Latest news with #CopaCogeca
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Tariffs on Russian fertiliser greenlit after MEPs reject amendments
The European Parliament has given the green light for the EU to introduce tariffs on fertiliser from Russia and its ally Belarus, rejecting several amendments and adding to concern for farm organisations. A vote in a full, or plenary, session of the parliament saw MEPs overwhelmingly back the proposal from the European Commission to introduce fertiliser tariffs on the two countries. The proposal was made in response to the war in Ukraine, in which Belarus has aided Russia. Russia and Belarus are a major source of fertilisers for the EU agricultural sector. The proposal has long concerned EU farm organisations, who, despite defending the rationale for the tariffs as part of the EU's support for Ukraine, are concerned that it will make fertiliser more expensive for farmers in the bloc. The commission's proposed tariffs are now set to come into effect on July 1, it is understood. Copa Cogeca, the group representing EU farming organisations and agricultural co-operatives, said: 'Farming communities understand and support the overall objective pursued by the EU institutions. 'However, the complete lack of consideration for alternative sourcing, the absence of an impact assessment, and the lack of clarity on market implications, remain deeply problematic,' Copa added. 'While recognising broader foreign policy goals, we must emphasise the serious economic and operational consequences this proposal represents for the EU agricultural sector,' the group said in a statement. 'Despite the commission's promises before the vote regarding market monitoring, fertilisers – being a major cost for the entire profession – remain a significant concern and raise serious doubts about the competitiveness and future of European farming. 'Given these stakes, it is difficult to understand why the proposal was not accompanied by at least an impact assessment and a clear diversification strategy. If the EU is determined to reduce dependency on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers, it must present a credible and forward-looking alternative,' Copa said. The farm group said its position on the tariffs remains unchanged and, that the underlying issues will likely resurface. Copa is calling on the commission to adopt an approach that ensures the availability of fertiliser to EU farmers, and to allow derogations to the nitrates directive to allow increased use of livestock manure on grassland and other crops. The group is also urging the commission to remove duties and tariffs on fertilisers from countries other than Russia and Belarus in order to limit the impact of the new tariffs. 'Given that the fertiliser market remains relatively opaque and particularly fragile, Copa Cogeca remains watchful on these issues and urges European authorities—especially the commission—to maintain extremely careful monitoring. We cannot afford to further undermine the economic viability of farms or the food security of millions across the EU,' Copa said.
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
EU ready to tax Russian fertilisers as early as July
A farmers' group said using Russian fertilisers was the most competitive in terms of price, due to well-established logistics for supplying the EU. (Shippingwatch pic) BRUSSELS : EU lawmakers are set to greenlight tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia today, despite European farmers' fears the move risks sending global prices soaring. Over a quarter of the 27-nation bloc's imports of nitrogen-based fertilisers come from Russia, with more entering from Moscow's ally Belarus, which the European Commission now seeks to bring to an end. Seeking to allay farmers' worries, Brussels says it will impose the duties from July and gradually increase them up to 2028 until they reach a level that would fully cut off the flow. Three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU must stop fuelling 'the Russian war machine' and 'limit the dependency of Europe's farmers to Russian fertilisers', said lawmaker Inese Vaidere, spearheading the push in the EU parliament to impose the tariffs. Barring any last-minute drama, the European parliament is expected to approve the tariffs – although some right-wing lawmakers had been calling for a one-year suspension. The move is not welcomed by farmers. With rising production costs, pan-European farmers' group Copa-Cogeca explained, using Russian fertilisers was 'the most competitive in terms of price, due to well-established logistics' for supplying the EU. Brussels also intends for the levies to prevent the indirect export of Russian gas, which is used to produce fertilisers. The EU also wants to increase the bloc's own fertiliser production, and its moves are welcomed by the fertiliser industry in the bloc. 'Time is running out. We've been basically calling for action at the EU level for three years,' said Tiffanie Stephani of Norwegian fertiliser manufacturer Yara. However, she admitted the farmers' concerns were 'more than legitimate'. 