Today: the situation of farmers and the price of agricultural products take centre stage in the debate in Strasbourg. Parliament and Council negotiators agree on a long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs. Negotiators also reach a deal on rules to combat gender-based violence.

News in Brief – 08/02/2024 – English

Today: the plenary session is under way in Strasbourg with MEPs due to discuss the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe; a resolution on threats to the rule of law and media freedom in Greece and the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.

News in Brief – 06/02/2024 – English

The European Union has set itself a double target: a 50 % reduction in the overall use of and risk from chemical plant protection products,and a 50% reduction in the use of more hazardous ones by 2030. A proposed regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products would require EU countries to contribute collectively to achieving these EU-wide targets through the adoption and attainment of binding national targets. To protect biodiversity and citizens' health, the use of all plant protection products would be banned in specific, sensitive areas. While environmental organisations are pushing for more ambition, the farming community is concerned about the lack of alternatives for farmers, the broad coverage of sensitive areas, and consequences for business continuity.

EPRS podcast policy - Sustainable use of plant protection products

Most of the world’s farmers are engaged in small-scale agriculture. Most small farms are located in developing countries but they are found in developed countries too. In fact, the vast majority of the EU’s 10 million farms are small farms. However we define a small farm, improving the conditions of small-scale food producers is a global objective.

Small farms' role in the EU food system – English

Across the EU, 20 million people work in agriculture. Their work is our food. Pandemic or no pandemic.

This is what Europe does for farmers affected by the Covid-19 crisis

Are you a poultry farmer? If so, you are one of around 500 000 such farmers whose activities are supported by the EU.

This is what Europe does for poultry farmers

Did you know that the dairy sector is the EU’s second biggest farming sector by output? Farms of all sizes produce milk, from small family-run farms to specialised large-scale farms. The EU’s common agricultural policy supports the dairy sector in a variety of ways. Here are some examples.

This is what Europe does for dairy farmers

Did you know that sheep and goat farmers play an important role in preserving European landscapes? These farmers must produce high quality products and ensure their animals are treated well. Let’s find out how the EU supports this.

This is what Europe does for sheep and goat farmers

In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work in the past and its plans until the June 2024 elections.



Opening the debate, EP President, Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “The European Union today is stronger, and more united than ever before. The world is changing and Europe must adapt and change with it too. We must keep striving to make our Europe a place of equality of opportunity, of access, of prosperity - where everyone can reach their potential. We must keep reforming. We should always keep people’s concerns at the centre of all our actions.“



Commission President von der Leyen said that the EU has undergone a substantial transformation since she first presented her programme in 2019, adding: ”We have delivered over 90% of the political guidelines I presented” back then. 



On the Green Deal, the decarbonisation of Europe’s industry while maintaining its competitiveness, she announced an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles. ”We must defend ourselves against unfair practices” she said. 



President von der Leyen stressed the importance of a fair transition for farmers, families and industry and that “Europe will do ’whatever it takes’ to keep its competitive edge.” She announced a competitiveness check by an independent board for every new legislation.



With regard to Artificial Intelligence, Ms von der Leyen said that AI will improve healthcare, boost productivity and help to address climate change. The Commission’s “number one priority is to ensure AI develops in a human-centric, transparent and responsible way” she said, also calling for an international panel of experts similar to the IPCC on climate change to steer its development. 



On Ukraine, she announced that the Commission will propose the extension of the EU’s temporary protection to Ukrainians and an additional 50 billion euros over four years for investment and reforms. “Our support to Ukraine will endure.” 



The Commission President also referred to the rule of law, enlargement, migration, EU-Africa relations, the Global Gateway initiative, climate change, food security, and an upcoming Social Partner Summit.

State of the European Union 2023

2025&nbsp; EU budget was signed into law by European Parliament’s President Metsola during the plenary in November. In February 2024, during the revision of the EU's long-term budget, Parliament secured substantial increases for key priorities, such as support for Ukraine, additions which MEPs were able to maintain for 2025’s budget. They also ensured the financing of the repayment costs for the European Recovery Instrument (EURI), which are almost twice the amount initially forecast for 2025, while at the same time protecting funding for essential programmes like Erasmus+ or research.

MEPs also obtained further funding for essential programmes in the 2025 annual budget. They successfully negotiated an additional €230.7 million beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, focusing on key initiatives including research, health, education, young farmers, coordination of social security schemes, crisis response to natural disasters, climate action, humanitarian aid, military mobility and border management. On top of this extra funding, major increases sourced from previous savings will benefit the 2025 budget, including €422 million for Erasmus+ and €20 million for Horizon Europe.

