Toekomst landbouwbeleid: sterke meerderheid steunt Voorzitterschap (en)

The Agriculture Council adopted the Presidency’s conclusions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy by qualified majority, in Brussels on 17 March. The Hungarian Presidency thinks it is a remarkable success with special regard to the complex nature of the issue.

Minister for Rural Development, Sándor Fazekas, chair of the Council, told the press conference that seven countries rejected the Presidency’s conclusions, and one abstained. In response to a question, the Minister said that the eight countries included all three Baltic States. Mr Fazekas expressed hope that the CAP will come closer to equity in the future, and this will favour the Baltic States. “I trust that in the future the Baltic States will also be able to support these measures,” said the Minister.

At the press conference, Mr Fazekas highlighted that Member States fully agreed on 90 percent of the conclusions. The Minister underlined that the debate did not concern budgetary issues, but rather on market resources, direct payments and the perception of the CAP’s first and second pillars. “Therefore, we have achieved almost all of our goals,” stated Mr Fazekas. The Ministers considers it a “remarkable achievement” that the Presidency’s final document received the support of a qualified majority.

Intense debate on the reallocation of direct subsidies

Mr Fazekas emphasised a part of the document whereby the CAP has to remain a common policy, with three main objectives including, sustainable food production; the sustainable management of natural resources and fight against climate change; and balanced territorial development.

The Minister did not conceal that the reallocation of direct income support has triggered intense debates in the last few months. Member States recognised that reallocation should be more equitable in the future. At the same time, the general budgetary limits should be taken into account; and extensive changes that could cause disturbances should be avoided. “We are willing to target subsidies in a better manner, as it helps us make the best use of taxpayers’ money,” said the Minister.

Ciolos: real added value

We agree on the “greening” of the CAP, and are committed to supporting the CAP’s integration in the answer to climate change, stated Mr Fazekas. The Hungarian Minister also pointed out that Member States want to halt the gradual diminution of farmers’ incomes.

Dacian Ciolos, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, described the Presidency’s document as a success and a “real added value,” at the press conference. Mr Ciolos thinks that the document contains the main proposals of the Commission and lays a “solid basis” for negotiations, with the European Parliament.