Highlights of  first Agri-Fish Council under the Croatian Presidency.

 1/ Prior to the presentation of the new Presidency’s priorities, the Council adopted the European Parliament’s position (PE 1195/19) on financial discipline from 2021 and flexibility between pillars for the year 2020. The regulation is aimed at ensuring the continuity of payments for farmers in 2020.

 2/ Minister Marija Vučković presented the Croatian Presidency’s priorities and program in agriculture.

 3/ Regarding agriculture, Ministers have exchanged views over:

-the agricultural aspects of the European Green Deal,

-the proposal for a regulation on CAP transitional rules,

 4/ Among the AOB, Spanish delegation presented a joint statement signed on 19 December 2019 by the Ministers of agriculture of Germany, Spain and France regarding the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (5404/20).

 5/ Over lunch, Ministers discussed sustainability, innovation & research with US Secretary for Agriculture Sonny Perdue, with on-going bilateral trade tensions also on the menu (apples & pears, Spanish olive & tariffs on EU wine exports).

 Any other business:

 1) Germany has proposed the initiative of a harmonized and voluntary EU labeling for animal welfare to the Council. Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides replied that ‘we will be moving forward on the animal welfare agenda’ and if need be beyond existing rules.

 2) African Swine Fever – The Commission has presented the outcome of the Conference on « The future of global pork production under the threat of African swine fever ». MS highlighted that future production is still under threat and thanked the good cooperation. COM sees no reduction in funding against efforts.

 3) The Joint statement of the Ministers of Agriculture of Germany, Spain and France on future CAP in the context of the European Green Deal was expressed as well.

 4) Ministers also had a working lunch with US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Among the items that were discussed were sustainability and innovation and research, who has expressed beforehand that EU should listen to science, not fear-mongering NGOs when it comes to food and food production methods.

Main outcomes of the Agri-Fish Council Meeting are available here.

Next Agri-Fish Council meeting on March 23-24

full report of the Council available on FE Members area 

In a nutshell:

-Views over the progress report on the Post-2020 CAP reform package

—>  At the opening of this last round of Council meetings under the Finnish Presidency, the Finnish Minister specified that this progress report on the reform was neither an exhaustive inventory of the positions expressed nor even the Council’s position for future interinstitutional negotiations, and that the report therefore did not require the consent of delegations.

—>  The vast majority of delegations expressed their satisfaction with the progress report on the CAP reform presented by the outgoing Finnish Presidency, considering that it accurately reflected the state of play and highlighted the points still open.

Budget

Delegations (12) recalled the need for a strong CAP budget, commensurate with the requirements of the Green Deal, with some specifying that the budget should be maintained at the current level of 27 in current euro (FR, AT, SP, BG, CY, RO, IE, CZ).

Green architecture

The Presidency’s proposal for a single common percentage for environmental and climate measures is supported by many delegations (EE, PT, SP, LU, DK, CY, SL, DE, SE, CZ), but others prefer the current provisions proposed by the EC (AT, RO, IE). The list of measures to be included still needs to be clarified (PT, SP, SL CZ, LT).

Exemption from cross compliance requirements for small farmers is still required from EE, HU, EL, BG, CY, MT. The Presidency’s proposal is not a simplification in the PT’s view.

Regulation strategic plans

The compulsory nature of Ecoscheme within the first pillar is still a matter of debate, with FR, SE and NL in favour, while AT, HU and MT are opposed.

The governance of plans is still a problem for EU federal states (BE, IT, SP).

The common definition of “real farmer” is still to be clarified (SP).

Horizontal regulation

The new governance model still raises many questions and expectations (14 delegations) in terms of clarification (definition of unit amounts, frequency of performance evaluation), simplification (reduction in the number of performance indicators in particular) and increased flexibility.

As regards coupled support, several delegations were in favour of maintaining the 15% rate (FR, HU, CY, CZ, BG), in particular to encourage increased EU production of plant proteins.

As regards the capping of aid, CZ remains attached to the voluntary nature, while AT and EE endorsed the Presidency’s proposal.

