EU Simplifies Farming Rules

In a significant policy overhaul, the European Parliament and the Council have reached a provisional agreement to simplify the common agricultural policy (CAP), promising reduced administrative burdens for farmers across the European Union. This agreement, established on Monday, aims to make the CAP not only more flexible but also more supportive of small-scale farmers, enhancing both environmental and agricultural practices.

Farmers can now benefit from increased financial support, with small farms eligible for up to €3,000 annually and a new one-off business development payment of up to €75,000. Additionally, the agreement mandates that no farmer will undergo more than one official inspection per year, thereby minimizing disruptions. For environmentally conscious farming, lands deemed arable as of January 1, 2026, will maintain their status without the need for periodic tilling, which is intended to protect biodiversity and reduce labor and costs for farmers.

The primary advocate for these changes, MEP André Rodrigues, highlighted the dual benefits of the revised policy, noting its potential to make CAP “fairer, clearer, and closer to the people who work the land every day.” The reforms are set to be implemented from January 1, 2026, benefiting over nine million farmers across the continent. However, before these changes take effect, the provisional agreement requires formal approval by both the Council and the European Parliament. If ratified, this could mark a significant shift towards more sustainable and farmer-friendly practices within the EU’s agricultural sectors.