EU farm policy reform: Parliament and Council strike a deal
Jun 25 2021
EU farm policy reform: Parliament and Council strike a deal

News | European Parliament

  • More support for those who apply climate- and environmentally-friendly practices
  • 10% of national direct payments to support small and medium-sized farms
  • Tailor-made measures to help farmers deal with crises
  • More transparency on how EU funds are spent, higher sanctions for repeated infringements

Parliament’s and Council’s negotiators reached an informal political agreement on three EU laws that will govern the 2023-2027 EU farm policy, on Friday.

Negotiators endorsed a policy shift that should tailor the EU’s farm policy better to the needs of individual member states, but they insist the European Union’s agricultural policy must also remain common. The new rules provide that national governments should draft strategic plans, which the Commission will endorse, specifying how they intend to implement EU objectives on the ground. The Commission would be checking their performance as well as their compliance with EU rules.

Promoting a better environmental performance for EU farms

Thanks to MEPs, preserving and strengthening biodiversity in the EU and meeting the European Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement will become one of the objectives of the future EU farm policy. Parliament also ensured that the Commission, when assessing national strategic plans, should check their contribution to the EU’s environmental and climate commitments and the 2030 EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies targets.

During the negotiations, Parliament insisted on strengthening mandatory climate and environmentally-friendly practices, the so-called conditionality, that each farmer must apply to get direct support. On top of that, MEPs got EU governments on board to dedicate at least 35% of the rural development budget to environmental and climate-related measures and, as a general rule, at least 25% of the direct payments budget to eco-schemes, which would be voluntary but would increase farmers’ income.

More money for small farms and young farmers, and better working conditions

MEPs ensured that at least 10% of national direct payments would have to be used to support small and medium-sized farms. To this end, member states could use a redistributive top-up payment or decide to progressively reduce annual direct payments to farmers above €60 000, and cap them at €100 000. If such a scheme is introduced, national governments could allow farmers to deduct 50% of agriculture-related salaries from the total amount before reduction.

EU states could use at least 3% of their CAP budgets to support young farmers. Support for new farmers could be granted from rural development funding.

MEPs also insisted on protecting the rights of farm workers more robustly. They got Council on board for setting up a mechanism to connect, as of 2025 at the latest, national labour inspectors with CAP paying agencies to penalise breaches of EU labour rules.

Helping farmers deal with risks and crises

Throughout the negotiations, Parliament pushed for further measures to help farmers cope with risks and potential future crises. They introduced measures to ensure that the market will be more transparent and better prepared for potential turbulence, and that practices aiming for higher environmental, animal health, or animal welfare standards will be exempt from competition rules. The existing crisis reserve, helping farmers with price or market instability, will be turned from an ad-hoc instrument to a permanent one with a proper budget.

More transparency to protect EU funds and higher sanctions for repeated breaches

MEPs insisted on more transparency on the final beneficiaries of EU subsidies and ensured that member states will be given access to the EU data-mining tool to avoid circumventing EU rules and to duly protect EU funds.

Parliament also made sure that those who repeatedly fail to comply with EU requirements (e.g. on the environment and animal welfare), will face increased sanctions. This should cost farmers 10% of their entitlements (up from today’s 5%).

More information about the approved texts is available in the Q&A.

Next steps

Following the political agreement, the text still need to be technically and legally fine-tuned. It will then have to be approved by the Parliament – first by the Agriculture Committee and then by the full House- and by the Council, to enter into force. New EU farm policy rules should be applicable as of 1 January 2023.

Background

The last reform of the EU farm policy, established in 1962, dates back to 2013. The 2013-2020 CAP rules expired on 31 December 2020 but they were extended and replaced by transitional rules, until the end of 2022.

The CAP accounts for less than a third (31.95% or €386.6 billion) of the 2021-2027 EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework budget (€1.21 trillion). Around 70% of the CAP budget supports the income of six to seven million EU farms.

