Dokumentai - Think Tank - Europos Parlamentas

Briefing - The EU sugar sector - 16-03-2020

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:18:22 GMT

The sugar sector in the European Union provides a source of income for many farmers and sugar manufacturers. The EU is the world's top producer of sugar beet and one of the main sugar manufacturers' and consumer markets. The EU sugar market had been one of the most heavily regulated markets in the agri-food sector for 50 years, until the quota regime ended on 30 September 2017, thereby introducing a new scenario for this segment of the economy. The sector faces challenges on a number of fronts. The changed policy environment which resulted from quota elimination, as well as trading conditions due to higher production levels, and the ongoing debate on the agreement with Mercosur have all contributed to a period of uncertainty for commodity prices. Maintaining a viable sugar sector is inextricably linked with the development of agriculture and rural areas. This means the parallel development of economic, social and environmental policy objectives. At an economic level, the fate of sugar farming will help to ensure farmers’ incomes as well as those in the wider processing sector. From a social perspective, keeping jobs in agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors will benefit rural communities. Sugar beet cultivation also allows farmers to diversify their income sources while improving soil quality and encouraging environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Future policy for the sector should focus on risk mitigation. It will also be mindful of the stabilisation of farm incomes; instruments to limit farm income volatility; linking sugar beet production with environmental and climate change objectives, and encouraging the development of a long-term risk management system. This briefing updates and expands an earlier publication, published in April 2018 (PE 620.224).

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2020 - EP

Briefing - The EU cereals sector: Main features, challenges and prospects - 05-09-2019

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:57:37 GMT

Food and agriculture systems are central to the well-being of humanity. When considering food security, these systems are needed not just to provide safe, healthy food but also livelihoods and incomes to a large number of farmers. These same systems are integral to rural and economic development. Core to the food security objective is the production of cereals across the globe to meet the increasing demands for food, animal feed and biofuels. In the EU, the cereals sector accounted for approximately 11 % of the total output value of agricultural production in 2016, third in line after the vegetable/horticultural and the dairy sectors. It is an important sector for many Member States, particularly the northern ones, where it is well developed. All Member States produce some combination of cereal crops. The EU cereals sector is facing challenges not only structurally but also financially and climatically. Developments in the policy framework as evidenced by the new common agricultural policy (CAP) proposals as well as advances in scientific and technological spheres, such as plant breeding and digitalisation, point the way to a more efficient sector. Yet, the sectoral challenges are many. The process of CAP reform for the post-2020 period promising a new delivery model and strategic plans is a departure from the known. World agricultural markets face new uncertainties that, on the supply side, include regulatory responses to new plant breeding techniques and responses to the increasing likelihood of extreme climatic events. The cereals sector is one operating in a farming environment trying to combat the loss of plant protection products previously relied upon, and in a world coming to terms with how to make the Paris Agreement a reality. These challenges will all influence the profitability and survivability of the sector.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2019 - EP

Išsami analizė - CAP strategic planning: Operational perspectives - 04-09-2019

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:56:37 GMT

For the first time in the history of the common agricultural policy (CAP), it is proposed that interventions available under the CAP's Pillar I (namely agricultural income and market support) and Pillar II (rural development) will be combined in one strategic plan for all CAP expenditure. This paper aims to provide a better understanding and insight into the European Commission's proposal for this new delivery model for the CAP after 2020. Under the Commission's proposal, greater flexibility would be given to Member States to decide on how best to meet general and specific objectives of the CAP. They would be responsible for drawing up a CAP strategic plan, in which they will set targets to be achieved over the subsequent programming period. Though the new delivery model would provide an opportunity for Member States to tailor the instruments and measures of the CAP to address their specific needs, the approach places significant onus on the strategic-planning capacities of Member State administrations. This paper examines a number of operational issues to help inform the ongoing legislative process.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2019 - EP

Briefing - Unfair trading practices in the food supply chain - 06-05-2019

Sun, 05 May 2019 22:00:00 GMT

The food supply chain ensures that food and drink products are delivered to the public. It affects all consumers in the EU. The final price paid by the consumer is impacted by the number of participants in the food supply chain. While the single market has brought benefits to operators in the supply chain through more market opportunities and a larger customer base, it has also brought challenges. Structural changes have occurred, leading to different levels of bargaining power and imbalances between actors in the chain. The abuse of such differences may lead to unfair trading practices. To strengthen the position of smaller operators (farmers) in the food supply chain, in April 2018 the European Commission proposed a new directive on unfair trading practices. Trilogue discussions began in October 2018 after a successful vote in plenary. The final agreed text was adopted by both �Ϸ��վ and Council at first reading, and signed on 17 April. Member States must now incorporate its provisions into national law, and apply them by 1 November 2021.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2019 - EP

Glaustai - Unfair trading practices in the food supply chain - 06-03-2019

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 18:24:41 GMT

To strengthen the position of smaller operators (farmers) in the food supply chain, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on unfair trading practices. The �Ϸ��վ and Council reached a negotiated agreement on the proposal, which is scheduled to be voted by �Ϸ��վ at first reading during the March I plenary session.

Šaltinis : © Europos Sąjunga, 2019 - EP