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

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

As a fruit and vegetable grower, you are part of a diverse group of farmers within the EU. Your products range from exotic tropical fruits to cabbages and potatoes, and your produce is vulnerable to many external factors. Here are three ways the EU supports you.

This is what Europe does for fruit and vegetable growers

As a small farmer, you create rural jobs and ensure the continuation of traditional and local production chains. You are a cornerstone of European agriculture. Here’s how the EU supports you.

This is what Europe does for small farmers

If you are one of the approximately 10 million EU farmers who produce most of the products we need every day, you already know the situation: farmers are exposed not only to the vagaries of the market and the weather but also to pests and diseases which can ravage crops or decimate herds

This is what Europe does for farmers

Consumers increasingly want fairly priced, healthy, fresh, organic and local food. This is encouraging farmers to engage in direct selling. Here are three things that Europe does for them.

This is what Europe does for farmers engaged in direct selling

Maybe you work on one of the almost five-and-a-half million farms that produce a combined harvest of 300 million tonnes of cereals each year? As a central ingredient in many staples such as bread and pasta, cereals are our most important source of food.

This is what Europe does for cereal farmers

European beef farmers manage roughly 100 million head of cattle, mainly for meat. They produce 7.5 million tonnes of beef a year, making the EU a global leader. High quality food is protected by food and animal legislation, but also contributes to rural development. Here is how.

This is what Europe does for beef farmers

More than two million Europeans are pig farmers. You too? The EU helps you. Here’s how:

This is what Europe does for pig farmers

Are you a farmer who is constantly adapting to new needs and technologies? Whether you are a pioneer of new farming techniques or someone who believes that innovation is key to facing new challenges, the EU can help. Here is how.

This is what Europe does for innovative farmers

If you are a woman and are considering going into direct-to-consumer sale of farm products, hosting tourists in the countryside or becoming a farmer, don’t wait any longer. Here are three things that Europe does for you.

This is what Europe does for women in rural areas

The common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the oldest common policies in the EU. Its significance is reflected in the proportion of the EU's budget devoted to it, representing approximately 40% of the total. Developed at a time when Europe was unable to meet most of its own food needs, it was necessary to encourage farmers to produce food by means of guaranteed prices. The policy has undergone regular reform and has evolved over the years.

As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future CAP on 1 June 2018. The proposal for a regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP provides the legislative framework for adapting the financing, management and monitoring rules to a new CAP delivery model.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/common-agricultural-policy-8th-parliamentary-term_6503_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Common agricultural policy (2019-2020)

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)

The EU strategy related to food security aims to build resilience to food crises in the production chain. The EU is working towards increasing the resilience of individuals, communities and countries to cope with, adapt and recover quickly from the impact of a disaster, violence or conflict.

The EP has recently called for an urgent EU action plan to ensure food security in and outside the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;MEPs asked for immediate help in the form of food supplies for Ukraine, and for a reboot of the EU’s food production strategy. Given the severe impact the Russian attack on Ukraine will have on food security for Ukrainians, Parliament called&nbsp;for robust long-term humanitarian food aid for Ukraine from both the EU and at the international level. MEPs say the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made it apparent that the EU needs to reduce its dependence on imports from too few suppliers. They call for a diversification of supply from third countries, and demand in the short term that the Commission assess how to cushion the impact of high fertiliser prices on farmers. To reduce the dependence on fertiliser imports in the long term, Parliament proposes a switch to alternative organic sources of nutrients for agriculture and support for agricultural innovation.

Food security

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

The draft EU budget for 2019 includes two amounts for each programme to be financed – commitments and payments. "Commitments" refers to the funding that can be agreed in contracts in a given year; "payments" to the money actually paid out. The proposed budget amounts to €166 billion in commitments (+3% over 2018) and €149 billion in payments (+3% over 2018).

Generally speaking, the EU budget is primarily an investment budget. Amounting to roughly 1% of EU GNI, and representing around 2% of all EU public spending, it aims to complement national budgets and implement priorities which all EU members have agreed upon.