LV, RO, CZ and LT called for further work on the external convergence of direct payments within the EU, with DK and CY expressly opposing it.

LT and RO were in favour of maintaining the EUR 2 000 threshold for the application of financial discipline.

PT and HU called for the continuation of investment measures in irrigation in order to foster farm resilience in a context of climate change.

CMO Regulation

The obligation to include environmental and climate measures in sectoral interventions still elicits rejection, regulatory tools to deal with market disruptions are still expected, and the reduction of the envelopes for school programs is met with disapproval.

Finally, with regard to the Green Deal, PT and DE expressed their satisfaction with the central role given to agriculture through the Farm to fork strategy, and with the possibility of translating the ambition of this deal into strategic plans.

—> In concludings remarks, Commissioner Wojciechowski speaking to the ones opposing the external convergence, told that everyone needs support. He was convinced that farmers from all MS deserve better protection & better support for the budget. The need was to avoid competition between farmers and MS, optimize across the board. He mentioned the Green Deal as a historic opportunity that we shall seize upon. He also stressed that we need to convince people and decision maker that it is worth to support agriculture and farmers.

-‘Any other Business items’ 

—>  Long-term funding of the EU Minor Uses Coordination Facility (EUMUCF)

The new Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides was pleased to hear the almost unanimous support of delegations for the coordinating body. She also recalled that the coordinating body is part of the OneHealth initiative.

—>   Information to consumers on the origin of food products

Commissioner Stella Kyriakides described the subject as “sensitive”, with “strong and divergent views among Member States”, saying that what matters is the interest of consumers, which is changing and is now moving towards greater transparency, particularly on origin. “We must assume and meet expectations and I understand the measures taken by the Member States”.

Recalling that the implementing act will enter into force in April 2020, the Commissioner said that while several Member States had said they were waiting for the EC to evaluate the experiments, it was the MS that were evaluating, with the EC then working to compile the MSs’ evaluations of their pilot experiments.

The Commissioner concluded by stressing that there are more and more national experiences and that this is not a long-term solution. “A functioning Internal Market is essential, we will come back to information on the origin of products under the F2F strategy”.  

—>  Impact of US tariffs on European agrifood products

Commissionner Wojciechowski stressed that EC closely monitors the impact of US sanctions in order to evaluate any need for specific measure, and that EC is trying  to find a negotiated solution with US.

He also added that: 1° – CAP foresees some instruments that could mitigate the effects if so needed; All the instruments of the CAP that are at our disposal will be used in order to remedy the situation 2° – EU resolves the possibility to apply sanctions on US products once the Boeing case is finished 3° – COM is opening up new markets with FTAs 4° – EC will regularly give update on this important issue and is in close cooperation with Commissioner Hogan

—> Indicative dates : next planned Agri-Fish Council on 27 January 2020

full version available on FE members area 

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
LE GLOBAL FOOD FORUM DÉFINIT LES MESURES À PRENDRE POUR UNE RÉFORME VRAIMENT EFFICACE DE LA PAC DANS LE CADRE DE L’ACCORD VERT

« Façonner l’agriculture, les zones rurales et une Europe prospère pour les prochaines décennies »

Bruxelles, le 10 décembre 2019 – La 4ème édition du Global Food Forum s’est tenue les 2 et 3 décembre au Parlement européen à Bruxelles, réunissant plus de 300 décideurs politiques, économiques et institutionnels ainsi que des représentants de la société civile et des universitaires. L’événement a été l’occasion de définir des orientations pour l’avenir des politiques de l’UE ayant un impact sur les systèmes agro-alimentaires de l’UE, y compris la politique agricole commune (PAC) et sa relation avec la stratégie Farm to Fork proposée et l’accord vert européen (Green Deal). Un rapport complet de ce processus participatif sera présenté l’année prochaine aux dirigeants européens.

