Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Reform of the EU agricultural policy
Farmers have to get greener for EU money
Conservatives speak of a “system change”, the Greens of a “black day for the farmers”: The EU agricultural reform remains controversial even after the EU Parliament nodded its approval. Environmentalists see little incentive for organic farming in this.
The European Parliament has given the green light to the controversial reform of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). A majority of MEPs in Strasbourg voted in favor of the changes to the CAP, which aim to make agriculture in Europe more environmentally friendly and fairer. Greens and environmental groups do not go far enough with the reforms – they criticized the vote. The new rules for the distribution of EU funds to farmers will come into force in 2023 due to delays.
The agreement is “more than just a step in the right direction for a performance-oriented, transparent and more effective agricultural policy in Europe,” said Ulrike Müller from the Free Voters, who was involved in the CAP negotiations with the member states. EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said in Strasbourg: “This was a difficult compromise, but I think it is the best compromise that could be reached”. He spoke of a “good result” that could ensure “the transition to more sustainable agriculture”.
The acting Federal Minister of Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, also welcomed the result of the vote. There will be a “system change” in the GAP, “which combines more environmental and climate protection with food security and economic prospects for farmers and rural areas,” explained Klöckner.
“From the farm to the table” is missing in reform
The common agricultural policy is the second largest item in the EU budget with 387 billion euros by 2027. Germany is entitled to around 42 billion euros of this. The Green Group voted against the reform plans, while the Social Democrats and MPs from the Left Group voted differently. A majority of the conservative EPP Group and the Liberals voted in favor of the CAP reform
The agricultural policy spokesman for the Greens in the EU Parliament, Martin Häusling, spoke of a “black day for farmers in Europe”. He criticized the fact that climate protection measures adopted by the EU such as the Green Deal and the “farm to table” strategy were not reflected in the CAP. “The European agricultural funding policy can and must do more to counteract climate change and the loss of biodiversity,” said SPD MEP Maria Noichl.
Peter Jahr from the conservative EPP Group replied: “We want to adopt an agricultural reform and we did not want a lifelong agricultural debate.” The environmental protection associations NABU and Greenpeace criticized the fact that large farms with large areas of cultivation will continue to receive more EU subsidies. They called for more money within the CAP for farmers to take part in environmental programs, so-called eco-schemes.
Member states are still responsible
These environmental programs were one of the points of contention between Parliament and the Member States. Parliament wanted to link aid for farmers more closely to environmental requirements and demanded that 30 percent of the direct payments of 270 billion euros to farmers are linked to participation in environmental programs.
In the end, the MPs accepted the previously formulated maximum value of the member states with 25 percent. After tough negotiations, Parliament and member states agreed on the reform at the end of June. After the approval of the EU Parliament, the member states still have to give the formal green light. The member states must also explain to the EU Commission by the end of this year how they intend to use the agricultural funds to achieve the EU’s nature and climate protection goals.