At the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries on February 21, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, demanded an increase in the percentage of the advance of direct CAP payments and the possibility of using rural development funds to grant aid to the most affected producers, thus providing farmers and ranchers […]
A fairer, greener agricultural policy for the period 2023-2027
At a meeting today the Council formally adopted the common agricultural policy (CAP) for the period 2023-2027. The new legislation paves the way for a fairer, greener and more performance-based CAP that seeks to ensure a sustainable future for European farmers, provide more targeted support to smaller farms, and allow greater flexibility for member […]
Council agrees its position on the next EU common agricultural policy
Today, the Council agreed its negotiating position (general approach) on the post-2020 common agricultural policy (CAP) reform package. This agreed position puts forward some strong commitments from member states for higher environmental ambition with instruments like mandatory eco-schemes (a novelty compared to the current policy) and enhanced conditionality. At the same time, the agreed position […]
Coronavirus: Commission announces further measures to support the agri-food sector
The European Commission announces a new set of measures to help the agri-food sector in this unparalleled crisis, following the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The Coronavirus response investment initiative plus (CRII+) proposed today by the European Commission introduces exceptional flexibility and simplification in the use of the European structural investment funds (ESIF), including the European agricultural fund […]
Drought in Europe: the Commission offers further support to European farmers
The European Commission is offering support to farmers faced with the waves of drought afflicting Europe. Firstly, farmers will be able to receive a higher percentage of their direct and rural development payments in advance. Secondly, to be able to feed their animals, they will be granted greater flexibility to use land that would normally […]
The defense of a stronger common agricultural policy for climate action
The European Commission published on May 27 an external study to analyze the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the EU added value for climate action in certain key measures of the CAP. Launched in 1962 to support the production of affordable and good quality food for European citizens, the CAP introduced climate action as […]