PES agriculture ministers support a green and sustainable CAP

PES agriculture ministers support a green and sustainable CAP

PES Agriculture ministers, European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans, and MEPs convened online to discuss progressive priorities for the new CAP, which is currently under negotiation. 

 

The ministerial meeting was chaired by Luxembourg’s Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Romain Schneider. He said:

“In the face of the immense challenges around the climate, our societies and our industries must adapt. This is no less true for agriculture, which must be supported to shift to a more sustainable model built on clear rules and objectives in ecological, economic and social spheres. Progressives have always made this case and will continue to do so: we want strong support for Europe’s farmers, and a healthy farming sector which delivers greener, healthier food production and greater food security.

 

“The CAP is a historical and core pillar of the EU. It is also an integral part of the EU’s climate policy, environmental policy, energy policy and its policy for rural areas and territorial cohesion. Progressives have fought hard for the European Green Deal and the CAP must dovetail with it, supporting the same overall vision: a fairer and more sustainable Europe. In the weeks ahead, a path through the complexities must be found to an agreement which achieves this ambition.” 

Agricultural ministers discussed the CAP and the state of play of the negotiations at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council next week.

 

The PES strongly supports efforts to make Europe more sustainable. We welcomed the launch of the European Green Deal last year and continue to push for ambitious action for the climate.

 

The meeting was attended by:

  • Romain Schneider, Chair of the PES Agriculture Ministerial Network, Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Luxembourg
  • Miroslav Toman, Minister of Agriculture, Czech Republic
  • Rasmus Prehn, Minister for Development Cooperation, Denmark
  • Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Malta
  • Maria do Céu Antunes, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Portugal
  • Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Spain
  • Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, European Commission
  • Paolo De Castro, Member of European Parliament, S&D Coordinator in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, S&D Group in the European Parliament
  • Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES