Coronavirus crisis dominates the news agenda

All meetings have either been cancelled, postponed or moved to videoconferencing. To allow farmers some flexibility during these unprecedented times, the European Commission (EC) announced that it will allow member states to extend the deadline for applications for CAP payments until the 15 June.

The decision to use this extension is up to the member states, with some against using the extension due to concerns that it could result in delays in implementation further down the line.

The EC also adopted a Temporary Framework that enables member states to use full flexibility under State aid rules. Farmers can now benefit from a maximum €800,000, which can be topped up from a type of national support specific to the agriculture sector. The EC is also working closely with member states to ensure a functioning single market for goods by creating “Green Lanes”. These will minimise border crossing checks to not exceed 15 minutes. Passage is granted for all goods, including agri-food products.

The Farm to Fork Strategy

The Farm to Fork Strategy on Sustainable Food Systems comes as part of the European Commission’s European Green Deal.

The strategy has proposals that set out a range of measures aimed at creating a sustainable food policy for the EU. The draft strategy proposes a reduction in use and risk of chemical pesticides, though no reduction targets are given, and a reduction of all kind of fertilisers.

There is also a general aim to “improve animal welfare”, as well as the development of animal welfare indicators with the possibility of legislative proposals.

While further changes are expected with the strategy’s official publication, the draft confirms several points which were anticipated and gives an indication of the planned direction of travel for EU agricultural strategy.

The strategy’s official publication has now been delayed until 29 April due to the coronavirus disrupting the last few weeks of work on the plan – the strategy was due to be adopted by EU Commissioners on 25 March.

EU-UK future relationship negotiations

Feedback from both parties following the first round of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations held in Brussels on the 2 - 5 March, was positive, indicating that the meetings were constructive and “business-like”. This comes as no surprise, as the initial round was always anticipated to be a chance to compare, exchange and ask questions on the respective trade mandates in order to address points of agreement and disagreement.

The legal texts for the negotiations had been exchanged ahead of the second round of negotiations but whilst there are discussions of conducting the talks via videoconferencing, the unfolding coronavirus crises meant that the second round of negotiations were put on hold and the next round, scheduled for the 6-8 April, are very unlikely to be face to face.

Despite the coronavirus crises, the UK government is still adamant that for now there will not be an extension to the transition period.