Armands Krauze: EU must strengthen its farmers in competition with third countries

On Monday April 29, in Luxemburg, Armands Krauze, the Minister for Agriculture will participate in the EU Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries where Member States will assess the European Commission (EC) measures for a quick response to the current situation in the sector of agriculture in EU.

Latvia asks the EC to continue reducing administrative burden, which is currently placed on shoulders of farmers and Member States by the Common Agricultural Policy and CAP-based Strategy Plans of Member States for 2023-2027.

Latvia also expects that EC will revise the agricultural de minimis aid ceiling, which currently is laying down too low and restrictive limits for State aid. Such a proposal is supported by several Member States. This means that Latvia's interest has been heard of and incorporated in the common wording of conclusions made by heads of Member States. This is a very necessary decision toward facilitating of agricultural economic activity.

At the Council meeting, Member States will also discuss the EC-proposed solutions to strengthening of farmers' position in food supply chains. Latvia supports it and insists on these solutions being simple and easily implemented. The trade will also be discussed - the existing and planned EU trade agreements with third countries. These agreements must be integrated and the EU long-term interests, particularly in the sector of agriculture, must be taken into consideration.

On Latvia's suggestion, the Council meeting will also address an issues with catch permitted approach limits or the difference between estimated catch at sea and its content by species that is registered in a catch log, compared with the amount weighted upon unloading and the registered amount. Latvia suggests providing that for unregulated species, to the amount of by-catch, which in the total catch is not big, a derrogation or specific rules would be provided regarding application of this condition.