The European Commission has again shifted gears to ease the workload for farmers and calm protests within the sector. Ahead of a Monday gathering where EU agriculture ministers will discuss policy, Brussels released a fresh set of short-term measures designed to reduce administrative burdens, speed up payments under the Common Agricultural Policy, and soothe a sector that remains unsettled in several member states.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering solutions that ease the pressure on the women and men who farm the land, ensuring European citizens can count on a secure food supply. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the Commission, announced this plan, noting that 100 days before the elections Brussels is easing concessions in addition to the earlier plan to roll back rules on fallow land proposed at the end of January.
First, the executive proposes to simplify some conditionality requirements known as BCAM, which apply to roughly 90 percent of the agricultural land used in the EU and must be met by farmers to access CAP subsidies. Brussels also suggests adjusting the rules governing the maintenance of permanent pastures on the EU land base since the reference year 2018.
Under the current framework, the rule could compel former livestock producers who shifted to herbaceous crops due to market disruptions in the meat and dairy sectors to revert their cropland to permanent pasture. This obligation could reduce farmers’ incomes. Brussels plans to modify these rules by mid-March to account for structural changes caused by market reorientation and reduced livestock, ensuring that farmers are not penalized for adapting and reducing administrative load by requiring fewer pasture conversions.
Another element of the package extends additional concessions. In response to requests from some European governments, Brussels suggests simplifying the methodology for certain controls to cut visits by national authorities to farming operations by as much as half. The package also clarifies the use of the term force majeure and exceptional circumstances, which allow farmers who cannot meet CAP requirements due to unforeseen events outside their control to avoid penalties.
The Commission document also points to medium-term steps to assist smallholders, including a potential exemption for farms smaller than 10 hectares from certain environmental compliance checks. The Commission argues this exemption would significantly ease daily farming tasks for smallholders, who comprise about 65 percent of CAP beneficiaries, while preserving the environmental goals of the CAP since small holdings cover only about 9.6 percent of the land that benefits from CAP support.
Public statements accompany these measures with a focus on maintaining food security and protecting livelihoods while simplifying administration for farmers. The measures aim to balance ecological goals with economic realities, reflecting a practical approach to ongoing reforms and market adjustments across the European Union.
In summary, the Brussels package seeks faster relief for farmers facing administrative burdens, clearer rules for exceptional circumstances, and targeted exemptions for small operations. The overarching aim is to preserve sustainable farming practices and food safety while reducing red tape and enabling quicker access to CAP funds for those who need them most. At the core, the logic is straightforward: streamline compliance, acknowledge market changes, and keep farmers resilient in challenging times. (European Commission)