MEPs vote for CAP changes to help farmers affected by fertiliser costs
The European Parliament has adopted measures designed to alleviate the impact on farmers of rising fertiliser prices.
In a vote on Tuesday (July 7), MEPs voted for new measures to provide farmers with financial support and faster access to more direct payments from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The parliament voted under its urgent procedure to adopt the changes to the CAP rules as proposed by the European Commission.
MEPs decided to fast-track the changes to the CAP to ensure farmers get aid in time to buy fertilisers for the next growing season, the parliament said.
The European Commission last month revealed details of a major support package to help farmers battling the fertiliser crisis, with a potential new €1.5 billion in financial aid.
The commission also proposed new CAP flexibilities to speed up access to supports.
The European Commission aims to provide financial relief to help farmers who need to buy fertilisers by providing an immediate package of €540 million.
The new measures proposed by the commission were adopted by MEPs today with 576 votes in favour, 62 against and 15 abstentions.
'Necessary'
MEP Herbert Dorfmann, European People's Party (EPP) group spokesperson for agriculture and rural development, said that today's adoption of support measures for farmers facing the fertiliser crisis is "necessary".
"Our farmers need these payments now - they cannot afford to wait," the MEP said.
"Nevertheless, we must remain vigilant to ensure this financial support doesn't lead to an increase in fertiliser prices, which would cancel out its intended benefit."
He said the EPP group is also urging the European Commission to "look beyond emergency relief and build a long-term strategy, with additional funding to support our farmers".
"The CAP crisis reserve is no sustainable option to guarantee the future of European farming," Dorfmann added.
Liquidity support
Under the new measures, to prevent a decline in production or food quality and growing prices for consumers, farmers will be able to receive liquidity support worth up to 80% of the additional fertiliser costs they incur.
EU countries will also have the possibility to increase advances on direct payments from 70% to 75%and pay them to affected farmers directly after they apply for them (and not only after October 16 as defined by the current rules).
Member states will also have more flexibility to adjust their direct payments budgets for next year.
The text now needs to be formally adopted by council and published in the Official Journal of the EU before it can enter into force the day after.
