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The European Commission has drafted its new working programme, the first version of which leaked into the Brussels media last week. According to the leaked version, the European Commission is considering further postponement of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy, both of which were initially to be submitted on 25/03/2020, but the deadline was postponed to 29/04/2020. The reason for the new postponement of the Farm to Fork Strategy is the Commission's effort to include in the Strategy proposal initiatives and actions related to the current COVID-19 pandemic and its further resolution, as well as the need to adjust the MFF for 2021-2027. According to some sources, the Farm to Fork Strategy could not be published until this autumn. The postponement of the Biodiversity Strategy is not yet clear, the Commission notes that the strategy is intricately linked to Farm to Fork, but according to the Commission its timing is still relevant. Any delay in the Biodiversity Strategy could only be short, possibly before the summer break, according to the Commission's new updated programme. There may also be some - unspecified - delay in the evaluation of the Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, the EU Animal Welfare Strategy, and the Evaluation of Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Maximum Pesticide Residue Limits. Delays could also occur with the Chemicals Sustainability Strategy, which is expected to be published this autumn. The postponement of the Farm to Fork Strategy is supported by a majority of the members of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (apart from the Greens of S&D) and Europe's largest agricultural organization, Copa and Cogeca; on the other hand, environmental organizations, including WWF or Greenpeace, refuse further delay.
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On 15/04/2020, the Council adopted a common classification system - “taxonomy”, which will provide businesses and investors to refocus their investments on more sustainable technologies and businesses. The taxonomy fits into the European Union's plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The taxonomy should be established by the end of 2020, with individual parts to be implemented gradually between 2020-2022 The regulation now needs to be adopted by the European Parliament before it can be published in the Official Journal and enter into force.
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Agricultural organizations reported last week about the serious situation in Hungary regarding the spread of avian influenza on Hungarian territory. According to information from Hungarian agricultural organizations, dozens of new cases occur weekly, the situation is serious also due to the current COVID-19 pandemic - Hungary is focusing on coronavirus solutions, the spread of avian influenza is not currently perceived as a priority issue. Representatives warned against further deterioration of the situation.

Animal welfare organizations - namely Vier Pfoten, World Farming EU and World Animal Protection - have sent a request to the European Council, Parliament, and the Commission to stop the long-distance transport of live animals and to stop the wildlife markets. At the same time, organizations are demanding support for shorter supply chains, tackling the problem of antimicrobial resistance, and restoring the environment and biodiversity under the European Green Deal. More information is available here.

On 09/04/2020, EU finance ministers agreed a € 540 billion package to support member states to address the current coronavirus crisis and its effects. The Eurogroup welcomed the Commission's proposal to strengthen the flexibility of the European funds, supported the establishment of an exceptional instrument to ensure the financing of exceptional support through grants, welcomed the strengthening of the activities and initiatives of the European Investment Bank, which released a € 25 billion pan-European guarantee fund. The Eurogroup supported the introduction of crisis support during the current pandemic to provide a safety net in the euro area. This support will be available to euro area members who would undertake to use this loan support to support domestic financing of direct and indirect costs of health care, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. The support could amount to 2% of the GDP of the Member State (by the end of 2019). The Eurogroup supported the existence of the SURE crisis instrument to support employment, the amount of aid (through loans) could reach a total of € 100 billion, and committed itself to work on preparing the Recovery Fund to provide financial support for the recovery of the EU economy. According to the Eurogroup, the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will play a major role in the EU's economic recovery, reflecting on the current crisis and upcoming challenges through well-set priorities that will allow Member States to effectively address the effects of the crisis on the local economy. The aid package should total almost € 540 billion. The Eurogroup will now work with the Croatian Presidency on concrete proposals. On 07/04/2020, the European Commission confirmed the plan to present a new revised MFF draft by the end of April.
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