On Thursday, 8 January, the EU’s agricultural cooperatives and organisations (Copa-Cogeca) acknowledged the responsiveness of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the immediate, concrete efforts that European commissioners and ministers had made the previous day to respond to the sector’s concerns (see EUROPE 13781/4).
“However, the proposals presented fall short of addressing the depth and urgency of the challenges faced on the ground”, emphasised Copa-Cogeca.
As for the post-2027 common agricultural policy (CAP), recent proposals have not changed EU farmers and agricultural cooperatives’ core concerns. “The CAP remains dissolved into the Single Fund, threatening farmers’ income and the core Treaty objectives”.
With regard to fair trade and reciprocity, the proposed measures only partially reduce the risks associated with trade agreements that threaten European production standards. Copa-Cogeca continues to call for the EU–Mercosur agreement to be rejected (see other news).
Concerning the increase in fertiliser costs due to the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) entering into force, Copa-Cogeca is demanding that measures be immediately taken to ensure the availability and affordability of fertilisers. In addition, the organisations note with regret that although the elimination of customs duties on certain fertiliser imports is a positive step forward, it is still largely inadequate, since it does not cover the main fertilisers directly used by farmers.
The European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), for its part, welcomed the proposal aiming to add €45 billion to the proposed CAP budget for the 2028–2034 period. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)