During a meeting with farmers protesting outside the Council walls, Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval discussed the progress made in administrative simplification and the measures taken to increase income and provide greater flexibility in the common agricultural policy.

The minister expressed his hope for an agreement with the European Parliament that would ensure competitiveness and fair remuneration for farmers. Specifically, he mentioned introducing greater flexibility in winter coverage and crop rotations, as well as establishing a price observatory with thresholds for price responsiveness. Additionally, trade measures against Russian cereals were discussed as part of the discussions.

Clarinval emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the weeks leading up to the European elections to ensure a positive outcome for all stakeholders involved in the agricultural sector. The goal is to support European agriculture and food sovereignty by providing fair compensation to farmers.