Still No Effective Solution for Food Imports from Ukraine

The wave of farmers’ protests in Europe has not been without repercussions, as the European Parliament recently voted in favor of the Commission’s proposal to amend certain rules of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Some of the simplifications now adopted in the European Union may already enter into force in the 2024 application period.

Although the amendments to the regulations have led to changes in some rules, there is still no substantial progress in other areas – especially with regard to food imports from Ukraine, according to a joint statement by the the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) and Hungarian farmers’ association MAGOSZ.

NAK and MAGOSZ welcome the simplifications, but in order to preserve our competitiveness and protect EU consumers, much bigger changes are needed in the European Commission’s policy,

they write.

The EU regulations are expected to be published by the end of May – i.e. after the sowing season – so the changes will have a significant impact on the next crop marketing year. The EU regulations have been amended to simplify eligibility conditions, giving Member States the opportunity to adapt their rules, which could mean easier access for farmers as early as the 2024 application period.

Under the new rules, Member States will be able to amend the CAP Strategic Plan twice each calendar year.

However, there is still plenty of room for legislative simplification in the CAP rules. “We hope that work will continue and that further simplification proposals will be decided in the coming months. Farmers need a stable and predictable environment to continue their activities and provide consumers with healthy, safe food,” the statement says.

Via nak.hu, Featured image: Facebook/MCC Brussels