EU Agriculture Ministers Discuss Impact of Ukraine War on Markets and Environment

EU agriculture ministers met to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on global agricultural markets. The war has led to rising costs for raw materials, especially energy, feed, and fertilizers, which is affecting farmers worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

• Minister dr. Joe Podgorek of Slovenia expressed concern over the rising costs of raw materials and the need for adapting the rules for implementing the common agricultural policy (CAP).
• The European Commission is preparing measures, including support for private storage of pork, advances for direct payments, and more flexible limit values for plant protection products in case of imports from third countries.
• Slovenia will receive 1.7 million euros from the 500 million euros allocated for emergency measures to farmers affected by the crisis.
• The EU agriculture ministers also discussed the effective management of carnivores, with Slovenia presenting measures for managing wild animals and proposing a similar system at the EU level.
• The ministers discussed finding alternatives to the use of glyphosate, with Slovenia proposing a common solution and researchers from various countries searching for alternative methods.
• The European Commission will send official comments on the strategic plans of the common agricultural policy to Member States by the end of March.

Statistics:

• Europe Commission preparing 500 million euros for emergency measures to farmers most affected by the crisis.
• Slovenia to receive 1.7 million euros from the allocated funds.
• EU agriculture ministers discussing the approval of strategic plans by the European Commission by the end of March.
• 1.7 million euros allocated to Slovenia as part of the 500 million euros emergency measures.

Sources:

• Minister dr. Joe Podgorek of Slovenia
• European Commission
• Ukrainian Minister of Agriculture Roman Leshchenko
• Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)