CAP, Italy leads the alliance to strengthen EU agricultural funds
Our country, co-sponsor with Greece of a document defending the two current pillars and against the hypothesis of a single fund, wins the support of 16 states in calling for "a coherent and dedicated budget" for the post-2027 CAP
3' min read
3' min read
Seventeen countries, including Italy as one of the initiators together with Greece, have signed the document presented today to the ongoing EU Agricultural Council in Brussels to call for "a coherent and dedicated budget" for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2027.
In the document, presented on the occasion of the launch of the public debate on the Commission Communication on the Agricultural Policy of the Future (the so-called "vision" of the new Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen), the member states share "strong concerns about the often put forward idea of establishing a single fund and a national plan that would replace the current approach based on separate funds and programmes for agriculture and fisheries. This would entail,' reads the text promoted by Italy and Greece, 'the real risk of weakening the effectiveness and coherence of policies and losing the flexibility needed to respond to the needs of the sector'.
The document (signed by France among others) emphasises howthe current CAP, based on the two pillars of direct aid and rural development, plays an indispensable role in guaranteeing the European population high quality, safe and affordable food and in preserving the natural production base: "The implementation of the 2023-2027 strategic plans of the CAP, based on a massive and fundamental systemic reform to adapt to the current challenges and crises, has been very challenging and has only just begun across Europe. Continuity of measures and implementation structures is therefore the key to success'.
Another fundamental reform, the paper denounced, 'would jeopardise the much-needed stability and predictability of the agricultural sector and food security. Instead of another radical systemic change, we should build on current achievements and further develop the results-based approach already introduced in the strategic plans of the CAP'.
On Hansen's 'vision' the member states "fully agree on the urgency of strengthening the income of farmers and fishermen and increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural and fishing sector, especially to attract the younger generation. In this regard, we also support the objective of ensuring the integrity of internal markets towards international markets and protecting European agricultural and fishery products from unfair competition in terms of quality, health, environmental and social standards'.
The document goes on to emphasise "the vital role of farmers and fishermen in the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources. In order to meet the high standards and objectives of the CAP and CFP, it is essential to provide separate funding instruments for agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. It is also recognised that there is a significant income disparity between agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries and other economic sectors. We recall that the need to keep the funding of the CAP separate and independent, based on the current two pillars, was also reiterated in the Conclusions of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of December 2024.ù
