EU agricultural ministers and leaders negotiate post-2027 policy

EU agricultural ministers and farming representatives are advancing discussions regarding the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027. During recent meetings in Brussels, the Council AGRIFISH focused on establishing a framework for the post-2027 period, addressing critical issues such as drought, fertilizer prices, and market pressures.

Czech Agriculture Minister Martin Šebestyán emphasized the need for simplified rules and legal certainty, specifically regarding the definitions of ‘farmer’ and ‘active farmer’ to ensure support reaches the correct recipients. The Czech delegation also called for flexibility in direct payment caps to account for regional differences in agriculture and requested funding to combat drought.

In parallel, the leadership of the European farming organizations Copa and Cogeca has been renewed. Massimiliano Giansanti was re-elected as President of Copa for a two-year term, while Lennart Nilsson was confirmed as the leader of Cogeca through 2027. Giansanti stated that the upcoming EU decisions will shape the lives of millions of farmers, calling for a strong CAP, an increased budget to match inflation, and a coherent trade policy.