Hundreds of tractors stopped traffic in the center of Brussels, within the framework of the meeting of the EU-27 agriculture ministers, which paves the way for the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), reported AFP.
As on February 1, the Belgian capital once again became the epicenter of agricultural anger: the police counted around 900 agricultural vehicles.
Police used water cannons to douse flames lit by demonstrators, sometimes leading to tense clashes.
Delegations from Spain, Portugal, and the powerful Italian Coldiretti confederation were present along with the Belgian organizations on the outskirts of the Council blocked off by police cordons.
In a bid to quell discontent, member states have asked the European Commission to draw up a plan to "simplify" CAP rules.
Brussels will present its initial proposals.
Following the already approved derogation for fallow land, this year the obligation to maintain permanently grassed areas should be eased for farmers who are in the process of conversion. Several Member States also want flexibility regarding crop rotation obligations.
Forbearance will be granted to farmers who fail to comply with CAP requirements due to climatic events. Finally, declaration requirements will be eased and the use of satellite imagery will help reduce inspection visits by "up to 50%".
But beyond these short-term measures, which the European executive could quickly ratify, Brussels is opening the door to "medium-term" legislative revisions to the CAP, which are being negotiated with member states and MEPs, to change some criteria and the burden "reduced".
In the short term, "we need something pragmatic and operationally there is room for changes within the current rules," said French Minister Marc Fessault upon his arrival in Brussels.
"But there are things that require changes in the basic CAP legislation. It doesn't matter if this legislative change is made before the European elections (in June). The important thing is to move forward. We have to set the course, lay the foundations of a CAP that is comforting" in the long run, he insisted.
At the same time, Paris has called for the resumption - through amendments in the European Parliament - of legislation regulating emissions from poultry farms and pig farms, following an agreement reached in December between member states and MEPs. /BGNES
