News

On 20/04/2020, the European Commission published a short-term market outlook for 2020. According to the European Commission, the sector is effectively adapting to the new circumstances related to the COVID-19 outbreak, mitigation of effect of COVID-19 pandemic is also supported by measures taken by the Commission. As a result of the restrictions, demand for pasta, rice, flour, canned fruits and vegetables increased, while consumption of meat, wine and specialty cheeses decreased.
More information is available here.

US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue decided at a time of economic downturn following the coronavirus pandemic to implement a $ 19 billion aid package to U.S. farmers and processors. Of this amount, $ 2.9 billion will be spent on direct aid to dairy farmers and $ 3 billion on dairy purchases to strengthen food donation programs. An additional $ 100 million per month will be allocated to the distribution of dairy and meat products to the public through food aid programs.
More information i available here.

European Parliament approved coordinated EU action to combat COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences during plenary on 17/04/2020 - Parliament calls on the Commission and Member States to act together to address the coronavirus crisis, also calls for the creation of a European Health Response Mechanism to better prepare and respond to any type of future health or sanitary crisis. Parliament stresses the need to ensure support for the agricultural and food sectors, while ensuring barrier-free transport of food within the EU single market. Furthermore, as part of the new Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Commission should propose a massive recovery and reconstruction package for investment to support the European economy after the crisis, with the European Green Deal at its core. Furthermore, Parliament proposes the creation of an EU COVID-19 Solidarity Fund of at least € 50 billion, consisting of up to € 20 billion outside the MFF ceilings in grants and up to € 30 billion in loans, guaranteed by the EU Budget. Parliament also stresses the immediate need to do more for SMEs, help them maintain jobs and manage their liquidity. Member States must also take all measures to ensure that workers in Europe, including the self-employed, are protected against loss of income and provide the necessary support and financial liquidity to the most affected companies, especially SMEs. The European Parliament supports measures in favour of the EU agri-food sector and the viability of farms during the crisis, namely through liquidity support via the timely (pre-)payment of direct and second pillar payments, flexibility in the management of aid schemes and in the submission of claims, market monitoring and crisis management (private storage, promotion measures and exceptional measures to allow the Commission to propose additional market measures and time-limited derogations from competition law).
More information is available here.

On 14/04/2020, the Council of the European Union adopted an amended EU budget for 2020 to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU is making available almost all the remaining money from this year's budget. The Council adopted two proposals amending the EU budget - according to the Council, commitments have been increased overall by €3.57 billion and amount to €172.2 billion. Payments have been increased by €1.6 billion, reaching a total of €155.2 billion. Draft amending budget No 1 earmarks € 115 million for co-financing measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak, € 350 million to support Greece as the country faces increasing migratory pressures, and € 100 million to support Albania in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the country on 26 November 2019. Draft amending budget No 2 earmarks an additional €3 billion in commitments and €1.53 billion in payments to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, €2.7 billion will be used to fund the provision of emergency healthcare support such as the stockpiling and distribution of essential resources, the creation of temporary hospitals, and the cross-border transportation of patients. The remaining €300 million will be used to increase capacities for stockpiling, coordinating, and distributing essential medical supplies, such as protective gear and ventilators The European Parliament approved the Council's opinion during the EP plenary on 17/04/2020.
More information is available here, here and here.

On 14/04/2020, the Council of the European Union approved a proposal to support the fishery and aquaculture sector to help tackle the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The proposal introduces support in relation to the temporary cessation of fishing activities with a maximum co-financing rate of 75 % of eligible public expenditure, support in relation to the temporary suspension or reduction of aquaculture production and sales, or support to producer organisations and associations of producer organisations for the storage of fishery and aquaculture products. The European Parliament approved the Council's opinion during the EP plenary on 17/04/2020.
More information is available here and here.