Luis Planas states that this is a key half-year for the future of CAP at European level and for the interests of Spain

On his way in to the Council meeting, the minister stressed that a key half-year is beginning for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), both at a European level and in terms of Spanish interests. He pointed out that in the coming weeks, agreements should be reached on the EU Budget and on the regulations on the application of the CAP in a period under the Rotating Presidency of Croatia, which began on 1 January.

As regards EU regulations, Luis Planas explained that he trusts that by the end of February an Extraordinary European Council will be called to discuss the financial outlook. Between that Council meeting, he said, and the one to be held in March, it is possible that the amounts to be allocated over the next seven years will be agreed upon for all headings, including the CAP.

He also highlighted that the Spanish National Strategic Plan will be submitted to Brussels at the start of 2021, a plan, he specified, that will be drawn up on the studies to identify the specific needs of the different sectors, together with information from regional governments, agricultural organisations, environmental associations and other agents in agriculture-related sectors, livestock rearing, forests and the rural environment.

Green Deal

The next EU Agriculture Ministers' Council will also discuss agricultural issues related to the Green Deal that the European Commission presented on 11 December, the core feature of which is achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The minister referred this new strategy as being of great importance, since it addresses the fields of mobility, energy, the industrial strategy and, in the agri-food field it includes the developing of the strategy "From Farm to Fork", which will be presented in the spring.

Minister Planas highlighted Spain's environmental ambition, made clear at the COP25, and ratified by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday in its Declaration of Climate Emergency, with specific initiatives from a legislative and governmental perspective. On agricultural matters, the goal is to achieve a sector which, while it only produces 12% of greenhouse gases, will have balanced emissions and which, with a view to the future, will make its productions increasingly more sustainable.

As regards the regulations on transition, the minister recalled that those corresponding to 2020 are already practically concluded. He stressed that this will mean that, as from 1 February - the first day of the official period for the presentation of applications for direct payment under the CAP - statements can be made with full normality.

He stressed the importance of these regulations, since they establish the continuity of subsides under the CAP and offer legal certainty to farmers and livestock farmers.

Joint statement

Luis Planas also explained that the content of the joint statement signed by France, Germany and Spain in December on the future CAP will be discussed, an important statement, according to the minister, since "we are three key countries for the functioning of the EU and for agriculture and livestock farming in Europe".

According to the minister, "we seek to establish leadership" on the most important issues that affect the CAP, such as those related to the environment and those related to simplifying the application of the new Common Agricultural Policy.

The minister announced that Spain will sign up to the statement to be presented by Portugal and Slovakia to amend the EU Directive on honey and establish clear labelling on origin.

According to Luis Planas, it is a question of upgrading the work of beekeepers and a measure of clarification for consumers so that they know exactly where the honey they consume comes from.

Non official translation