New Debate Set for Monday
In plain terms, European farmers have taken to the streets in more than twenty countries because they have concrete reasons to protest. Their aim is to press policymakers to recognize agriculture as a strategic resource for the European Union. They want ministers to grasp the urgency and seriousness of the situation as the latest short-term measures proposed by the European Commission are reviewed. These steps are intended to simplify and ease the environmental requirements farmers must meet to receive support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) nearly two years into its latest framework.
Farmers’ representatives made clear they are not opposed to ecological transition or change. They argue against an unrealistically rapid timeline and a schedule that does not reflect on-the-ground realities. They point to what they call a flood of rules and directives since January 1, 2023, which has sparked protests across several European nations. On Monday, a parade of tractors near European institutions is expected again to underscore the ongoing regulatory wave and its impact on farming communities. The message is that the volume and pace of regulation are a real pressure point right now (Christiane Lambert and Lennart Nilssen, COPA-COGECA) (Cited in European press coverage).
Both industry representatives welcomed the Department’s recent package of measures announced by the Commission, including the partial temporary derogation of fallow land rules and the withdrawal of a proposal to halve the use of plant protection products. They also noted that these moves arrive late, given the urgent nature of the situation, and the conversation described as a structural dialogue led by the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Still, they say the steps are a necessary start in the face of mounting pressures from the sector (EU sources; commentary in Brussels).
New developments and upcoming discussions are poised to shape the Monday agenda. The debate will address the sector’s view that past reductions in farmers’ subsidies, the addition of “ecoregimes” (stricter standards), and the failure of some farmers to meet norms in certain countries have jeopardized support. The tension also involves controls over Ukrainian imports, which have sparked border confrontations involving Poland and neighbors. Brussels has proposed additional measures aimed at the 27 member states, with a Belgian presidency prioritizing the issue under pressure from farming communities (EU policy briefings; regional press reports).
Spain’s government has welcomed the Commission’s suggested steps as a first move. Officials acknowledge that changes will not yield instant results but stress the importance of reducing red tape and revising environmental obligations that apply to good agricultural and environmental conditions (GACB). The agriculture minister in Madrid intends to defend a government plan with 18 measures focused on simplifying administration and rolling back several requirements, including certain crop-rotation rules (Spanish government statements; press summaries).
Short-term changes are also on the table. This week, the Commission acknowledged that some CAP rules proved difficult to implement in certain circumstances and signaled openness to quick adjustments, potentially before mid-March. Proposals include modifying rules about maintaining permanent pastures to reference the 2018 baseline and simplifying controls to cut the number of farm visits by up to half. There is also consideration of redefining force majeure and exceptional circumstances so farmers facing extraordinary disruptions do not face penalties under the CAP (EU communications; policy notes).
Medium-term options include deeper CAP reforms that would ease the burden on smallholders. One idea under consideration is a possible exemption for farms under 10 hectares from certain environmental compliance checks. The Commission argues this would simplify daily farming tasks for smallholders who account for roughly two-thirds of CAP beneficiaries, while keeping environmental ambitions in place because small holdings cover a relatively small share of the land receiving CAP subsidies. There is no current plan to mirror these adjustments in trade agreements or to adopt price-boosting measures for commodities (EU Commission briefings; member state assessments).