EU Budget 2025

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the 1st of July to 31st of December 2024.&nbsp;Priorities of the Hungarian&nbsp;presidency include: new European Competitiveness Deal ,The reinforcement of European defence policy ,&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;consistent and merit-based enlargement policy ,&nbsp;stemming illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, a&nbsp;farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy, addressing demographic challenges.

&nbsp;Make Europe Great Again”&nbsp;will be the motto of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which refers to both an active and proactive Presidency and to the fact that member states are stronger together than apart. It also symbolises the perception that Europe can become an independent global player.

The Rubik’s cube, the main element of the Hungarian presidency logo, refers to Hungarian ingenuity and problem-solving skills, as well as the complexity of European affairs.

Hungarian Presidency

MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: A new European competitiveness deal; Boosting European defence policy; A consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; Stemming illegal migration; Shaping the future of cohesion policy; A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; Addressing demographic challenges.


During the 2019-2024 legislative period, Parliament repeatedly denounced the Hungarian government’s deliberate and systematic efforts to undermine EU values and the threat it poses for EU institutions and funds. MEPs have expressed serious concerns about the Orbán government’s ability to credibly fulfil its role leading the Council. According to Parliament, the situation has worsened since the activation of the Article 7(1) procedure - to the point that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

MEPs review the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and discuss how to foster a sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture in a debate with Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and Belgian Foreign Minister Lahbib

Plenary debate- The situation of farmers and the prices of agricultural products

EP Plenary session - Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being

Resumption of the sitting

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 72) (action taken)

Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024

Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit

Composition of political groups

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Topical debate (Rule 169) - Restoring the EU’s competitive edge - the need for an impact assessment on the Green Deal policies

Promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining and the right to strike in the EU

Tackling abusive subcontracting and labour market intermediaries

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being

Composition of committees and delegations

Need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150)

Urgent need for EU action to preserve nature and protect biodiversity to avoid the extinction of species

Explications de vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Plenary session

20240207-0900-PLENARY

Opening of the sitting

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis (debate)

The fight against hate speech and disinformation: responsibility of social platforms within the Digital Services Act (topical debate)

Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)

Automated data exchange for police cooperation (“Prüm II”) (debate)

The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (debate)

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (debate) (continuation of debate)

New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria

Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Abbé Pierre's appeal on addressing homelessness in the context of persisting poverty and social exclusion (debate)

Explanations of vote

Closure of the sitting

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate – European Council meetings)

Review of the economic governance framework (debate)

Quality jobs in a competitive future-oriented social market economy (topical debate)

Norway's recent decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic

Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime (debate)

Situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023 (debate)

Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece (debate)

Situation in Serbia following elections (debate)

Geothermal energy (debate)

Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis (debate)

Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills) (debate)

The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

The threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan

Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

European Farmers' Deal - EPP Vision for Agriculture in Europe

The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (debate)

The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector (continuation of debate)

Address by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal

Externalising asylum applications and making funding to third countries conditional on the implementation of return agreements (topical debate)

Ukrainian cereals on the European market (debate)

Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework (debate)

Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto (debate)

Fighting cyberbullying of young people across the EU (debate)

Adequacy of the protection afforded by the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (debate)

Media freedom and freedom of expression in Algeria, the case of journalist Ihsane El-Kadi

Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka

Myanmar, notably the dissolution of democratic political parties

New Oil Drilling in Alaska - impact on the global climate crisis and the rights of indigenous peoples (debate)

Impact of the interest rate increase decided by the ECB on households and workers (debate)

Council position at first reading (Rule 63)

Composition of Parliament

European Citizens' Initiative "Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment" (debate)

Advancing the 2022 Bridgetown Agenda (debate)

Lack of actions taken by the Commission in the context of the duty of sincere and loyal cooperation (debate)

Long term commitment to animal welfare (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Adjournment of the session

Protecting farmer workers and citizens in rural areas against pesticides

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski on the recent simplification package for farmers

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition

EP Plenary session - The role of farmers as enablers of the green transition and a resilient agricultural sector

EP Plenary session - European Citizens’ Initiative Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment

Alexander BERNHUBER, Simone SCHMIEDTBAUER, Virginijus SINKEVICIUS,  Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries meet with a delegation from Austrian, German and Italian Alpine Farmers

ENVI-AGRI-PETI joint committee - Public hearing ' Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment '

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A vision for agriculture and food: closing statements

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most.

A vision for agriculture and food: MEPs debate

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most. Opening statements. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A vision for agriculture and food: opening statements

MEPs debate on challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being.

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: Opening Statement

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: Closing statement by Christophe HANSEN, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: MEPs Debate

This news item shows the extracts of the debate between MEPs, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor ORBÁN, and the European Commission President Ursula VON DER LEYEN on the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: extracts from the debate

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and by Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. MEPs debate (part 2)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: MEPs debate (part 2)

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