Latvia’s Minister for Agriculture Armands Krauze, Lithuania’s Minister of Agriculture Andrius Palionis, and Estonia’s Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras during a meeting in Berlin on Thursday, January 16th, signed a joint declaration on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027.
Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze: “It is important for the Baltic States to ensure a strong rural development policy, especially given our region’s geographical location. In the single European market with its equal conditions of competition, support for farmers and their incomes must also be equal. At the same time, food security, sector modernization, efficiency and sustainability must be also taken into account, as well as the structure of farms, the age of those employed in agriculture, and other significant aspects. Therefore, I am pleased that the Baltic States’ ministers have a joint position on strategically important issues regarding the future of the sector, as confirmed today with our signatures.”
The declaration emphasises that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must remain strong and autonomous in the future to ensure fair incomes for farmers, stabilize markets, address climate change and geopolitical challenges, and support viable rural areas. The ministers believe that support funding must be distributed fairly among Member States; therefore, one of the priorities post-2027 is to increase support payments for Baltic farmers in order to reach the average CAP funding level per hectare.
In the declaration, the Baltic ministers also stress the particular importance of strengthening farmers working in EU eastern border regions – along the borders of Russia and Belarus. Special attention should likewise be given to CAP measures that support innovation and knowledge transfer, as well as investments in processing and the creation of added value. CAP regulations must also not reduce income support intended for active farmers who contribute to food production.