'Punishing farmers' The EU has its work cut out to reassure farmers, who are already angry about administrative burdens, squeezed revenues and what they see as unfair competition from less-regulated overseas rivals. The tariff could be 'potentially devastating' for the agriculture sector, warned Copa-Cogeca, adding: 'European farmers must not become collateral damage'. A farmer in central Belgium, Amaury Poncelet, accused the EU of hurting the sector. After spreading nitrogen fertiliser on his field in Berloz – which he buys from a dealer in Ghent without knowing where it comes from – the grain and beet farmer said he 'doesn't understand the EU's idea of punishing its farmers'. 'We're losing money because of these European decisions that treat us like pawns who don't matter,' he said. The EU has suggested that duties on imports from North Africa, Central Asia, the US, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria could be removed to alleviate pressure on prices, among other mitigating measures, should the duties lead to price shocks. Yara's Stephani pointed to estimates showing that, with tariffs on Russian imports, there would be an increase of fertiliser prices of five to 10 dollars per tonne 'because of different logistic costs'. Prices vary, but a tonne of nitrogen fertiliser is currently worth around US$400.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Farmers protest in Dublin over EU plans to merge Cap budget into single fund
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the group representing co-ops held a protest in Dublin on Tuesday, warning against a plan to to remove the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) budget in favour of a once-off funding approach to the EU budget. Farmers and farming representatives took part in the 'flash action' at the European Commission offices on Tuesday morning. The IFA and Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) protest coincides with a flash action organised by Copa Cogeca, the largest representative union of more than 22 million European farmers in Brussels. The protests come as the EU Commission has put forward proposals to amalgamate Cap into a single fund. READ MORE The move has sparked concern in the agricultural sector, which warns that their funding could be stripped back over the years as it will not be ring-fenced. 'The Cap budget has been in place since the Treaty of Rome, way back in the 1950s, and it was put in place to make sure that we would have food security across Europe, which was paramount and is still paramount today,' Alice Doyle, deputy president of the IFA, said. 'If that budget is subsumed into the main European budget, it can be pilfered at any time, to be used for any purpose. 'We want this ring-fenced, as it has always been from the very beginning, ring-fenced to support farmers across Europe and here in Ireland in particular.' She added: 'If it is not ring-fenced, the income of farmers would be reduced dramatically, because we all depend on that direct payment coming from Europe. That's part of our basic income scheme.' Ms Doyle also raised concern about the knock-on impact for rural Ireland because farmers are based there and 'every penny they earn is spent in rural Ireland'. Edward Carr, a diary farmer from Tipperary, president of the ICOS and chairman of Arrabawn Co-operative, said the Cap budget is being targeted. 'The proposed changes are very concerning for the future of farmers within our country,' Mr Carr said. 'It's concerning because the Cap was brought in few years ago for us as a protection that we produce cheap food. 'It has to be taken into consideration that we are probably one of the best countries on the globe to produce sustainable food in a sustainable manner, while protecting the environment. 'I think it's just come to the stage where farmers have to stand up for themselves and protect themselves. The future of this cheap, sustainable food being produced has to be protected. It's time for Europe to pay more heed to this.' – PA
BreakingNews.ie
20-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Farming groups hold protest over Cap proposals in Dublin
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the group representing co-ops have held a protest in Dublin, warning against a plan to to remove the Cap budget in favour of a once-off funding approach to the EU budget. Farmers and farming representatives took part in the 'flash action' at the European Commission offices on Tuesday morning. Advertisement The IFA and Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) protest coincides with a flash action organised by Copa Cogeca, the largest representative union of more than 22 million European farmers in Brussels. The EU Commission has put forward proposals to amalgamate Cap into a single fund. The move has sparked concern in the agricultural sector, who warns that their funding could be stripped back over the years as it will not be ring-fenced. Alice Doyle, deputy president of the Irish Farmers' Association, said they have been warning against the consequences of the changes to the Cap budget. Advertisement 'The Cap budget has been in place since the Treaty of Rome, way back in the 50s, and it was put in place to make sure that we would have food security across Europe, which was paramount and is still paramount today,' she said. 