The Common agricultural policy (CAP) is increasingly market oriented, leading to an increase in EU competitiveness and trade performance. Supporting around 7 million beneficiaries, the CAP is also contributing to reducing poverty rates in rural areas. These were among the findings of the first assessment of the CAP’s performance published on 05 December 2018, by the European Commission.
The ongoing and prolonged drought situation in several EU countries is affecting the production of arable crops and animal feed, which could have an impact on farmer income, increase their input costs and potentially give rise to an animal welfare issues, if there is a shortage of fodder later in the year.
Today's decision by the Council to adopt the text of the Regulation providing new rules for organic farming clears the final hurdle for the modernisation of the sector and the harmonisation of rules covering organic production both within the European Union and in non-EU countries.
Speaking after the Council had approved the text of the Regulation today, Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said: