Current situation in agriculture

The Ministers of the Member States discussed the measures to be taken in the current crisis situation in agriculture. Poland supported the demand of the German delegation, which presented a note on increasing the limit of de minimis aid.

Position of Poland

Minister Czesław Siekierski stressed that the changes introduced in the Green Deal were, to a large extent, a response of the EU to the demands of the protesting farmers. He stressed that it was necessary to return to the discussion on the other proposals of simplification submitted that February by the Member States.

– We sustain the demand for unlimited reporting of amendments that do not affect the final targets of the plans for all interventions of the strategic plan, including direct payments – said the Head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister Siekierski added that the time to approve amendments to the strategic plans by the Commission should be shortened – from three to one month.

The representative of the Polish delegation also noted that the previous measures concerning the food chain had not brought the expected empowering of farmers.

– The farmer is the weakest link in the food chain and has no influence on prices or margins. We should verify the good practices and solutions introduced in this respect in the Member States and review the regulations that refer to the transmission of prices and the distribution of margins – noted the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

– Only such an analysis will allow to properly prepare the proposals at the EU level – added Minister Siekierski.

The Head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture stressed that the new solutions could not have an adverse impact on the international competitiveness of the EU agri-food sector and should not increase administrative burdens.

Minister Siekierski supported the position of Austria on the need to extend the time for implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Position of Poland on trade

Minister Siekierski presented the Polish proposals, thanks to which trade agreements would be not only beneficial for farmers, but also acceptable for the society.

The chair of the Polish delegation stressed that the EU’s relations with its partners should respect the principle of reciprocity and balance of exchange of trade concessions, particularly in relation to the EU candidate countries – Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.

– Additional concessions in access to the EU market for these countries should be determined by improving access of EU export to their markets. They should also be related to the adaptation of the legislation of these countries to EU law with regard to the agricultural production standards and requirements – said Minister Siekierski.

The Minister noted that the provisions concerning tariff liberalisation being negotiated with third countries should consider the sensitivity of agricultural products, and the provisions concerning the bilateral safeguard clause, considering the specific nature of the agricultural sector, should be included in the agreements.

– This clause was not included, for example, in the Association Agreement (DCFTA) with Ukraine, which is a great challenge today – reminded the Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Annual reports on the achievement of the CAP targets

Based on the information provided by the European Commission, the EU Ministers exchanged views on the annual reports in which they informed about the progress in implementing the CAP.

– This year’s report covers only the first year of implementation of the Strategic Plan, therefore, we cannot share many experiences as regards the preparation of this report – said Minister Siekierski.

The Head of the Polish delegation noted that the first year of implementing the Plan had shown that changes were necessary that better responded to the needs resulting from the situation after the COVID-19 pandemic, from the consequences of the war in Ukraine and from emerging challenges.

Bioeconomy as an essential element of the work programme of the next European Commission

The Finnish delegation, on behalf of a dozen or so Member States, including Poland, presented a note on the bioeconomy, which should be an essential element of the work programme of the next EC.

Minister Czesław Siekierski informed that Poland positively assessed this initiative.

– We see a need to discuss the role of the bioeconomy in the implementation of EU strategies, as part of the future work programme of the European Commission – stressed Minister Czesław Siekierski.

The Head of the Polish delegation stated that the future Commission should also consider the potential of the bioeconomy in the development and improvement of farm profitability.

The Minister stressed that the support for the CAP should remain geared towards the food production targets.

– We need to see the importance of development of the bioeconomy – not only for farms, but also for rural areas struggling with the insufficient number of good quality jobs – said Minister Siekierski.

Meetings on the sidelines of the Council meeting

On the sidelines of the AGRIFISH Council meeting, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czesław Siekierski held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Agriculture of Finland on the status of protection of wolves and on the possible inclusion of American mink in the list of invasive species by the European Commission.