Comme cela fut affirmé à l’ouverture du Global Food Forum 2019, il est temps de déclarer une urgence économique, sociale et environnementale pour l’agriculture européenne. L’agriculture européenne, ses zones rurales et ses agriculteurs sont plus que jamais confrontés à des défis et ne disposent pas aujourd’hui des outils suffisants pour pouvoir les relever seuls. Ainsi, face aux défis sociétaux, économiques et environnementaux, l’Union européenne a besoin d’une PAC forte, efficace, commune et adaptée aux réalités de la grande diversité de l’Union européenne. Une PAC capable de durer au moins une décennie et capable de définir avec succès quels systèmes agricoles et alimentaires et quels types de zones rurales nous voulons pour les Européens d’ici 2035.

La PAC doit donc redevenir une politique d’investissement pour l’avenir de l’Union européenne et doit viser non seulement à garantir la sécurité alimentaire et un niveau correct de revenus pour les agriculteurs, mais aussi à préserver efficacement l’environnement et à maintenir un réseau agricole solide, base du développement territorial de l’UE, afin que l’Union européenne demeure le premier exportateur mondial de biens agricoles et alimentaires.

Le défi pour ceux qui doivent décider des futures politiques européennes n’est pas seulement de concilier les attentes de la société et les défis économiques, mais de les mettre en synergie en concentrant la PAC sur le défi de la double performance de notre agriculture : pas de bénéfice économique sans plus de protection environnementale, pas de protection environnementale sans bénéfice économique.

Tout au long du Global Food Forum, les députés, les orateurs et les participants ont eu l’occasion d’engager une discussion fructueuse – que ce soit sur l’utilisation de la blockchain, les questions sur la nutrition et l’innovation, les stratégies sectorielles pour la viande et le vin, les relations commerciales ou la décarbonation de l’agriculture – sur comment axer les actions pour permettre à nouveau des « secteurs agroalimentaires européens aux avant-gardes de l’avenir de l’UE ».

La réforme de la PAC se concentrera, entre autres :
– sur l’incitation à une transition de l’agriculture européenne vers des systèmes agricoles neutres en carbone,
– sur les investissements et les innovations dans les exploitations agricoles et la chaîne alimentaire – car les secteurs agricoles doivent saisir rapidement les opportunités numériques, tant pour leurs relations avec les consommateurs que pour leurs performances économiques et environnementales -,
– sur la protection des agriculteurs européens contre les risques et les crises en combinant une aide directe de base, un soutien aux outils d’assurance contre les risques climatiques et aux fonds de mutualisation pour la stabilisation des revenus et une réserve européenne efficace pour la gestion des crises
– et enfin sur la promotion d’un modèle alimentaire européen de qualité, diversifié pour tous les citoyens européens, capable de lutter contre le risque d’une alimentation à deux vitesses en Europe stratifiée en classes sociales.
De telles actions peuvent ouvrir la voie à la recherche de la bonne PAC, avec les bons outils pour la mettre en œuvre et aider les agriculteurs européens afin qu’en échange ils puissent aider l’Europe et ses citoyens. 
Ainsi, la réforme globale de la PAC devrait être conçue de manière à développer de telles stratégies, à mettre en œuvre le cœur d’un Green Deal efficace en matière d’agriculture, à gérer les zones rurales, à façonner une chaîne alimentaire équilibrée et à placer la nutrition et la bonne alimentation au cœur même des habitudes des Européens.

——————————————————————-

Le Global Food Forum 2019 a été notamment placé sous le patronage et la présidence des députés européens Dacian Ciolos, Paolo De Castro, Anne Sander, Peter Jahr, Simona Bonafè, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Jérémy Decerle, Martin Hlaváček et Irène Tolleret.
Plus de détails sur l’événement et contact presse : https://www.farm-europe.eu/evenement/global-food- forum-2019/ ou info@farm-europe.eu
Twitter : FarmEurope #GlobalFoodForum2019

Que ce soit à trois de manière informelle ou tous réunis en Conseil de l’UE, les ministres de l’agriculture des Etats membres continuent pour la majorité de plaider pour le maintien du budget de la PAC dans le futur Cadre Financier Pluri-annuel. Du côté du Parlement européen, la nouvelle législature a confirmé la position de la précédente pour une forte contribution des Etats membres au budget communautaire. La Commission elle a pris acte de l’impossibilité d’un accord sur le CFP d’ici à la fin de l’année.

