Common Agricultural Policy transitional regulation mandate
Quote from Bronis Ropé MEP
Today, the majority of MEPs voted in favour of the negotiating mandate for the transitional regulation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and to postpone a more sustainable agricultural policy for another two years.
Bronis Ropé MEP, agriculture policy spokesman for the Greens/EFA Group, comments:
"The proposed transitional rules for the Common Agricultural Policy cement a backward-looking agricultural policy and postpone key decisions on the future of the biggest part of the EU budget. We are losing important time to sow the seeds for a sustainable economic recovery.
"Cosmetic changes to the ongoing CAP do not ensure the fair distribution of funds, nor protect biodiversity, animals and the climate. A sustainable common agricultural policy must be rooted in the Green Deal, as well addressing the problems of inequalities of direct payments between Members States. The European Commission should present a farm to fork strategy that works for people and the planet as soon as possible."
Background:
The Greens/EFA Group voted against the negotiating mandate of rapporteur Elsi Katainen (Renew, Finland) because it cements a backward-looking agricultural policy. The Transitional Regulation (transitional rules for support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) in 2021) is intended to set rules for the Common European Agricultural Policy (CAP) until the new CAP will enter info force. Negotiations with the European Commission and the Council are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Each year, the EU spends 35 percent of the EU budget on the Common Agricultural Policy, or 50 billion euros.
