The AREFLH General Assembly held online coincided with the news of an agreement for the CAP strategic plans reached the previous evening. It was MEP Paolo De Castro who announced the approval of one of the blocking points of the new CAP regulation live to participants.
Herbert Dorfmann MEP then took over and explained the content of the points of agreement and the different measures of the pillars. That is to say:
- 25%, per year, for the whole period with the use of the "Rebate" system for eco-schemes
- The years 2023 and 2024 as a learning period with a floor mechanism at 20%.
- Allowing full use of unused funds in 2023 and 2024 (between 20% and 25%), within the margins of the maximum unit amounts, also for Member States with payment entitlements.
State of play of the negotiations on the CAP reform
The AREFLH General Assembly opened with a speech by Gijsbertus Schilthuis, Head of Unit Policy Perspective DG AGRI, during which he introduced the trialogues, and addressed various issues such as eco-schemes and the contribution of green architecture.
The Portuguese President of the EU Council Maria do Céu Antunes then continued on this topic. Indeed, the audience had the privilege to listen to Mrs. Antunes’ video message. She announced that the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the Union remains committed to concluding the agreement on the CAP reform this month, in order to guarantee the predictability that farmers need.
Maria do Céu Antunes then mentioned that "last year and at the beginning of this year, several exceptional support measures were taken, such as the opening of market withdrawals for small fruits, adjustments in operational programs and credit lines, in order to provide stability and predictability to producers. "
Welcoming a new region into the AREFLH network
Before this public conference, during the meeting reserved for the members, the AREFLH announced the arrival of a new European region within its network. It is Central Macedonia, an important region for the agricultural sector. Its fruit and vegetables are currently gaining ground on the international market. The region has also developed various protected geographical indications (PGI) such as for peaches and kiwi fruit.
Simona Caselli, President of the AREFLH concluded the conference by announcing: "In the coming months, we are committed to following the implementation of the CAP and CMO legislation in the interest of all our members. We will be present at industry shows with initiatives on the international fruit and vegetable year.”
All the presentations of the conference will be available on the AREFLH website very soon.
For more information:
Luca Contrino
AREFLH
Tel : +32 (0)4 92 20 52 66
www.areflh.org