Imports from Ukrainecost fuelenvironmental regulations… A few months before the European elections of June, the wrath of farmers will be a key topic of discussion at today's meeting EU Agriculture Ministersahead of the launch on Thursday in Brussels of “a strategic dialogue” to settle their grievances.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenhad promised this initiative as early as September, assuring that agriculture and environmental protection can go together.
This strategic dialogue begins at the time after Netherlandsthe farmers in Francethe Germanythe Romania and Poland they stage demonstrations – from road closures to tractor-trailer demonstrations.
“A welcome but delayed initiative”, responded Copa-Cogeca, the association of European producers, estimating that the issues to be discussed have not been clarified.
Farmers' protests remain a hot topic a few months before the European elections: polls predict a rise in the far right and nationalists who are capitalizing on their discontent.
Stated goal of Thursday's meeting? “Overcoming the differences in the debates on the ecological transition”, which is at the heart of the European Green Deal.
The talks will cover issues such as farmers' income, sustainability of agricultural practices, technological innovation, competitiveness. “The idea is to shape a shared vision for the future, ensuring that farmers are rewarded for their contribution to environmental goals,” explained Olof Gill, the Commission's spokesman.
Agricultural organizations, the agri-food sector, non-governmental organizations and experts were invited last week to participate in this meeting.
“Many regulatory rules”
Although in each country farmers cite different issues for their mobilizations, as for example in Germany the removal of fuel subsidies, it is undeniable that unrest in the agricultural sector has increased everywhere: extreme weather events (drought, floods…), influenza of birds, skyrocketing energy prices.
Another divisive issue is the large influx of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU after the abolition of tariffs in 2022. Brussels is expected to decide soon on their reinstatement from June, but at the same time adopting “safety” mechanisms.
In addition to the Poles and Romanians, farmers and agricultural organizations are calling for restrictions on imports from Ukraine, as they consider that they greatly reduce the prices of products.
But mainly there is “resentment at the plethora of regulatory rules” included in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) among farmers, estimated Christian Lambert, president of Copa.
Warnings ignored
In the European Parliament, the topic dominates the discussions in recent months. The EPP, the largest political group in Strasbourg, is promoting amendments to the texts concerning the agricultural sector, wishing to be reduced to a defender of farmers.
“We share environmental ambitions, but we have to adapt them to the current situation. The prices of agricultural products are decreasing, the costs are skyrocketing (…) it's going too far”, estimated Anne Sander of the EPP.
This dialogue “starts too late. The Commission has been ignoring the farming world and the warnings for four years,” he added.
“Farmers are a crucial electoral base, the right and far right want to give him the impression that the environmental transition is at their expense,” complained the vice-president of the Socialists (S&D), Pedro Marques.
But he admitted the need to give them the right “support” as the EU prepares to start discussions on its ambitious 2040 climate targets, which see a painful decarbonisation for farmers.
Source: News Beast
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