Market situation in the wake of the Ukraine invasion
The Council invited the Ukrainian agriculture minister, Roman Leshchenko, to speak via video link about the agricultural situation and the needs prevalent in his country, which were then discussed by ministers. The ministers went on to hold an exchange of views on the market situation for agricultural and agri-food products and the situation of the EU's agricultural sector, given the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They discussed measures that could be taken not only to continue to safeguard food supplies in the short term, but also to enhance the EU's food security and food sovereignty in the medium and long term. The discussion also touched upon the potential impact of the crisis on the food security of non-EU countries. The option of cultivating set-aside land in 2022 was announced as part of these measures.
Ministers were also provided with a summary by the German delegation of the G7 meeting of agriculture ministers which took place on 11 March, and received information from the Dutch delegation on the use of biobased fertilisers.
G7 Extraordinary Agriculture Ministers' Meeting (March 11, 2022) – Information from the German delegationUse of biobased fertilisers – Information from the Dutch delegation
Approval of the CAP strategic plans
The Commission updated ministers on the state of play of its evaluation of the strategic plans under the future CAP. An exchange of views followed, focusing in particular on:
- the need to approve the plans quickly in order to ensure that farmers are aware of the new rules;
- the need for flexibility to adapt the plans with a view to ensuring food security in the wake of the war in Ukraine; and
- the criteria used by the Commission to approve the plans; and
- the transparency of the process.
The Hungarian delegation also took the floor to present a declaration on behalf of the Visegrad Group, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia on measures in their CAP strategic plans that they felt would contribute to a fairer and greener European agriculture.
CAP strategic plans – Information from the Commission
Other topics on the agenda
During the meeting, delegations provided information about the following topics: protein crops (Austria); the revision of geographical indications (Spain); the revision of the sustainable pesticides directive (Poland), the impact of rising fuel prices on fishing activity (Spain); and alternatives to plant protection products (Slovenia).
- Plant-based proteins – Information from the Austrian delegation
- Revision of geographical indications – Information from the Spanish delegation
- Rising fuel prices – Information from the Spanish delegation
- Concerns about the draft legislative act on sustainable use of plant protection products – Information from the Polish delegation
- Alternatives to plant protection products for use in agricultural and non-agricultural land – Information from the Slovenian delegation
The Council also adopted without discussion the items that figured in the list of non-legislative A items.
