European Union agriculture ministers reached an agreement today regarding the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), whose implementation now depends on EU budget negotiations.
The ministers, gathered in Luxembourg, unanimously adopted a common position on the CAP reform for the period after 2027, which should align with the new EU multi-annual budget for 2028–2034. According to a report by the France-Presse agency (AFP), member states will now negotiate with the European Parliament to reach a compromise.
For the reform to come into force, it must be approved by both EU countries and MEPs under the same terms. Irish Minister Martin Hayden, whose country chairs the EU on a rotational basis, stated in his declaration that the agreement reached today is an important step to ensure that CAP continues to benefit farmers, support rural communities, and maintain the food security of all Europeans.
French Minister Annie Genevard emphasized that these negotiations were critically important for restoring trust and offering new prospects for the future, especially for the younger generation, following a 'very difficult' summer for farmers.
However, this preliminary agreement remains incomplete because the financial basis of the reform depends on the outcome of the European budget negotiations, which EU leaders expect to conclude by the end of the year. The reform is primarily aimed at concentrating subsidies on working farmers, young specialists, and small agricultural enterprises through restriction and gradual reduction mechanisms.
Nevertheless, the details of these new rules will only be determined after the CAP budget is approved. Debates focused, in particular, on defining the concept of 'active' farmers, with some states advocating for the possibility of retaining certain benefits for pensioners. The agreement provides for some flexibility in granting these benefits.
Furthermore, regarding the limitation of amounts, France succeeded in the issue of GAES (groups of family farms), whose members will be able to continue receiving funds individually. At this stage, CAP funding is still planned at around 300 billion euros, which is less than the 387 billion euros of the previous CAP. The European Commission clarifies that other resources will be provided to the member states to support the agricultural sector.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to allocate 45 billion euros in advance, starting from 2028, to support the agricultural sector. However, several 'frugal' states, led by Germany, advocate for a sharp reduction in the European Union budget, pushing for cuts to traditional policies, including CAP.