The European Parliament’s AGRI Committee Adopts Measures to Support Farmers and Simplify the CAP

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament has adopted a package of measures aimed at simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and supporting farmers in the face of economic and climate challenges. The decisions taken mark an important step towards reducing bureaucracy, increasing predictability, and providing a fairer framework for farms of various sizes.

One of the most significant changes concerns the scheme for small farmers. The ceiling of the annual lump-sum payment will increase from €1,250 to €5,000, while the maximum threshold for eligible support will be raised to €75,000. This change seeks to strengthen the viability of small and medium-sized farms, considered essential for maintaining rural cohesion and production diversity.

Farmers will also benefit from simplified administrative controls. The new framework provides for a single on-site inspection per farm each year, thus eliminating the burden of repeated checks. At the same time, social conditionality remains mandatory, ensuring compliance with the rights of agricultural workers, including seasonal workers.

Another important point concerns risk management. The annual loss threshold granting access to insurance schemes will be reduced from 20% to 15%, making it easier to compensate farmers affected by drought, floods, or market volatility. At the same time, environmental rules are being adapted: farms certified organic or in the process of certification will be automatically considered compliant with GAEC standards, reducing administrative burdens and encouraging the transition to sustainable practices.

Implementation of these measures is scheduled for 1 January 2026, following the final vote of the European Parliament in October. Estimates point to significant savings: up to €1.58 billion annually for farmers and approximately €210 million for national administrations.

In the current context, marked by economic pressures and the need to adapt to climate change, the new regulations offer a breath of fresh air for agricultural holdings in the European Union. For Romania, they may represent an opportunity to strengthen small and medium-sized farms as well as to stimulate organic farming. However, their effectiveness will depend on how national authorities integrate these provisions and on farmers’ ability to organize and make the most of the available support.

(Photo: Freepik)