Politieke overeenkomst over hervorming gemeenschappelijk landbouwbeleid (en)

The Lithuanian Presidency i has finalized the political agreement on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the informal trilogue with the European Parliament on September 24.

“I would like to thank in particular my colleagues Ministers, representatives of the European Parliament and the Commission for their effort and significant contribution in reaching an agreement on our common goal - sustainable and effective reformed Common Agricultural Policy. The result of today’s negotiations - a nice example showing how all European institutions can agree on issues important to all EU farmers. By this decision we can ensure clear rules and financial guarantees to our farmers”, stressed Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture prof. Vigilijus Jukna.

About the agreement reached today:

On the national ceilings for Direct Payments there was a common ground between the Council and the Parliament;

On degressivity, the Council confirmed yesterday it could agree to a mandatory degressivity rate of 5% for amounts above EUR 150 000, along with a 5% rate for the derogation in relation to the redistributive payment. All this on the understanding that degressivity shall apply only to the basic payment/single area payment.

On flexibility between pillars, the Council reached agreement with EP that the figures are the same as in European Council conclusions of February 2013.

On the breakdown of the Rural Development budget, the Council agreed to include this breakdown in an Annex to the Regulation, with the power for the Commission to amend this Annex through Delegated Acts.

The co-financing rates for Rural Development: After discussions yesterday, the Council was able to accept - the Parliament's request to increase the co-financing rate for less-developed regions, outermost regions and smaller Aegean Islands on a voluntary basis to 85%.