What changed

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 19 February 2025 on a Vision for Agriculture and Food, Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations (COM(2025)0075),

– having regard to Articles 13, 38 and 39 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), establishing the common agricultural policy (CAP) and its objectives,

– having regard to Articles 3840 and 3942 TFEU, establishing a common organisation of theagricultural Treatymarkets on(CMO) and the Functioningextent ofto thewhich Europeanrules Unionon (TFEU)competition establishingapply to the commonproduction agriculturalof policyand (CAP)trade andin itsagricultural objectives,products,

– having regard to Articles 40 and 42 TFEU establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets (CMO) and the extent to which rules on competition apply to production of and trade in agricultural products,

– having regard to Article 349 TFEU, defining the statute of, and laying down the conditions of application of the Treaties to, the outermost regions,

– having regard to Article 349 TFEU, which defines the statute of, and lays down the conditions of application of the Treaties to, the outermost regions,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 19 February 2025 entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food – Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations’ (COM(2025)0075),

– having regard to the 2024 Eurobarometer entitled ‘Europeans, agricultureAgriculture and the CAP’ .CAP’,

– having regard to Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes ,purposes,

– having regard to the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regionscommunication of 29 January 2025 entitled ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU’ (COM(2025)0030),

– having regard to the report by Mario Draghi of 9 September 2024 on the future of European competitiveness,

– having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges,

– having regard to the report by Mario Draghi of 9 September 2024 entitled ‘The future of European competitiveness’,

– having regard to the report by Sauli Niinistö of 30 October 2024 entitled ‘Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness’,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1468 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards good agricultural and environmental condition standards, schemes for climate, environment and animal welfare, amendment of the CAP Strategic Plans, review of the CAP Strategic Plans and exemptions from controls and penalties ,

– having regard to the report by Enrico Letta of April 2024 entitled ‘Much more than a market – Speed, Security, Solidarity’,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 ,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 27 March 2024 entitled ‘Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU’ (COM(2024)0137),

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/21172024/1468 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 214 DecemberMay 20212024 amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013 establishing a2021/2115 commonand organisation(EU) of2021/2116 theas marketsregards ingood agricultural products, (EU) Noand 1151/2012environmental oncondition qualitystandards, schemes for agriculturalclimate, productsenvironment and foodstuffs, (EU)animal Nowelfare, 251/2014amendment onof the definition, description, presentation, labellingCAP andStrategic thePlans, protectionreview of geographical indications ofthe aromatisedCAP wineStrategic productsPlans and (EU) No 228/2013 laying down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regionsexemptions offrom thecontrols Unionand ,penalties,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/21162021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on thesupport financing,for managementstrategic andplans monitoringto ofbe drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing RegulationRegulations (EU) No 1306/20131305/2013 ,and (EU) No 1307/2013,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/11432021/2117 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 112 AprilDecember 20242021 onamending geographicalRegulations indications(EU) forNo wine,1308/2013 spiritestablishing drinksa andcommon agriculturalorganisation products,of asthe wellmarkets asin traditionalagricultural specialitiesproducts, guaranteed(EU) andNo optional1151/2012 on quality termsschemes for agricultural products,products amendingand Regulationsfoodstuffs, (EU) No 1308/2013,251/2014 (EU)on 2019/787the anddefinition, (EU)description, 2019/1753presentation, labelling and repealingthe Regulationprotection of geographical indications of aromatised wine products and (EU) No 1151/2012228/2013 ,laying down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union,

– having regard to itsRegulation resolution(EU) No 228/2013 of 9the MayEuropean 2023Parliament onand of the implementationCouncil of the13 schoolMarch scheme2013 forlaying fruit,down vegetables,specific milkmeasures andfor dairyagriculture productsin underthe outermost regions of the CommonUnion Marketand Organisationrepealing Council Regulation ,(EC) No 247/2006,

– having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2023 on generational renewal in the EU farms of the future ,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013,

– having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2022 on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas: Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040 ,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products, amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2019/787 and (EU) 2019/1753 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012,

– having regard to its resolution ofthe 14European JuneCitizens’ 2023Initiative on‘End ensuringThe foodCage securityAge’ and the long-termits resilienceresolution of EU10 agricultureJune ,2021 thereon,

– having regard to theits reportresolution onof the9 StrategicMay Dialogue2023 on the Futureimplementation of EU Agriculture,the entitledschool ‘Ascheme sharedfor prospectfruit, forvegetables, farmingmilk and fooddairy inproducts Europe’,under ofthe 24Common SeptemberMarket 2024,Organisation Regulation,

– having regard to the opinionjoint ofcommunication from the EuropeanCommission Committeeand the High Representative of the Regions,Union entitledfor ‘TheForeign futureAffairs and Security Policy of the26 CommonMarch Agricultural2025 Policy’,entitled of‘The 20European JunePreparedness 2024,Union Strategy’ (JOIN(2025)0130),

– having regard to the opinionCommission communication of the12 EuropeanNovember Economic2021 andentitled Social‘Contingency Committee,plan entitledfor ‘Strategiesensuring forfood thesupply Commonand Agriculturalfood Policysecurity (CAP)in post-2027’,times of 17 Januarycrisis’ 2024,(COM(2021)0689),

– having regard to the opinionCommission decision of 12 November 2021 setting up the Committeegroup of experts on the Environment,European PublicFood HealthSecurity Crisis Preparedness and FoodResponse Safety,Mechanism,

– having regard to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 23 March 2022 entitled ‘Safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems’ (COM(2022)0133),

– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 9 November 2022 entitled ‘Ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers’ (COM(2022)0590),

– having regard to the Food and Agriculture Organization report of 2024 entitled ‘The State of Food and Agriculture 2024’,

– having regard to its resolution of 19 October 2023 on generational renewal in the EU farms of the future,

– having regard to its resolution of 13 December 2022 on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 3 May 2022 entitled ‘Putting people first, securing sustainable and inclusive growth, unlocking the potential of the EU’s outermost regions’ (COM(2022)0198),

