The EU Agricultural Committee approved the first batch of proposals for improving the EU agricultural policy under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after a vote in the European Parliament on Monday evening, April 1.

This first CAP reform vote was focused on the new EU rules for organizing a common agricultural market after 2020. The CMO decision was adopted by 29 votes in favor, with 7 votes in favor.

According to members of the European Parliament, the existing scheme providing assistance to dairy farmers who voluntarily produce fewer products during serious market imbalances in order to stabilize prices should be extended to all sectors. MPs also note the need for more transparency, better crisis management and a wider security network. .

In addition, members of the European Parliament endorsed the proposed provisions to ensure that national authorities combat the illegal use of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and guaranteed traditional specialization.

Rapporteur Eric Andrieu said that although farmers face significant income problems associated with declining price volatility, the commission has proposed only very limited administrative reform. This endorsement of the CAP reform proposals will now be carefully examined by the European Parliament after May election.