At the same time, the European Commission and COREPER made a number of key announcements, the EU Heads of States met in Brussels today to discuss a strategic orientation for the future of Europe, including agriculture ATMs with Ukraine, retaliation measures on Russia, simplifications to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the postponement of the vote on the restoration of nature are now among the key elements that should be further discussed next week at the AGRIFISH Council, which promises to be very important.
In this crunch time, the Presidencies of Copa and Cogeca were mobilised and present in Brussels, where they were able to meet the European Commissioner for Agriculture and members of Charles Michel’s cabinet to support immediate and long-term actions for the EU farming community.
In light of the severe situation faced by farmers on the ground, the EU Council reaffirmed the strategic role of agriculture and the CAP for food security together with the support for a strong EU response to the current concerns in the agricultural sector.
We welcome the idea of a new EU-Ukraine cooperation framework for the coming years, as we need clarity and predictability, as well as the expression by some Heads of States to reopen discussions on the trilogue compromise on the Ukrainian ATMs to include a 2021-2023 reference period and the inclusion of cereals such as wheat and barley in the automatic triggering system. As we have explained on numerous occasions, these elements are essential to the stabilisation of European markets, and we call on other member states to support these amendments.
At the same time, the Commission today presented a package of measures concerning Russian imports into Europe. We take note of these announcements and will analyse them ahead of the AGRIFISH Council meeting on the 26th and 27th of March.
With regard to the CAP simplification measures and the European Commission’s non-paper on unfair trade practices, the Copa and Cogeca Presidencies have welcomed the progress made and discussed technical adjustments with European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, hoping that urgent progress will be made at the Council and European Parliament so that these simplifications can be implemented by all Member States.
Finally, we take note of the postponement decided today by the Member States at COREPER on the nature restoration law. This poorly designed and poorly funded proposal continues to raise questions at every level for European decision-makers. We call on the Member States to assess the consequences of implementing such a proposal on the ground and to vote to refer this proposal back to the Commission for review.
Copa and Cogeca will attentively follow these discussions already at the next AGRIFISH Council meeting of 26th March and look forward to further engaging with EU leaders toward the next EU Council meeting of 18th and 19th April 2024.
Fonte: Copa Cogeca
