News

On 28/01/2021, the European Commission adopted the extension of exceptional measures to support the wine sector by one year, making the measures applicable until 15 October 2021 and retroactive from 16 October 2020. The Commission has decided to extend the rules in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the wine sector suffered from the closure of HORECA sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés). Measures enabling crisis distillation, storage, as well as enhanced flexibility in European market support programs have been extended.
More information is available here.

The European Commission will consider promoting private storage of pork to help producers who currently face very low pig meat prices and the additional costs associated with the outbreak of African swine fever and the Covid-19 crisis. Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced at a press conference during the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 25/01/2021 that the use of market-based instruments needs to be carefully considered given current storage capacity and limited export opportunities to third countries. Slovenia, supported by thirteen other EU countries (AT, HR, CY, CZ, EE, FR, EL, HU, LV, LT, PL, RO, SK), called for the introduction of support instruments for the pig meat sector during the Council of Ministers.
More information is available here.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has prepared an update on the impact of trade agreements on EU agriculture. According to the study's conclusions, trade agreements will have a positive impact on the EU economy, and by 2030 both imports and exports will strengthen. The study focused on the effects of trade with the 12 main partners: Mercosur, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand. By 2030, imports from Mercosur should reach €21 billion, up to 54% of total imports from a total of 12 trading partner countries (as well as 44% of beef imports and 37% of poultry imports). Indonesia should be the second largest importer in the EU in 2030 (€4.74 billion). By 2030, imports from these 12 countries should cover 35% of imports, and a total of 12% of EU exports would flow into the markets of these countries. According to the JRC, by 2030, trade agreements should help boost agri-food exports by up to 30%, and imports by up to 15%. According to the JRC, the increase in exports could be positive, especially for the dairy, pork, wheat, wine, beverage, and processed food sectors. However, the JRC emphasizes that strengthening imports from third countries may jeopardize sensitive EU sectors, including beef, poultry and sheep, rice, and sugar.
More information is available here.

EU agriculture ministers will discuss fishing opportunities for 2021, the Commission's information on trade-related issues and the presidency's information on the state of play of CAP reform negotiations on 25/01/2021 at an informal video conference of ministers. Under miscellaneous items, the Croatian delegation will report on the effects of the recent earthquake on the agricultural sector and rural areas, and the Slovenian delegation together with AT, HR, CY, CZ, EE, FR, EL, HU, LT, LV, PL, RO, and SK will inform about the situation on the pork market.

The European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) will discuss on 25/01/2021 a study by the European Parliament focusing on the largest recipients of subsidies in each EU Member State. The study, entitled " Study on the largest 50 beneficiaries in each EU Member State of CAP and cohesion funds", will be presented by the rapporteur on the subject, German MEP Monika Hohlmeier (EPP).
Agenda is available here, record of the meeting is available here.