Poland assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2025, marking the start of its six-month leadership term. Until 30 June, Polish ministers will steer discussions and shape key policy actions across trade, environment, agriculture, and fisheries.
A review of the official presidency program reveals security as a recurring theme, including in agriculture. Poland is committed to fostering a competitive and resilient agricultural sector, aligning with the EU’s food security goals.
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A strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is central to this vision, supporting farmers and rural development. Poland aims to shape a forward-looking stance on the post-2027 CAP during discussions on the Commission’s forthcoming Vision for Agriculture and Food. Priorities include tackling climate change, securing water access, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
While supporting the Green Deal’s objectives, Polish ministers advocate for incentivizing sustainable farming practices rather than imposing mandatory obligations. To create synergies, the Presidency will highlight the benefits of addressing climate impacts—such as floods and droughts—and work to streamline CAP’s green framework, making it more accessible to farmers.
Poland has also tasked the Agriculture and Fisheries Council with protecting vulnerable agribusiness sectors. This includes ensuring that non-EU food producers comply with European standards, promoting fairness, and maintaining high-quality food imports across the EU.
On the environmental front, the Polish Presidency will prioritize climate resilience, healthy ecosystems, and EU climate adaptation plans. The program states that Poland will "promote the fight against the causes and effects of climate change first and foremost through incentives and support, rather than bans and excessive burdens that could undermine public backing for the green transition."
Key focus areas include advancing negotiations with the European Parliament on soil monitoring, revising waste management laws, and addressing plastic pollution. Water resilience will also be high on the agenda, alongside efforts to shape the EU’s stance on global environmental challenges.
Poland is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening climate resilience. Over the next six months, its Presidency will need to balance sustainable development with economic growth—a task requiring careful navigation and collaboration across member states.
More information available at these links:
https://polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/
https://polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/zkcno325/programme-of-the-polish-presidency-of-the-council-of-the-european-union.pdf