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EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health
Jun 24 2021
EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health

News | European Parliament

  • Guarantee access to safe and legal abortion
  • Remove all barriers to sexual and reproductive health services
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on women’s health and rights
  • There should be no VAT on menstrual products

MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in a report adopted on Thursday.

With 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions, plenary states that the right to health, in particular sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), is a fundamental pillar of women’s rights and gender equality that cannot in any way be watered down or withdrawn. 

Parliament declares that violations of women’s SRHR are a form of violence against women and girls and hinder progress towards gender equality. It thus calls on EU countries to ensure women are offered high quality, comprehensive and accessible SRHR, and to remove all barriers impeding them from using these services.

 

Access to abortion, contraception and sexuality education

MEPs stress that some member states still have highly restrictive laws prohibiting abortion except in strictly defined circumstances, forcing women to seek clandestine abortions or carry their pregnancy to term against their will, which is a violation of their human rights. They urge all member states to ensure universal access to safe and legal abortion, and guarantee that abortion on request is legal in early pregnancy, and beyond if the pregnant person’s health is in danger.

MEPs regret that some member states allow medical practitioners, and even entire medical institutions, refuse the provision of health services because of a so-called conscience clause. This leads to the denial of abortion care on the grounds of religion or conscience and puts women’s lives in danger.

Furthermore, the House demands that EU countries ensure a range of high-quality contraceptive methods and supplies, family counselling and information on contraception are widely available. 

MEPs regret that access to abortion continues to be limited during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the effects the pandemic has had on the supply and access to contraceptives. 

Parliament encourages member states to ensure sexuality education is taught comprehensively to primary and secondary school children, as SRHR education can significantly contribute to reducing sexual violence and harassment.

 

Menstrual products are essential basic goods

Pointing out the negative effects of the so-called tampon tax on gender equality, MEPs call on member states to make use of the flexibility introduced in the VAT Directive and apply exemptions or 0% VAT rates to these essential basic goods. They also ask EU countries to tackle menstrual poverty by providing free period products to anyone in need.

 

Quote 

Rapporteur Predrag Matić (S&D, HR) said: ‘‘This vote marks a new era in the European Union and the first real resistance to a regressive agenda that has trampled on women’s rights in Europe for years. A majority of MEPs have made their position clear to member states and called on them to ensure access to safe and legal abortion and a range of other sexual and reproductive health services.’’

 

A worldwide issue

In a separate resolution taking stock of the results of the Nairobi Summit on population and development, MEPs emphasise that women around the world should be guaranteed proper and affordable healthcare and respect for their sexual and reproductive rights. They add that accessible SRHR services, family planning, maternal, antenatal and neonatal healthcare and safe abortion services are important elements in saving women’s lives and reducing infant and child mortality. The text passed with 444 votes to 182 and 57 abstentions.

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EU Climate Law: MEPs confirm deal on climate neutrality by 2050 | News | European Parliament
Jun 24 2021
EU Climate Law: MEPs confirm deal on climate neutrality by 2050

News | European Parliament

  • EU carbon sinks will de facto raise 2030 emissions reduction target to 57%
  • Greenhouse gas budget must guide 2040-target
  • New independent EU scientific body to monitor progress

The new EU Climate Law increases the EU’s 2030 emissions reductions target from 40% to at least 55%. With the contribution from new carbon sinks it could raise to 57%.

Parliament endorsed the Climate Law, agreed informally with member states in April, with 442 votes to 203 and 51 abstentions. It transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition. After 2050, the EU will aim for negative emissions.

Stepping up ambition in 2030

The new EU Climate Law increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Additionally, an upcoming proposal from the Commission on the LULUCF Regulation to regulate GHG emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry, will increase EU carbon sinks and will hence de facto increase the 2030 EU’s target to 57%.

Greenhouse gas budget must guide upcoming 2040 target

The Commission will make a proposal for a 2040 target at the latest six months after the first global review in 2023 foreseen in the Paris Agreement. In line with Parliament’s proposal, the Commission will publish the maximum amount of GHG emissions estimated the EU can emit until 2050 without endangering the EU’s commitments under the Agreement. This so-called ‘GHG budget’ will be one of the criteria to define the EU’s revised 2040 target.

