I welcome today's vote by the European Parliament, which brings the simplification measures for farmers, proposed by the European Commission, one step closer to reality.
Simplification
These measures will enable Member States to effectively reduce the administrative burdens faced by our farmers.
In the first year of implementation for the new CAP, and in the context of significant geopolitical instability and extreme weather events, many of our farmers faced challenges to fully comply with some of the requirements established at EU level.
It was therefore necessary to introduce specific and targeted flexibilities, to ensure that our farmers can protect the environment, and maintain production, in the most effective manner possible.
To give some examples:
- in cases where extreme and adverse weather prevents farmers from full compliance with certain requirements, temporary derogations may be granted;
- the requirement for crop rotation can be replaced by crop diversification, to enable easier compliance for farmers affected by regular drought or excessive rainfall;
- and the obligation for each farmer to maintain a minimum share of set-aside land will be replaced by an eco-scheme, to incentivise and reward farmers for keeping non-productive areas or creating new landscape features.
Meanwhile, national administrations will also benefit from more flexibility to adapt their CAP strategic plans, as needed.
Overall, I believe that these measures strike the right balance, providing meaningful simplification for farmers, while maintaining our ambition to strengthen the sustainability of our food production.
Supply chain
In addition to the simplification proposal, which has been endorsed by Parliament today, let me recall the second part of the package put forward by the Commission, which is equally important.
Here, we aim to reinforce the position of farmers in the food supply chain, with a focus on three areas of action:
- First, to strengthen engagement and evidence-gathering on supply-chains; for example, with the creation of an observatory on production costs, margins, and trading practices.
- Second, to enhance contractualisation and cooperation among farmers, and to give more credibility and visibility to voluntary schemes for fair-trade and short supply chains. This will be done through targeted changes to the Common Market Organisation regulation.
- Finally, the Commission will work on the continued enforcement, and reinforcement, of the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices; for example, we shall propose a new Regulation on the cross-border enforcement of this Directive.
Farmers must receive a fair price for their work: with these actions, we aim to reinforce fairness, and restore trust in the supply chain.
Conclusion
Over the past number of months, the farmers of Europe have raised their voice.
The European Commission has listened, and responded.
Now, it is time to deliver.
I call on Member States to make full and responsible use of the new flexibilities, and to ensure that these measures are applied to their full potential for farmers on the ground.
I believe that, with these measures, the European Commission has provided a significant response to many of the challenges identified by farmers – but I recognise that our work continues.
Let me assure you, as Commissioner for Agriculture, I will continue to listen to you, work with you, and support you: to enable your vital contribution to our society, and to ensure that you and your families have a future in farming.