– having regard to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 19 February 2025 entitled ‘How post-27 LEADER and CLLD programming could contribute to better implementation of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas’,

– having regard to its resolution of 16 February 2023 on the Commission communication on ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers,

– having regard to its resolution of 13 June 2023 on the assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions,

– having regard to its resolution of 14 June 2023 on ensuring food security and long-term resilience of the EU agriculture,

– having regard to its resolution of 15 February 2017 on low-risk pesticides of biological origin,

– having regard to the report of 4 September 2024 of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture entitled ‘A shared prospect for farming and food in Europe’,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Committee of the Regions of 19 June 2024 entitled ‘The Future of the Common Agricultural Policy’,

– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 17 January 2024 entitled ‘Promoting autonomous and sustainable food production: strategies for the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027’,

– having regard to the findings of the Commission’s 2024 evaluation support study of EU support schemes for agriculture in the outermost regions (POSEI), which confirm the effectiveness and relevance of this programme for food security, territorial, social and economic cohesion, and maintaining agricultural activity in particularly vulnerable insular and outermost regions,

– having regard to the report of the European Committee of the Regions of 7 October 2024 entitled ‘The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union’,

– having regard to the Declaration of the Rural Pact Coordination Group of 18 December 2024 on the future of rural areas and rural development policy in the European Union,

– having regard to the European Central Bank’s June 2025 analysis on the increase in production costs, the loss of real value and the European Central Bank’s macroeconomic projections regarding the inflation rates recorded in the euro area,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety,

– having regard to theRule report55 of the Committee on Agriculture andits RuralRules Developmentof (A10-0000/2025),Procedure,

A. whereas the common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the EU’s most well-established policies and is of global strategic importance in the geopolitical context, as part of the EU’s defence and food sovereignty, playing a key role in the security of food supply and ensuring the stability of the agricultural and forestry sector and the resilience of food production in the EU;

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A10-0143/2025),

B. whereas the CAP must be simplified and modernised to enable the EU’s agricultural and forestry sector to respond more efficiently to the needs of farmers and the expectations of society in terms of food safety and quality, climate change, rural development, public health and employment, reducing bureaucratic burdens and making it easier to adapt to new challenges;

A. whereas the common agricultural policy (CAP) is a foundational and well-established EU policy that plays a strategically important role in the current uncertain geopolitical context and that forms a key part of the EU’s food security, defence and strategic autonomy;

C. whereas we must necessarily take note of the need to improve the CAP so that it responds more satisfactorily both to the needs of its main beneficiaries, namely farmers and livestock breeders, and to the needs of all European citizens;

B. whereas the CAP’s objectives must continue to be based on ensuring increased agricultural production and productivity, contributing to a fair standard of living for the agricultural community by increasing incomes, supporting the stability, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU agricultural and forestry sectors, and contributing to rural development; whereas the special characteristics of agriculture must be taken into account, especially in the context of climate-related challenges, crises and conflict scenarios; whereas the CAP contributes to, and strengthens the resilience of, food production in terms of quantity, quality and affordability for consumers, as well as the production of raw materials for various applications related to the bioeconomy;

D. whereas the CAP, the result of a European consensus, is now more valuable than ever, given the current challenges, and is of vital importance across Europe for approximately 9.1 million farms in the European Union, which represents a decrease of 37 % compared to the 14.4 million recorded in 2005;

C. whereas, in line with the European Preparedness Union Strategy, there is a need to place agriculture at the forefront of the economic and political agenda and to recognise its role as a critical component of the EU’s security and defence policies; whereas productive agricultural land is therefore of strategic importance and, together with soil, water, air and biodiversity quality, is a key factor in agricultural production that must be protected;

E. whereas there is a need to maintain the two-pillar structure of the CAP, which ensures a balance between the market and production policy in Pillar I and the social and structural features of rural development in Pillar II; whereas the specific tools for Mediterranean sectors should be further integrated into Pillar I;

D. whereas on 14 January 2025, more than 150 Nobel and World Food Prize laureates issued an open letter calling on world leaders to urgently prioritise agricultural research in order to meet the food needs of a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050;

F. whereas direct payments provide the first substantial level of stability and a safety net for farmers’ incomes – especially for new and young farmers – as they represent a tangible part of annual farm incomes; whereas, in particular, direct investment aid should be targeted specifically at improving profitability, strengthening competitiveness and protecting the environment, while taking into account the specific needs of individual farms;

E. whereas the European Union is expected to reduce agricultural output if the current policy framework remains unchanged, thereby increasing the risks of food insecurity and food poverty within the EU and contributing to global food shortages, while willingly neglecting its agronomic potential;

G. whereas agricultural land accounts for 40 % of European territory, and the EU agri-food sector accounts for approximately 7 % of the EU’s gross domestic product and employs 8.7 million people;

F. whereas the forestry sector falls within the competence of the Member States, not the European Union;

H. whereas, according to the 2024 Eurobarometer on ‘Europeans, Agriculture and the CAP’, 92 % of European citizens surveyed say that agriculture and rural areas are important for our future; whereas 77% agree that the EU, through the CAP, is fulfilling its role in ensuring a stable supply of safe, healthy and sustainable high-quality food in the EU at all times;

G. whereas the CAP must be strengthened, further simplified, made more flexible and modernised, while maintaining its coherent structure and ensuring the sustainability of EU agricultural production across its environmental, social and economic dimensions; whereas it is essential to enable the EU’s agricultural sector to better respond to both active farmers’ needs and the expectations of European society regarding food security, safety and quality, climate change mitigation and adaptation, water resilience, mental health, generational renewal and gender equality; whereas it is crucial to reduce bureaucratic burdens and to provide adequate funding to farmers, farm workers and their communities so they can have a fair standard of living and adapt more easily to new challenges;

I. whereas the objectives of the CAP must continue to ensure security of food supply and food sovereignty, as well as the profitability and sustainability of the Union’s agricultural systems and territories; whereas this applies especially in crisis and conflict scenarios where food production is a crucial line of defence;

