Margaritis Schoinas identified securing adequate funding for Greek farmers and simplifying the rules of the new Common Agricultural Policy as key Greek priorities Margaritis Schoinas.
Ahead of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg, the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, emphasized that “this is a critical week,” noting that the debate over the future of the Common Agricultural Policy is intensifying as the negotiation process that will shape the framework for the next six years reaches its peak.
As he noted, Greece is approaching the negotiations with optimism, concrete arguments, and clear priorities. The primary goal, according to the minister, is to ensure that the total amount of support for Greek farmers remains substantial during the new programming period.
At the same time, as the Greek minister noted, particular emphasis is placed on the rules for implementing the new CAP, which, as he stressed, must be simple, practical, and free of unnecessary bureaucratic red tape.
The Greek side also seeks to have the necessary flexibility to make decisions that meet the specific needs of the domestic agriculture. Among the issues on the table are the definition of “farmer” status, the allocation of available resources between direct payments and investment incentives, as well as the creation of appropriate conditions for training and encouraging young people to enter the primary sector.
Mr. Schinas noted that the discussion has already begun in Greece as well. As he announced, tomorrow, Wednesday, a meeting will be held in Metsovo, Epirus, with the relevant agricultural organizations to discuss the prospects and priorities of the new Common Agricultural Policy.
At the same time, the minister described this week as critical for agricultural payments, as the final details for the significant June payment package are being finalized. The payments will be made through the new system by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.
He noted that he is in daily contact with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR), to ensure that payments are made on time and meet beneficiaries’ expectations.
At the same time, he emphasized that the restructuring of the Greek agricultural payment system will continue with determination. “We need a solid foundation so that we can stand firm in the face of everything that lies ahead in the coming years,” Mr. Schinas concluded.
