The term of office of the previous Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski 2019-2024 was dominated by crises, including the COVID pandemic, the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on energy and fertiliser prices, and the impacts of Ukrainian exports of grains and oilseeds on the markets of neighbouring countries. Following the announcement to launch a Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in December 2023, it was thus not surprising that Wojciechowski speculated on the need for a common crisis intervention instrument in the future CAP with a reinforced budget, proposing that this should form a “third pillar” of the CAP.… Read the rest
The voluntary milk supply reduction measure in the July 2016 farm aid package
Last week the Commission proposed at the July AGRIFISH Council meeting a further aid package for farmers worth €500 million of EU money (and up to €850 million if Member States take up the opportunity to add national financing). This brings the total additional EU financing to support farmers since 2014 to €1.5 billion. The money for the latest package comes from unspent funds in the CAP budget and does not involve making use of the crisis reserve. In his address to COMAGRI outlining the package the following day Commissioner Hogan thanked President Juncker and the budget Commissioner Vice-President Georgieva for their support in making the package possible.… Read the rest