Flexibility and burdens, EU presidency works on “immediate and structural” response to farmers’ protests

Brussels – Flexibility and reduction of the administrative burden of the Common Agricultural Policy: These will be the hot topics on the agenda of the EU Agriculture Council scheduled for Feb. 26 in Brussels. “The current demands of farmers must be heard and taken into account in our discussions on the future of agriculture,” stressed this afternoon David Clarinval, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture,
in the Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) committee hearing of the European Parliament, as he presented the priorities of the Belgian semester at the helm of the EU. Recalling the need for an agricultural sector that is “sustainable in the full sense of the word,” that is, agriculture that not only produces but also pays farmers and whose watchword is “nutritional quality.” All of this, he adds, while preserving the environment. The hearing was organized to present the priorities of the six-month presidency. Still, it comes at a time when the farmers’ demonstrations are shaking up many of Europe’s capitals, protesting against environmental pressures wanted by Brussels and rising agricultural fuel prices.

These are all issues that came cross-cutting on the agenda at the last European summit on Feb. 1 and will come back to the forefront ahead of AGRIFISH at the end of the month. Clarinval anticipated that the upcoming EU Council of Agriculture Ministers “will focus on the need to provide both rapid and structural responses to the current crisis in the agricultural sector. The Council will hold an exchange of views following information provided by the European Commission,” particularly administrative burdens.

Just at the last European summit, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged “to initiate a thorough analysis of administrative burdens that weigh on farmers” and submit a proposal on the matter. “We are therefore patiently waiting for this proposal,” said the Belgian minister, who in turn asked the 27 governments to “submit their suggestions to reduce administrative burdens by February 14″ to contribute to the debate that will take place at the council,

also because, it should be pointed out, the implementation of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) is done differently between states through national strategic plans, so even the reduction of administrative burdens is more up to the member states than to Brussels. The minister reminded again that implementing the CAP strategic plan depends on the member states. That is why it will also be up to the member states “to try to simplify the rules.” To meet farmers’ demands, the commission has already announced that it is withdrawing the proposal on the sustainable use of pesticides and has proposed a waiver from the cross-compliance obligations of the CAP on so-called set-aside land, which thus provides farmers with more room to grow crops.

Shortly after the Belgian minister’s speech, AGRI MEPs “questioned” the Vice-President in charge of trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, who began by recalling the fact that “our farmers continue to face enormous challenges due to high energy costs and volatile EU prices that create uncertainty,” while also admitting that “there is no doubt that farmers are affected by the impact of climate change.”