MEPs did not challenge the planned 11% reduction in the overall CAP spending for 2014-20 to a total amount of EUR373.18 billion, despite vocal opposition from some members when the budget deal was struck on February 8.
The amount dedicated to direct subsidies to farmers over the next seven years is EUR277.85 billion, but livestock producers might be able to tap more of these funds by complying with new environmental criteria over handouts. These include creating an “ecologically-focused area” on landholdings.
Italian centre-left MEP Paolo de Castro, the chairman of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee, noted that yesterday’s (Wednesday) vote linked 30% of direct payments to farmers with greening requirements. "This won’t increase farmers’ problems, but hopefully will make their life easier,” De Castro argued.
Also, large livestock farms, as well as other type of farms, would see a cap on their subsidies at EUR300,000 per year. The measure will not apply however to cooperatives which redistribute payments to their members.
Meanwhile, under yesterday’s vote, subsidies will continue to be given to farmers who export live cattle for pure-bred breeding purposes to countries outside of the EU, a move criticised by the animal welfare group Eurogroup for Animals, who claim bad transport conditions and long transport times outside the EU breach the EU animal welfare rules. EU livestock farmers are obliged to comply with these rules to receive these subsidies.
However, De Castro rejected the claim that yesterday’s vote would have a negative impact on animal welfare. Speaking to journalists after the vote in Strasbourg, he said: “We are very proud of our animal situation and we want to make sure that it is upheld and improved. We want to make sure that all the elements of cross-compliance are fully respected." He referred to the EU rule introduced in 2005 linking direct payments to compliance by farmers with basic standards concerning animal health and animal welfare rules, food safety laws, and environmental regulations.
The negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers for a final agreement on the CAP reform are expected to start in April and end in June, with no less than 30 meetings scheduled.