H. whereas there is a need to clearly maintain the two-pillar structure of the CAP; whereas this structure should ensure a balance between the income support under Pillar I helping farmers to remain, or become, viable and produce for the market, with 100 % EU-financed direct payments, and the agri-environmental actions and investment support as part of the well-funded rural development policy under Pillar II, supported by co-financed measures to better address specific situations;

J. whereas the new challenges in terms of food security and food self-sufficiency that European agriculture must overcome within the EU’s policy priorities require that the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) should increase the budget for the common agricultural policy in constant euro in order to meet both current and future challenges;

I. whereas, in the light of the ongoing discussion on the future of the multiannual financial framework (MFF), it is essential to keep the CAP funds separate from others and not merge them into a single national fund in order to preserve the community character of the CAP and to ensure equal conditions for farmers across Member States;

K. whereas it is important to ensure that CAP aid payments are targeted at those directly involved in agricultural activity, promoting the optimisation of farms through efficient management, with the aim of ensuring the profitability and competitiveness of the sector;

J. whereas the CAP reflects the diversity of EU regions, traditions and agricultural systems, including a wide range of farm structures, types of farming and products;

L. whereas agricultural income remains below the average for the rest of the economy in almost all Member States, standing at 47 % of average gross wages and salaries in the EU economy; whereas farms run by managers aged 40 and under have the lowest incomes on average within the EU;

K. whereas any changes to the current CAP or new legislation should be introduced in a way that ensures stability in the sector and more legal certainty for farmers and forest owners, who demand a simpler CAP, providing income-support, delivering sustainability and taking into account seasonal constraints and the long-term planning needs of agricultural production; whereas such measures should be developed in consultation with stakeholders, avoid unnecessary administrative burdens, allow for reasonable transitional periods, and be supported by adequate adaptation budgets;

M. whereas unbalanced cross-compliance could impose disproportionate burdens on farmers, while absorbing resources from Pillar I, undermining its main function of supporting farm incomes and stability in the sector;

L. whereas the CAP, as a cornerstone of the European consensus on development, is more relevant than ever in the light of current challenges; whereas the CAP supports approximately 9.1 million farms across Europe, representing a 37 % decrease in the number of farms compared to the 14.4 million recorded in 2005, and whereas this decline has been accompanied by a decline in farmers’ income of 12 % per hectare; whereas 77 % of EU citizens agree that the EU, through the CAP, is fulfilling its role in ensuring a stable supply of safe, healthy, sustainable and high-quality food at affordable prices for 450 million consumers; whereas rural areas cover 83 % of the EU’s territory and are home to 30 % of the EU population; whereas agricultural land accounts for 40 % of EU territory and the agri-food sector contributes approximately 7 % of the EU’s GDP, employing around 17 million people;

N. whereas, through the CAP, European farmers have made huge efforts to integrate environmental objectives compatible with the requirements laid down in Union legislation, but a proper balance needs to be struck, through incentives enabling farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices, ensuring their competitiveness and profitability;

M. whereas according to Eurostat, 93 % of farms in the EU are family-run; whereas this unique European model needs to be preserved as it plays a crucial role in the vitality and economic viability of rural areas;

O. whereas a competitive agriculture, food and forestry sector can continue to play a strong role in achieving objectives for security of food supply, public health and environmental protection consistent with the policies of the Union, with farmers being incentivised and remunerated for their contribution and assisted by a reduction in unnecessary regulatory and administrative burdens in the measures they undertake;

N. whereas farming is not just a job, but a way of life rooted in nature, historical, cultural and traditional heritage and the rural community that has a positive impact on society and deserves better recognition; whereas the multifunctionality of agriculture in the EU offers a wide range of opportunities for employment and business diversification in rural areas, for example through agri-tourism services, the agri-food and bioeconomy industries, renewable energy production, sustainable tourism, school visits and direct sales; whereas this multifunctionality contributes to inclusive growth, community welfare and the provision of social, educational and health-related services in rural areas;

P. whereas it is essential to strengthen the position of farmers in the food chain and to ensure fair competition in the single market through fair and transparent rules that respect the specific needs of the sector, promoting incentives that prevent risks and crises; whereas aspects outside the scope of the CAP affecting the competitiveness and a level playing field for farmers must also be properly considered and monitored;

O. whereas food inflation in the EU reached almost 25 % in 2022 and 2023, soaring to 50 % in some countries, which had major economic and social repercussions and highlighted the fundamental need to stabilise agricultural prices to ensure macroeconomic stability and economic security;

Q. whereas the price and limited availability of land, the generally low profitability of agricultural activity, the administrative requirements and the image of the agricultural sector were identified as the main barriers to becoming a farmer; whereas attention should be drawn to the fact that other factors, such as a lack of own capital, difficult access to credit, to technical services and to support measures, and the effects of climate change can also constitute important barriers to the involvement of young and new farmers in the agricultural sector;

P. whereas direct area payments are essential for the economic sustainability of European agriculture, playing a crucial role in maintaining sustainable production and ensuring that farmers receive a fair and adequate income, thereby enhancing profitability, providing stability and guaranteeing a minimum level of security; whereas increased support should be ensured for women, new, young and family farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises – particularly those operating in disadvantaged areas – as well as for sectors supported on socio-economic or environmental grounds;

R. whereas young and new farmers are more likely to introduce innovative business ideas, apply new technologies and production methods and implement sustainable farming practices;

Q. whereas it is important to ensure that CAP Pillar I aid payments are directed towards all active, professional farmers who derive their income either partially or entirely from agricultural production, whether on a full or part-time basis;

S. whereas new rural value chains in the bioeconomy can offer good growth and job potential and new market niches for rural areas;

R. whereas these direct payments should contribute to enhancing competitiveness and improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU agricultural sector, while reflecting specific needs and regional diversity; whereas the core driver of farmers’ profitability must continue to be the production of healthy food, with the possibility of complementing income through activities such as energy generation, carbon capture, or sustainable tourism;

T. whereas farmers face increasing price volatility due to fluctuations in global markets, macroeconomic uncertainty, external policies, health crises, surpluses in certain European sectors, climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events in the EU;

S. wwhereas under the 2021-2027 MFF, allocations to the CAP were reduced in both nominal and real terms compared to the previous MFF; whereas overall EU expenditure on the CAP has declined considerably in recent years despite a significant increase in the CAP’s environmental ambition; whereas this reduction has had a significant impact on farmers’ income;

U. whereas it is essential to provide flexible and responsive tools to help sensitive and strategic sectors cope with structural changes, such as the potential impacts of EU enlargement or the adoption of bilateral trade agreements;

T. whereas farmers are facing rising price volatility due to fluctuations in global markets and in European production, owing to the globalised nature of the food supply chain, as evidenced by the recent influx of grain from non-EU countries and the increase in fertiliser prices; whereas they also encounter macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, health crises, animal disease outbreaks, market concentration trends, surpluses in certain European sectors and the unpredictability of yields as a result of more frequent climate-related extreme weather events and natural disasters;

V. whereas, according to the European Environment Agency, drought has caused annual economic losses of up to EUR 9 billion in the EU;

U. whereas European agriculture must address new and increasing challenges and deliver on EU priorities such as food security and climate resilience; whereas this necessitates an increased budget for the CAP in the next MFF in constant prices, as one of the EU’s policy priorities in order to prevent a loss in the real-term value of payments and meet both current and future challenges in the EU;

W. whereas the Joint Research Centre points to the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity 2030 strategies as the cause of a loss of agricultural production of up to 15 %;

V. whereas failure to adjust the MFF for inflation could result in a loss of up to 54 % of the CAP – equivalent to EUR 250 billion by 2034 – severely undermining the EU’s capacity to maintain food self-sufficiency and respond effectively to internal and global demands;

X. whereas sectoral strategies for fruits and vegetables, and wine and apiculture should remain compulsory for the producing countries, and the specificities of the related tools and rules should be retained;

W. whereas agricultural income remains below the average for the rest of the economy in almost all Member States, standing at 47 % of average gross wages and salaries in the EU economy and whereas people living in urban areas generally have a higher level of income than those living in rural areas, which leads to inequalities and exclusion; whereas farmers aged 40 and under have the lowest incomes on average within the EU; whereas the future CAP must ensure a fair remuneration and protection for farmers and farm workers, enabling them to sustain production activities throughout the Union, including in areas facing natural constraints, and meeting quality standards and food safety requirements for the benefit of citizens;

Y. whereas it is essential to ensure a level playing field, fair prices and a fair standard of living for all farmers across regions and all EU Member States, thereby ensuring affordable prices for consumers and that there is agricultural activity in all parts of the Union including in areas with natural constraints;

X. whereas farmers are facing high levels of work-related stress caused by long working hours, social isolation, financial uncertainty, administrative and regulatory demands, climate-related weather events or emerging plant and animal diseases; whereas access to mental health services for farmers remains limited;

Z. whereas the importing of agricultural products of lower quality than those produced in the EU is also an obstacle to the ability to obtain fair prices and profitability on the market, as well as being inconsistent with the Union’s own objectives and a risk to public health;

Y. whereas it is essential to strengthen the position of farmers in the agri-food supply chain, duly recognising their role, and to ensure conditions of fair competition, productivity, resilience and efficiency in the single market; whereas it is important to guarantee full compliance with the legislation on unfair trading practices, ensuring fair payment for agricultural products, together with greater transparency in price formation and promoting better tools for managing the impacts of risks and crises; whereas external shocks and factors outside farmers’ control, such as market crises or natural disasters, affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of farmers along the value chain, must also be properly considered and monitored;

AA. whereas any changes to the current CAP and new legislation should be introduced in a way that ensures stability in the sector and legal certainty and security for farmers and forest owners, through measures that do not entail unnecessary administrative burdens and through transitional periods and adequate budgets;

Z. whereas agricultural cooperatives, created and managed by the farmers themselves, as well as producer organisations (POs), associations of producer organisations (APOs), and local action groups strengthen the position of primary producers in the production chain by combining efforts, coordinating investments and mitigating the fragmentation of the sector; whereas the Vision for Agriculture and Food recognises that stronger collective bargaining in agriculture is crucial in making the sector more attractive;

AB. whereas the World Health Organization recommends moderate consumption of meat and other animal products as part of a varied and balanced diet, as they are a valuable source of high-biological-value protein and essential micronutrients such as iron and vitamin B12, in addition to the benefits of livestock farming, such as protecting biodiversity, preventing fires and providing nutrients for the soil and food security;

AA. whereas the EU is still facing a generational decline in the farming sector; whereas in 2020, the majority (57.6 %) of farmers in the EU, regardless of gender, were over 55 years of age, while those under 35 represented approximately 6 % – of whom only 1.7 % were women – and in many Member States, a very high proportion of farmers are aged 65 and over;

AC. whereas approximately 70 % of the protein-rich feed needed in the Union is imported from third countries and whereas the European Parliament and the Member States are calling for an increase in the production of protein crops in the EU;

AB. whereas generational renewal is essential for the future of European agriculture, food security, the prosperity of rural areas and the preservation of the rural way of life; whereas the price and limited availability of land, the generally low profitability of agricultural activity, the structural challenges facing rural areas in relation to the investments and risks involved, the administrative requirements and the sector’s perceived image are among the main barriers to becoming a farmer; whereas attention should also be drawn to other factors, such as the lack of own capital, difficult access to credit, especially for women and young farmers, the need for technical and accompanying services and support measures, the effects of climate change, high input and other production costs, and the multiplication of vector-borne diseases, all of which can constitute important barriers to the involvement of young people, women and new farmers in the agricultural sector;

AD. whereas agriculture and water are intrinsically linked and sustainable water management in the agricultural sector is vital to ensure sufficient and good quality food production;

AC. whereas young people, women and new farmers have the potential to introduce new business ideas, adopt new technologies and implement sustainable farming methods; whereas schemes that combine sustainability, technological uptake and intergenerational partnerships should be promoted to facilitate farm succession; whereas stronger synergies between youth employment initiatives, the CAP and rural development policies are essential to support generational renewal and ensure young people remain in rural areas;

AE. whereas in 2020 the majority (57.6 %) of farm managers (of both sexes) were over 55 years of age and those under 35 years of age represent approximately 6 % of all farmers in the EU in 2021; whereas in many Member States, a very high proportion of farmers are aged 65 and over;

AD. whereas women continue to face greater challenges in entering the farming sector and whereas female employment rates in rural areas are consistently lower than those of men; whereas the number of farms managed by women varies significantly across Member States; whereas gender equality is a fundamental principle of the EU and curbing rural depopulation largely depends on ensuring equal opportunities for women and young people; whereas, in order to address the specific challenges faced by women in agriculture, the Commission and the Member States should ensure that their particular needs are reflected within the CAP national strategic plans through targeted interventions;

AF. whereas the increase in world trade presents opportunities and challenges, which requires adaptation of international trade rules, in particular within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), to ensure fair and sustainable conditions of competition, based on reciprocity and effective trade defence and control mechanisms, in line with social, economic and environmental standards;

AE. whereas new rural value chains in the bioeconomy offer new business opportunities to diversify income sources for the agricultural sector, fostering job creation and rural entrepreneurship, while promoting better use of agricultural by-products; whereas examples of the latter include energy production through on-farm biogas production or the production and processing of wool and other natural fibres; whereas, in this context, it is also important to highlight the additional income opportunities available to farmers through renewable energy production from sources compliant with the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), such as biofuels, which also contribute to strengthening the EU’s energy self-sufficiency; whereas carbon farming has the potential to support the EU’s climate objectives by promoting carbon sequestration in soils and biomass; whereas food and feed should, however, be prioritised over the other uses of agricultural products and land;

AG. whereas, while the focus on research for innovation in resource-saving processes and products is appreciated, progress needs to be made in developing the research capacity and infrastructure to apply these results in sustainable practices in the agricultural and forestry sectors, which requires independent, transparent and well-funded services in all Member States, as well as promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building;

AF. whereas short production chains – with production, processing and packaging being carried out in the same region – help retain added value locally and thus secure more jobs in the area; whereas such place-based, territorially embedded, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems reduce reliance on external inputs, reinforce EU food security and contribute to the revitalisation of rural areas;

AH. whereas the European Union has developed a series of space programmes (EGNOS and Galileo) and earth observation programmes (Copernicus), whose potential for monitoring the implementation of the CAP and the transition of European agriculture towards precision farming and towards the dual environmental and economic performance of holdings should be exploited to its maximum;

AG. whereas it is essential to avoid negative impacts on EU agricultural production by promoting flexible and effective tools to support the most vulnerable and strategic sectors when faced with challenges arising from structural changes, natural and meteorological disasters, especially in the context of climate change, market imbalances, the adoption of trade agreements, as well as the potential consequences for the EU agricultural sector associated with the implementation of new EU policies;

AI. whereas most bio-technology research is now located outside the European Union, where it typically focuses on agro-economic issues not relevant to the EU sector, resulting in potential losses in investment and focus;

AH. whereas these challenges may have direct consequences for food security and rural economies and communities, and therefore it is vital to improve risk prevention, management and adaptation, including through enhanced and adapted mechanisms and infrastructure supported by financial resources outside the CAP;

AJ. whereas, on the basis of current experience, innovation and the implementation of efficient processes and systems can improve the yields and resilience of the agricultural sector, while contributing to a reduction in production costs, ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of farms;

AI. whereas the CAP should recognise the significant environmental benefits provided by sustainable agriculture and livestock farming, to which practices and crops such as forestry, agroforestry, beekeeping, protein and woody crops, organic farming, textile fibres and emerging sectors such as the bioeconomy also contribute; whereas sectoral strategies for fruit and vegetables, wine, olive oil, table olives, potatoes, sugar beet and beekeeping should be maintained and protected;

AK. whereas the impact and frequency of adverse climatic events across Europe, as a consequence of climate change, require risk prevention mechanisms and infrastructures;

AJ. whereas according to the European Environment Agency, droughts have caused annual economic losses of up to EUR 9 billion in the EU and this figure might reach up to EUR 28.6 billion by 2100, on top of losses caused by other effects of climate change; whereas farmers across the EU experience climate change first-hand, witnessing increasing desertification and a loss in agricultural productivity, with particular challenges for the Mediterranean regions; whereas extreme weather events, such as increasingly severe floods and droughts, put EU food security at risk;

AL. whereas closed production circles – production, processing and packing being carried out in the same region – keep the added value in the region in question and thus secure more jobs in the local area, and therefore demonstrate the potential to revive rural areas;

AK. whereas agriculture, water and soil are intrinsically linked; whereas the availability and sustainable management of these natural resources is vital to ensure sufficient and good-quality food production;

AM. whereas the long-term vision for rural areas in the EU states that many rural areas face challenges such as an ageing population and demographic decline, poor access to services and connectivity, chronic water scarcity and lack of opportunities; whereas this vision also highlights the importance of efforts to strengthen rural economies to make them more resilient and prosperous, to stimulate knowledge and innovation, to strengthen the governance of rural territories, and to simplify rural development policy and its implementation;

AL. whereas efficient nutrient use is essential in reducing the EU’s dependency on chemical fertilisers, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health; whereas the Nitrates Directive, in its current form, restricts the use of processed animal manure, including RENURE products, despite scientific evidence supporting their safe application; whereas the Joint Research Centre has concluded that replacing synthetic mineral fertilisers with RENURE does not lead to increased nitrate losses to water; whereas this creates unnecessary regulatory barriers for farmers aiming to close nutrient cycles and reduce environmental impacts;

AN. whereas the future and prosperity of rural areas are of paramount importance for Europe’s food security, autonomy and resilience, as well as for a secure and sustainable energy supply which contributes to the EU’s energy independence; whereas agri-food systems allowed continued access to safe and high-quality food during the recent crises;

AM. whereas the growing instability in world trade makes it necessary to adapt the EU’s trade policy and international trade rules, in particular under the World Trade Organization framework, to safeguard the Union’s agri-food systems by ensuring fair and sustainable conditions of competition, based on reciprocity and effective trade defence;

AO. whereas less-favoured areas such as mountainous, arid and outermost regions should continue to be compensated by the CAP for the extra costs associated with their specific constraints in order to maintain farming activity in such areas;

AN. whereas the importing into the EU of agricultural products that are produced to lower standards and with lower production costs than those produced in the EU – characterised by the highest of standards – is an obstacle to our producers’ ability to obtain fair prices and profitability on the market; whereas this poses potential risks to public, plant and animal health, including from the spread of pests and diseases; whereas there is a need to ensure reciprocity in international trade agreements;

AP. whereas the CAP must take into account regions where there is strong competition between urban development and agriculture when imposing additional restrictions on access to land, in order to maintain agriculture in these areas;

AO. whereas it is necessary to modernise the physical and digital infrastructure underpinning the efficient export of EU agri-food products to strengthen the resilience of EU agriculture by creating diversified export markets;

AQ. whereas the CAP must give due recognition to the important environmental benefits provided by certain sectors, such as protein crops, beekeeping, Mediterranean forests and extensive livestock farming;

AP. whereas the World Health Organization recommends including legumes, fruit and vegetables, as well as a moderate consumption of protein, including of animal origin, as part of a varied and balanced diet; whereas meat and other animal products are a valuable source of high biological value protein and essential micronutrients; whereas sustainable livestock farming makes important contributions to biodiversity protection, forest fire prevention, landscape maintenance, soil nutrient provision and food security, as well as to national cultures and heritage; whereas the Commission, in its communication on the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, acknowledged the importance of developing a long-term strategy for the livestock sector and announced the launch of a dedicated workstream on this issue; whereas targeted investments in breeding techniques and other innovative solutions can reduce emissions from livestock while safeguarding productivity and animal welfare;

AR. whereas farming is more than a job, it is a way of life rooted in nature, historical heritage and the rural community, and has a positive impact on society that is not yet fully recognised; whereas agriculture offers a wide range of opportunities for employment and business diversification in rural areas, for example through agri-tourism services, the bioeconomy industry, renewable energy production, school trips and direct sales;

AQ. whereas approximately 70 % of the raw materials required for the manufacturing of the protein-rich feed needed in the EU has to be imported from non-EU countries because the EU has a significant deficit in plant protein production; whereas Parliament and the Member States have repeatedly called for a meaningful EU protein strategy to increase the production of protein crops in the EU in order to reduce this high degree of dependence;

AS. whereas equality between women and men is a fundamental principle of the EU; whereas the role of women in rural areas is essential for the sustainability of farms and the development of rural communities; whereas curbing rural depopulation depends to a large extent on the opportunities available to women and young people;

AR. whereas reinforced synergies are needed with other EU instruments, such as Horizon Europe and cohesion policy, to facilitate the integration of research outputs into practical, locally tailored agricultural solutions, to promote innovation and to foster economic development; whereas enhanced connectivity, improved digital skills and the deployment of autonomous technologies in rural areas are essential to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and climate resilience and to make rural areas more appealing to younger generations and qualified professionals;

AT. whereas the use of innovative technologies such as precision farming, big data and artificial intelligence plays a key role in the progressive reduction and efficient use of plant protection products, which contributes to protecting biodiversity, including pollinating insects;

AS. whereas most biotechnology research is currently conducted outside the EU; whereas such research often focuses on agroeconomic issues that are only partially relevant to the EU context, resulting in potential losses in both investment and opportunities for EU farmers; whereas the EU should therefore invest in developing biotechnology adapted to its own agricultural needs; whereas the withdrawal of marketing authorisations for plant protection products, without effective alternatives available, exposes farmers to pests and diseases, reduces their profitability and competitiveness, increases food waste and poses a threat to food security;

AU. whereas the POSEI programme is the equivalent of Pillar I of the CAP in the outermost regions; whereas its implementation is important and has been a success, as demonstrated by the European Commission’s implementation reports between 2006 and 2014 and between 2015 and 2019; whereas, however, POSEI budget allocations have not been revised since 2007, which has resulted in a cumulative depreciation of at least 36 % due to inflation;

AT. whereas the EU has developed a series of space programmes (EGNOS and Galileo) and earth observation programmes (Copernicus), which have significant potential to support the monitoring of CAP implementation in order to empower farmers and foresters with accurate data on the land they manage and, where appropriate, to simplify and reduce administrative burdens;

AV. whereas agricultural cooperatives, created and managed by the farmers themselves, strengthen their position in the production chain by combining efforts, coordinating investments and mitigating the fragmentation of the sector;

AU. whereas the EU’’s rural areas cover 83 % of the EU’s territory and are home to 137 million people; whereas the future and prosperity of rural areas are of paramount importance for Europe’s food security, autonomy and resilience; whereas agri-food systems allowed continued access to safe and high-quality food during the recent crises, despite inflation putting pressure on food affordability; whereas policies need to support both agriculture as a core activity and economic diversification through the development of sustainable rural tourism, small businesses, crafts and local services, in order for rural regions to be viable and attractive; whereas energy production can create additional revenue streams for farmers but should have no impact on food production; whereas LEADER and community-led local development (CLLD) have proven valuable tools for sustainable development and are at the core of EU policies; whereas the CAP alone cannot provide solutions to all the needs and challenges faced by rural areas;

AV. whereas the CAP should play a role in the harmonious development of the EU by bolstering economic, social and territorial cohesion, and must therefore continue to compensate areas with natural constraints, such as mountainous, arid, island, border, outermost and disadvantaged regions, for the extra costs associated with their geographical or demographic constraints, in order to avoid the abandonment of agricultural activity and consequent depopulation in such areas; whereas it is vital to acknowledge the important role that farmers play in these territories, ensuring environmental, economic and social services;

