Agriculture ministers from across the European Union gathered in Brussels on Monday for talks on the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) from 2020. The Farm Council is due to adopt conclusions on the Commission communication on "the future of food and farming".
Agriculture ministers from across the European Union gathered in Brussels on Monday for talks on the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) from 2020.
The Farm Council is due to adopt conclusions on the Commission communication on "the future of food and farming".
Through Council conclusions, ministers are due to contribute to the debate that will lead to the drafting of legislative proposals on the future CAP.
CAP budget
The European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger indicates that a reduction in the order of 5% to 10% is likely in the next CAP.
The commissioner is due to bring forward proposals by 2 May and has outlined three options of a 30% cut, a 15% cut or best case a standstill in the budget for the CAP post-2020.
However, he has indicated on a number of occasions that a reduction in the order of 5% to 10% would be most likely.
Maintain budget
Last week, MEPs agreed that the CAP budget should be at least maintained at its current level for the EU27 at constant prices.
They also agreed that the current limit on EU expenditure must be raised from 1% to 1.3% of EU GNI to fund new priorities such as migration, defence, security and climate change, without sacrificing Europe’s regions or farming communities.
The European Parliament opposed any renationalisation and any co-financing of pillar one and urged the Commission “to continue the process of convergence of direct payments and ensure the necessary financial and legal framework for the food supply chain in order to combat unfair trading practices”.
Basic Payment Scheme too complex
On Thursday, the European Court of Auditors found that complex BPS rules have created an unequal level of support reaching bigger farmers.
The report is likely to hold some weight in the next round of CAP talks, as Budget 2020 draws closer.
Monday’s Farm Council meeting will feature a two-hour roundtable, with chair, the Bulgarian minister for agriculture, food and forestry, Rumen Porodzanov, inviting member states’ agriculture ministers to present their red-line issues rather than their wishlists.
Read more
Budget cuts to next CAP likely - European commissioner
‘Complex rules’ creating unequal BPS payments
CAP budget: what is happening when?
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