Importance of dialogue

In his speech, Minister Siekierski stressed the importance of dialogue with the agricultural community, as the voice of farmers should be properly considered in discussions on EU policies. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture noted that for that reason the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU was taking place under the slogan of dialogue with farmers, as confirmed by that meeting.

Food security

Minister Siekierski pointed out that the horizontal priority of the Polish presidency in the area of agriculture was food security, which was the foundation of our future. He emphasises that ensuring that security was a challenge requiring commitment, cooperation and determination to find common solutions that would make European agriculture resilient to challenges.

Vision for agriculture and food

– The Polish Presidency will work on the “Vision for Agriculture and Food” published by the European Commission. Based on the results of the work in the Council, we will prepare recommendations for the European Commission on how to shape legislative proposals concerning the future CAP, including in relation to the future budget – informed the Minister.

– The key objectives that the CAP should pursue are: improving the competitiveness of agriculture and the agri-food sector, enhancing the resilience to crises, empowering farmers, stabilising their incomes, as well as guaranteeing food security. We would also like to focus the discussion regarding the “Vision” in the Council of the EU on these elements – added the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Budget for the implementation of the CAP

Minister Siekierski stated that in the context of the future CAP, of fundamental importance was to guarantee an adequate budget for its implementation. The EU budget should respond to new challenges, but not at the expense of allocation of EU funds for the implementation of the EU’s treaty commitments.

– The Common Agricultural Policy still requires separate financing and an implementation mechanism. Its funds should not be covered by the common plan proposed in the Commission’s budget communication – noted Minister Siekierski and stressed that the funds for the CAP were necessary so as to improve agricultural income, invest in farms and support research, development and innovation in the agri-food sector, while ensuring more sustainable and modern production methods and the potential for sustainability of production processes.

Simplification of the CAP

Minister Siekierski informed that it was also important for the Polish Presidency to simplify the CAP, with particular consideration given to green architecture. The objective of the Polish Presidency is to find solutions that will pursue the objectives set but will also allow to eliminate excessive burdens on farmers. This topic was discussed at the January meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The demands submitted by the Member States have been submitted to the European Commission in writing.

The Minister also provided the representatives of Copa and Cogeca member organisations with information on other issues to be dealt with by the Council of the EU under the leadership of the Polish Presidency. He also stressed trade-related agricultural issues.

– It is about ensuring that the EU trade policy takes into account the defensive and offensive interests of European agriculture. This area is particularly important in the context of farmers’ concerns pertaining to the Mercosur agreement and the European Commission’s negotiations with Ukraine on the modification of mutual trade conditions pursuant to Article 29 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement – highlighted the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Active and effective Presidency

Summing up, Minister Siekierski declared that he wanted the Polish Presidency to be an active and effective presidency, which proposed solutions beneficial to European agriculture.