AW. whereas outermost regions face specific challenges due to their geographical situation; whereas the POSEI programme applies CAP Pillar I interventions, adapted to the specificities of the outermost regions; whereas POSEI is of vital importance for maintaining agricultural activity and ensuring the supply of food and agricultural products in these regions; whereas POSEI’s implementation is important and has been a success, notably in terms of increasing production intended for local consumption, as demonstrated by the Commission’s implementation reports between 2006 and 2014 and between 2015 and 2019; whereas, however, POSEI budget allocations have not been revised since 2007, which has resulted in a cumulative depreciation of at least 36 % due to inflation; whereas this has significantly limited the level of EU support available to farmers in the outermost regions and whereas there is a clear need to recalibrate the POSEI financial allocations to compensate for this depreciation;

AX. whereas competitive agriculture, food and forestry sectors can continue to play strong roles in achieving objectives for security of food supply, public health and environmental protection consistent with the policies of the Union, with farmers being incentivised and remunerated for their contribution and assisted by a reduction in unnecessary regulatory and administrative burdens in the measures they undertake;

AY. whereas, through the CAP, European farmers have made significant efforts to integrate environmental and climate objectives compatible with the requirements laid down in EU legislation to adapt the agricultural sector to the increasing challenges and crises caused by climate change; whereas farmers are already on the front line and are playing a key role in safeguarding the environment and soil in the face of climate change and, according to estimates, between 2005 and 2023, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the EU followed an overall downward trend of 7 %;

AZ. whereas it is essential to ensure that CAP conditionality requirements and environmental commitments take into account the diversity of agriculture in the EU and do not impose disproportionate administrative burdens on farmers, especially the most vulnerable ones; whereas a better balance needs to be struck between the obligatory nature of certain measures and an incentive-based system that enables farmers to voluntarily adopt more sustainable farming practices, without leading to a reduction in food production, thus ensuring their competitiveness and profitability and granting enough flexibility to allow for locally appropriate solutions;

BA. whereas it is necessary to carry out a cumulative evaluation of Green Deal-related legislation to assess its overall impact on the agri-food sector, including regulatory coherence, administrative burden, competitiveness and the sector’s capacity to ensure food security and strategic resilience;

BB. whereas the CAP must take into account regions where there is strong competition between urban development and agriculture when imposing additional restrictions on access to land, in order to maintain agriculture in these areas;

BC. whereas the success of innovation in agriculture depends not only on technological advancements, but also on effective knowledge exchange and the active involvement of farmers in research and innovation processes; whereas tools such as the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), Operational Groups under EIP-AGRI, and multi-actor projects supported by Horizon Europe have shown the value of co-creation, local adaptation and stronger links between farmers, researchers and advisors;

The path to competitive and sustainable agriculture

1. WelcomesTakes note of the Commission’sCommission report entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food’ as a promising roadmap for the post-2027 CAP, with important contributions based on generational renewal, competitiveness, sustainability, resilience, simplification and greater reciprocity,reciprocity of standards in trade, and with the emphasis on innovation to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability andsustainability, on prioritising incentives over restrictions;restrictions and on a fairer targeting of CAP support; recognises, within this approach, a renewed emphasis on the CAP’s traditional core aims as enshrined in Article 39 TFEU; emphasises the importance of ensuring a stand-alone CAP budget in order to achieve these aims;

2. Calls for an increased budget for the CAP to ensure security of food supply; stresses that an adequately resourced CAP is a key driver for ensuring the sustainability of European agriculture economically, environmentally and socially, while guaranteeing a fair income for farmers and a fully functioning single market;

2. Underlines that agriculture plays a fundamental role in ensuring food security for the EU and beyond, safeguarding human health, maintaining biodiversity and healthy soil and water, and social cohesion; underlines that the future CAP should simplify access to climate adaptation and mitigation measures and that farmers should be rewarded for their efforts in this respect; stresses that farmers play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of European agricultural production across its environmental, social and economic dimensions, while also contributing to food security and strategic autonomy and should therefore be supported; calls for impact assessments that take into account farm-level implications to be carried out before any new regulations are proposed that entail new requirements and bureaucratic burdens on farmers, and calls for a review of all existing obligations; insists that agriculture remain an EU policy and not be included in a single fund, in order to ensure uniform conditions among Member States;

3. Stresses that food and agricultural production plays a strategic role in the new geopolitical context as an essential part of European security and sovereignty;

3. Calls for an increased and dedicated budget for the CAP, which is indexed for inflation through annual re-evaluations, in the next MFF in order to ensure security of food supply regardless of the commercial instabilities arising from the volatility of the geopolitical environment; stresses that without adequate resources, the CAP will no longer be able to be a key driver for ensuring the sustainability of European agriculture economically, environmentally and socially, while guaranteeing a fair income and fair conditions for those involved in the farming sector and a fully functioning single market; calls for the financial resources allocated to the CAP to remain earmarked in the budget for that purpose, in particular direct payments; strongly opposes the idea that Member States should be allowed to use the CAP budget as part of a total envelope for purposes other than agriculture; stresses that an adequate budget will help ensure the continuation of a common policy;

4. Points out that cooperation and dialogue in the agri-food value chain are key to improving the position of farmers, promoting a more equitable distribution of margins and increasing the efficiency of all actors; notes, in this respect, that the reform of the CMO and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive will be key to strengthening the position of farmers in the agri-food supply chain, reinforcing crisis management mechanisms and improving cross-border enforcement against unfair commercial practices;

4. Calls on the Commission and the co-legislators to maintain fixed and ring-fenced income support as a core component of the post-2027 CAP, recognising its vital role in ensuring food production, with high quality and health standards for EU consumers, providing farmers with stability in the face of market volatility and extreme weather events, ensuring a fair standard of living for farmers, guaranteeing security of supply and building food and feed autonomy; considers that the current situation of the regions located at the EU’s external borders must also be taken into account;

