Farmers in Vilnius and Brussels protest against proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy
About 10,000. 10,000 farmers from Lithuania and other EU countries protest in Brussels on Thursday against the European Commission's plans to cut funding for farmers from 2027.
In addition, the Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture (CEA) and the Lithuanian Association of Agricultural Cooperatives "Kooperacijos kelias" are organising a protest in front of the EU representation in Vilnius.
„Today (Thursday – BNS), the Lithuanian Farmers' Union is taking part in a rally in Brussels together with 10,000 EU farmers. This is a follow-up action. Back in the summer, we were polite and delivered a message to our government representatives in every national capital about the EU's bad policies. We were not heard," Puidokas told BNS in a comment.
„It is not enough to blow the wool over our eyes when our farming and food security are under threat“, – he added.
According to Raimundas Juknevičius, Chairman of the Lithuanian Farmers' Union, farmers are deeply concerned about the Commission's proposal to cut the CAP budget by a fifth and to scrap the policy structure that has been in place for decades.
„Although agriculture is a strategic part of Europe's economy and food security, the sector is facing intense pressure and an unlevel playing field, and the Commission's proposed restructuring of the agricultural policy structure weakens the EU's unity," said Mr Juknevičius in a statement.
According to the President of the EAA, Arūnas Svitoy, the farmers' aim is to maintain stability in agriculture and to provide quality food for Europe's population: "We believe that the farmers' voice will be heard and that the decisions taken will strengthen the whole agricultural sector.
According to the Chamber of Agriculture, the Vilnius–Brussels telethon will provide live images from Brussels, as well as speeches, discussions and interviews with leaders of farmers and farmer organisations.
BNS writes that Lithuania is calling for an increase in EU funding for agriculture and fisheries in 2028–2034, as CAP funding is far too low after 2027.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the allocation of funding does not take into account the fact that Lithuania is an EU eastern border state, with neighbours – an aggressor and an ally in the ongoing war, and therefore it would be difficult to allocate at least 30% of the national budget to support environmental protection.
In principle, Lithuania is also opposed to the inclusion of the CAP in a common financing and management system alongside other policies. It argues that the CAP implementation and management model should remain autonomous, based on two pillars - direct payments and rural development - and with separate funding.
Lithuania is set to receive €4.386 billion in 2028–2034, or 20% less than in the previous Financial Perspective (€5.485 billion).
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