The European agriculture and fisheries ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 26 May to discuss the future of the common agricultural policy (CAP), with the European Commission due to present its reform proposals on 16 July (see EUROPE 13639/22).
Under the chairmanship of the Polish minister, Czesław Siekierski, the agriculture ministers will hold a working lunch to discuss the future CAP as a safety net in times of instability. In particular, the ministers are expected to discuss ways of adapting the CAP to meet current challenges without the need for another root-and-branch reform.
The CAP’s future. The EU Council will hold another public debate (after the one in March - see EUROPE 13606/2) on the communication entitled a ‘vision for agriculture and food’, adopted by the European Commission on 19 February. In a note (https://aeur.eu/f/h01 ), the Polish Presidency of the EU Council remarks in particular that most Member States have reacted positively to the communication, approving many of its objectives and projects. Most delegations pointed out that the vision did not address the issue of financing the CAP.
At the same time, they stressed that an adequate and separate budget for this policy was very important if this text’s objectives were to be achieved. According to most countries, CAP funding should continue to be based on two pillars, and many delegations said that funding for the CAP’s second pillar should be strengthened. Some delegations indicated that the discussion on the ‘vision’ should not prejudge the discussion on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will take place in the appropriate forum.
Positions are more divided on how to better target direct aid. Furthermore, some delegations stressed the need to complete the external convergence of direct payments, with a view to fairness and balance within the EU, while other delegations insisted on the need to take account of the differentiation of production costs and farm incomes.
Another divisive issue is the reciprocity of standards for imported products. The Polish Presidency of the EU Council reports that several countries have stressed the need to bring imported products more into line with EU production standards and to ensure a level playing field for EU farmers. “However, some Member States are against mirror clauses, pointing to potential negative consequences for EU exports”, according to the document.
In addition, Italy and Greece, supported by several countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland and Portugal), will be presenting a note (https://aeur.eu/f/h02 ) advocating a strong CAP and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
The Commission will present proposals to simplify certain CAP rules (see EUROPE 13640/8).
Agricultural markets. In light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and changes in US tariff policy, the EU Council will be discussing the market situation for agricultural products and raw materials. The first part of the discussion is due to take place in the presence of Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval. Several delegations are expected to discuss the future of trade relations with Ukraine.
Luxembourg and Austria will be asking (under ‘other business’) for measures to simplify the EU regulation on deforestation.
The other ‘miscellaneous items’ are:
- meeting of forestry directors-general, Warsaw (13-15 May);
- meeting of the three agriculture ministers of the Baltic States (Latvia);
- conference of EU and African Union agriculture ministers (Commission);
- impact of frost on the fruit sector (Hungary - https://aeur.eu/f/h04 );
- impact of animal diseases on the agricultural sector (Slovakia - https://aeur.eu/f/h08 );
- proposal to ban lead in ammunition and fishing tackle under REACH (Czech Republic);
- vaccination as a tool in the fight against animal diseases (Hungary - https://aeur.eu/f/h06 );
- challenges for the livestock sector as part of the revision of EU legislation on the transport of live animals (Italy - https://aeur.eu/f/h07 ). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)