Brussels Urged to Target EU Agriculture Subsidies at Poorer Farmers

The European Commission is urged to shake up the European Union's agricultural subsidies to better support poorer farmers, aiming to address the concerns that sparked the recent widespread protests by furious farmers, according to a report released today. "Bold and swift action at all levels is needed" to address multiple agricultural and environmental crises, said the report, written by an expert committee and, presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. The report advises targeting subsidies from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) fund towards "farmers who need it most" based on income and away from payouts based on the size of land held. The wide-ranging consultations involving agricultural bodies and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were launched by von der Leyen in the wake of angry farmers' protests across the EU, earlier this year (2024). Angry at increased bureaucracy and falling incomes, farmers demonstrated for months ahead of European Parlia ment elections and even mounted a tractor blockade of EU institutions in Brussels. The report is meant to inform agricultural policy in the new commission for the next five years. Other recommendations include a specific loan package for the agricultural sector from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Also advised is a rethink of the bloc's trade negotiation strategy to account for the "strategic relevance of agriculture and food products" and a review of impact assessments of trade deals. The commission should also establish a platform for further consultations among stakeholders from agricultural and environmental groups, the report said. Source: Oman News Agency