The European Council has today (Monday, December 9) unanimously approved a set of conclusions on a “farmer-focused” Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027.
The document, agreed upon the 27 EU agriculture ministers, highlights the importance of the CAP in promoting “competitive, crisis-proof, sustainable, farmer-friendly and knowledge-based future EU agriculture”.
The conclusions cover the need to ensure food security, while guaranteeing a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, and reasonable prices for consumers.
CAP
Istvan Nagy, the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture – Hungary currently holds the EU presidency until December 31 – said that the conclusions “reflect the council’s expectations for the future common agricultural policy”.
“The conclusions call for dedicated and appropriate resources for the CAP to efficiently respond to its multiple objectives and urge to maintain a separate and independent CAP containing two pillars.
“Direct payments should continue to support farmers’ income stability. They also underscore our commitment to delivering concrete solutions and incentives to support farmers in the green transition,” he said.
In June 2024, the Belgian presidency of the council approved a set of presidency conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU, which were backed by 26 member states
The EU Council failed to reach unanimous agreement on the document in October when Romania voted against it.
The document states that the EU agricultural sector “plays a strategic role in maintaining viable and diverse rural areas and agricultural activities throughout the union, preserving food security, the European way of life, cultural traditions and ecosystems”.
It stresses the importance of “a trust-based partnership with farmers” and the need to put the interest of farmers at the centre of the CAP in order to successfully deliver on enhanced
policy objectives.
Along with the need for “dedicated and appropriate resources”, the document calls for an “adequate solution” to be found to the issue of fair distribution of CAP support, in particular direct payments.
The council calls for “strong first pillar measures”, where direct payments, coupled income support and sectoral interventions support farmers’ income stability, incentivise their contribution to the green transition, and where market measures act as a safety net in times of crisis.
The council also agreed that rural development should continue to have a strong role in the architecture of the CAP in the second pillar by supporting the viability of rural areas.
EU Council
The council pointed to the need to improve the functioning of the food supply chain to ensure increased transparency and fair remuneration for farmers.
Agriculture ministers underlined the importance of farmers’ income stability to maintain economically viable and competitive agricultural activities and food production in all regions of the EU.
They also recognised the negative trend of aging farmer population and the importance of sufficient generational renewal.
Ministers agreed that support for young farmers and new farmers should be strengthened, to help ensure the sector remains attractive for future generations.
Small farms and the participation of women in the sector were highlighted as important elements for the viability of rural areas.
The council also emphasised that support for investments is needed to promote competitiveness and sustainability.
Red tape
The conclusions call for more farmer-friendly rules and stress the need to cut red tape and simplify procedures under the next CAP.
The ministers said that there should be a simplified and accelerated procedure for approving and amending the national CAP strategic plans and easing reporting obligations for farmers.
They said that the monitoring and evaluation system should be more efficient, transparent and simplified, and the control and sanction system must not increase the number of on-the-spot checks.
EU agriculture ministers acknowledged that farmers play a crucial role in the green transition and the CAP should continue to help the sector in its transition towards more sustainable practices.
The council stated that farmers “should have adequate incentives to that end”.
The council acknowledged that the competitiveness of agriculture has been affected by an increasing number of extraordinary weather events, as well as of outbreaks of animal diseases and the spread of plant pests.
Risk management tools and climate adaptation measures are seen as essential for ensuring the resilience of the sector.
The council called for more flexibility in using CAP instruments to improve the way national and regional authorities deal with crises.
The council has called on the new European Commission to take into account these conclusions when preparing the legislative proposals on the post-2027 CAP.
It also encouraged the new commission to consider these conclusions when preparing the new “Vision for Agriculture and Food” in the first 100 days of its mandate.
Sustainability
Speaking during today’s meeting of the Agri-Fish Council in Brussels, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, emphasised the important role of the CAP in supporting farm incomes.
“For the future sustainability of our agriculture and food systems, farmers’ fair and sufficient income is vital.
“A significant gap still exists between the average income levels in the farm sector and in the rest of the economy. Therefore, direct payments and a strong first pillar remain an essential part of protecting farm incomes.
“This underpins the economic sustainability of European Agriculture and all of the additional objectives of the CAP build upon this foundation.
“A well-funded Pillar 2 is also required for the achievement of social and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Minister McConalogue agreed with the new Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, on the importance of generational renewal and the participation of women in agriculture.