At the Agriculture Council on Monday 15 July, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, called for measures to simplify the management of Community programmes to promote EU agricultural products (see EUROPE 13452/5).
He also highlighted the negative effects for certain sectors of the reduction in EU funds devoted to these programmes to promote agricultural products. The agriculture ministers of France, Italy and Poland also regretted the cut in funding.
The European Commission’s draft budget plan for 2025 makes no provision for multiple programmes, according to the French delegation, which has called for this to be rectified by allocating unused appropriations (autumn letter of amendment) to these promotional programmes. Poland has expressed concern about the planned reduction in funding for promotion in 2025. The Italian minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, expressed his disappointment at the reduction in these funds, saying that things needed to be rebalanced.
Simplification is essential, as is flexibility, said Portuguese minister José Manuel Fernandes, who called for the wine sector to be strengthened.
France does not want guidelines for these programmes, as requested by Spain, but rather an exchange of best practice. Belgium, for its part, supported the introduction of guidelines.
Greece advocated a more rational framework and harmonisation of programmes. Slovenia has requested a “review” of this promotion policy.
Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture, has planned improvements to the programmes, such as lump sums. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)