Post 2020 CAP reform package: CAP strategic plans
In public session the Council discussed a progress report on the work carried out in the Council preparatory bodies on the Commission proposal for a regulation on CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) strategic plans, which are the cornerstone of the reform package
Ministers also exchanged views on the issues of simplification and flexibility for member states contained in the proposal, as well as on the new greening architecture proposed by the Commission, its proportionality and the appropriateness of the proposed instruments.
During the debate, many ministers welcomed in principle the shift to a performance-based CAP, but considered that the new delivery model could increase complexity and administrative burden. While many delegations asked for simplification and flexibility, including in the selection of targets and the policy implementation, others stressed the need for maintaining the common nature of European agricultural policy.
As concerns the new green architecture, although more ambition was generally welcomed, many ministers considered that such ambition was not in line with the proposed CAP budget and that new measures should be implemented in a flexible and targeted way on the basis of national needs.
The proposed reform package is worth €365 billion and consists of three proposals for:
- a regulation on CAP strategic plans (9645/18 + ADD 1)
- a regulation on financing, managing and monitoring of the CAP (9634/18 + ADD 1)
- a regulation on a common market organisation of agricultural products (9556/18)
- and an impact assessment (9646/18 + ADD 1+ ADD 2).
The Commission's proposals introduce a new delivery model by which member states will have more flexibility in how to use their funds and will be able to tailor-make their programmes. A single set of 9 EU-wide economic, environmental and social objectives will be identified at EU level and each member state will have to draw up a Strategic Plan covering the whole programming period, setting out how it intends to meet those objectives, using both direct payments and rural development. The Commission will approve each plan to ensure consistency and the protection of the single market, and monitor the progress towards objectives and targets using a set of result indicators agreed at EU level.
The Commission proposals also outline new obligations and incentives for farmers on the front of environment and climate action. Direct payments will be conditional on enhanced environmental and climate requirements and member states will have to offer eco-schemes to support farmers in going beyond the mandatory requirements, funded with a share of their national direct payments' allocations.
Moreover the new CAP will better target small and young farmers thereby facilitating generational renewal, and will try and foster greater use of knowledge and innovation.
G20 meeting of agriculture ministers, 27-28 July 2018 - Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Commission debriefed the Council on the outcome of the last G20 meeting that took place in Buenos Aires on 27-28 July 2018.
The European Union participated in this meeting on the basis of common guidelines, prepared and endorsed by the Council in June 2018.
The outcome of the G20 meeting was a declaration focusing on the comprehensive and responsible management of soils. The declaration contains various measures aimed at combining improved productivity with sustainability in agriculture, reducing soil pollution and protecting biodiversity. A joint agreement on climate action was also reached, stressing the particular responsibility of the agricultural sector. Other topics included reducing food loss and waste and continuing the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Any other business:
African swine fever (ASF)
The Commission informed the Council about the evolution of the disease in Europe, giving details as to the epidemiological situation and the control measures undertaken. The Commission took the opportunity to call on member states to properly enforce existing measures in consistent manner throughout Europe, ensure cross-border coordination and tight collaboration among various sectors and actors. The Commission also warned against additional unilateral requirements imposed by individual member states or third countries explaining that they could create unjustified barriers to trade and harm the sector.
Several ministers shared the Commission views on the importance of preparedness, monitoring and eradication, and on the need to avoid disproportionate unilateral measures.
Situation in the sugar sector
The Italian delegation informed the Council about the recent deterioration of market conditions in the European sugar sector, which has been marked by a significant decrease of prices linked to oversupply. It also called the Commission to activate the necessary measures needed for balancing the market in the short and medium term, in particular by the private storage, and to assess also the possibility for activating the exceptional measures.
While several ministers shared the Italian preoccupations, the Commission assessment was that, although it was important to closely monitor the market developments in the sugar sector, it would be too early to activate the safety net. The Commission recalled the market-orientation of the CAP and signalled that operators may quickly adjust to the new market conditions thereby reducing pressure on prices. It also reminded delegations of the instruments available in the second pillar of the CAP to support the sector.
2019 election of the next Director-General of the FAO
The presidency informed the Council about the positive outcome of the informal process launched at the beginning of the year to identify a single EU candidate for the 2019 election of the next Director-General of the FAO - UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. The presidency highlighted that Ms Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, former French Under Secretary of State and former Executive Director of EFSA, emerged as the single EU candidate. Her candidacy was broadly welcomed by ministers during the informal meeting in Schloss Hof, Austria.
Spanish candidacy to the post of director general of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)
The Spanish delegation informed the Council that the next OIV General Assembly on 23 November 2018 in Uruguay would proceed with the third round of voting for the election of the new OIV director general, after two unsuccessful attempts in July and September. The Spanish delegation took this opportunity to encourage other member states to support the Spanish candidacy in order to better promote the European interests in the organisation and defend the EU agricultural model.
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