News CAP agreement
'Biggest CAP reform since MacSherry passed'
Negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers reached an agreement this afternoon (Friday 25 June) on the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). During the presentation, MP Norbet Lins called the deal "the biggest reform of the CAP since MacSherry in 1992".
According to the European Parliament, the agreement does 'justice to the economy, the environment and the social domain'. There are some important major changes compared to the current CAP.
New: Eco schemes
New are the controversial eco-schemes. 25% of the budget from the first pillar must be used for this. The Member States may, however, shape the precise details in the National Strategic Plans at their own discretion. The eco-schemes meet the Green Deal and the desire for sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.
10% of the basic payments should go to small and medium-sized farms in the new policy. Member States can progressively cap the subsidy for large companies for entrepreneurs who receive more than €60.000 per year and set a subsidy ceiling at €100.000.
Support for young farmers
In order to stimulate young farmers, at least 3% of the CAP funds must be made available for that group. New farmers who want to build up a business can claim funds from the second pillar for rural development.
Set aside 7% agricultural land
Furthermore, during the negotiations, the proposal by European Commissioner Frans Timmermans to set aside 10% of the agricultural land was dropped. That will be 7% and ditches and other landscape elements are also included. The plan for 3-metre-wide buffer strips along the water has also been relaxed somewhat. Countries with many locks (such as the Netherlands) can obtain an exemption for this.
The intervention system is being reformed to better protect farmers against the vagaries of the market, which seem to have become increasingly fierce in recent years. It will also become more transparent where the EU money goes. Fraud and corruption - for which the fines and sanctions have also been substantially increased in the agreement - are thus prevented.
First Reactions
Member of the European Parliament Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) calls the agreement 'ambitious and more workable for the farmer'. "The conditions for agricultural policy must be feasible and affordable in practice. This package offers Member States sufficient flexibility to keep it workable for farmers. It is now up to the Netherlands to implement this in a good way."
MEP Annie Schreijer-Pierik (CDA) says in a reaction that she is happy that there is finally an agreement. "Of course, this result remains a compromise. Implementing the sustainability requirements for income support will be a major challenge for Dutch farmers and horticulturists. Nevertheless, this agreement offers the necessary financial security and the future perspective that agricultural subsidies, with a focus on sustainability and innovation, are preserved. Almost half of our dairy farmers and a large proportion of arable farmers would have negative incomes without CAP subsidies."
Member of Parliament Jan Huitema (VVD) calls the agreement an important step towards green entrepreneurship. "The current policy that prescribes farmers from above how to regreen has proven to be ineffective. It is much better to link money for greening directly to the greening performance of the farmer and horticulturist, and to focus less on measures. The greater that performance. , the higher the compensation. This stimulates green entrepreneurship, contributes to a green revenue model for farmers and gives taxpayers the guarantee that European money actually contributes to greening."
The agreement that is now on the table still has to be worked out in technical and legal details. The agreement can then be submitted successively to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission for approval.
Jurphaas Lugtenburg
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