The conclusions have been accepted by all 27 EU agriculture ministers
10 December 2024
5 minute learn
Yesterday, the European Council unanimously accepted a set of conclusions on a farmer-focused post-2027 widespread agricultural coverage (CAP), in the direction of a aggressive, crisis-proof, sustainable, farmer-friendly and knowledge-based future EU agriculture, in keeping with a government-issued press launch.
The conclusions accepted by the 27 EU agriculture ministers level out the significance of the CAP in reaching these goals, and underline the important thing objectives of making certain meals safety, whereas guaranteeing a good lifestyle for the agricultural group, and cheap costs for customers.
“The conclusions mirror the Council’s expectations for the long run widespread agricultural coverage, aiming for a aggressive and farmer-focused sector – one of many overarching priorities of the Hungarian presidency,” mentioned István Nagy, Hungarian Minister for Agriculture. “The conclusions name for devoted and acceptable sources for the CAP to effectively reply to its a number of goals and urge to keep up a separate and unbiased CAP containing two pillars. Direct funds ought to proceed to help farmers’ revenue stability. In addition they underscore our dedication to delivering concrete options and incentives to help farmers within the inexperienced transition.”
Farmer-focused future CAP
The 27 EU agriculture ministers highlighted the strategic significance of the CAP and its function in making certain meals safety and security.
On this context, they famous that devoted and acceptable sources and devices are wanted for the CAP to be able to effectively reply to its a number of goals and urged to keep up a separate and unbiased CAP containing two pillars. Ministers burdened the truth that the CAP, by direct funds to farmers and different types of help, ought to assist be sure that farmers have a steady incomeand present them with incentives to contribute to the inexperienced transition.
The Council additionally agreed that rural growth ought to proceed to have a robust function within the structure of the CAP by supporting the viability of rural areas.
Enhancing competitiveness and enhancing the place of farmers within the meals provide chain
The Council recognised that it is very important enhance the functioning of the meals provide chain, the distribution of worth added and to make sure elevated transparency and truthful remuneration for farmers. Ministers underlined the significance of farmers’ revenue stability to keep up economically viable and aggressive agricultural actions and meals manufacturing in all areas of the EU.
Agriculture ministers additionally recognised the unfavourable development of ageing farmer inhabitants and the significance of enough generational renewal. Ministers agreed that help for younger farmers and new farmers ought to be strengthened, to assist make sure the sector stays enticing for future generations. Moreover, small farms and the participation of ladies within the sector have been highlighted as necessary parts for the viability of rural areas.
The Council additionally emphasised that help for investments is required to advertise competitiveness and sustainability.
Farmer-friendly supply mannequin
The conclusions name for extra farmer-friendly guidelines and stress the necessity to lower crimson tape and simplify procedures.
On this regard, the ministers known as for a simplified and accelerated process for approving and amending the nationwide CAP strategic plans and easing reporting obligations for farmers.
The Council emphasised that the monitoring and analysis system ought to be extra environment friendly, clear and simplified, and the management and sanction system should not improve the variety of on-the-spot checks.
Offering incentives to farmers for the inexperienced transition
EU agriculture ministers acknowledged that farmers play a vital function within the inexperienced transition and the CAP ought to proceed to assist the sector in its transition in the direction of extra sustainable practices. The Council considers that farmers ought to have ample incentives to that finish.
Ministers underlined the necessity to guarantee the fitting stability between financial, social and environmental sustainability.
Disaster-proof EU agriculture
The Council acknowledged that the competitiveness of agriculture has been affected by an growing variety of extraordinary climate occasions, in addition to of outbreaks of animal illnesses and the unfold of plant pests.
Danger administration instruments and local weather adaptation measures are seen as important for making certain the resilience of the sector.
Moreover, to enhance the best way nationwide and regional authorities take care of crises, the Council known as for extra flexibility in utilizing CAP devices. The necessity for faster and less complicated procedures for supporting farmers within the case of outstanding climate occasions was additionally highlighted.
Analysis and innovation
Analysis and innovation play a pivotal function in reaching our local weather and environmental goals and in making certain that sustainable, wholesome and inexpensive meals is out there to EU residents. On this context, the Council burdened the significance of a knowledge-based method to agriculture.
The conclusions additionally spotlight the significance of the round financial system and the bioeconomy in supporting the inexperienced transition within the farming and forestry sectors.
Subsequent steps
The Council calls on the brand new Fee to take the conclusions under consideration when making ready the upcoming legislative proposals on the post-2027 CAP and the textual content is supposed as political steerage to that impact.
The Fee can be invited to think about the Council conclusions when making ready the Imaginative and prescient for agriculture and meals, which is because of be revealed within the first 100 days of the brand new Fee.
Background
In view of the Fee’s upcoming legislative proposals on the long run CAP, the Council has kicked off the method of reflecting on the way forward for agriculture. At the moment’s conclusions mark an necessary milestone in that course of, and ship clear, united messages from the agriculture ministers.
In September 2024, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council held a casual lunch discussing the outcomes of the strategic dialogue on the way forward for EU agriculture, initiated by the Fee with the purpose of depolarising the debates surrounding agriculture and the inexperienced transition.
In June 2024, the Belgian presidency of the Council accepted a set of presidency conclusions on the way forward for agriculture within the EU, which have been backed by 26 member states.
The Council conclusions unanimously endorsed as we speak by the Council, as a non-discussion merchandise, had been beforehand issued as presidency conclusions throughout the October Agriculture and Fisheries Council assembly, once they have been backed by 26 member states.
