The European Union has stepped into Alicante’s farming scene amid the controversy over the Tajo-Segura transfer. The new reform of the Community Agricultural Policy and its January implementation signal tighter rules and environmental demands that threaten to reduce direct aid by as much as 16 million euros, potentially cutting support in half for many farmers. The changes raise serious questions about farm viability in the province as stricter enforcement could exclude hundreds of growers from subsidies, with implications for both crops and livestock.
The PAC, established in 1962 to back agriculture and animal farming, has long helped make certain farms economically viable by providing essential support. In recent years, complaints about the system have been widespread across Spain, and the latest guidelines seem to amplify this trend. The reforms favor larger plantations and discourage smaller plots, a shift that aligns with broader national concerns but hits Alicante’s smallholders hardest.
Lorenzo Chinchilla, an economist and technician from Asaja, notes that the new framework could leave many beneficiaries behind. He stresses that many farmers must be registered under the agricultural regime, while smaller plots and part‑time farmers, who are common in the province, also depend on other income sources. The result could be fewer farmers qualifying for aid.
The article photos illustrate a citrus orchard being treated against pests, underscoring the practical realities of farm work in the region.
Experts also highlight a voluntary path through so‑called eco‑regimes, which set environmental requirements. Without participation, farmers risk losing a portion of support as the green payment is reduced. Implementing these regimes brings higher costs and can lead to lower yields. Rotations, direct sowing, and the use of cover crops among woody crops are among the measures encouraged. In livestock, extensive grazing and sustainable mowing practices are promoted as well.
A second hot topic is the prohibition on pruning and cutting trees and hedges from March through August, a rule believed to directly harm the province’s citrus and olive groves, its two emblematic crops. In addition, farmers face a digital bookkeeping requirement that mandates recording operations and phytosanitary practices every two weeks, a shift that will demand more technology or ongoing support from farm managers.
Chinchilla estimates that these rules could slash aid payments by half, leaving around 16 million euros unclaimed.
The discussion turns personal as Ricardo Ferri, a grain producer from the l’Alcoià area, explains that turning to legumes as fertilizer may become necessary if aid is to continue, despite legumes offering little commercial value. He also stresses that a digital notebook will be a particular burden for older farmers who are not comfortable with new technology. The sentiment is clear: the bureaucracy is growing more complex every year.
On the animal side, Juan Luis Gimeno, who runs a goat farm in Monóvar, observes that aid aimed at basic rights could be reduced by half. The policy seems to favor intensive farming over semi‑intensive systems, which dominate the province. The broader implication is a potential collapse of parts of the local industry, especially when there is no clear path for generational renewal and farming operations face losses.
José Vicente Andreu of Asaja Alicante argues that the new PAC does not automatically improve productivity or crop quality. The stringent environmental and digital demands could exclude many farmers who cannot adapt quickly, creating bureaucracy rather than agricultural progress. He frames it as a direct attack on farm workers in a Europe that provides diminishing funding.
Alicante’s farming community also faces future losses under a new CTP forecast. Carles Peris, the secretary general of La Unió, predicts negative outcomes for the Valencian Community and especially for Alicante. He notes that the stricter rules will make aid harder to reach for smaller farms, while larger operations in other regions have long benefited from similar trends. Regional officials acknowledge the new CAP emphasizes environmental concerns and call for reciprocity with third countries. They are cautiously optimistic that adaptation could attract more global aid, though certain regions will need more time to adjust. Evaluations will await the final EU decisions.
The transition to phytosanitary product regulation is a central pillar of the reform. The new PAC priorities sustainability and environmental stewardship, and this translates into significant reductions in pesticide use. José Vicente Andreu confirms that these changes heighten vulnerability to competition from third countries and could compromise food safety and crop efficiency if phytosanitary standards are not met. Lower yields may also affect fruit and vegetable prices, given the new constraints on crop protection.
Ferri adds that some policy directions clash with stated goals, promoting direct cultivation while simultaneously restricting essential protections against pests. He argues that these opposing signals hamper both sustainability and profitability for farmers in the country.