Chapter 11: Agriculture and Rural Development

THE EU’S COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Incorporating the trade in agricultural products in the customs union established among the founding members of the European Economic Community paved the way for a need to form a common policy in agricultural sector. Thus, with the aim of establishing a functioning and a developing common market in agricultural products, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was introduced on the basis of the Article 38 of the Treaty of Rome (Article 38 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).

Launched in 1962 with the principles of “single market”, “joint financial responsibility” and “community preference” as laid down in Stresa Conference in 1958, the CAP contributed much to the swift recovery of the European agriculture by means of high levels of support and protection for the producers, which was strongly criticized by the agricultural exporter countries. As of 1980s, the CAP was faced with the several reform processes mainly due to the production surplus triggered by the high level of support, financial burden on the Community budget, excess of supply within the Community because of the foreign market fluctuations after the Oil Crisis (1973), the multilateral trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and the enlargement process of the Community.

Having an impact on almost 500 million consumers and 12 million producers, the CAP post 2013 reform has the objectives of:

• Viable food production
• Sustainable management of natural resources and climate action
• Balanced territorial development

Focusing particularly on environment and climate related issues, the CAP has a budget of approximately 400 billion of Euros for the period of 2014-2020.

THE CONTENT OF THE CHAPTER

Chapter 11- Agriculture and Rural Development acquis covers mainly the aids (also adapted in respect of different products) granted to farmers and other actors (e.g. processors) in agriculture, productions quotas for some products, import restrictions and tariffs. Acquis also covers EU Rural Development Policy that introduces measures aiming to meet the needs of the agricultural and rural community with less income levels, to diversify their incomes, and to establish the basis for implementation of this policy such as planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and control, and systems and administrative structures. Since CAP expenditure, including rural development, represents an important share of the EU budget, the establishment of the administration and control systems which is used for checking the eligibility of the aids is very important. The chapter also encompasses legislation on the protected designation of origin, the geographical indications, the traditional specialities for agricultural products and foodstuffs, and the control of this protection; the rules for organic farming and control and inspection; the state aids in agriculture; and  establishment and operation of system for farm accountancy data network which is very important tool for policy making. Although agricultural statistics is covered under Chapter 18- Statistics, it is directly linked with negotiations in Chapter 11.  Since the acquis in the chapter is mostly composed of regulations, the establishment of administrative structures and mechanisms essential for the functioning of the CAP prior to the accession is crucial for the adequate experience in implementation.

For the content of Chapter 11- Agriculture and Rural Development and the studies conducted in this context:

Please click here for the booklet prepared (in Turkish) regarding Chapter 11- Agriculture and Rural Development .

Please click here for the brochure prepared (in Turkish) regarding Chapter 11- Agriculture and Rural Development .

SUB-COMMITTEE NO.1 ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

Sub-Committee No.1 on Agriculture and Fisheries is one of the 8 sub-committees established based on the Decision 3/2000 of TR-EC Association Council on 11 April 2000. Within the framework of Accession Partnership Document and National Programme Priorities, harmonization of national legislation with the EU acquis, the progress achieved in the fulfillment of opening and closing benchmarks, planned activities in the coming period regarding Chapters 11, 12 and 13 are discussed in the Sub-Committee meetings. Directorate for EU Affairs is responsible for the coordination of all studies carried out in the scope of the Sub-Committee and cooperation between the relevant institutions.

So far 14 Sub-Committee meetings were held, and the last meeting was on 28-29 November 2019 in Brussels.

There is one Working Group established under Chaper 11, “Agricultural Policies and Implementation Mechanisms”. The only meeting of this Working group was held in 2012.

RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS AND USEFUL LINKS

For the content of the CAP:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/summary/chapter/agriculture.html?root_default=SUM_1_CODED=03

Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI):

https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:

https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/

Agriculture and Rural Development Support Institution:

https://tkdk.gov.tr/

PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

Six opening benchmarks were introduced in the EU Presidency letter dated 24 January 2007. As one of the preconditions for the opening of this Chapter to negotiations, Türkiye is required to ensure full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement. In addition to that, five technical benchmarks were laid down by the Council as follows:

1.         Türkiye establishes an IPARD Agency (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance in Rural Development) accredited in compliance with EU requirements.

2.         Türkiye presents to the Commission a strategy to reverse the tendency of recent years of increasing importance of coupled direct support payments and price support measures in the agriculture budget, in favour of decoupled direct support in line with the current trend of the Common Agricultural Policy. This strategy should also include steps towards the alignment of public support for state economic enterprises with EU state aid rules, as well as the respect by such enterprises of the EU rules on transparency.

3.         Türkiye presents to the Commission a detailed strategy referring also to sensitive products such as cereals, sugar, milk, livestock, fruit and vegetables (including targets, deadlines, responsible authority and cost estimates) to ensure sound and reliable statistical information about agriculture and rural development, in order to reach a satisfactory level to start negotiations.

4.         Türkiye presents to the Commission a strategy on how it intends to further develop the system of land identification and the National Farmer Registration System to prepare for controls on agricultural land.

5.         Türkiye lifts restrictions on trade in beef meat, live bovine animals and derivate products.

STUDIES UNDER THIS CHAPTER

Within the context of the abovementioned benchmarks as well as IPARD tool, studies for harmonisation with the acquis regarding agricultural support system, common market organisation, agricultural statistics, geographical indications, organic farming, and rural development.

THE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED UNDER THIS CHAPTER

The Projects completed within the period of IPA I (2007-2013) and IPA II (2014-2020) are as follows: