The European Parliament supports simpler rules for EU agricultural policy

On Wednesday, MEPs adopted their negotiating position on simplifying the EU's agricultural policy rules. The changes to EU rules, which were supported by 429 MEPs, with 111 opposed and 39 abstentions, are aimed at giving farmers more flexibility in implementing the EU's agricultural policy requirements.  

The MEPs propose that not only the whole holding of certified organic farms, but also part of it, as well as farms up to 50 hectares in size or in special protection areas, should be recognised as complying with the requirements of good agri-environmental condition.

The European Parliament does not support the Commission's proposal to introduce specific direct payments to farmers for damage caused by natural disasters or catastrophic events. MEPs believe that EU countries must make payments under rural development programmes in the event of crises, including outbreaks of animal diseases. 

In order to ensure that more farmers are able to benefit from support if they lose income as a result of risks beyond their control, MEPs are proposing to lower the threshold at which farmers can receive funding from the national budget to cover insurance premiums. Losses exceeding 15% of a farmer's average annual production or income would then be eligible for compensation (the European Commission proposes a 20% threshold).

EP MEPs also propose to increase the maximum annual support for small farms to €5,000 (the Commission proposes a threshold of €2,500) and the maximum lump sum for small farm business development to €75,000 (the Commission proposes a threshold of €50,000).

Europeans want to speed up the entry into force of the new changes and are therefore seeking to make the amendments to the national agricultural strategic plans legally binding in 2026, even before the European Commission's approval. 

EP rapporteur André Rodrigues (Socialists and Democrats, Portugal) said: "We are sending a clear signal to almost nine million EU farmers that Europe has listened to them. Enough of the bureaucratic maze. Farmers will get simpler rules, less paperwork and more predictability. We need to start negotiations with the Council immediately to reduce administrative burdens, increase funding for small farmers, and give them enough time to farm without compromising environmental objectives.

The European Commission presented its proposal to simplify the EU's agricultural policy in May this year. It aims to take into account the recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture.

Simplifying these rules is one of the European Parliament's top priorities. MEPs have repeatedly called for a review of the body of EU rules to simplify and reduce administrative requirements for businesses. In February this year, the European Commission presented the so-called "omnibus" proposals, which are designed to boost the EU's competitiveness and prosperity and to open up additional investment opportunities for businesses. MEPs have already approved some of the proposals as a matter of urgency and are working hard on the rest.