Octobre : chronologie des faits marquants

07/10 Rencontre des ministres allemand, polonais et français

08/10 Cri d’alarme pour la politique de cohésion et la PAC

09/10 Appel de la Commission pour décider du budget de l’UE

10/10 La nouvelle législature du Parlement européen confirme la position

14/10 La déclaration conjointe présentée au Conseil Agriculture et Pêche

18/10 Un cadre de négociation précis exigé pour le sommet de décembre

28/10 Inquiétudes des parlements des Etats membres à la réunion d’Helsinki

30/10 Pas d’accord sur le futur CFP en 2019

note complète disponible sur l’espace Membres de FE 

In a nutshell:

-CAP Reform Package 

—>  The Presidency recalled that delegations to the Council in July were mostly in favor of an increased environmental and climate ambition, accompanied by sufficient funding, a reduced administrative burden for all and a sufficiently flexible agricultural policy to take into account the specificities of MS.

The Presidency therefore proposes to continue to build the green architecture of the new CAP with a view to an increased environmental and climate ambition, a common percentage or fixed amount per MS. Funding for ecological programs could be strengthened by specific amounts or percentages for MS to organize by allocating interventions among pillars.

The presidency also stressed the contribution to the climate and the environment of the CAP, as well as the commonality of this policy.

—> The majority of MS expressed their support for the principle of a single common share for environmental and climate measures on both pillars proposed by the Council Presidency. However, they added that there were still a lot of technical details to be clarified, and especially that it would be arbitrary and premature to fix now a specific part and amounts. This is mainly due to the state of play of the negotiations on the CAP budget in the next MFF, but also the work remaining to be done on the list of measures to be included in this device proposed by the Presidency.

On this second aspect, the MSs overwhelmingly proposed measures to be added to the proposed list, such as basic income support, or all or part of the aid for areas subject to natural constraints.

While the treatment of small farms as part of the cross-compliance controls and the mandatory or non-mandatory nature of the eco schemes continue to divide the delegations, most of them have expressed their support for the increased level of climate and environmental ambition within the CAP. To this wish, many delegations also associated that of financial resources with this objective, by maintaining the budget of the CAP at the level of that of the EU at 27 and at current prices.

—> Latvia presented a joint statement with Poland, Estonia and Lithuania to include liming of acid soils in the list of measures.

-Regulations on CAP transitional rules

—>  – The Finnish Presidency aims to have the first proposal on flexibility be adopted by the fast-track producer. So far indications have shown that this adoption without amendment should be possible – EP shares this point of view

– The second one – a more substantial – lays down transitional provisions for the year 2021 and it amends all 4 basic acts plus the Regulation on agriculture in the outermost regions. This one needs more discussion in Council and EP, co-legislators aim adoption for mid-2020

—>  While several delegations favored an extension of the transition period, considering that one year would be too short, other delegations called for not postponing the implementation of the new CAP beyond 2022. Several delegations also supported the joint statement submitted by Bulgaria.

—>  Bulgaria presented a joint statement with CY, CZ, PO, RO to include the possibility to apply the transitional national support under Art 37 Regulation 1307/2013 at financial levels not lower than those of 2020

—> In concludings remarks, Commissioner Hogan said that: « we could remove many of the concerns if we can get agreement on MFF and CAP reform in 2020. Transitional national aids regulation was introduced may years ago before the last reform with a phasing out schedule at the end of 2020 therefore it is consistent with the agreement made in 2013 hence not in the COM proposal. In relation to 3,9% POSEI reduction, there is no problem from EC’s point of view if this money is reinstalled. On the possibility to use the rural programs of 2014-2020 in the context of these transitional regulations and those the n+3 continue to apply, the commissioner replied that the n+3 rule continues to apply, MS extending the rural development programs will be able to continue to implement them up to the 31st of December 2024. Technical level will be able to continue the work, but would strongly advise that both of the transitional regulations are speedily implemented otherwise MS will run the risk of some financial programs and risks in rural development programs in 2021 ».