Weakening agri policy would be ‘deal-breaker' for next EU budget
The comments came from Spanish MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on the future of agriculture, regarding the plenary debate on the post-27 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
'We firmly reject any attempt to nationalise this policy or merge its funding with other EU instruments,' Diaz, who is a member of the European People's Party (EPP) grouping in the EU, told Agriland.
'The CAP must remain a truly common policy, with dedicated funds and independent pillars, ensuring fair and equal support for all European farmers.
'Weakening agricultural policy would be a deal-breaker for the next EU long-term budget (MFF).
'We need to put farmers back at the centre of decision-making. Innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability must drive the transformation of Europe's food system without adding to the bureaucratic burden farmers already face,' she added.
MEP Carmen Crespo Diaz. Image source: EPP Group
EU Budget
Crespo Diaz said that a stronger budget is essential to shield farmers from rising costs, climate risks, and market instability.
'In addition to strengthening agricultural aid, the EPP Group is committed to simplification and smart incentives to increase the profitability and resilience of farming across Europe,' she added.
'We support smart incentives over obligations, fair prices for producers, and better support for vulnerable rural regions.'
In her draft report as rapporteur on the future of agriculture and the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy, Crespo Diaz stated:
'It is necessary to consolidate a model based on incentives rather than obligations, promoting the adoption of sustainable practices without affecting farmers' profitability.
'Existing regulations need to be reviewed so that they do not impose disproportionate burdens, and administrative simplification needs to be encouraged, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring that support reaches those who need it in a timely manner.
'To this end, the following should be noted: CAP cross-compliance requirements should be reassessed to reduce excessive implementation requirements, administrative burdens and unnecessary costs.
'Direct payments under Pillar I of the CAP should be made available to all professional
farmers, irrespective of their size and type of production,' she also stated.
She also suggested the possibility of supporting sectors in difficulty or subject to specific constraints, such as arid, mountainous or outermost areas and sectors such as fruit and vegetables, wine, beekeeping.
A further point made is that the Mediterranean forests and livestock, should be maintained.
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