Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval spoke to farmers protesting outside the Council walls, expressing hope for an agreement with the European Parliament. He emphasized the need for competitiveness and fair remuneration for farmers.
During the last Council meeting, measures were discussed to increase income and provide greater flexibility in the common agricultural policy. Specifically, Clarinval mentioned introducing greater flexibility in winter coverage and crop rotations, as well as establishing a price observatory with thresholds for price responsiveness. Additionally, trade measures against Russian cereals were discussed as part of these discussions.
The goal is to support European agriculture and food sovereignty by providing fair compensation to farmers. Clarinval emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the weeks leading up to the European elections to ensure a positive outcome for all stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector.