The European Union plans to reduce the bureaucratic burden on farmers and relax part of the environmental requirements in response to mass protests by farmers in Brussels and member states. About this informs Bloomberg.
The European Commission proposed a package of changes aimed at simplifying reporting and facilitating access to financing. In particular, for small farmers who implement ecological practices, the one-time payment limit has been doubled to 2,500 euros ($2,811). Financing will also become more accessible to organic producers. Brussels expects the reduction in paperwork to save farmers up to 1.6 billion euros each year.
“We want these changes to take effect from next year,” – said European Commissioner for Agriculture Christoph Hansen.
This is not the first reaction of the European Union to farmers’ dissatisfaction. In February, the European Commission presented a new strategy for the development of the agricultural sector, which should make it more competitive and attractive. However, final funding for the policy has yet to be approved as lawmakers work on a new seven-year budget.
Meanwhile, farmers’ organizations, including Copa-Cogeca, warn that the introduction of a single fund under the Common Agricultural Policy could leave farmers “with less support, fewer guarantees and no shared vision”.
