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Agriculture and rural development
EU actions to address farmers’ concerns

The European Commission has listened closely to the concerns expressed by farmers and EU countries and worked hard to deliver swift and concrete actions to respond to the issues raised.

Simplification of the European policies on agriculture is a constant priority, at both EU and national level. The delivery model of the current common agricultural policy (CAP), based on CAP Strategic Plans designed and implemented at national level, already represents a step forward in terms of simplification and increased subsidiarity compared with the previous period.

EU countries play a key role in keeping the administrative burden for farmers limited and proportionate. Any successful simplification exercise must be carried out in close cooperation with the national administrations and farmers themselves.

Ursula von der Leyen

The Commission is taking strong and swift action to support our farmers in a time when they are dealing with numerous challenges and concerns. Our proposals – crafted in close cooperation with farmers, key stakeholders, our Member States and MEPs – offer targeted flexibilities to help farmers do their vital work with greater confidence and certainty. Agricultural policy adapts to changing realities while staying focused on the key priority of protecting the environment and adapting to climate change. The Commission will continue to stand steadfastly by our farmers, who maintain EU food security and serve at the frontline of our climate and environment action.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Reduction by at least 50%
of the number of on-farms visits by national administrations.
€98 billion
dedicated to voluntary actions advancing the environmental, climate and animal welfare objectives. 
Under 10 hectares farms
exempted from controls and penalties related to compliance with conditionality requirements.

Simplifying the policy and providing more flexibility to farmers

These proposals aim to:

  • reduce the burden related to controls for EU farmers
  • provide them with greater flexibility for complying with certain environmental conditionalities.

The changes to current CAP rules result in:

  • more flexibility for farmers and national administrations
  • requirements more compatible with farming realities.

The simplification measures are carefully calibrated, and targeted to maintain a high level of environment and climate ambition in the current CAP. 

These proposals were voted on 24 April 2024 by the European Parliament, and entered into force on 25 May 2024, after their final adoption by the Council. They apply retroactively to EU farmers to cover the year 2024.

The Commission also took other short-term actions: 

  • The change of the requirement to maintain permanent grassland (GAEC 1) to cater for cases of structural changes in farming, in particular where farmers no longer have livestock.
  • A clarification of the use of the concept of force majeure and exceptional circumstances to improve the certainty of getting CAP support for farmers impacted by unfortunate events outside their control, such as severe drought or floods.
  • The increase of the number of amendments allowed each year for CAP Strategic Plans so EU countries can adapt more frequently their support measures to changing conditions. The approval process of amendments to CAP Strategic Plans is also being simplified.

Strengthening the position of farmers in the food supply chain

Reinforcing the position of farmers in the food supply chain is one of the key objectives of the CAP. While the degree of trust and cooperation between actors in the chain is increasing thanks to several measures already in place at EU level, the full implementation and enforcement of the available policy tools take time, and more needs to be done.

Building trust
between all stakeholders and public authorities is essential to ensure farmers are fairly remunerated for their work.
Rebalancing the food supply chain
Farmers and other smaller operators of the chain need to be protected in their commercial relations.
Fighting unfair trading practices
across borders more effectively is key to improving farmers’ position in the food supply chain.

Events

  • Conferences and summits
  • Tuesday 10 December 2024, 09:00 - Thursday 12 December 2024, 16:15 (CET)
  • Brussels, Belgium
  • Live streaming available