Since farm incoming is still too low compared to the average wage in the economy, “we intend to maintain income support in the next CAP. Again, it should be better targeted, for example, for young and new farmers, farmers in areas with natural constraints and mixed farms”, said the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, on Wednesday 2 July, during a debate at the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).
In this context, Mr Hansen advocated for the degressivity and capping of aid in order to redirect funds towards those who need them most (see EUROPE 13639/22, 13661/10).
Farmers must continue to benefit from investment support as well as crisis and risk management tools, stressed the Commissioner, as the European Commission is due to present its proposals for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 16 July.
As far as the ‘green’ architecture of the future CAP is concerned, the aim, according to Mr Hansen, would be “to define a clearer balance between regulatory incentives-based approaches shifting from conditions to incentives and simplifying the current system of conditionality”.
He advocated adjusting the CAP for the post-2027 period “to address current challenges”, by developing its instruments, “rather than calling for another root and branch reform”.
The Commissioner stressed the central role of Europe’s regions in tailoring strategies to the specific characteristics of their agricultural landscapes, supporting innovation and addressing local challenges.
The CoR’s members generally called for the CAP’s two pillars to be maintained and for its budget to be increased for the 2028-2034 period.
Mr Hansen felt that “a third of the EU budget devoted to the CAP is not too much”. He stressed the importance of preserving the EU’s agricultural independence. He also called for reciprocity in the standards applied to imported agricultural products, particularly with regard to pesticides banned in the European Union.
Wine. The European Commission is “committed to supporting the wine sector, and it is important for economic and social development in many EU rural regions”, said the Commissioner, recalling the many challenges facing the sector. “There are (...) the shifting consumer trends, especially young people are turning away from wine, have different preferences. But as well, are facing climate change and market uncertainties, particularly when it comes to exports”, summarised Mr Hansen.
He also referred to the current tensions with the United States, hoping that “we have a negotiated agreement before the deadline of 9 July”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)