Session Profile: Urmas Kruuse

The political focus is on supporting Draft Bill 546, which proposes amendments to the Act on the Implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and the Feed Act, emphasizing the need to align these laws with EU changes and establish greater legal clarity. The speaker defends the existing labor relations regulations and the role of the Labor Inspectorate, viewing them as a general good that employers are prepared to comply with. The direction is one of moderately strong support for the government-initiated bill and the reduction of bureaucracy, which is framed as a policy-based and practical approach. He expresses firm confidence in the future of the agricultural sector.

The speaker demonstrates authority as the Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee, possessing deep knowledge of the implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and related legislation. He/She is familiar with the specifics of the legislative procedure (editorial amendments, schedule of readings) and the technical aspects of support payments (seven-year periods, changes to continuous application procedures). This expertise is grounded in cooperation with the sector and the consideration of practical experience when developing legislative amendments.

The style is formal, procedural, and analytical, particularly when outlining the bill's legislative process. When responding to questions, the tone is defensively explanatory, emphasizing the laws' objectives and practical application in an effort to dispel colleagues' doubts. Logical arguments and references to current legislation are employed, and rhetorical questions are used to dismiss criticism, for instance, by referencing "fiction, science fiction, or something else."

The speaker's activity profile is linked to legislative management, involving the presentation of the Rural Affairs Committee's decisions and procedural progress to the plenary session, including the date of the sitting (January 13) and the schedule for the bill's readings (January 21 and 29). He/She refers to continuous monitoring both within the ministry and in his/her capacity as a legislator, aimed at assessing the excessiveness of bureaucratic conditions.

The criticism is aimed at the ambiguity or false premises underlying the questions posed by colleagues, such as the assertion that all future regulations are equivalent to laws, or the assumption regarding an increase in bureaucracy. The responses are primarily explanatory and defensive, emphasizing that the imposition of sanctions (e.g., by the Labour Inspectorate) is not a priori, but depends on the scale of the violation and the resulting damage. No specific opposing faction or individual is directly attacked; rather, the focus is on addressing substantive concerns.

The speaker emphasizes cooperation with sector entrepreneurs and representative organizations, especially when drafting regulations and initiating amendments to the law, citing the topic of equids as an example. He notes that no amendments to the draft bill were received from factions or other committees by the deadline, which suggests widespread tacit consent.

The focus is broadly at the national level, addressing the competitiveness and efficiency of Estonian agricultural enterprises within the context of the European Union. It mentions agricultural businesses across Estonia and compares the level of Estonian taxation (on diesel fuel) with that of its immediate neighbors and the European average. There is no specific regional emphasis.

Economic views focus on supporting the efficiency and competitiveness of agriculture, emphasizing that Estonian companies are forced to operate more efficiently. They advocate for a tax policy that gives entrepreneurs an advantage, citing the taxation of diesel fuel at the European minimum level as an example. Targeted subsidies for smaller businesses and young farmers starting out are supported in order to strengthen competition.

The only social topic addressed is the regulation of employment relations, which is considered clearly regulated by legislation in Estonia and is overseen by the Labor Inspectorate. Compliance with these requirements is viewed as a general benefit that employers are expected to implement daily, and it does not pose an additional problem for businesses.

The legislative priority is Bill 546, initiated by the Government of the Republic (the Amendment of the CAP Implementation and Feed Act), the purpose of which is to establish legal clarity, incorporate practical experience, and reduce the administrative burden. The speaker, serving as the chairman of the lead committee, is an active proponent of the bill and is responsible for conducting its second and third readings. He/She highlights amendments that will allow the application for support to be implemented on a multi-year basis, thereby cutting down on bureaucracy.