Committee on European Affairs: the European Commission Political Guidelines and the Vision for Agriculture and Food discussed at the Seimas

Press release, 17 April 2025 (News ● Photos ● Broadcasts and videos)

On 17 April 2025, a discussion took place in the Seimas Plenary Chamber, focusing on the Political Guidelines for the new European Commission 2024-2029 and the Vision for Agriculture and Food. The priorities of the Seimas within the framework of the 2025 Commission work programme were also introduced.

The discussion was attended by Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food; Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Member of the European Parliament; representatives of the European Commission Representation in Lithuania; Members of the Seimas; and representatives of the parliamentary political groups. 

Rasa Budbergytė, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas and Chair of the Committee on European Affairs, emphasised that with the new institutional cycle of the European Union beginning, Lithuania must be an active EU policy maker rather than a passive observer.

‘We must focus on key priorities that will shape not only the European future, but also the future of Lithuania. It is crucial that the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework reflects Lithuania’s national interests, which include ensuring long-term funding for Ukraine, EU security, defence, and military mobility, as well as maintaining a sustainable funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and a fair convergence of direct payments. If we want to implement our strategic initiatives, the EU budget must be increased,’ Ms Budbergytė said. 

She also conveyed a message to the Commissioner on the possibility for the European Investment Bank to contribute to the financing of the agricultural sector, making preferential loans available to EU and Lithuanian farmers. 

‘In the run-up to the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, we need to concentrate on Lithuania’s national priorities and act together so that our voice, reflecting our people’s expectations, is heard in Brussels,’ Ms Budbergytė spoke.

‘Wars and conflicts are major contributors to food insecurity, particularly when food is weaponised to cause instability. For this reason, in a volatile world, agriculture and food are vital sectors for ensuring food security and resilience,’ Mr Christophe Hansen said. 

The Commissioner also pointed to the problem of the ageing of farmers, noting that 'only 11 % of farmers are under the age of 35, while the majority of them are over 50, which is why we need to develop rural and agricultural activities, make this area attractive, and ensure the continuous generational renewal’.

Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Member of the European Parliament, emphasised the dimension of democracy in the agricultural sector: ‘Non-governmental organisations are facing the lack of financing, even though the financing is necessary to ensure the legitimacy of democracy’. The MEP also called on the Commissioner to speak up for non-governmental organisations and maintain their financing.

The discussion underlined the necessity to ensure sustainable and adequate funding for the Common Agricultural Policy, fair convergence of direct payments, proportionate environmental requirements, as well as innovation and technological development in the sector.

It was also noted that the strengthening of social justice, fair pay, and the continuity of cohesion policy have to remain among the EU’s top priorities.

Representatives of the Seimas political groups, namely Matas Skamarakas, Kazys Starkevičius, Kęstutis Mažeika, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, and Bronis Ropė, shared the views of their respective political groups on the EU policies, stressing the importance of national interest representation.

Dovilė Paužaitė-Šliachtovič, Adviser, Office of the Committee on European Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, mob. tel. + 370 5 209 6763 e-mail: [email protected]