Brussels, 27 May 2024
Rapid and structural responses to the situation in the agricultural sector
On the basis of the European Council conclusions of 21-22 March 2024 and 17-18 April 2024, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussed the EU’s response to the current concerns in the agricultural sector.
Ministers received an update on the measures that have already been taken and those that are currently envisaged for the foreseeable future to support farmers and the sector.
In this context, ministers welcomed the recent entry into force of the amendments to the common agricultural policy (CAP) on 25 May 2024.
They also welcomed other measures proposed by the Commission such as the setting up of an EU agrifood chain observatory, the recent publication of the second report on the implementation of the unfair trading practices (UTP) directive, the upcoming proposal on rules for the cross-border application of the UTP directive, as well as the farmers’ survey launched by the Commission to identify the main sources of administrative burden and complexity for farmers.
The Council furthermore held a political discussion on the lessons learned from the current situation and on ways to improve crisis management measures in the future. Member states called for effective crisis management instruments with adequate financial resources, capable of responding in a rapid and targeted way, in order to complement the existing risk management tools.
Moreover, ministers stressed the importance of making support more flexible and effective, allowing member states to support adequate prevention measures, taking into account their particularities and geographical characteristics and without increasing the administrative burden for farmers. In terms of crisis prevention, some key elements mentioned were the importance of research, innovation and training, as well as the role of insurance and reinsurance schemes.
Under this item, the Council also heard information from the Austrian delegation on the challenges posed by large carnivores for agriculture and rural areas.
Our work to address the concerns expressed by farmers carries on. Today we reflected on ways of preventing future crises in the agricultural sector and also on how to tackle them better so as to allow our farmers to focus on what they do best: ensuring food security and bringing high quality food to European tables. We will take today’s feedback on board with the aim to adopt conclusions on the future of agriculture in the EU by the end of the Belgian presidency.
David Clarinval, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Self-Employed, SMEs and Agriculture, Institutional Reforms and Democratic Renewal
- Future of crisis management in EU agriculture (presidency note)
- Commission’s package of support to EU farmers (background information)
- Council gives final green light to a targeted review of the common agricultural policy (press release, 13 May 2024)
- Large carnivore populations in Europe: challenges for agriculture and rural areas (information from the Austrian delegation)
Market situation, in particular following the invasion of Ukraine
The Council held an exchange of views on the latest developments and the most relevant issues concerning the EU’s agricultural markets, in particular in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ministers heard up-to-date information provided by the European Commission based on its spring edition of the short-term outlook for EU agricultural markets in 2024.
The short-term outlook continues to be characterised by uncertainties, due in particular to the evolution of geopolitical crises, which can impact trade, prices and the overall economy, and thus maintain pressure on farmers. The Council heard that there had been some favourable but limited developments on input costs, and that the profitability of the sector might also be affected by a decrease in consumers’ purchasing power.
Member states shared the most relevant developments in their agricultural markets and stressed several aspects, including the negative impact of adverse weather conditions, reduced profitability for specific sectors, such as the wine and the fruit and vegetables sectors, high interest rates, the need to ensure that Ukrainian imports reach their traditional markets, as well as their support for the proposal imposing tariffs on grain imports from Russia and Belarus.
Under this item, the Polish delegation provided information on the negative impact that recent adverse weather events were having on their fruit sector.
- Market situation in particular following the invasion of Ukraine (background document)
- European Commission’s spring 2024 short-term outlook (background information)
- Difficult situation of fruit producers due to expected decline in yields caused by unfavourable weather conditions (information from the Polish delegation)
Other business
Under ‘other business’, the Council also publicly addressed a number of issues raised by member states.
- Severe drought situation in Cyprus (information from the Cypriot delegation)
- Simplification and innovation-friendly regulation in the agrifood sector (information from the Danish delegation)
- Placing animal welfare at the core of the next European Commission’s agenda (information from the Slovenian delegation)
- Dual quality of foodstuffs (information from the Slovak delegation)
- The use of neonicotinoid substances as seed treatment (information from the Romanian delegation)
- Watch the recording of the public session
A items
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Preparatory documents
- Provisional agenda
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- Provisional list of A items
- Provisional list of A items, addition 1
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
Source – EU Council