Future of the CAP
The Council had an exchange of views on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
In particular ministers shared ideas on how the priorities of the future CAP identified in the Presidency paper can be achieved and on whether there should be a rebalancing of direct support and rural development.
Simplification was generally highlighted as an overall priority for future policies in order to release the full economic potential of EU farming and rural areas. Other issues indicated as priorities were: building resilience, responding to environmental challenges, investing in rural viability and vitality, ensuring generational renewal, maintaining a market orientation and strengthening farmers' position in the food chain.
Some delegations were in favour of putting more emphasis in the future on rural development in order to invest in rural viability and vitality, whilst others warned against a reduction of direct support to farmers.
"The EU farming sector has big challenges ahead. As politicians we have an opportunity to set a vision for the future. We should constantly improve our policies so that EU agriculture and rural areas can continue to thrive and generate growth, employment and welfare." - Roderick Galdes, Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and president of the Council
Full document with the outcomes of the AGRIFISH Council of 06/03/2017 is available via this link.
