From May 3rd to 5th, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Juris Zīvarts participated in the informal meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Cyprus, where discussions focused on improving risk management in agriculture and simplifying the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Member States discussed the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027, with particular attention to the role of risk management in agriculture. The European Commission (EC) proposes making support for risk management tools mandatory for Member States, as various risks can result in significant financial losses for farmers, threatening the stability and viability of their farms.
Latvia expressed support for the EC’s proposal to provide CAP-funded policy instruments, including support for insurance, that allow farmers to prepare for potential crises. However, CAP funding is limited and must also cover other important priorities. Member States therefore need rapid access to additional EU funding in the event of natural disasters or significant market disruptions.
Regarding fisheries, Latvia stressed the need to review the still overly bureaucratic CFP regulatory framework, with particular emphasis on significant simplification and reducing the administrative burden. Existing management and control mechanisms, particularly the fisheries control system, are excessively complex and impose a substantial financial burden on Member States. Latvia also stressed that any future CFP reforms must be planned in close connection with the funding available in the next planning period. Achieving the EU’s objectives will only be possible with adequate public funding.