In light of the difficulties faced by European farmers affected by drought this summer, the European Commission continues acting to provide practical support to the sector. Additional flexibility will be granted to help farmers provide sufficient feed to their animals.
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.
With an agri-food trade value of €255 billion in 2017, the EU confirms for yet another year its position as largest global exporter and importer of agri-food products.
With a budget of €365 billion, these proposals make sure the CAP remains a future-proof policy, continues to support farmers and rural communities, leads the sustainable development of EU agriculture and reflects the EU's ambition on environmental care and climate action.
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: