The European Parliament gave the green light on Tuesday 7 July to emergency measures aimed at mitigating the impact that the surge in fertiliser prices has had on the activities of European Union farmers.
Under an accelerated procedure, MEPs approved (by 576 votes in favour, 62 against and 15 abstentions) the amendments to the rules of the common agricultural policy (CAP) so that farmers can quickly benefit from support before the next planting season (see EUROPE 13900/20).
Farmers will be able to receive cash-flow support covering up to 80% of the additional costs linked to the increase in fertiliser prices. Member States will also be authorised to raise the level of advances on CAP direct payments from 70% to 75% and to pay them as soon as farmers apply, without waiting until 16 October as is the situation under the current rules. They will also have greater room for manoeuvre to adjust their direct payment envelopes for next year. The Council of the EU must still adopt the text before its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)