EU proposes further concessions for Bloc's farmers

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled additional concessions to European Union farmers, particularly those with smaller holdings, in an effort to address ongoing protests within the sector. The proposed measures seek to alleviate the administrative burden and relax compliance with certain environmental regulations associated with the EU subsidy program, known as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

In a phone conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, von der Leyen detailed the proposed changes, aiming to adapt standards to better align with the practical challenges faced by farmers. Among the proposed alterations is an exemption for farms under 10 hectares (25 acres) from certain CAP conditions, including checks and penalties. Additionally, farmers would no longer be required to keep part of their land fallow, although incentives for such practices would still be in place.

The announcement follows widespread demonstrations by farmers across several EU countries, including Poland, Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy, protesting issues such as depressed revenues and concerns over imports from war-torn Ukraine undercutting local prices. Von der Leyen assured Tusk that the proposed changes are a direct response to the grievances voiced by farmers’ organizations both within and beyond Poland.

The proposed modifications to the CAP come amidst discussions regarding the extension of sanctions on Russia to include restrictions on Russian farm imports. However, the implementation of these changes hinges on negotiations between EU member states and the European Parliament.

The timing of these concessions is significant, occurring just three months ahead of EU-wide elections for the European Parliament, where far-right parties are expected to gain increased support by capitalizing on farmers’ discontent as part of their campaigning. Despite the efforts to address farmers’ concerns, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have criticized the proposed changes.

Anu Suono of WWF cautioned against the abandonment of environmental measures, stating that simply appeasing farmers will not address the underlying issues of unfair prices and the climate emergency. As discussions proceed, balancing the needs of farmers with environmental sustainability remains a key challenge for EU policymakers.