The amendments proposed by Greece to its new strategic plan Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and for which the approval of the EU is expected within January, the Minister of Rural Development and Food Lefteris Avgenakis quoted in the Parliament, in response to a relevant topical question of the MP of Larisa of SYRIZA-PS, Vasilis Kokkalis.

Mr. Eugenakis he emphasized that the Strategic Plan is a dynamic process, and recognized that “the new CAP must evolve, must be upgraded and above all work for the benefit of farmers with greater flexibility”.

As he said, the amendment includes changes that:

1) are related to airworthiness and concern amendments to agricultural practice codes, which are related to agro-environmental commitments of producers

2) relate to elements of direct aid, including proposals in the climate, environment and animal welfare programs (ecological programs), the linked aid of Article 32, as well as the special aid for cotton

3) are related to interventions in certain sectors such as fruit and vegetables, olive oil, wine, beekeeping. They mainly include proposals for advance payments for interventions in the sectors of wine, beekeeping, the programs of the Organizations of Olive Producers (OEF) and fruit and vegetable crops

4) are related to interventions for rural development, including the introduction of a new intervention under Article 76 for the insurance premium subsidy with EU participation of 200 million euros

5) relate to rural development interventions including those that bring about changes in the numerical objectives and the relevant milestones for the relevant result indicators and

6) concern the more effective implementation of the AKIS system and the National CAP Network.

As the minister emphasized, “for the government, the big bet of the next decade is green growth, digital transformation and the ability of the primary sector to participate with a structural role in the 4th industrial revolution. Our compass in this direction is undeniably the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027”. And this, because the strategy we have set in motion for a green and digital Greece in the primary sector is fully harmonized with European policies.

Mr. Avgenakis informed the Parliament that in the context of creating new alliances, on January 24, at the initiative of our country, the first Meeting of the Ministers of Rural Development and Fisheries of the Mediterranean countries of the EU (EU MED 9) is being convened. “We are strengthening our voice in the decision-making bodies of the EU and are creating new conditions for the benefit of our farmers and Greek society,” emphasized Lefteris Avgenakis.

As the minister said, using the changes in the strategic plan of the Common Agricultural Policy as a vehicle, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food is moving forward to highlight an even stronger agri-food sector, “of course taking actions for more flexibility vis-à-vis the bureaucracy, at the same time seeking the balance between immediate needs and long-term goals”.

Finally, Mr. Avgenakis, given that the FSA has already started the discussions on the 2nd amendment of the SS CAP, said that he has asked the chairman of the Production and Trade committee of the Parliament to set a date for the committee to be convened in order to discussed the changes in the SS KAP and invited Vassilis Kokkalis to submit proposals. “Perhaps it would be better, instead of undermining what we propose for the benefit of the agricultural world, but also what we handle consistently for the benefit of the agri-food sector, to come up with proposals! I am committed to listening to them carefully,” he said.

Elaborating on his question, SYRIZA-PS Member of Parliament, V. Kokkalis, said that the primary sector is restless and feels insecure regarding the payment of the remaining financial instruments provided for by the Common Agricultural Policy, specifically the ecological schemes, while he stressed that “in order to make an amendment there must be a clear picture from the ministry of what went wrong”.

As the SYRIZA-PS member of parliament mentioned, “first all the IASC declarations must be collected, how many have been made for 2023 and how many rights have been activated. Second, there must be a consultation with the people in the primary sector. And, thirdly, the ministry must propose the prioritization of the needs-modifications that our country’s strategic plan needs”.

On the issues included in the first amendment, Mr. Kokkalis asked if “these came out of consultation with the people in the primary sector. Have you sent the people who wrote the strategic plan all of the IASC 2023 statements? Do you have this image so that you can then proceed with the modification?’

He then asked the minister if he intended to remedy the injustices that exist in the ecological schemes: “Of the three ecological schemes provided for the farmers – and you know very well that the farmers have suffered a great reduction of up to 27% with these subsidies – only one walked and as it walked it is very inflated, minister. You know that. It’s the organic ones. The other two? How will breeders benefit from the other two? Secondly, is it your intention to always proceed after consultation with a review of the coupled aid issue? Should linked aid be focused on flagship products of our country, such as meat, such as oil?” said Mr. Kokkalis.