About 94% of the EU budget funds real activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses. The EU's administrative expenses account for about 6% of the total EU budget.

EU Budget 2019

The 2022 the European Year of Youth is a response to the difficult situation for young people during the pandemic, with consequences on their education, employment, social life, health and wellbeing. It also pays tribute to and takes inspiration from many young people who showed intergenerational solidarity to mitigate the impact of the crisis on society as a whole. The overall objective of the European Year of Youth is to reinforce the efforts of the Union, the Member States, regional and local authorities to support and engage with youth in a post-pandemic perspective. The European Year of Youth will go hand in hand with NextGenerationEU, which reopens perspectives for young people, including quality jobs and education and training opportunities for the Europe of the future, and supports young people's participation in society. The Year of Youth will seek synergies and complementarity with other EU programmes targeting youth across the policy spectrum - from rural development programmes focussed on young farmers to research and innovation programmes, and from cohesion to climate change actions - including EU programmes with international outreach or of a transnational nature. Apart from Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, with budgets of €28 billion and 1€ billion respectively for the current financial period, the EU's Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative are creating more opportunities for young people. Also In 2022, a new programme called ALMA will be launched to support cross-border professional mobility for disadvantaged young people.

European year of youth 2022

The October plenary vote on Budget 2024 kicks off three weeks of “conciliation” talks with the Council, with the aim of reaching a deal between the two institutions in time for next year's budget, to be voted on by Parliament and signed by its President before the end of the year MEPs boosted the 2024 EU budget to tackle the fallout from Russia’s war against Ukraine, support SMEs, young people and research, and bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy.

MEPs say that the new geopolitical and economic context, “coupled with the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis”, has given rise to “new policy needs”. They recalled the limits of the EU’s current financial setup and align their position on the 2024 budget with their stance on the proposed mid-term revision of the EU’s long-term budget (MFF, multiannual financial framework), which Parliament expects to inject up to €75.8 billion into the EU budget over the period 2024-2027.

Drawing from this planned top-up, MEPs bolster initiatives to improve the EU’s strategic autonomy in 2024, but also humanitarian aid, migration and external assistance. They say that the “revised MFF regulation must provide the framework for the 2024 budget”.

Member states have yet to agree on a common position on the revision. More than 90% of the EU budget funds activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses. The EU budget is unique. Unlike national budgets, which are used in large part to provide public services and funding social security systems, the EU budget is primarily an investment budget.

EU budget 2024

About 93% of the EU budget funds real activities on the ground in EU countries and beyond. It goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers, researchers, students, NGOs and businesses.

The EU budget is unique. It is primarily an investment budget and, unlike national budgets, the EU Budget cannot run a deficit.

Budgets Committee MEPs demanded an EU budget for 2020 capable of tackling the climate and many other challenges that the EU continues to face.

Parliament as a whole will vote on a proposed budget amounting to €170,971,519,973 in commitment appropriations, representing an increase of €2,699,813,994 compared to the Commission’s draft budget. It sets the overall level of appropriations for the 2020 budget (all Sections) at €159 146 168 195 in payment appropriations.

EU Budget 2020

In April 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the food supply chain.

It stems from the consensus that unfair trading practices occur in the food supply chain, with smaller operators more vulnerable to these practices due to a weaker bargaining power compared to larger operators. The proposal focuses therefore on smaller actors in the food supply chain and aims to protect them from trading practices that are imposed unilaterally. The protection covers small and medium-sized agricultural producers and other SME suppliers in the chain and imposed rules constraining the behaviour of buyers which are not SMEs.

