In Brussels, the German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, heads the first EU Agriculture Council under the German Presidency. In their first face-to-face meeting since January, European agriculture ministers recommend three priorities: the farm-to-table strategy ("From farm to table"), the so-called "Green Architecture" of the new Agricultural Policy Common (GAP) and the situation in the European market are the background to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Federal Minister also presents her work program to the Council Presidency in the Council: CAP reform, more animal welfare, uniform nutrition labeling across the EU and fishing quotas for 2021 are some of the focal points here.

Julia Klöckner: “We present an ambitious program. We pose problems for the future for farmers and consumers and we want to contribute to a stronger and greener agricultural policy. We want to bring more animal welfare and more environmental and climate protection together with food security, competitiveness and a good economic future for farming families in Europe. Those who feed 450 million people in the EU alone should be able to earn a living from their work. Higher environmental and climate standards should not lead to European production migrating outside of Europe. This is why financial support is so essential to a high level of environmental ambition in agriculture. Planning reliability and security for the coming years - that's what it's all about. It is important for us as the presidency to move quickly in this direction. We are aiming for a 'general orientation' for GAP at the October Council in order to establish a strong political milestone. "

Farm to Table Strategy

In view of the advanced stage of the CAP negotiations, it is crucial from the perspective of the German Presidency that the EU Commission clarifies in a timely manner how the strategy and objectives are related to the CAP. The strategy must bring together economic, ecological and social issues: there must be impact evaluations. There are also questions about the legal nature of the Commission's recommendations.

The proposal of a minimum budget for ecological regulations in the first pillar is being discussed. Different opinions have already been expressed that the German Presidency wants to approach each other. Likewise, the definition of a uniform minimum proportion of non-productive areas. In preparation for the debate in the Council, the German Presidency asked the following questions:

1. What flexibility is required in Member States for planning and implementation in order to support a minimum EU-wide budget for green regulations?

2. What criteria are considered decisive in determining the amount of a possible minimum budget for green regulations?

3. How do Member States defend the introduction of a uniform minimum quota across the EU for non-productive areas? And if so, how high should it be?

During the Council meeting, Federal Minister Klöckner met with Slovenian and Portuguese Agriculture Ministers Aleksandra Pivec and Maria do Céu Albuquerque, invited to a meeting of the so-called trio presidency. The joint projects of the next 18 months will be coordinated with the two ministers of the subsequent presidencies.