuring food security and strengthening the resilience of food systems (see EUROPE 12921/5).
The European Commission has already presented a package of measures for agriculture, including a €500 million support plan, a temporary crisis framework for State aid, and exemptions from certain greening obligations in 2022.
The ministers reiterated their call for assistance to Ukraine and its farmers, including fertiliser and seed provisions and highlighted the risk of food shortages in third countries (Africa, Middle East).
The Agriculture Council of the EU also discussed the situation of agricultural markets with the new Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture.
Slovakia and Latvia have advocated for higher support measures than those already announced (€500 million).
Among the new aids requested by some countries is the Croatian request, supported by many countries, for the use of the second pillar of the CAP (rural development).
Rural development. Croatia, supported in a document by several countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain), called for an exceptional temporary support measure under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) in response to the crisis and its impact on agricultural production systems and food security. Such aid was authorised during the Covid-19 crisis and the Commission has been reluctant to propose it again in this war context.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, said that his services would study the next steps. He intends to make a request to the Commission for a possible legislative proposal on these rural development funds.
Denmark also supported the idea of utilising unused funds from the second pillar (rural development).
Reduce dependence on inputs. Several ministers (Portugal, Netherlands, Estonia, Austria, Spain, Poland, Sweden...) have called for measures to reduce the EU’s dependence on inputs (fertilisers, animal feed, fossil fuels...). Spain, in particular, has argued for the lifting of import taxes on fertilisers to increase their availability.
Austria, Poland and Bulgaria, among others, welcomed the Commission’s intention to finally propose a real European strategy for plant protein production.
Some delegations asked to continue the possibilities to produce for example cereals or feed on set-aside land in 2023.
Don’t forget sustainability. The Netherlands regretted the postponement of proposals on biodiversity and pesticide use until June. The transition to a sustainable system is the best way to ensure food security, said the Dutch delegation. Sustainability imperatives were reiterated by Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
The European Green Deal should not be forgotten, said the German Minister, Cem Özdemir.
Spain called for a balance to be struck between food security and the transition to sustainable systems.
Julien Denormandie, the French Minister chairing the Agriculture Council of the EU, stressed the need to discuss “production targets” in the EU in order to reduce dependence on imports (fertilisers, proteins, animal feed).
Europe must take back its share of global food security, summarised Mr Denormandie. He also spoke about the FARM (Food & Agriculture Resilience Mission) initiative for food security in the most vulnerable countries (see EUROPE 12927/2).
Food security has not always been a priority of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary. But the tragic events show that food security is as important as, for example, energy security, concluded Commissioner Wojciechowski. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)