EU farm policy reform: Statements by Parliament’s chief negotiators
Following today’s vote on the EU farm policy reform, the Chair of Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and the three lead MEPs have issued the following statements.
Statement by Norbert Lins (EPP, DE), Chair of the Agriculture Committee:
“A large majority in the European Parliament has adopted the key points of the parliamentary position on the future Common Agricultural Policy this week. I would like to thank all rapporteurs and their teams for their hard work and dedication.”
“As agriculture ministers also reached their agreement after two and a half years on Tuesday night, negotiations between the Council and Parliament can begin shortly. It was about time; European agriculture needs clarity for the next few years.”
Statement by Peter Jahr (EPP, DE), rapporteur on the Strategic plans regulation:
“Parliament has recognised an explicit link between the farm sector and the Paris Agreement and combines current direct payments with new eco-schemes and a dedicated green budget.”
“We want a fairer distribution of subsidies, greater support for small and family farms, fair working conditions, and direct payments to be capped at €100 000 minus half of labour costs.”
“We are more ambitious than the Council, but we are all committed to a policy shift that will focus on achieving concrete results. This is the biggest paradigm shift in the CAP since 1992.”
Statement by Eric Andrieu (S&D, FR), rapporteur on the Common Market Organisation regulation:
“Too many farmers lose their money, their jobs, sometimes even their lives in agricultural crises. I am glad that Parliament backed my efforts to create an effective mechanism to prevent and better manage such crises.”
“We should not believe anymore that the market can regulate itself. Agricultural markets are structurally unstable, but we can do something about it.”
“The Commission should have more powers and play a more active role in regulating the sector. We must ensure fair and stable income for farmers to support their green transition.”
Statement by Ulrike Müller (RE, DE), rapporteur on the Financing, management and monitoring regulation:
“The EU farm policy must stimulate farmers in their transition towards a modern economy and reward them for achievements in the areas of environment, climate, and animal welfare.”
“By putting targeted eco-schemes, programmes and also investments at the centre of this reform, we have assured a step towards a more sustainable and competitive agricultural sector.”
“We have also managed to integrate innovative ideas for generational renewal in the new CAP rules, and increased funds aimed at supporting young farmers.”
