Agriculture – the most important topics

The AGRIFISH Council meeting was held on 23-24 September 2024. As regards agricultural issues, the most important topics were the situation in agricultural markets and the second year of implementing the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans. Poland also submitted for debate a request to postpone the date of entry into force of e-registers for plant protection products.

The second year of implementing the CAP Strategic Plans

The EU Ministers of Agriculture exchanged views on the practical experience gained during the first two years of the current CAP, which has been implemented since 1 January 2023. They discussed the challenges encountered by national authorities when implementing the Strategic Plans.

Position of Poland

Minister Siekierski thanked the EU Ministers for their support addressed to those affected by floods and fires. He stressed that rapid assistance, particularly financial, was essential then. The Polish Minister stated that it was necessary to modify the procedures related to natural disasters so as to protect farms better.

– The existing legislation must be liberated and joint support mechanisms must be developed for those who may suffer from similar disasters in the future – added Minister Siekierski.

Referring to the experience of the first two years of implementing the CAP Strategic Plans, the Minister stated that the new CAP implementation model needed to be modified. He stressed that it was necessary to implement solutions that would allow for a faster and more effective response to emerging crises.

– What is needed, is further work on simplification so as to reduce administrative barriers for beneficiaries and the costs of Member States related to implementing the Strategic Plans. These experiences must be taken into account when working on the next CAP – said the head of the Polish delegation.

The situation in agricultural markets

The EU Ministers discussed the situation in agricultural markets, particularly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This point also discusses Germany’s request to increase the “de minimis” aid limit.

Position of Poland

Minister Siekierski pointed to the difficult situation in the agricultural sector, caused by adverse weather phenomena such as frost, recent floods that affected, inter alia, south-western Poland and the proceedings recently initiated by China against the export of selected EU products to the Chinese market.

The Polish Minister emphasised that the effects of flood in Poland were disastrous not only for urban and rural residents, but also for the agricultural production. Therefore, on 16 September the Polish government introduced a state of natural disaster in some parts of the Dolnośląskie, Opolskie and Śląskie voivodeships.

The Minister appealed that farmers would need support, therefore, Poland would apply for the launch of EU financial assistance for agricultural producers who had suffered losses as a result of flood. He also added that Poland would provide the European Commission with accurate information on the losses incurred after assessing damage.

The Minister also referred to the proceedings initiated by China, informing that we could indirectly experience their effects indirectly and this was what Polish milk and pork producers were worried about. He also stressed that the situation was particularly difficult in the markets for cereals, sugar, milk and pork.

In addition, Poland supported the German request and also requested to raise the de minimis cap per enterprise to EUR 50 thousand over a period of three years.

The Minister also sustained the repeatedly submitted request to postpone the date of application of the Deforestation Regulation.

E-register for plant protection products

Upon request of Poland, the Ministers became familiar with information on the need to postpone the date of entry into force of e-registers for plant protection products.

Minister Siekierski stressed that that request was dictated by the need to reduce the administrative burden on farmers. He added that the implementation of appropriate electronic tools needed more time than predicted in the EU legislation.

The Minister emphasised that during the February meeting of the AGRIFISH Council, Poland had pointed to enabling the flexibility in that regard. However, no follow-up on the part of the European Commission had been taken. Therefore, the Polish Minister re-appealed to the EC for postponing the entry into force of the obligation being discussed for another 2 years and requested the Member States to support it.

Most Member States supported Poland’s request and voted in favour of postponing the entry into force of the mandatory e-register system, from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2028

The Commission did not express its readiness to revise the current Regulation, stating that the Member States had a sufficient amount of time to prepare for the new obligation and that the current legislation gave them some flexibility.

The Hungarian Presidency indicated that the majority of Member States supported Poland and therefore further steps should be taken by the EC.

Problem of drought in the Mediterranean countries – request of the Cyprus delegation

The Cyprus delegation presented a joint declaration by the Ministers of the 9 Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Croatia and Greece) in which they stressed their commitment to addressing the key challenges in the Mediterranean region related to water deficits.

Position of Poland

Minister Siekierski supported the request of Cyprus and appealed for flexibility and simplification of the CAP financial framework with regard to water management measures, including the eligibility of financing for interventions in irrigation investments. Moreover, the Minister stressed that it was needed to provide tools to adapt to water deficits and droughts and to mitigate their effects, including under the CAP.

Excessive import of eggs from Ukraine – proposal of Bulgaria

The Bulgarian delegation presented a proposal on safeguard measures pursuant to Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1392, in particular prohibiting the import of eggs originating in Ukraine.

Position of Poland

Minister Siekierski supported the proposal of Bulgaria and emphasised that until recently Poland also had experienced serious market disruptions as a result of the excessive agri-food import from Ukraine.

– Ukraine’s trade relations with the EU need a serious review. The EC must take decisive action to counteract this situation – added the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Minister stated that in a situation of disruption caused by the excessive import from Ukraine, applications by the Member States for taking measures at EU level should be carefully considered.

Fishery

The EU Ministers exchanged views on the annual consultation regarding fishing opportunities for 2025 between the EU and third countries, i.e. the United Kingdom, Norway and coastal states.

Position of Poland

The head of the Polish delegation stressed that the most important issue for Poland with regard to negotiations determining fishing opportunities for 2025 was that fishing quotas should be determined in accordance with ICES scientific advice, taking into account current socio-economic factors. According to Poland, the most important thing is to guarantee the possibility of conducting fishing activities in the waters of the United Kingdom and Norway from January 2025.

In the context of cooperation with the coastal states, Poland informed that it expected progress in the discussion on the new allocation of TACs between the coastal states with respect to mackerel, Atlanto-Scandian herring and blue whiting quotas. Particularly important for Poland will be a discussion on the recognition of the EU as a coastal state in the context of the Atlanto-Scandian herring and the maintenance of fishing opportunities for this stock.

Meetings on the sidelines of the Council meeting regarding the Polish Presidency of the EU

On the sidelines of the AGRIFISH Council, Minister Siekierski held meetings with the Ministers of Agriculture from: Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden and with a candidate for the member of the European Commission for food and agriculture. The discussions concerned the Polish Presidency of the EU Council and plans in the area of agriculture.

On 24 September, Minister Siekierski also met with the new Secretary General of COPA COGECA and Poles working in the EC.