Denmark’s Minister of Agriculture, Jacob Jensen, told the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture, on Tuesday 15 July, that he wanted to reach a compromise between the Council and Parliament on the proposal to regulate new genomic techniques (NGTs) and on the package to simplify common agricultural policy (CAP) rules.
“These tools (NTGs) must be available to farmers so that they can produce and export”, said the current Chair of the EU Council, presenting the priorities of the Danish Presidency for the second half of the year (see EUROPE 13671/5). Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA, Austrian) expressed doubts about the benefits of NGTs, while Herbert Dorfmann (EPP, Italian) called for a rapid agreement on this file.
Regarding simplification, Jacob Jensen stressed, notably in response to Dario Nardella (S&D, Italian), the need to reduce the administrative burden on farmers, so that they can refocus on their core business: food production. In his view, an agreement will have to be reached by the end of 2025 for the new rules to come into force on 1 January 2026.
Responding to Raffaele Stancanelli (PfE, Italian), the Danish minister also stressed the importance of not going back on environmental objectives. He also advocated tightening the rules governing animal transport.
On the subject of trade agreements, Jacob Jensen acknowledged the existence of differences of opinion, notably on trade with Ukraine. He nevertheless stressed the importance of maintaining open trade channels for the European Union, while respecting the principle of fairness. The Danish minister considered it “important” to conclude a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, as well as with the United States. “Let’s not underestimate the importance of open markets for European farmers”, he said. Raffaele Stancanelli, for his part, called for EU farmers to be protected under the EU-Mercosur agreement.
Finally, on the subject of the CAP, Jacob Jensen told several MEPs, including Carlo Fidanza (ECR, Italian), that he was awaiting the Commission’s proposal on future reform (see EUROPE 13680/3). He recalled that this policy was the most important legislative framework for European farmers and rural areas.
“The Danish Presidency of the Council attaches great importance to this proposal for reform of the CAP, and we will begin discussions without however completing them during our mandate”, he said. “The amounts are important, but so is the structure, in order to find the right incentives for farmers”, summarised the minister. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)