Ensuring fair competition between farmers in different Member States
3.5.2022
Priority question for written answer P-001666/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Atidzhe Alieva-Veli (Renew)
The discriminatory difference between Member States in the levels of direct payments is a serious problem which exacerbates the inequalities between farmers in the various Member States and distorts competition. Levels of direct payments must be brought into line immediately.
Besides this, the temporary state aid framework proposed by the Commission, which enables Member States to mobilise the finance needed to support the sectors most affected by the crisis, is a wonderful initiative, but could lead to significant differences in the amount of financial assistance provided to the agricultural sector in the various Member States. This could in turn further exacerbate the inequalities between European farmers and distort competition by placing farmers in certain countries in a less favourable situation than their counterparts in other countries.
- 1.Does the Commission not feel that the differences in levels of direct payments are discriminatory and should be aligned immediately?
- 2.Does the Commission agree that the differences between Member States in the levels of State aid paid to the agricultural sector may further exacerbate the inequalities between farmers in the various Member States?
- 3.Does the Commission plan to monitor the situation and analyse the differences in the support that Member States grant to farmers and the effect this will have on the common market and competition?