"The cap stood at 150,000 euros for this financial period, and it will stand at 100,000 euros for the new period. If we want to change the amount, we'll have to amend the law. The state can raise the cap as much as it wants," the minister told the opposition conservative Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats' parliamentary group on Thursday.
He later told BNS that the 150,000 euro cap was lifted in 2019 and there's no cap at the moment.
Palionis, nevertheless, believes a payment cap would not be effective. He doubts he would sign such an order while being the minister. He is convinced that it would be more effective if other forms of support were applied.
Palionis also told BNS the exact date when the cap would come into force would be clear in the fall when the EU would decide on the length of the transitional period – one or two years. And it will then be clear when the 2021-2027 financial period's commitments will come into force. Besides, EU member states are not obliged to introduce caps.
The conclusions of the European Council of July 17-21 read that the capping of direct payments for large beneficiaries will be introduced on a voluntary basis at the level of 100,000 euros.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called for a cap on direct payments as soon as EU leaders approved the bloc's 2021-2027 budget in late July. His team said these payments could be capped at around 60,000 euros per farm.
According to the president, payments to farmers must be socially just, supporting not only large but also small and medium-sized farms.
Palionis earlier did not back the president's initiative to cap direct payments, saying this would reduce Lithuanian farmers' competitiveness.
Under the 2021-2027 budget, direct payments to Lithuanian farmers are set to grow to 200 euros per hectare in 2022, from 177 euros currently. The minimum payment should reach 215 euros per hectare in 2027.
The Baltic states secured a better deal on agricultural subsidies at the end of the marathon summit in late July.