The European Union Affairs Committee underlines the importance of faster equalisation of direct payments in agriculture

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that the European Common Agricultural Policy was vital for the resilience and the comprehensive security of European countries. “At the time when Estonia and other EU countries bordering on aggressive Russia are investing massively in security, agricultural direct payments are still not fair,” he added.

Tali pointed out that the level of Common Agricultural Policy direct payments in Estonia was expected raise to 86% of the EU average per hectare by 2027, but if the level of direct payments for the Baltic States had not been increased in the period of 2021–2027, the Estonian farmers would have received around 76% of the EU average within this timeframe. “This is not normal. The European Union must act in solidarity, not just talk about solidarity,” Tali said.

“Direct payments must become fair,” the Chairman of the Committee underlined, pointing out that the harmonisation of direct payments must continue. “Food is one of the foundations of security, and it must be produced in sufficient quantities to supply the country,” said Tali, adding that the CAP also included other objectives such as environmental protection, development of rural regions and bridging of regional gaps.

Enlargement of the European Union was also discussed at the sitting. It was noted that after the enlargement, the Common Agricultural Policy would probably be reformed. The accession of Ukraine alone would have a significant impact on agricultural policy, as it is a large country with much agricultural land. It was also noted that everybody expected that there should be less bureaucracy connected with the support measures, and the system should be more flexible and faster.

It was also pointed out that Estonia believed that a food security system could be developed, and the possibility of using the EU’s central crisis reserve fund to cover losses was discussed.

At the sitting, Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Piret Hartman and Head of Land Use Policy Department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Katrin Rannik gave an overview of the Government’s positions for the negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union for the period beginning in 2028.

The Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union plans to present the conclusions and the legislative framework this year.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee underlines the importance of faster equalisation of direct payments in agriculture

Source: Parliament of Estonia