At their meeting in Brussels on 22 September, the European agriculture ministers are expected to criticise certain budgetary aspects of the proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2028-2034, including the 20% cut planned in the EU’s draft Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
On Monday 15 September, the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) examined the Commission’s proposals for the post-2027 CAP, in preparation for this ministerial debate (see EUROPE 13705/1).
The texts under discussion concern the Council Regulation amending the EU’s school system (known as the corrective regulation), the Regulation on the common market organisation (CMO) and the Regulation laying down the conditions for implementing EU support under the CAP.
Several delegations referred to the conclusions of the Agriculture Council approved under the Hungarian Presidency, stressing the need to maintain a distinct and independent CAP, structured around two pillars. Many Member States have also stressed the importance of rural development programmes.
Some capitals have indicated that they are awaiting information from the Commission on national CAP funding envelopes for 2028-2034.
Several delegations expressed reservations about the financing of the EU schools scheme, preferring it to be provided entirely from the European budget, while others expressed concern about the lack of ring-fencing for certain parts of the proposed budget.
Trade. The SCA has prepared for the forthcoming Agriculture Council discussions on the agricultural aspects of trade agreements. The delegations exchanged views on the Commission’s proposals for approving the agreements with Mercosur (see EUROPE 13708/15) and Mexico (see EUROPE 13701/3), on the EU-US agreement on agricultural market access (see EUROPE 13706/12) and on China’s imposition of customs duties on imports of European pork products (see EUROPE 13703/16).
Some delegations reportedly expressed concern about China’s anti-dumping investigation into pork. Others asked for more information on the triggering of safeguard measures under the EU-Mercosur agreement and on the criteria applied. Still on the subject of the agreement with Mercosur, some delegations asked for clarification on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls. Delegations have reportedly asked the Commission to continue the dialogue with the United States on the trade agreement. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)