Brexit puts paid to calm break

Eurofile: Officials approach recess with burning issues still unresolved

The end of July is normally when life winds down in Brussels, as commissioners and officials prepare for the month-long August break.

However this year it is more akin to the between rounds break in a boxing match, with most issues unresolved and no one having much idea of the tactics they will need for the future rounds.

Farm commissioner Phil Hogan.

Hogan has given it his best shot over the past year, but good as that was, he has been frustrated over delivery.

The Brexit decision was a huge disappointment given the efforts he made to secure a Remain vote.

This happened despite his commitment to simplify the CAP. He is also frustrated at the continuing agricultural crisis, and the fact that he lacks the budget that would be needed to make the problem go away.

He went against what he believes by tying to force a cut in milk production, not really believing this is the answer to the dairy crisis. He will spend his August break debating whether the autumn will finally bring better news on prices.

However while the weakening of sterling will ease pressure in the UK, elsewhere the problem is as deep rooted as ever. His hope will be that forecasts of better times from early 2017 onwards, particularly in the dairy sector, will prove accurate.

Unfair Trading Practices (UTPs).

These have moved up the Brussels agenda, not least because the current Slovak presidency has identified this as one of the issues it wants to set as a priority. Farmers have, however, known for years that they are exploited as the weakest players along the food chain, particularly by the big retailers who exert enormous power over their suppliers, who in turn do the same to farmers.

A high level committee, headed by a former Dutch farm minister, has been looking at ways to overcome the weak position of farmers, but this really boils down to whether the commission is prepared to legislate.

Its voluntary solution, in place for some years, has not worked and shows no signs of doing so. It will, however, continue kicking this issue into touch.

While the UK is and will remain a member state of the EU for more than two years, its politicians in Europe are now seen as lame ducks

UK politicians

For members of the European parliament from the UK it will be a strange summer break this year.

For them Brexit has changed everything, whether they were backers of Leave or Remain.

Their jobs are now time limited and they have lost some of their influence on committees. While the UK is and will remain a member state of the EU for more than two years, its politicians in Europe are now seen as lame ducks whose focus is no longer on the future.

Their return in the autumn will see that loss of power reflected in key committees, including agriculture. The new Defra team is also in an odd situation, although its minister, Andrea Leadsom, will be enthusiastic to see Brexit happen as quickly as possible.

Despite that she will need to secure respect in the farm council, since she will need influence to ensure the final years of the CAP are successful for UK farmers.