EU Eases Regulations for Farmers, Increases Payments

The EU has agreed to ease the regulations of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), reducing bureaucracy and supporting small farmers. The agreement, reached in Brussels, aims to reduce administrative costs for member states, saving approximately €1.6 billion.

Jakob Jensen, the Danish Minister for Agriculture, emphasized that farmers will have greater flexibility in implementing "green standards." The new package of measures includes one on-site inspection per year, increases payments for small farmers from €1,250 to €3,000, and reduces penalties for small farmers with up to 30 hectares of land.

The possibility for member states to provide funds to farmers affected by natural disasters or adverse weather conditions is maintained. Euro-groups welcome the agreement, emphasizing that Europe is "listening to farmers."

The President of the Commission pledged to set a target of 10% of pre-allocated funds in member states outside of direct CAP aid, to restore agricultural policy to the core of the CAP, and an additional €2 billion for fisheries.

While the EPP fully supports the agreement, other Euro-groups remain reserved.

Source: Deutsche Welle