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The Council of the European Union is chaired in turn by each Member State for six months. However, to ensure continuity, successive Presidencies work closely together in groups of three. The Presidential Troika is thus preparing the Council's plan for 18 months ahead. The forthcoming troika of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia last week presented its own plan by the end of 2021. During this time, the Council should implement all measures necessary to overcome the consequences of Covid-19, rebuild the European economy and restore the functioning of the Single market. The Troika emphasized the commitment to reach an agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework as soon as possible, and the countries will also work towards an agreement on the CAP during their presidency.

The largest recipients of CAP subsidies in Germany are federal states (Länder), municipalities and producer organizations, not individual farmers. According to the German media, in 2019 there were 179 recipients of subsidies in the Germany who received over € 1 million from the CAP, 45 recipients with subsidies over € 2 million, and 16 recipients with subsidies over € 3 million from the CAP. In this context, the German branch of the environmental organization Greenpeace calls for a thorough reform of the CAP rules.
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On 28/05/2020, the European Parliament's Environment Committee discussed the Committee's first draft opinion on the legislative framework for achieving climate neutrality, presented by the Commission in March 2020. The rapporteur for the Committee's opinion is Swedish MEP Jytte Guteland (S&D). In its proposal, the Commission has supported achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and reducing emissions by 50-55% by 2030. However, the Environment Committee proposes strengthening ambitions and reducing emissions by 65% by 2030 and proposes the introduction of an additional emission reduction target for year 2040 by 80 to 85% (compared to 1990).
More information is available here and here.

On 26/05/2020, the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee supported the introduction of clear criteria for combating deforestation in future EU trade agreements. The opinion was adopted by 31 votes to 13, with 4 abstentions. According to the opinion, EU trade agreements must include safeguard clauses allowing the EU to stop importing products from countries where deforestation is taking place. The agreements are to include binding and enforceable provisions for the protection of forests. The EU should also introduce a mandatory due diligence system and legally binding criteria for sustainable commodity production.
More information is available here.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO U.N.) has published a Report on the State of Forests. According to the report, agriculture is the main cause of deforestation in the world. Representatives of the FAO called it necessary to protect biodiversity and stop deforestation by changing the way food is produced. According to the FAO, agroforestry and agroecology should be supported, food waste should be reduced, and healthier eating habits should be encouraged.
More information is available here.