EU's agricultural policy – an important election!

27 May 2019 by Tommy Dalgaard

It has been really interesting to follow the debate in the EU parliament election campaign, where candidates from all areas of the political spectrum are greatly interested in how EU’s new agricultural policy will take shape in connection with the projected revision in 2020 (but is not expected to be ready until 2021). This is an area that attracts a lot of attention and places demands on the knowledge we can offer from the Department of Agroecology.

Greening and a climate connection will be central

With the implementation of the new agricultural policy CAP2020+, there will be more emphasis on greening, i.e. the elements of the policy that have a positive effect on the environment, climate and biodiversity, and with the requirement that Member States can document these effects on the basis of scientific knowledge. The Ministry is therefore also very aware that we can deliver knowledge in this area and present proposals for how the positive effects of greening of agriculture can be increased.

In the new reform, the plan is that 40 per cent of the subsidies will be implemented so they benefit the climate. Since we are speaking of a total subsidy that in 2016 amounted to 6.5 billion kroner per year just in Denmark, it is something that can have great impact.

An evaluation of the previous greening of EU’s agricultural policy in the period 2013-2017 has shown an effect that corresponds to a reduction of up to approximately two per cent of agriculture’s total climate gas emissions. Similarly, there is a reduction effect of approximately two percent in agriculture’s total nitrogen loss in the form of nitrate and ammonia.

Even though this is not an insignificant contribution, there is room for improvement. The knowledge we have about e.g. optimising crop rotation with more grass, taking lowland areas out of rotation, more careful treatment of the soil, digital precision platforms, and, not least, new technologies in animal farming and management of animal manure, as well as biobased production with more closed cycles, will come into play. We can already ascertain that based on the policy support tasks we have been asked to carry out (see the examples (in Danish) in the list below).

Risks for Denmark

One of the agendas in connection with the new agricultural reform is budget savings, not least if Brexit becomes a reality and the UK therefore no longer contributes to EU’s finances. This can definitely affect Danish agriculture. In the present CAP reform period, the direct subsidies to Danish farmers have already fallen by approximately three per cent yearly.

From agricultural subsidies totalling approximately 7.2 billion kroner in 2013, the sum of the market-related and direct agricultural subsidies has fallen to approximately 6.5 billion kroner in 2016. With Brexit and an expected increased re-distribution from Denmark and the other old, wealthy Member States to the new, poorer EU Member States, it must be expected that this development will intensify.

This can make it more difficult to find EU funds for new, active investments in the necessary transition of Danish agriculture. Nevertheless, there will be a lot of pressure to do so. A possibility could be to supplement with national funding. The question then will be to what extent and to which aims this could be realised.

It is also a question if Denmark, which is a major exporter of agricultural products, is interested in this development, which will pave the way for the agricultural sectors in other countries to receive subsidies to a greater extent from competing countries’ national coffers. Whatever the case, the developments will be interesting to follow, and it is an area in which there is a constant need for new knowledge.

Everyone agrees that more research is necessary

Expectations are that generation of new knowledge by investing in research is one of the areas in which both the EU and Denmark will continue to prioritise; investment in new knowledge about climate adaptation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions could reduce the alternative very expensive solutions in this area.

The Department of Agroecology has a lot to offer in this regard and it is essential that we are active nationally and internationally. On the national level we are obligated to deliver via our agreement with the Ministry of Food and Environment of Denmark, and the continuing research investments that everyone is calling for.

On the international level, we also have good possibilities for being active via relevant calls under EU’s research programmes and international organs, such as OECD, UNEP and, not least, the European Commission, that is always on the lookout for expertise.

EU grant for an expert workshop on nitrogen

For example, we have recently received a grant via the European Commission and UN-ECE’s Task Force on Reactive Nitrogen (TFRN) to invite experts to a special workshop in Brussels from 20 September to 2 October 2019, followed by preparation of the experts’ recommendations on how the Member States best can meet the challenges of shaping policies that can support efforts to concurrently reduce greenhouse gas emissions and loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere and aquatic environment with the effects this would have on the environment, biodiversity, public health and economy.

The Danish model for targeted regulation could be used as an example for other countries to follow, just as we can find inspiration for future agricultural and environmental policies and research agendas.

Future needs for research and knowledge will be spearheded by changes in the agricultrual policy. The signs are that we should be able to offer solutions that promote economically sustainable and efficient farming while at the same time accommodating the environment, climate and biodiversity. This requires interdisciplinary efforts and that we continue to develop our degree programmes to produce graduates who are specialised in this area.

Climate challenges and the sustainable development goals will be the focal point of the agenda and the long haul towards the targets that are set in relation to the effects of the agricultural policy and delivery of more public green benefits, but perhaps especially contributions towards a climate-neutral society.

Examples of relevant policy support tasks (in Danish):

Here I am in Brussels in the company of EU’s commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Phil Hogan, in connection with the presentation of our scenarios for agricultural development, in which he has shown great interest. Personal photo