Belgian Agriculture Minister, David Clarinval, spoke to farmers protesting outside the Council walls, stating that progress has been made in administrative simplification during the last Council meeting. The measures discussed included increasing income and providing greater flexibility in the common agricultural policy. Clarinval expressed hope for an agreement with the European Parliament to ensure competitiveness and fair remuneration for farmers.
Specifically, he 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 mentioned as part of the discussions.
In conclusion, 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. The goal is to support European agriculture and food sovereignty by providing fair compensation to farmers.