'New CAP reform package represents the priorities set for Europe' 'This was one of the main priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union', said[...]

After three years of negotiations, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform package was concluded.

The announcement was made by the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, during the AGRIFISH Council held with the Member States on 28 and 29 June in Luxembourg.<_o3a_p>

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'Today, we concluded the most ambitious CAP yet. This was one of the main priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, as we know this new reform package represents the priorities set for Europe. These were six months of highly intense negotiations that led to a fundamental agreement to ensure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the European agri-food sector', Maria do Céu Antunes stated. <_o3a_p>

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The package was sent for appraisal by the Minister to her peers at the EU AGRIFISH council. Last week, in Brussels, at the last super trilogy meeting of the Portuguese Presidency, a provisional agreement was reached with the European Parliament and the European Commission, attended by the Chair of the Agriculture Committee, Norbert Lins, the Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, and the Agricultural Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowsk.<_o3a_p>

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The package signed was 'in line with the joint goals of the Council, the Parliament, and the European Commission, absolutely framed within the priorities set by the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union', Maria do Céu Antunes explained.<_o3a_p>

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'This modernized CAP offers the instruments that allow the sector to meet the EU goals, at the basis of which are a more resilient, greener and more digital Europe that is more social and open to the world. This reform ensures the development of the rural zones, it allows the European Green Deal to be implemented, it contributes to carbon neutrality, biodiversity, and food safety. Plus, it is based on innovation and the logic of transitioning to a new paradigm, without disruptive effects. We want to support farmers and the entire European food system, always concerned with not leaving anyone behind', she continued.<_o3a_p>

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'The new CAP is positive for Portugal'<_o3a_p>

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At national level, the new Common Agricultural Policy represents a positive and advantageous evolution, as it adapts to the national reality, which is made up of a diversity of agricultural systems and structures.<_o3a_p>

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Maria do Céu Antunes clarified that 'this CAP values diversified farming and envisages a strengthening of the social affairs and redistribution of benefits given to small and medium-sized farmers, as well as the incentives on technology and innovation'.<_o3a_p>

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The greater integration of environmental and social goals in this new CAP also includes specific assistance to make sure Portuguese agriculture will transition successfully. Furthermore, the EU budget allocated more resources to Portugal (4% more than in the previous cycle), while the instruments and rules now defined allow for the creation of a Strategic Plan between 2023 and 2027, with a set of fundamental assistance packages for Portuguese farmers.<_o3a_p>

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Among the most emblematic measures of this new CAP, and which have a direct impact on Portuguese agriculture, we note the following:<_o3a_p>

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- Inclusion of the social dimension for the first time. In addition to being novel in defining individual benefits and community benefits, this fact has the merit of showing good practice in the sector. It allows good working conditions for workers, value the farmers who comply and sanction those who do not abide by the legislation.<_o3a_p>

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- Creation of green payments, so-called eco-schemes. This measure is integrated in the CAP's first financial pillar with a minimum threshold of 25% of direct payments reserved for promoting environmentally friendly practices. In Portugal this will amount to around 150 million euros of direct assistance to farmers, yearly.<_o3a_p>

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- Reserve of an envelope equivalent to around 3% of direct payments to support young farmers, which in Portugal will amount to approximately 18 million euros yearly.<_o3a_p>

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- Creation of a fairer and more equitable guideline, with a reserve of at least 10% of the CAP's first pillar to be applied through redistribution payments to small and medium-sized farmers.<_o3a_p>

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- Creation of a set of benefits and rules for relevant systems and crops in Portugal, for instance extending the rights to plant wine up until 2045, strengthening Production Organizations, reinforcing the productions' sales conditions with geographic indication and assistance for irrigation.<_o3a_p>

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- Setting up a system based on a single Strategic Plan for Portugal, with a top-up at the subsidiarity level and based on a performance evaluation model.<_o3a_p>

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