#EUelections2019 - Helping farmers, ending unfair trading practices

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

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

20240207-0900-PLENARY

Opening of the sitting

Composition of political groups

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

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

Resumption of the sitting

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

Voting time

Composition of committees and delegations

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

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

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

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

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

VodDebate: Chair's announcements concerning Coordinators' decisions

VodDebate: Draft Opinion on Better regulation: Joining forces to make better laws 2021/2166(INI) Vote in plenary: tbcAM Final VoteFdR1245650

VodDebate: Petition 1324/2021 by Andy Battentier (French), on behalf of the association “Secrets toxiques”, signed by 24 other persons, on allegedly incorrect application of the EU regulations on pesticides, including the Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and the judgment of the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 1 October 201 (in the presence of the petitioner)

VodDebate: Petition No 0975/2021 by Alex Agius Saliba (Maltese) onalleged violation of Maltese farmers' fundamental rights (in the presence of the petitioner)

VodDebate: Petition 1362/2021 by Luis Martinez Garcia (Spanish) signed by two other petitioners concerning the repatriation of children living in Al-Hol and Al-Roj refugee camps in northern Syria (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner)

Committee on Petitions

PETI

Press Conference by Paolo DE CASTRO, rapporteur - on Deal on €8bn recovery aid for EU farmers and food producers

Press conference by Paolo DE CASTRO, rapporteur, on “COVID-19: Financing recovery of EU farmers”

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Farm to Fork Strategy - the key role of farmers and rural areas (debate)

Guinea Conakry, notably violence towards protesters

Child labour in mines in Madagascar

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Road safety (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes

Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes

Plenary

Implementation of CAP young farmers’ tools in the EU after the 2013 reform (debate)

State of play of farmland concentration in the EU: how to facilitate the access to land for farmers (debate) (short presentation)

Financing, management and monitoring of the CAP - European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - Common organisation of the markets in agricultural products - Direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the CAP - Transitional provisions on support for rural development (debate)

Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the CAP - 2011/0280(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) - 2011/0281(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) - 2011/0282(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on financing, management and monitoring of the CAP - 2011/0288(COD) (debate)

Common rules for direct support schemes for farmers - Support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - Common organisation of agricultural markets and specific provisions for certain agricultural products - Financing of the common agricultural policy - Organic production and labelling of organic products - System of financing by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (debate)

Direct payments to farmers (debate)

Fair revenues for farmers: A better functioning food supply chain in Europe (debate)

Support schemes for farmers under the CAP - Modifications to the common agricultural policy - Support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - Community strategic guidelines for rural development (2007 to 2013) (debate)

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 '

60th anniversary of the CAP - Stockshot of a farm - Poreba Radlna, Lesser Poland region, Farmer Janusz Wzorek works on his farm

AGRI Committee meeting - Public hearing on Women in the countryside - an academic and a farmer’s perspective

ANIT Committee - Public hearing  on Alternatives to long-distance live animal transport and farmers' experience of the shift to alternatives

AGRI - PETI committee - Public hearing - Second panel ' How to solve inequality in CAP payments '

AGRI - PETI committee - Public hearing.- Welcome and first panel ' How to treat farmers in a fair and equal manner across the European Union '

Press conference by Paolo DE CASTRO (S&D, IT), rapporteur, on COVID-19 - financing recovery of EU farmers

EP Plenary session - Farm to Fork Strategy - the key role of farmers and rural areas

DG AGRI meeting regarding farmers' petition

5th European Congress of young farmers

Othmar KARAS meets with representative of Austrian Farmer Association

Shepherds and farmers protest outside the EP in Strasbourg in December 1985

Closing statements of the debate on the response to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: Closing statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the EC

MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Second part of the debate.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. First part of the MEPs debate.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Round of political groups speakers.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: Round of political groups speakers

MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe and how to foster fairly rewarded EU agriculture. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. The transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture: Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the EC

Following growing protests in several EU countries, MEPs discuss how to respond to the demands of farmers and rural communities and how to engage in a dialogue to preserve a sustainable agriculture. This news item shows the selection of the debate highlights of the quotes from the Belgian EU Council's presidency, European Commission and main group leaders. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Empowering farmers and rural communities: extracts from the debate

