The European Commission presented on Wednesday a revolutionary draft of the fresh Multiannual Financial Framework, which completely changes the structure of the Common Agricultural Policy. Measures for farmers would be included in a single fund prepared for each associate State. The proposal raises strong objections from agricultural organisations that inform against the request to compete for money with another sectors. About EUR 300 billion is to be spent on agriculture, which is almost 30 percent little than today.
The fresh financial framework introduces a fundamental change in the structure of the Common Agricultural Policy, which has so far been liable for around 30 percent of the European Union budget. Measures for farmers would be included in a single fund prepared for each associate State.
The Fund would besides include cohesion and social policy. This means a complete departure from the current agricultural financing model in the European Union.
Farmers protest change
The proposal raises strong objections from agricultural organisations that inform against negative consequences for the sector. Farmers fear that specified a construction will force them to compete for money with another sectors - specified as education, wellness care or infrastructure.
A peculiar controversy arises from the elimination of the existing two-pillar structure of the CAP, which included direct payments and measures for agrarian development. Farmers are worried about income going straight into their pockets.
Drastic budget cuts
However, the most controversial ones are the figures in the European Commission's proposal. The agricultural sector is expected to receive EUR 300 billion, nearly 30 percent little than the CAP.
«Unprecedented budget cuts, the dismantling of 2 pillars and the withdrawal of the Commission from its historical agricultural policy - can this be read differently than as a signal of abandonment, indifference and a deficiency of strategical precedence for agriculture and agrarian areas?» - commented the European agricultural organisation Copa-Cogeca in a statement.
Hansen defends fresh solutions
However, Hansen argued that EUR 300 billion was only a minimum threshold for "separated" measures, i.e. protected and not transferable. He added that this money is to go straight to farmers.
The Commissioner stressed that farmers would besides be able to scope for backing from another parts of the budget contained in national plans worth a full of EUR 865 billion. «This means that possible sources of income for farmers have been importantly expanded» - Hansen said at a press conference in Brussels.
Money stays in the pockets of farmers
«It may look a small different, but the money that goes into our farmers' pockets remains. For farmers, this means 1 thing: their income and support for them are secured» - added Hansen.
The Commissioner gave an example of the modernisation of agrarian roads, arguing that the money for this intent besides does not go straight into the farmer's pocket, but is presently in the second pillar of the CAP. “I think it makes large sense to look for synergies with another areas, too,” said Hansen.
From Brussels Maria Wiśniewska (PAP) Note: This article was edited with Artificial Intelligence.