'The production of food is very important. Farmers have to be supported financially to produce food. We are producing the best food in the world, in Ireland and across Europe. 'But if that food security is to be there, we're going to have to support our farmers in the continuous production of that food. 'The Cap budget is what gives that finance to the farmers to help them produce that food. If that budget is subsumed into the main European budget, it can be pilfered at any time, to be used for any purpose. Advertisement 'We want this ring-fenced, as it has always been from the very beginning, ring-fenced to support farmers across Europe and here in Ireland in particular, in the production of food, and to make sure that we have food security.' She said: 'If it is not ring-fenced, the income of farmers would be reduced dramatically, because we all depend on that direct payment coming from Europe. That's part of our basic income scheme. 'The second thing is, it would have a huge impact on rural Ireland because farmers are based in rural Ireland, and every penny they earn is spent in rural Ireland.' Edward Carr, a diary farmer from Tipperary, president of the ICOS and chairman of Arrabawn Co-operative, said the Cap budget is being targeted. Advertisement 'The proposed changes are very concerning for the future of farmers within our country,' he said. 'It's concerning because the Cap was brought in few years ago for us as a protection that we produce cheap food. 'It has to be taken into consideration that we are probably one of the best countries on the globe to produce sustainable food in a sustainable manner, while protecting the environment. 'I think it's just come to the stage where farmers have to stand up for themselves and protect themselves. The future of this cheap, sustainable food being produced has to be protected. It's time for Europe to pay more heed to this.' Advertisement
Agriland
14-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
European farmers to demonstrate over CAP budget
Farm organisations are planning to take to the streets next week to voice their concerns over European Commission proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget. Copa Cogeca, the umbrella organisation representing farmers and agricultural cooperatives, confirmed that the 'pan-European flash action' will take place in Brussels on Tuesday, May 20. The organisation said it will support the protest which is being organised by Belgian national farmers' organisations, FWA/UAW and BoerenBond. The demonstration will coincide with the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025 where the next long-term union budget will be discussed. According to the EU Commission, this conference will 'bring together a wide array of stakeholders to rethink a future budget with the union policy priorities at the centre by making it more focused, simpler and impactful'. CAP However, Copa Cogeca has said that there is 'no clear answer' on how the commission intends to include agriculture in its upcoming budget. 'The EU budget is not just a technical discussion — it is a key political issue, particularly for agriculture. 'At a time when EU faces overlapping challenges — from geopolitical instability and economic/legal uncertainty to climate change and shifting global trade — one thing is clear: food security is security,' the group said. Copa Cogeca warned that 'without a clear and protected budget line to support the EU agricultural framework, European agricultural policy could collapse like a house of cards'. The group reiterated that it cannot accept the dissolution of the CAP into a single fund or any move toward further renationalisation. It will also not agree to 'a rushed proposal' for the next CAP presented in July alongside the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), 'especially without clarity on resources, governance, or proper consultation with the agricultural sector'. 'The proposal to centralise EU funding into a single fund may offer some budgetary flexibility, but it risks dissolving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) into a broader framework with less focus, fewer guarantees, and no shared vision. 'Replacing the two-pillar CAP with a single national programming model would weaken the single market, delay essential investments, and create significant disparities between member states — all while threatening farmers' incomes, undermining sustainability, and jeopardising the stability of the agri-food chain, even beyond EU borders,' it said. Copa Cogeca is calling for a 'renewed commitment' from the commission, including 'a dedicated and safeguarded CAP budget line, and an inflation-adjusted CAP budget in the next MFF'. 'The CAP must remain the backbone of the EU's food and agriculture strategy, as enshrined in the EU treaties — not just in rhetoric, but in its shared nature, robust structure, and dedicated financial resources,' it added.
