Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed is spearheading efforts by EU agricultural ministers to prompt greater action from the European Commission in support of farmers and the wider agri-food sector.
All 27 ministers have put their names to a joint statement which calls for more comprehensive action by the EU in response to the fallout of COVID-19.
Minister Creed said: “The fact that all 27 member states have agreed this joint approach is a powerful expression of solidarity - one which I hope will register strongly with the European Commission and lead to decisive action as soon as possible.”
Flexibilities
Up to now, the response from the Commission has been limited to flexibilities on application deadlines, payment dates and inspections. Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has said the budget does not exist for greater market intervention and instead advised member states to use unspent rural development funds to support farmers.
Action
The document signed by the ministers looks for the following from the Commission:
The introduction of market support measures, in particular aid for private storage, to support sectors such as dairy, beef and ornamental flowers where significant market disturbances and price impacts have occurred. There should also be exceptional aid for farmers in the most affected sectors.Ongoing review and monitoring of all sectors over the coming weeks, with a readiness to introduce further support measures as necessary.The immediate extension of further flexibilities, including in relation to earlier payment dates, higher rates of advance payment than those already announced, and the implementation on-farm inspections and administrative checks, without lowering the effectiveness of the control system.Efforts
Minister Creed stated: “I have taken every opportunity, including through a recent bilateral discussion with the Commissioner, to press the need for urgent action at European level.
“While of course the immediate priority in this unprecedented public health emergency is the protection of public health, there is also a need to address the economic impacts of COVID-19, from which the agri-food sector is not immune.”
The effects of the pandemic were growing more acute by the day, the minister said, adding there was a clear need to urgently address difficulties being experienced by farmers and the agri-food sector.
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Commission increases advanced BPS payments and relaxes inspections
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Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed is spearheading efforts by EU agricultural ministers to prompt greater action from the European Commission in support of farmers and the wider agri-food sector.
All 27 ministers have put their names to a joint statement which calls for more comprehensive action by the EU in response to the fallout of COVID-19.
Minister Creed said: “The fact that all 27 member states have agreed this joint approach is a powerful expression of solidarity - one which I hope will register strongly with the European Commission and lead to decisive action as soon as possible.”
Flexibilities
Up to now, the response from the Commission has been limited to flexibilities on application deadlines, payment dates and inspections. Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski has said the budget does not exist for greater market intervention and instead advised member states to use unspent rural development funds to support farmers.
Action
The document signed by the ministers looks for the following from the Commission:
The introduction of market support measures, in particular aid for private storage, to support sectors such as dairy, beef and ornamental flowers where significant market disturbances and price impacts have occurred. There should also be exceptional aid for farmers in the most affected sectors.Ongoing review and monitoring of all sectors over the coming weeks, with a readiness to introduce further support measures as necessary.The immediate extension of further flexibilities, including in relation to earlier payment dates, higher rates of advance payment than those already announced, and the implementation on-farm inspections and administrative checks, without lowering the effectiveness of the control system.Efforts
Minister Creed stated: “I have taken every opportunity, including through a recent bilateral discussion with the Commissioner, to press the need for urgent action at European level.
“While of course the immediate priority in this unprecedented public health emergency is the protection of public health, there is also a need to address the economic impacts of COVID-19, from which the agri-food sector is not immune.”
The effects of the pandemic were growing more acute by the day, the minister said, adding there was a clear need to urgently address difficulties being experienced by farmers and the agri-food sector.
Read more
Commission increases advanced BPS payments and relaxes inspections
No EU market supports coming for agriculture
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