Mixed results for MEPs’ first effort

MEPs have decided that no country’s farmers should receive less than 65% of the EU average payment (which is about €5,000 per farmer and €280 per hectare).

In negotiations starting on Apr 11, Simon Coveney will aim to reconcile this with a more flexible proposal from EU agriculture ministers, and with the European Commission’s insistence on equity in distribution of CAP support, with real convergence between member states, regions and farmers. However, both the European Parliament and ministers support flexibility for member states — in the form of a top-up payment on the first hectares, to be determined by the member states. MEPs have also allowed for a review to monitor the impact of the move towards more even land-based payments.

Playing a direct role in shaping EU farming policy for the first time ever (under powers bestowed by the 2009 Lisbon Treaty), MEPs unveiled their demands last week.