MEPs debates a deal on next year’s EU budget aimed at addressing global challenges and supporting young people and research. Parliament obtained better support, totalling almost €670 million in funding, for its priorities on top of what the Commission had initially proposed in its draft budget for 2024. The increases include €250 million for Humanitarian Aid, €150 million for the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument- Global Europe programme, €85 million for Horizon Europe, €30 million for transport infrastructure, €60 million to Erasmus+, €20 million to LIFE, €20 million for young farmers, €10 million for the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and €10 million for Military Mobility. Opening statements by Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Outcome of the Conciliation on 2024 budgetary procedure: opening statements by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Siegfried MUREȘAN (EPP, RO) and Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV), Rapporteurs, Esperanza SAMBLAS, Secretary of State and Johannes HAHN, EC

Following Russia’s unilateral decision in July to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed agricultural products to be exported from Ukrainian ports, transit through the Solidarity Lanes established in states bordering Ukraine is expected to increase significantly (from three to five million tonnes of commodities per month). Almost all of the exported commodities via these corridors remain on the EU market due to the high transport costs for re-export. MEPs debate with the Commission the impact of Ukrainian grain exports on EU farmers after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Closing statement by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture.

Ukrainian grain exports after Russia's exit from the Black Sea Grain: closing statement by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture

Following Russia’s unilateral decision in July to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed agricultural products to be exported from Ukrainian ports, transit through the Solidarity Lanes established in states bordering Ukraine is expected to increase significantly (from three to five million tonnes of commodities per month). Almost all of the exported commodities via these corridors remain on the EU market due to the high transport costs for re-export. MEPs debate with the Commission the impact of Ukrainian grain exports on EU farmers after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Ukrainian grain exports after Russia's exit from the Black Sea Grain: MEPs debate (part 2)

Ukrainian grain exports after Russia's exit from the Black Sea Grain: MEPs debate (part 1)

Following Russia’s unilateral decision in July to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed agricultural products to be exported from Ukrainian ports, transit through the Solidarity Lanes established in states bordering Ukraine is expected to increase significantly (from three to five million tonnes of commodities per month). Almost all of the exported commodities via these corridors remain on the EU market due to the high transport costs for re-export. MEPs debate with the Commission the impact of Ukrainian grain exports on EU farmers after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Opening statement by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ukrainian grain exports after Russia's exit from the Black Sea Grain: opening statement by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture

The common agricultural policy (CAP) has three clear environmental goals, which are echoed in the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy: tackling climate change, protecting natural resources and enhancing biodiversity. These goals are supported by the CAP’s promotion of organic farming and the responsible management of inputs like pesticides and fertilisers. The CAP aims to reach its environmental goals in a way that is socially and economically sustainable for farmers and rural communities. This infoclip illustrates an example of a sustainable farm in Enghien, Belgium.

Infoclip: Sustainable agriculture

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. MEPs debate

Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture: MEPs debate

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery

Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture: opening statements by Marlene MORTLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur; Anja HAZEKAMP (The Left, NL), Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and by Stéphane BIJOUX (RE, FR)

MEPs call on the EU to boost its food security and strategic autonomy. In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft text calls for the use of the EU’s strategic food stocks, a protein and feed strategy to allow farmers to become less reliant on third countries, new breeding techniques to decrease the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and investments in digital technologies in agriculture. It also demands a dedicated EU programme for water management, the reduction of food waste and reciprocity in trade of agricultural products with third countries. MEPs also ask for safeguards to ensure that agricultural activity in the EU is maintained during the implementation of the Green Deal. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture

MEPs debate the measures that the Commission has adopted to alleviate the pressure on farmers in states bordering Ukraine after the banner the entry of Ukrainian grain and food products into their respective markets. Closing statements by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture; and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.

Ukrainian cereals on the European market: Closing statements by Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, European Commissioner for Agriculture; and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

MEPs debate the measures that the Commission has adopted to alleviate the pressure on farmers in states bordering Ukraine after the banner the entry of Ukrainian grain and food products into their respective markets. Second part of MEPs debate.

Ukrainian cereals on the European market: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate the measures that the Commission has adopted to alleviate the pressure on farmers in states bordering Ukraine after the banner the entry of Ukrainian grain and food products into their respective markets. First part of MEPs debate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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