"Farmers and producers of agricultural products need stability, legal clarity and our full support in these uncertain times. We cannot risk losing any of them and so that is why we have provided a stable basis while the new rules of the Common Agricultural Policy will not come into force for a further two years", commented Spanish MEP Mazaly Aguilar, ECR shadow rapporteur on the report on transitional measures adopted by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee.

Speaking after the vote Ms Aguilar said:

“Nobody should be rushed at this stage, there is a common understanding that two more years are needed. Farmers, first of all, need to survive in the current crisis.

“Now is not the time to burden farmers with new rules and obligations. We have, therefore, made some adaptations to help them to continue their work during the transition to a new Common Agricultural Policy.

“The ECR has defended - and will continue to defend - the budget available for agriculture, and will stand against any cuts in agricultural expenditure. The EU’s farming sector has always been a priority for the ECR group.”

The report will secure the continuation of support for the agricultural sector by means of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) as of 1 January 2021.