For this debrief of the issue of “Cash Investigation” titled “Agriculture: where have Europe’s billions gone?” (replay), Elise Lucet is surrounded by Veronique White, who carried out the investigation, the journalist Claire Marchaland of Sophie Le Galleditor-in-chief of the magazine.
Alain (Paris) > The Prince of Monaco receives 21,750 euros while other farmers commit suicide, collapsing under loans…
Elise Lucet: Indeed, the Prince of Monaco benefits from aid from the common agricultural policy (CAP) because he owns a wine estate, the Château de Marchais, located in the Aisne. In 2021, he even received a little more than the sum you mention, i.e. 30,490 euros. This may seem surprising but there is nothing illegal about it, it is even one of the principles of the CAP. Anyone who owns a farm can receive subsidies regardless of their level of income.
Guiendo (Val-d’Oise) > Why has France not capped agricultural aid?
Veronique Blanc > As you have seen in our survey, MEPs spoke out in favor of capping agricultural aid at 100,000 euros per year and per beneficiary. But this ceiling was left to the discretion of the States. In other words, it is up to them to decide whether to apply this measure or not.
But are there countries that do?
Veronique Blanc > Yes, Ireland, Spain and Austria have opted for capping. In these countries, no operation will receive more than 100,000 euros. In France, the former Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie chose not to apply it. Why ? Well, that’s just one of the questions we would have liked to ask the minister. But he ultimately declined our interview.
Fiona (Angoulême) > The green payment will disappear to make way for an “eco-scheme”: will this finally have a positive impact on the environment?
Sophie Le Gall > You are right. Eco-schemes will replace the green payment in 2023. Each country will then have greater autonomy and will decide on the measures it wishes to put in place to green its CAP. Except that the proposals made by France did not satisfy the European Commission.
Ah well, she was not happy, the European Commission?
Veronique Blanc > It is the least we can say, the European Commission has issued a very critical report against France. She said to herself “concerned about the low level of environmental and climate ambition proposed” by France. Associations, and even some farmers, fear that eco-schemes will ultimately have a low environmental impact, just like the green payment. The new Minister of Agriculture still has a month to submit a new copy.
Bergère (Bruyères) > I am a farmer, small sheep farm (…). We must also talk about the disappearance of aid for maintaining organic farming. Thanks !
Elise Lucet > Yes, Bergere des Bruyères. This is precisely one of the points on which the European Commission criticizes France. Aid for maintaining organic farming will not disappear completely. But they will seriously drop. According to the FNAB, the National Federation of Organic Agriculture, there will be “an average net loss of 132 euros per hectare and per year, i.e. 66% less public support for organic farms“. The Commission also fears that some organic farmers will return to conventional agriculture.
Sabine (Meurthe-et-Moselle) > Who is responsible for monitoring the payment of CAP subsidies? The European Union ? The states ?
Veronique White > In fact, it is the States that pay CAP aid and also take care of controls. In France, it is the ASP, the Services and Payment Agency, which takes care of these checks. Of course, the European Commission has the right to look at what the States are doing and if a country is doing its job badly, it can decide to cut off the subsidy tap.
And how is it going?
Sophie Le Gall > Countries advance the amount of aid before being reimbursed by Europe. As a result, the Commission can refuse this reimbursement. And in the end, it is the country’s taxpayers who win… Besides, France is not a very good student. Between 2007 and 2020, Europe refused to reimburse him 2.7 billion euros. It considered that the payments and checks had been carried out incorrectly.
Léo (Haute-Garonne) > Have legal proceedings been initiated against the relatives of the former Czech Prime Minister who threatened MEP Tomáš Zdechovský?
Claire Marchal > Yes, 60 people, sometimes in the entourage of former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, have been prosecuted by Czech justice. Some have already been convicted. For the moment, no prison sentence, but just fines which are very low. Around 200 euros… But for this MEP, even if the penalties are symbolic, it is already a victory!
Fiona (Angoulême) > As citizens, what can we do for things to change and for the CAP to finally respect the environment?
Veronique Blanc > Very good question ! What you can do to change things is go vote. Because since 2011, MEPs are now associated with the implementation of the CAP. They can therefore propose measures or unravel others with amendments… And then through the European Council, the States, and therefore our leaders, are also decision-makers. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just the European Commission that decides everything, on its own.
Excerpt from “Agriculture: where have Europe’s billions gone?”, an investigation by Véronique Blanc, broadcast tuesday June 7, 2022 at 9:10 p.m. on France 2.
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