EN 
LV The Farmers' Parliament, together with Estonian and Lithuanian farmers' organizations, is meeting with the Baltic ministers of agriculture today
Today, October 31, the leadership of the association "Farmers' Parliament", together with colleagues from Estonian and Lithuanian farmer organizations, will meet with the Baltic agriculture ministers in Tartu to once again remind farmers of what is important - the equalization of direct payments, rural development financing, and a realistic agricultural policy after 2020 - before the crucial negotiations in Brussels.
Maira Dzelzkalēja-Burmistre, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board of the Association “Farmers' Council”: “Today, when we meet with the Baltic Ministers of Agriculture, we will once again emphasize the importance of joint and coordinated action by all three Baltic States at all levels to continue the fight for fair direct payments. Since all 3 Baltic Ministers of Agriculture are new to this position, it is very important to present what has been achieved so far and to encourage steadfastness in the final negotiations on the CAP. During the meeting, we will hand over a joint letter to the ministers, in which we will once again remind them of the demands of Baltic farmers in the new programming period. Also, during the meeting, we will emphasize the need to maintain the common agricultural budget in Europe, which is a safety cushion for unexpected climate and political changes, as well as the only way to ensure access to quality food for all consumers.”
Farmers in the Baltic States are dissatisfied with the current European Commission's Common Agricultural Policy proposal, which blatantly ignores the European Council's 2013 promise to provide at least 196 EUR/ha by 2020. Unfortunately, the current proposal will not provide such support even in 2027.