Welcome to Better Europe’s weekly update on EU Affairs.
FARMERS GET THEIR OWN OMNIBUS TO ‘SIMPLIFY’ AGRICULTURAL POLICY
The Commission’s latest Omnibus package promises €1.5 billion in annual savings for farmers, but critics say the only thing being cut is environmental ambition. Dubbed a simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the proposal relaxes environmental regulations and gives member states more leeway on farm aid. Key changes include raising the flat-rate payment for small farmers from €1,250 to €2,500 and exempting them from several environmental requirements. Protections for peatlands and waterways are now at the discretion of each country, and crisis payments could replace preventive climate measures. Critics warn that the easing of environmental safeguards, designed to protect soil, water, and biodiversity, risks making farms more fragile amid growing climate challenges. Agriculture Commissioner and farmer’s son Christophe Hansen denies any backtracking on the Green Deal, insisting that it remains “the greenest CAP ever.” However, with permanent grasslands now subject to looser conversion rules, some fear this “simplification” is a way to cut corners on environmental protection. As the package heads to Parliament and the Council for negotiations, the big question is whether we are trimming red tape or green ambitions.
EU BLACKLIST MAKES DEFORESTATION RULES A TOOTHLESS TIGER
In a move that has environmentalists raising an eyebrow, the European Commission has finally unveiled its high-risk deforestation blacklist. And surprise, surprise, only four countries are in: Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and North Korea, none of which are major exporters to EU as far as we know. At the same time, he usual massive deforestation suspects, such as Brazil and Indonesia, get to keep their “standard risk” badges. While the system is meant to address both environmental and human rights violations, it’s clear that the latter has been the focus of the Commission to avoid accusing anyone of uncontrolled deforestation ahead of a global trade war. Environmental NGOs pleaded for a benchmarking system based on real environmental and human rights data, not just a geopolitical scorecard. Instead, it seems as if the EU is missing the forest for the tree, as companies importing soy, palm oil, and beef from “standard risk” countries will face lighter scrutiny. This half-hearted blacklist might protect political alliances, but it falls short of protecting the world’s forests.
BALLOT BOX SUPER SUNDAY
With voters from Portugal, Poland, and Romania heading to the polls this Sunday, the weekend is shaping up to be anything but calm. Portuguese citizens will elect a new parliament in the country’s third snap election in three years. This comes after the centre-right Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, lost a self-called vote of no confidence in March, induced by ethical scrutiny over a data protection consultancy he founded. Mr Montenegro’s constant denial of wrongdoing must be working because his party is set to gain the most seats, although still short of the majority. The Poles at the polls will be deciding which presidential candidates will be heading into the runoff elections on 1 June. Warsaw mayor and Tusk party candidate Rafał Trzaskowski and PiS endorsed independent Karol Nawrocki are neck and neck, with far-right gun fanboy Sławomir Mentzen rounding up in third. And for the election that really has Brussels biting its nails, Romania is headed into its second round of the second presidential election, after the vote last year was annulled over foreign interference concerns. MAGA capper George Simion comfortably won a majority in the first round, and has since vowed to install ousted candidate Georgescu as prime minister if he wins. However, recent polls show second-placer and pro-EU Bucharest mayor closing in the gap ahead of Sunday.