EU Parliament and Council close to adopt their position on CAP regulations
Are we entering the final stretch of the CAP negotiation process? After more than two years since the Commission published its proposal, both the Parliament and Council might finalize their positions on the three legislative texts in the next weeks. This in turn would allow institutions to begin trilateral negotiations, the so-called ‘Trilogues’. But several key issues still need to be solved beforehand, such as the integration of Farm to Fork targets into the CAP strategic plans regulation (including the 25% organic land target by 2030).
On 21 July, the 27 EU leaders agreed on the EU’s next seven-year budget of €1,824.3 billion that will contribute to the EU’s economic reboot after the Covid-19 pandemic. The package combines €1,074.3 billion for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and €750 billion for the new EU Recovery Instrument called Next Generation EU (NGEU). The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget is set at €336 billion, comprising €258 billion for the first pillar and €77 billion for rural development (in 2018 constant prices).
This decision now allows EU institutions to enter the last phase of the negotiations and reach an agreement on the three key regulations: the Common Market Organisation (CMO), the Horizontal Regulation and the Strategic Plans (merging direct payments and rural development regulations).
IFOAM Organics Europe has sent a letter to the heads of political groups in the European parliament, asking them to secure an ambitious ringfencing for Eco-schemes, and reminding the key role of conversion and maintenance payments. Moreover, to ensure adequate support for organic farmers, throughout Europe, IFOAM Organics Europe urges Member States to include in their CAP plans an analysis of their organic sector’s production needs, and a national target to increase the share of agricultural land under organic management.
Members of IFOAM Organics Europe can read more details about the political process on our member extranet. Are you an IFOAM Organics Europe member who does not have access to the extranet yet? Please contact [email protected]. Are you interested in membership of IFOAM Organics Europe? Have a look at the benefits and contact [email protected].