387-billion-Deal: Fierce criticism of the EU to compromise on agriculture policy

“Change of system” or missed opportunity? The EU States have agreed on a common line with the Reform of the agricultural policy. Minister of agriculture Klöckner sees “stronger environmental and climate ambition”. Environmentalists, however, are upset.

The painstakingly achieved the EU compromise to the multibillion-dollar agricultural policy in the coming years in the view of environmentalists is totally inadequate. Climate and environmental issues were insufficiently taken into account, shared with several organizations on Wednesday. The German farmers ‘ Association spoke of a “portable European compromise”.

The EU States had agreed early Wednesday morning after nearly two days of negotiations on a common Position of the planned EU agricultural reform. Shortly before, the European Parliament also had a set vertices. Both sides are due to start negotiations with each other. A final Reform is not so.

Armed so-called Eco-regulations

For a greener agriculture, especially so-called Eco-schemes (Eco Schemes) to be a sticking point in the Marathon negotiations. The environmental measures that go beyond the mandatory requirements for farmers also. Originally, a number of States had rejected this. Under the compromise, the EU must make a reservation in States now, in the future, at least 20 percent of the direct payment. A country that meets you, the host, he gets extra money. Thus, a climate – and environment-friendly agriculture for farmers to be more attractive.

In Germany a billion euros in the budget for the so-called Eco-Schemes would be provided in addition, as Federal agriculture Minister, Julia Klöckner (CDU) announced. What must the farmer do to it, is still to be determined. There are likely to be measures for the protection of species, to provide about so-called flower strips with flowers on the edge of the fields, to insect food. Anyone who fails to comply with the can then apply for money for it – whether it be an organic Farmer or conventional work in the host country.

The EU Commission had proposed to 2018, a comprehensive agrarian reform for the years 2021 to 2027. In the meantime, a Transitional period applies for the next two years so that the new rules would only apply from 2023 in force. The Budget for the agricultural policy is the largest Item in the EU budget. Until 2027, the EU provided countries around 387 billion euros. Many farmers are dependent on the payments from Brussels, fear but at the same time, new environmental requirements.

Fierce criticism from environmentalists and the Green

Environmentalists a lot of the environment, however, demand-friendly agricultural policy, in the face of climate change and increasing species extinction. Today’s decisions of the EU agricultural Council and the first votes in the European Parliament are disappointing,” said Olaf Bandt, Chairman of the Federation for environment and nature conservation Germany. “The urgently needed Reform of the EU agricultural policy will not be green and fair – it seems to fail on the contrary again.”

Sascha Müller-Kraenner, Federal managing Director of the German environmental aid, said: “The compromise on the Common agricultural policy on the costs of climate-, nature – and animal protection.” The WWF said that the destructive policy of subsidies” would continue.

Greenpeace agriculture expert Lasse van Aken, criticized the Council of agriculture Ministers have watered down the “already weak submission to the EU Commission to beyond recognition”. Instead decided against shutdown of farms, loss of Species and the climate crisis to proceed, and operated many of the Minister “clientele policy for large farms and Agriculture to the detriment of family farms and the environment.”

Also, the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg expressed their disappointment on Twitter.

While media what is reporting on “names of vegan hot dogs,” the EU Parliament signed away €387bn to a new agricultural policy that basically means surrender on climate &environment. No awareness means no pressure and accountability so the outcome is no surprise. They just don’t care. https://t.co/evW9SzQFZx

— Greta Thunberg (@Greta Thun Berg) October 21, 2020

Greens leader Robert Habeck criticized the agreement also sharp: The resolutions of the “rich front and rear, in order to achieve the targets of the EU and to give the farmers security”. This “foresight and determination” is lacking, said Habeck with a view to the agreement, according to which, in the future, among other things, a fifth of the current direct payments to farmers, stricter Eco-targets that are coupled. “It is absolutely disappointing how little political consequences of the social and scientific debate.”

Klöckner defended agrarian reform

Klöckner language, however, of a “change of system” in the EU-agricultural policy. “We show that a stronger environmental and climate ambition goes together with food security and of the necessary income support for farms,” she said. Because Germany currently holds the presidency of the EU-States, headed by Klöckner negotiations.

Already in the late evening Service the Europe was laid down by the Parliament of the cornerstones of his Position for the Common agricultural policy (CAP) and calls for the Eco schemes, a proportion of at least 30 percent of direct payments. His final line will set the Parliament up to the end of the week. Subsequently, the negotiations between Parliament and EU States could begin.

A number of EU States had rejected mandatory Eco-rules in the course of the negotiations. Therefore, Klöckner went on Wednesday night with a compromise proposal of the Minister round. Accordingly, a two-year “learning phase, it is now provided, among other things,” for the Eco-rules. You should ensure that the money is lost from these environmental programmes for the EU member States, if the Eco-regulations of the Budget is not exhausted. In addition, the countries also environmental services that are provided in the so-called second pillar are, in the case of the Eco-Schemes credit.

What is new is the compromise that the principal must create cities for the future national strategy plans which must be approved by the EU Commission. In it, you should represent how you want to achieve a series of predetermined goals such as the preservation of nature, climate protection and the safeguarding of food quality.

Also, farmers ‘ Association satisfied with the compromise

The German farmers ‘ Association considers the criticism from conservationists, the defendant is a “More so”, to be unfounded. This lacked “any basis,” said Bauer, President Joachim Rukwied. The result was “a necessary and, ultimately, portable European compromise,” said Rukwied. “The way to a greener agricultural policy continues and brings to the farmers with new challenges that we face.”

For Germany, the decisions, the funds for environmental measures in agriculture more than doubled “on the order of around 1.8 billion euros meant,” said the farmer President. At the same time a minimum level of income support for agriculture remains in place.” Important binding European targets were not, so that the implementation would lead to a patchwork. Farmers, but also the Federal government and the countries needed for the national implementation of fast final clarity.

To date, much of the money goes into the so-called first pillar direct payments to farmers. The sum depends primarily on the size of the farmed area – larger farms get so much money. A smaller part of the money will go in the second pillar, among other things, in the development of rural areas.

les
dpa

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