Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, maintains that Lithuania is currently being discriminated against, since its farmers have been receiving lower payments. That is why it is crucial to put the focus on the situation in Lithuania when negotiating on the Common Agricultural Policy and the terms and conditions for farmers.
“The payments system should ensure fair and equal terms of competition for all EU farmers,” the Speaker of the Seimas says. He points out that the size of direct payments that does not distort competition and does not discriminate against the Lithuanian farmers and the rural population should be kept as a priority for Lithuania in negotiations for the future financial period of 2021–2027.
“The current situation in the Lithuanian agricultural sector and rural areas is difficult, which is why we have to negotiate better conditions for our farmers to ensure that the CAP funds for rural development substantially contribute to maintaining and enhancing the viability of rural regions,” Mr Pranckietis says.
The adopted Resolution contains proposals on reinforcing risk management instruments and improving market regulation measures by assessing the possibility of introducing a third pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy dedicated to risk management and concurrently maintaining a market-oriented CAP.
The document also points out to the need to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy and ensure its flexible implementation across EU Member States.
