The Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) called on the Polish Presidency to exercise caution in its negotiations with Parliament on the proposed Soil Monitoring Directive, given the “delicate balance” in the Council of the EU, during a discussion on Wednesday 2 April. The third trilogue negotiating session on this directive will take place on Wednesday 9 April.
The Member States generally supported the position of the Polish Presidency. The agreement will not be simple, said a diplomatic source. The Council of the EU and the Parliament were at odds over Article 10 at the second trilogue negotiating session on Thursday 12 December (see EUROPE 13545/7).
European Parliament rapporteur Martin Hojsík (Renew Europe, Czech) wants to remove the obligation for Member States to define sustainable soil management practices, in particular so as not to put further pressure on farmers if compensation measures are not offered in return. Ready to maintain this obligation, the Council of the EU rejected the idea of compensation in December.
The Member States are now prepared to show greater flexibility on Article 10, but in return want to remain close to the general approach on other issues, explained a diplomatic source.
The European Parliament, which was calling for “dissuasive sanctions” in the spirit of the Commission’s proposal, has withdrawn this provision from its mandate, thus joining the position of the Council of the EU, a source warned. (Original version in French by Florent Servia)