Minister of Agriculture Florin Barbu considers that a more consistent budget allocated to the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) for the next financial year is necessary, adapted to a fair level of direct payments, by applying the principle of external convergence, but also to compensate farmers for the application of enhanced environmental conditionality.

The Romanian official participated in the Informal meeting of agriculture ministers of EU Member States, September 8 to 10 2024, held in Budapest (Hungary), an event organized by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

„During his speech, Minister Florin Barbu emphasised the need for a more consistent budget allocated to the CAP for the next financial year, adapted to a fair level of direct payments, by applying the principle of external convergence, but also to compensate farmers for the application of enhanced environmental conditionality. At the same time, the importance of identifying a formula whereby all Member States would have a similar level of direct payments was emphasized. Making the legislative framework more flexible, giving more freedom to Member States, and identifying advantageous financing and credit mechanisms to enable farmers to introduce innovation and new technologies on farms were other matters in the speech delivered by the head of MADR,” reads a press release issued by the institution.

With regard to the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Geen Deal objectives without jeopardizing the competitiveness of farmers, Romania argued that the setting of environmental ambitions must take into account the need to maintain the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. Thus, a transition period has been requested for the implementation of the new elements introduced, which imply a series of additional conditions, so that farmers can adapt to the new requirements, shows the cited document.

The Romanian minister of Agriculture has also called for the urgent distribution of European funds intended to compensate farmers, the rethinking of derogations for the use of neonicotinoids, and the extension of eligibility of expenses for breeding livestock.

AGERPRES