Latvian minister: Baltic states have so far been united on reform and future of CAP

RIGA – The Baltic states have so far been united on issues concerning the reform and future of the European Union's Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) after 2020, including a demand for equal direct payments to farmers in all member states, Latvian Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs said today ahead a meeting of Baltic agriculture ministers in Vilnius.

"It is essential that our allies remain with us on these issues, so I am glad that the Baltic states have so far been united on these issues which are so important to our agricultural sector," Duklavs said.

Estonian Minister of Rural Affairs Tarmo Tamm, Latvian Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs and Lithuanian Agriculture Minister Giedrius Surplys are to meet in Vilnius on Wednesday. The ministers are scheduled to discuss future cooperation and agree positions on the reform and future of the CAP after 2020, as well as fair direct payments to farmers.

The Baltic states want the European Commission to provide equal direct payments to farmers in all member states, because the current inequality is crippling the market. "We are not asking for larger funding but calling on the European Commission to be fair and ensure equality among EU member states," Duklavs said.

The agriculture ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland met in Riga on March 13 and signed a joint declaration on the communication from the European Commission "The Future of Food and Farming", agreeing on the joint position in negotiations with the European Commission on the CAP after 2020.