By 30 September 2023, and every five years thereafter, the Commission will assess the collective progress made by all EU countries, as well as the consistency of national measures, towards the EU’s goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change

Given the importance of independent scientific advice, and on the basis of a proposal from Parliament, a European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change will be set-up to monitor progress and to assess whether European policy is consistent with these objectives.

Quote

Parliament rapporteur Jytte Guteland (S&D, Sweden) said: “I am proud that we finally have a climate law. We confirmed a net emissions reductions target of at least 55%, closer to 57% by 2030 according to our agreement with the Commission. I would have preferred to go even further, but this is a good deal based on science that will make a big difference. The EU must now reduce emissions more in the next decade than it has in the previous three decades combined, and we have new and more ambitious targets that can inspire more countries to step up.”

Next steps

The deal is expected to be approved by the Council shortly. The Regulation will then be published in the Official Journal and enter into force 20 days later. The Commission plans to present a series of proposals on 14 July 2021 in order for the EU to be able to reach the more ambitious 2030-target.

Background

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.

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EP Today | News | European Parliament
Jun 23 2021
EP Today | News | European Parliament

EP President David Sassoli will open the plenary session from the hemicycle in Brussels at 15.00, announcing a formal sitting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to be added to Thursday’s agenda at 11.30.

Live coverage of debates and votes can be found on Parliament’s Parliament’s webstreaming and on EbS+.

For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.All information regarding plenary, including speakers’ lists, can be found here.

EU summit and Relaunch of the Malta Declaration

After the plenary opening, MEPs will present their expectations for the upcoming European Council in a debate with EC Vice-President Šefčovič and the Portuguese Presidency. The 24-25 June summit will focus on the evolution of the pandemic and Europe’s economic recovery, migration policy and relations with Russia and Turkey. Plenary will also debate the management of migration flows and rescue at sea operations, amid calls for member states to agree on a scheme for the relocation of those arriving to front-line countries.

Estefania NARRILLOS
(+32) 498 98 39 85

Cohesion policy

The €243 billion “cohesion package” will be debated with Commissioner Ferreira, ahead of a final vote on Thursday. The three funds comprising the package will strengthen the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion over the next seven years, with a focus on climate action, social justice, sustainable urban development and overcoming the effects of the pandemic.

Marcia BIZZOTTO
(+32) 283 21 98

EP_Regional

Sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU

MEPs will debate with Commissioner Dalli a report on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, which calls for full access to safe and legal abortion across the EU and highlights the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women’s health and rights. The vote will take place on Thursday.

Nicolas DELALEU
(+32) 471 95 35 11
EP_GenderEqual

In brief

2020 Rule of law report. MEPs will assess a 2020 report by the Commission on the situation of democracy and the rule of law across the EU with Commissioner Reynders. A resolution, which MEPs will vote on Thursday, asks for improvements in the report’s methodology like the inclusion of recommendations and milestones for member states that have been identified as needing to address specific issues.

Annual report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plenary will review the country’s progress towards EU’s accession. In a debate with Commissioner Várhelyi and the Portuguese Presidency, MEPs will point to the need for sustainable peace and reconciliation and to the importance of advancing constitutional reforms. The vote will take place on Thursday.

EU-Swiss relations. MEPs will discuss with EC Vice-President Šefčovič future relations with Switzerland, following the Swiss decision to stop negotiations with the EU on the bilateral Institutional Framework Agreement.

Votes

Between 17.00 and 18.15, MEPs will vote, among other things, on:

  • conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO),
  • controls on animals and products of animal origin regarding the use of antimicrobials,
  • regulations of the EU Ombudsman, and
  • challenges and opportunities for the fishing sector in the Black Sea.

 

They will also vote on amendments on:

  • changes to the Visa Information System, and
  • the role of the EU’s development cooperation and humanitarian assistance in addressing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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