MEPs query fast-tracking farmer-friendly CAP reform

Political Groups Threaten to Derail Fast-Track Approval of CAP Simplification

Three political groups are posing a challenge to the fast-track approval of a modification to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the last voting plenary of the current legislative term on 25 April. This modification is aimed at mollifying protesting farmers.

The CAP Simplification Package

The CAP simplification package, proposed by the Commission in late February, aims to reduce red tape for farmers. It includes measures such as reducing green conditions required to receive CAP funding and providing exemptions from checks for farms under 10 hectares. These changes will affect 65% of CAP beneficiaries.

Fast-Tracking Mechanism

This week, the European Parliament’s agriculture committee (AGRI) decided to table the CAP reform measure directly to the plenary with no amendments. This decision was made after MEPs agreed to use a special procedure to push the measure through. The fast-tracking mechanism was agreed upon by the Belgian presidency of the EU Council and AGRI chair Norbert Lins in order to ensure the reform is passed into law before the end of the Parliament’s mandate.

Importance of Swift Approval

Many MEPs, especially those seeking re-election, consider a swift approval of the CAP simplification package crucial. However, in order for this to happen, Parliament must adopt the text agreed upon by the EU Council with no amendments.

Potential Amendments

While some political groups have stated that they do not plan to submit any amendments, others have expressed their intention to file amendments. The Greens, for example, will file several amendments to address their concerns. The Socialists & Democrats (S&D) are still discussing internally whether to file amendments, but a common position will be reached next week. The socialists aim to ensure that the ultimate goals of the Green Deal are respected and not jeopardized.

Possible Consequences of Amendments

If any substantial amendments are passed, the issue will have to be brought back to the EU Council, requiring re-opening of interinstitutional negotiations. However, smaller amendments adopted by MEPs might be accepted subsequently by EU ministers.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The CAP simplification package and its potential amendments should be evaluated in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is important to ensure that the ultimate goals of the Green Deal are respected and that the CAP reforms contribute to achieving the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and its impact on farmers. This is directly connected to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The CAP reform is aimed at simplifying regulations for farmers, reducing red tape, and providing exemptions for small farms, which aligns with SDG 12’s target of promoting sustainable consumption and production. Additionally, the article mentions protests by farmers, indicating a potential impact on land use and biodiversity, which relates to SDG 15’s goal of protecting and restoring ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The CAP reform mentioned in the article aims to simplify regulations and reduce red tape for farmers, which can contribute to increasing agricultural productivity and incomes for small-scale food producers (SDG 2.3). The reform also seeks to cut green conditions required to receive CAP funding, which aligns with the goal of achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2). The protests by farmers highlight the potential impact on land use and biodiversity, emphasizing the need for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15.1).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Reduction in green conditions required to receive CAP funding.
• Indicator for SDG 15.1: Conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but the progress towards the identified targets can be measured by monitoring the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers (SDG 2.3). Additionally, the reduction in green conditions required to receive CAP funding can be used as an indicator for achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2). The conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems can be measured through indicators such as land use change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem services (SDG 15.1).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: euronews.com

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