The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fishing and Food, Luis Planas, will argue before the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels next Monday in favor of several key reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The proposals include simplifying CAP rules related to crop rotation and eco-schemes, strengthening enforcement of the Food Chain Law, updating the Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices, introducing a voluntary digital farm notebook, and supporting the use of agricultural insurance products.
Additionally, Planas will advocate maintaining the hydrocarbon tax relief for agricultural diesel, presenting a reduced rate of 3.3 euro cents per liter, compared with the general rate of 37.9 euro cents per liter. The government will continue to apply a 35% reduction on diesel bills and a 15% reduction on plastics and fertilizers in the simplified method for calculating the personal income tax on individuals (IRPF) for 2024. These measures were introduced as extraordinary steps to cushion the impact of the war in Ukraine.
Planas met this Friday with the Supervisory Board of Spanish Agro-Cooperatives to discuss current agro-food sector trends. During the meeting, he outlined the proposals Spain plans to defend at the European Union Agriculture Council. He emphasized that the meeting on the 26th is a pivotal moment for the European farm sector, with the agenda centering on delivering rapid, structural responses to the ongoing crisis in the agricultural sector.
During the session, which is part of a series of meetings the ministry holds with sector representatives and regional authorities, Planas indicated that he would urge the Commission to accelerate the adoption of measures that provide a structural response to the sector’s problems.
Spain has already sent to the EU Council Presidency and the Commission its proposals to relax CAP implementation in areas such as crop rotation, non-productive land maintenance, and the requirement for georeferenced photographs in declarations.
There is also a push to intensify collaboration among administrations and the sector to encourage generational renewal in farming tasks and to promote greater youth involvement in cooperatives.
Refocusing enforcement of the Food Chain Law
The Ministry intends to create the State Agency for Food Information and Control by elevating the current autonomous body of the ministry. This move, according to the Agriculture Ministry, will expand administrative capacity for inspection and oversight with greater resources to enforce the food supply chain law. The creation of this agency would require a new law for approval. It will also strengthen coordination with regional authorities, which Planas noted must take on their share of responsibility for contract monitoring within the chain.
At the same time, Planas pledged that the government will bolster support for crop insurance contracting, with a 2024 aid package totaling 284.5 million euros, and will provide the necessary funding to adapt various lines to new climate realities.
A broad, ongoing dialogue
The minister’s engagements reflect a broader program of discussion with sector stakeholders and regional governments. The aim is to ensure that policy tools are ready to respond to evolving agricultural challenges while maintaining the competitiveness and resilience of Spain’s farm economy. The ministry has stressed the need for quick, structural responses that can withstand fluctuating market conditions and climate pressures, ensuring that farmers have reliable, predictable support.
In parallel, Spain continues to push for CAP measures that favor more sustainable farming practices, improved transparency in the supply chain, and clearer enforcement mechanisms. This strategic approach seeks to balance environmental goals with practical support for farmers, cooperatives, and rural communities across the country.