European Agriculture Chair Christoph Hansen presented a plan to simplify the agricultural sector at a meeting hosted by Euroneus.
The European Commission announced plans on Wednesday in Brussels aimed at simplifying the European Union’s agricultural rulebook.
The measure is designed to reduce what the Commission considers as an unnecessary administrative burden when implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a framework for EU agricultural subsidies.
Hansen believes that the proposed strategy should serve all stakeholders. Therefore, the plan aims to reduce the administrative burden on farmers and member states.
“I think everyone must contribute to this reduction in bureaucracy, as it is not just the upper limit (common agricultural policy) that appears to be the burden of farm management, but also environmental laws, health laws and often national or local laws,” Hansen explained.
This simplification plan could save farmers up to 1.58 billion euros per year, while national authorities could save 210 million euros. The package of measures, particularly targets organic farming and small-scale farms, plays an integral role in economic activity in rural areas.
The plan proposes exemptions from environmental rules, also known as conditions. Hansen points out that the package is intended to adjust certain rules rather than reforming the sector.
For example, Hansen said, “If the grassland has remained for more than five years, it becomes a permanent grassland. This is a devaluation of this farmland, as it is no longer available as arable land.
“For me, it’s more valuable if grass stays for seven years rather than five years old. So this is an environmental advancement. It’s the applicability (of the rules) that changes,” he added.
Flexibility and financial support
The European Commission also wants to help smallholder farmers get financial assistance and make their farms more competitive. The institution is considering offerings of up to 50,000 euros.
Hansensuggest refers to a digital portfolio that digitizes sectors and encourages, for example, checks.
“As a farm, I have my digital wallet. If the water agency needs to know anything about my land, they can look to that wallet,” Hansen explained.
Hansen also reiterated his desire to make the profession attractive again and to help professionals.
“It’s very important to alleviate the stress of farmers as at this point everything depends on member states. They have to deal with five, six, and seven controls a year, causing great stress for farmers,” Hansen argued.
“That’s why we want to reduce these controls, and member states are obligated to act, and we want to reduce the number of checks only once a year,” he added.
Environmental NGOs believe the plan will threaten green objectives in the agricultural sector. However, Hansen rejects this criticism, highlighting his response to the concerns of farmers who repeatedly protested overly restricted European regulations.
However, this simplification plan is only the first step. The European Commission is expected to present new measures later this year.
