“We have a good basis, but we will be listening to the governments at next week’s European Council”, declared Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen on Thursday 11 December, following a third debate by European ministers on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2028-2034 (see EUROPE 13769/7).
“There is still a lot of explaining to do” on CAP reform, he added, following fresh criticism at the ‘Agriculture’ Council of the structure proposed by the Commission for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). “I am well aware of the position of the Agriculture Ministers, but we will have to see what contribution the Heads of State and Government make to the discussion”, continued Mr Hansen at a press conference. The budget dossier is “not a sprint, but a marathon”, he says.
“We have had good discussions at the various EU Council meetings, and now we can hand over the baton to the Cypriot Presidency, and probably then to the Irish Presidency, to work out the details and enter into concrete negotiations”, said Danish Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen.
The ‘Agriculture’ Council discussed the innovation and simplification aspects of the post-2027 CAP proposals.
“Agriculture ministers have stressed that they need more flexibility to choose the tools that make the most sense for them. At the same time, we need to maintain common rules to ensure a level playing field”, summarised Mr Jensen.
Budget. Francesco Lollobrigida, the Italian minister, felt that the CAP should have sufficient financial resources. France “will not accept” a reduction in CAP funding and has defended at least the maintenance of current appropriations (2021-2027). Portugal and other countries have defended maintaining the CAP's two-pillar structure.
Poland has criticised the integration of the CAP into a single fund, as proposed by the European Commission, deeming the recent adjustments (transfer of provisions to the CAP, rural objective, etc.) to be insufficient.
Luis Planas, the Spanish Minister, felt it was important to know which articles of the horizontal regulation would henceforth constitute the CAP regulations. Spain has asked that the degression thresholds for aid be rediscussed and that the support system for small farmers be extended.
Germany supported the transfer of the CAP provisions contained in the draft regulation on ‘national and regional partnership plans’ to the CAP regulation.
Slovakia has once again criticised the measures aimed at capping direct aid, deeming the Commission’s proposal to be a step in the wrong direction.
Simplification. “The simplifications made to the CAP in recent months are not enough. Further fundamental simplifications are absolutely essential, both for farmers and for the authorities”, said Alois Rainer, the German minister. He pointed out that certain elements of the proposals for 2028-2034 give Member States more room for manoeuvre, particularly with regard to Farm Stewardship, provided that a level playing field is maintained.
France has asked for work to continue on simplifying the criteria for targeting basic income support, eliminating duplication of standards for farmers and simplifying future agri-environmental and climate support measures.
Innovation. Luis Planas felt that the AKIS system (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System) was essential for the Member States, particularly in terms of knowledge transfer, training and support for young people and women. He expressed the hope that Coreper would approve the Interinstitutional Agreement on new genomic techniques on 19 December.
Christophe Hansen pointed out that the Competitiveness Fund provides €40 billion for investment in the agri-food sector. “By next summer we will be developing a new strategic approach to research and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas”, he added. Consultations will begin at the EU AgriFood Days next week.
Milk. Hungary, supported by several Member States (Poland, France, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium, Spain...), has raised the delicate situation of the dairy sector in Europe and has asked the Commission to activate aid for private storage. Italy offered to monitor the situation very closely, but felt that private storage was not the most appropriate measure. Mr Hansen explained that “for the moment, fortunately, there is no imbalance on the milk market that would justify intervention”. His departments keep a close eye on market developments. “We are ready to intervene if and when necessary”, he said. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)