European Commission Aims to Ease the Burden for Farmers: A Fresh Look at EU Farm Subsidy Simplifications
Commission Intends to Streamline Farming Regulations for European Agriculturists - EU Commission seeks streamlined regulations for agriculture sector farmers
In an attempt to lessen the administrative burden on farmers, the European Commission has proposed a plan to simplify EU farm subsidies. This reform could potentially save farmers a whopping €1.58 billion in administrative costs and national authorities around €200 million.
"Farming communities across the EU struggle with stringent administrative requirements that don't often reflect local realities," points out the Commission. For instance, organic farmers may soon be exempt from having to prove they meet certain EU environmental standards to qualify for funding.
To minimize administrative chores, controls will increasingly rely on satellite technology. A new principle is also on the table: only one on-site inspection per year and per farm will be conducted.
Agriculture Minister Aims for Simplifications This Year
Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer lauded the proposals, deeming them a solid base for upcoming deliberations. "Those devoted to farming need freedom instead of paperwork," said the CSU politician, emphasizing the goal of achieving simplifications this year.
Before the new rules come into effect, they must receive approval from the European Parliament and EU countries.
More Money for Crisis Management
In addition, EU countries can now provide up to 3% of EU farm funds in assistance during crises such as drought, frost, disease, or storms. With increasing instances of climate change, weather-related crises are becoming more prevalent.
Long-term summer droughts caused by global warming have become more likely, as has the probability of extreme heat events, leading to reduced crop yields. The likelihood of storms and floods is also on the rise in many regions.
Last Year's Large Farmer Protests
Following farmer protests in the EU last year, some easing of environmental regulations and exemptions for smaller farms from controls were decided. In several countries, farmers organized demonstrations, calling out the excessive bureaucracy they faced.
While maintaining environmental safeguards, the reform package seeks to boost the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by simplifying farm subsidies, enhancing digitalization, and strengthening resilience against crises.
| Simplification Measures | Potential Savings ||-------------------------------------|---------------------------------|| Reducing Administrative Burdens | Up to €1.58 billion yearly || Improved Digitalization | Reduced costs and paperwork || Pragmatic Implementation of Conditions | Streamlined environmental regulations || Enhanced Member State Flexibility | Cost savings for national administrations |
Sources:
- European Commission proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financing, management and monitoring of the Common Agricultural Policy [ole4-9xnr-2020-0005(2021)].
- Press release by the European Commission, "Revamped Common Agricultural Policy to boost rural regions and help farmers adapt to climate change" (Brussels, 6 July 2021).
- Questions and Answers on the next Cross-Compliance approach under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027 [SWD(2021) 286 final].
- The European Commission's proposal for simplifying EU farm subsidies, as part of the revamped Common Agricultural Policy, aims to save farmers €1.58 billion in administrative costs annually, also seeking to streamline environmental regulations and enhance digitalization to reduce costs and paperwork.
- In an effort to lessen the administrative burden on businesses, including the agricultural sector, the Commission's reform includes a new principle of only one on-site inspection per year and per farm, with controls increasingly relying on satellite technology, following a year of farmer protests in the EU over excessive bureaucracy.
