European Parliament calls for increased agricultural support after 2027

In a resolution adopted at the EP's plenary session in Strasbourg with 393 votes in favour, 145 against, and 123 abstentions, MEPs stated that the

EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should not be merged with other funding areas or become part of a broader financial framework used by member states for non-agricultural purposes.

Direct income support should be paid to all active, professional farmers following the area-based model, they emphasized. Rural development should be supported independently of cohesion policy.

The resolution proposes reducing farmers' administrative burdens and introducing a system that incentivizes farmers to achieve environmental and social goals. Eco-schemes should remain voluntary and be paired with remuneration, they wrote. MEPs also want existing farming practices to be taken into account when farmers are expected to comply with Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) requirements.

To minimize burdensome farm inspection procedures, MEPs suggest that CAP fund usage should be monitored through satellite imagery and self-declaration in a centralized electronic reporting system.

To ensure the production of sufficient quality food, the EP advocates for investments in modernizing and developing water retention, distribution, and storage infrastructure, as well as wastewater treatment. Farmers should be given incentives to utilize biomass, agricultural waste, and by-products, they suggested.

Cover photo (for illustration purposes only): Getty Images