“To maintain the levels of support available in the current framework, the next European budget should allocate more than 480 billion euros to agriculture in real terms. However, it proposes only 300 billion euros, which is a massive cut of nearly 38%,” stated a communiqué.
The confederation warned that if implemented, this budget “will lead to the bankruptcy of thousands of European farms,” resulting in “increased imports and a general rise in food prices.”
The CNA further stated that integrating the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds into a single fund “aims to disguise the cuts.”
“With this option, the European Commission dilutes sector support in a general approach, while maintaining the restrictive CAP rules that farmers must follow to conduct their activities. In other words, obligations remain, but support is reduced,” it added.
The confederation also noted that the “situation could be even more severe concerning the funds dedicated to rural development,” with no guarantee of their retention.
“It is important to consider that in the current period (2021-27), the amount allocated to rural development in Portugal amounts to four billion euros. This includes not only investment support measures but also agro-environmental support measures, support for agricultural rejuvenation, and measures ensuring, for example, that agriculture in mountainous areas can continue,” the communiqué read.
As part of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, the European Commission on Wednesday put forward a proposal for the CAP. It envisions the merging of the current two pillars (annual direct payments and rural development, which provides multi-year support) into a single one, focused on income support for farmers based on results.
