With their protests continuing, although in milder tones, in the upper instruments are on the way so that solutions can be found to the issues raised at the table, beginning on Friday (15.3.2024), when the Commission will also announce a ‘package’ of measures to reduce bureaucracy. European leaders meeting at the European Council (21-22.3.2024) next week will take the “blade” next week and are expected to urge the EU executive body and the Agriculture Ministers to act “without delay” on the multiple fronts raised by farmers, as reported in international media. According to a preliminary conclusions, the European Council recognises ‘the current challenges’ in the agricultural sector and asks the European institutions ‘to proceed with work without delay’. It is recalled that the previous Council of Agriculture Ministers raised issues both from the Greek side and Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis which are expected to be discussed at the forthcoming summit. The Greek Minister made a series of proposals to his counterparts, with the five main ones being: Flexibility in the application of standards of eligibility. Facilitate the transfer of indisposed amounts and between years for the annual interventions of the first Pillar. Simplification of controls and rationalisation of sanctions. To harmonize regulatory requirements on investments in irrigation projects. Simplification and acceleration of the approval process of the amendments to the Strategic Plans and increase the number of amendments allowed. Indeed, the Greek proposals were adopted at 100% by the PPE with a resolution calling on the EU to implement them. The Commission’s draft on bureaucracy The Commission is to announce a series of measures Friday to meet farmers’ demands to reduce the administrative burden on parts of the EU’s new common agricultural policy. The package aims to limit monitoring, controls and environmental requirements under the CFP, a move that has been denounced by environmental organisations as a ‘overturn’ in terms of sustainability targets. A first step in this direction had already been taken on Tuesday when the Commission proposed that Member States be given greater flexibility in implementing the regulation. This type of legislative act can be accepted or rejected, but not amended, by the European Parliament and the EU Council. Ukraine and unfair competition The draft Council conclusions also refer to ‘issues’ related to the controversial liberalisation of trade with Ukraine and seek to address autonomous trade measures ‘in a fair and balanced manner’. While the Commission proposed a series of ‘safeguard measures’ to alleviate farmers’ concerns about the influx of Ukrainian food imports, agricultural organisations and country leaders said it was inadequate. However, trade beyond Ukraine also causes concern, with farmers protesting ‘unfair’ competition from third country producers who do not need to meet the same requirements as their counterparts in the EU. In addition to calling for fair competition ‘global’, EU leaders also call for fair competition ‘in the internal market’. In France in particular, farmers have highlighted different production standards in the single market – a category rejected by leaders in other countries. Increased role across the food chain In addition, measures are expected to be prepared at the Commission level and on the issue of strengthening farmers’ position in the food chain. An issue also arises in the draft conclusions of the European Council which also calls for ‘strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain’, in particular ‘to ensure fair income’ for food producers. This is also a long-standing request from farmers, who claim to be the weakest ‘players’ in the food supply chain.
EU: The two critical dates for farmers – bureaucracy and imports from Ukraine
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