To appease the farmers who are proceeding with dynamic mobilizations across Europe European leaders are trying. “The European Council discussed the challenges in the agricultural sector and the concerns expressed by farmers,” the European leaders said in the conclusions of the Summit, during which about 1,000 tractors from Belgium and other countries flooded Brussels.

“Recalling the essential role of the Common Agricultural Policy, we call on the Council and the Commission to proceed with the work as required. The European Council will monitor the situation”, the “27” leaders add in their conclusions.

Shortly after the conclusion of the extraordinary Summit in Brussels, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen he referred to the agricultural issue, stressing the “essential role” of farmers in Europe’s economy and economy. “We listen to the farmers” he declares.

“Their work contributes greatly to our food security and indeed to our way of life. They are key factors in ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. They live with nature and from nature,” said the president of the Commission.

He also underlined that productivity in the EU improved by 13% thanks to the efforts of farmers which also contribute positively to the EU’s external trade. “Last year, exports of agricultural products increased by 5%. So I think it’s fair to say that our farmers have shown remarkable resilience in the face of the recent crisis, but there are still many challenges,” said the Commission president. He also admitted that there is pressure on the prices of agricultural products, which face great competition from the world market, at a time when European products must meet high standards for environmental protection.

“Farmers can count on European support”, dUrsula von der Leyen then prayed, noting that the Common Agricultural Policy budget has around 390 billion euros. This is almost a third of the European budget for agriculture, and in 2023 alone, Europe provided more than €500 million in emergency aid to the farmers hardest hit by the crisis.

Von der Leyen also referred to the Commission’s recent proposal for flexibility for farmers on set-aside and protection of European products from imports of poultry, eggs and sugar from Ukraine.

Besides, the President of the Commission mentioned that the EU must defend itself the legitimate interests of farmers in trade negotiations, especially in terms of ensuring a level playing field.

Finally, to reduce the administrative burden on farmers, Ursula von der Leyen said that the Commission together with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will work on a proposal to be discussed at the next EU Agricultural Council.

On the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture that the EU launched last week with farmers’ representatives and other stakeholders and NGOs, Ursula von der Leyen said the aim is to draw up a road map to achieve “our common goals » with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The answers will be given in the medium and long term and will feed into the program of the Commission’s next term.

After the work of the Summit, the representative of the Commission, Eric Mamer confirmed that a meeting is taking place between the representatives of the European trade union association Copa-Cogeca with the President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexandre de Croix, at the Residence Palace building , located next to the European Council building.