The Diplomat
The European Commission yesterday formally approved the national strategic plans of Spain and six other Member States for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) next year, giving the official go-ahead to the political agreement reached in July between Brussels and several governments.
Along with Spain, France, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Ireland and Portugal have also had their strategic plans approved, a key step towards implementing the new common agricultural policy in the EU from 2023, reports Europa Press.
The strategic plans demanded by Brussels seek to promote more efficient forms of agricultural work. In the case of Spain, the European Commission corrected and revised certain points and presented the final referral. Among the latest modifications introduced for the approval of the plan, the European Commission did not consider the inclusion of sunflower and rapeseed in the protein plan, the Spanish proposal is to allocate the 45 million euros planned for these crops and to increase basic income aid to the regions where they are produced.
According to the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, this step brings us closer to the implementation of the new CAP for the next five years. “These developments come at a crucial time, when the importance of robust support for the agricultural sector is absolutely clear,” he said.
The Polish Commissioner recalled that producers are facing environmental challenges, such as drought in Europe, and a sharp increase in production costs due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“The new CAP will help us to support stable agricultural livelihoods and long-term food security by promoting a smart, competitive, resilient and diversified agricultural sector,” said Wojciechowski, expressing his congratulations to those member states that have already finalised their plans.
Brussels stresses that the new CAP is designed to modernise the sector and have a “sustainable, resilient and modern” agriculture in Europe and seeks to ensure that funds reach more small and medium-sized farms and young farmers. It also highlights the commitment to new innovations, from precision farming to agro-ecological production methods.
“By supporting concrete actions in these and other areas, the new CAP can be the cornerstone for food security and farming communities in the EU,” reads the EU executive’s communiqué.
