Agriculture: negotiations on CAP reform stumble in Brussels
Farmers demonstrate against the new common agricultural policy (CAP) in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on April 30, 2021. Frederick Florin AFP / Archivos
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MEPs and EU member states failed to reach an agreement on the new common agricultural policy (CAP), intended to "green" European agriculture from 2023, the European Council announced on Friday.
Talks will resume in June, he said.
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It is difficult to reconcile the environmental and social ambitions of MEPs and the desire of States to limit bureaucratic and financial constraints for farmers.
A new proposal from the Agriculture Ministers of the Twenty-Seven, meeting Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 May in Brussels, was considered by MEPs still too far from their demands.
► Also to listen: Will the future of the CAP be greener?
After three days of negotiations, “
a number of crucial issues remain unresolved.
It was therefore decided to postpone the discussions until the next meeting of European ministers of agriculture in June
”, announced Friday, May 28 the European Council, the body representing the States.
The Twenty-Seven had approved in October 2020 the reform of the common agricultural policy, with a budget of 387 billion euros for seven years, including 270 billion in direct aid to farmers.
But they must imperatively come to an understanding with the European Parliament.
Eco-diets
Among the key issues, “eco-regimes”, the bonuses granted to farmers participating in demanding environmental programs.
MEPs initially demanded that they represent at least 30% of direct payments to farmers.
States have said they are ready to accept a 25% threshold but blockages remain over the possible transition period to put it in place.
The ministers also propose to reallocate unused funds on this percentage, to the chagrin of parliamentarians, who fear that this mechanism will lead to less endowment of eco-regimes.
States also want to remain free to define the content of eco-regimes, but MEPs are calling for a strict framework and the alignment of national policies with European environmental and climate strategies (Green Pact, organic farming objectives, quantitative reduction of pesticides, etc.) .
Arm wrestling
"
We want to reach an agreement, but not at any price,
" Portuguese Minister Maria do Céu Antunes, who negotiates on behalf of the States, explained Friday morning.
"
Farmers should not be buried in bureaucracy (...) We want to reward environmental practices, but it must be financially feasible
", warned German Minister Julia Klöckner.
States also refuse to make subsidies to farmers conditional on compliance with social standards.
Green MEP Martin Häusling denounced a “
radicalization of the position
” of ministers.
"
Everyone must show responsibility, without economic sustainability (of farmers' income), no environmental and climate sustainability
", pleaded Anne Sander, negotiator (EPP, right) of the Parliament.
(with AFP)
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