5. Stresses the importance of safeguarding direct aid for all professional farmers under the CAP, regardless of their size and type of production – including multi-activity farmers and livestock breeders, who also contribute significantly to the social and economic fabric of rural areas; points to an area-based model, to give stability to farmers’ incomes and to maintain economic viability and competitiveness in food production in all regions of the EU;

5. Expresses its concerns over potential budgetary overhauls in the post-2027 EU budget, including the possible centralisation of funding streams; warns that integrating the CAP with other funding areas such as cohesion, regional development and fisheries could undermine the distinct role of agricultural policy;

6. Calls for a CAP – especially Pillar II – separate from but closely coordinated with cohesion policies, to ensure that rural development policies and investments are neither affected nor sidelined, thus ensuring effective support for the agricultural sector without compromising other key objectives for rural regions;

6. Emphasises the need for the CAP to maintain its own legal and institutional standing in the post-2027 period; stresses the importance of maintaining the CAP budget as a stand-alone, distinct and dedicated budget, tailored to the specific needs of the European agricultural sector; calls on the Commission to reduce administrative burdens to ensure that farmers can directly access support without excessive reliance on external consultants;

7. Recognises that voluntary agri-environmental and climate measures under Pillar II, using an incentive-based and simplified approach, are a key instrument for safeguarding the environment and the promotion of sustainable practices;

7. Reaffirms the importance of maintaining the CAP as a separate, distinct policy, serving as a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers, providing reliable support to them with a view to enhancing food security; firmly rejects any proposal to include the CAP budget in a single fund with other policies or funds, as such an approach would reduce the effectiveness of interventions and compromise the Union’s strategic objectives in terms of food security and rural development;

8. Calls on the Commission to carry out a systematic impact assessment of the agricultural sector provisions in each of its trade agreements and to provide specific strategies to ensure reciprocity, maintaining consistency between its trade and sustainability policies, as well as a reinforcement of controls at origin and border, through a European control agency;

8. Points out that, in the current geopolitical context, secure and constant access to food has become a matter of strategic security, and that dependence on imports can be exploited as a means to exert pressure; underlines that, in this context, more emphasis should be placed on the CAP’s traditional core aims – supporting food security and resilience, ensuring a fair income for farmers, and improving market stability and competitiveness;

9. Calls on the Commission to improve synergies and coordination among EU funding instruments, such as the Cohesion Fund, the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument and the Just Transition Fund, and with national instruments;

9. Stresses that sustainable food and agricultural production plays a heightened strategic role, accentuated by the new geopolitical context, as an essential part of European security, stability and sovereignty as well as strategic autonomy, and that the CAP budget amount and framework must reflect that; maintains that EU farming should be recognised not only as an economic sector, but also as a geopolitical cornerstone, a tool for social and territorial stability, and a critical component of the EU’s security and defence policies; notes that, at global level, with the exception of the EU, countries playing a key role in the agricultural sector have stepped up their spending and protection measures for the sector since the 2007-2008 food price crisis; recalls that agricultural productivity and resilience are dependent on the sustainable management of natural resources to guarantee the long-term sustainability of our food systems; highlights the need for the post-2027 CAP to contribute to strengthening the Union’s overall preparedness and resilience; emphasises that the Commission and the Member States should include food in their security and competitiveness plans; calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider establishing strategic storage facilities at European and national level with a view to safeguarding food security;

10. Notes that Member States face increasing and diverse risks; stresses, in this regard, that an appropriate increase in the agricultural reserve is necessary to cope with unpredictable market and climate change distortions such as drought and floods;

10. Points out that efficient agricultural production makes an important contribution to the sustainability of the sector, by optimising yields with the fewest possible inputs; emphasises that the CAP must include instruments and investments that enhance the capacity of farms and rural areas to be prepared for, absorb and recover from shocks; insists that the CAP’s primary objective should be to meet the European population’s food needs and that this means supporting farmers more effectively so as to boost EU food security and strategic autonomy;

11. Calls for better coordination between the Solidarity Fund and the CAP so that farmers affected by natural disasters can access faster and more targeted aid; calls for the creation of an automatic trigger mechanism to speed up the arrival of funds in the event of climatic disasters and the reduction of bureaucracy for easier access to exceptional aid from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD);

11. Stresses, in this regard, the strategic role of wholesale markets, accredited structures in the public interest, which can ensure compliance with the principles of sustainability, waste reduction and price transparency;

12. Stresses that, while agriculture contributes through the CAP to other policies and strategies, such as environment, energy, climate, biodiversity and regional development, it is relevant that other policies also contribute to agriculture, especially in terms of instruments to support the green transition;

12. Points out that cooperation, aggregation and dialogue, as well as better organisation of farmers through cooperatives, POs or APOs in the agri-food value chain, together with derogations from competition law and specific support, are key to improving the position of farmers, promoting a more equitable distribution of margins and increasing the efficiency of all actors; notes, in this respect, that the reform of the CMO and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive can serve as an opportunity to strengthen the position of farmers in national and transnational agri-food supply chains, ensuring that producers get a fair price for their products and for their work, by reinforcing crisis management mechanisms and improving cross-border enforcement against unfair commercial practices through harmonisation at EU level, without compromising or negatively impacting the best existing national strategies and practices; calls on the Commission to examine the possibility of establishing new instruments to avoid farmers receiving prices for their products that are below the costs of production;

13. Reaffirms that the EU has the highest standards in the world for food safety, animal welfare and environmental and social protection, but that any proposed legislation should be science-based and should pursue the economic competitiveness of farms;

13. Underlines, in particular, the importance of strengthening cross-border cooperation between competent authorities in the Member States, ensuring effective, coordinated and consistent enforcement of rules across the internal market, in order to combat abusive behaviour, ensure fairness along the supply chain and prevent unfair competition; emphasises that food security and food sovereignty are vital components of strategic autonomy and that the next MFF must continue to effectively support the competitiveness and resilience of the Union’s farming sector;

14. Also calls on the Commission to ensure that its legislative proposals for the next CAP include appropriate measures and instruments to integrate protein-crop production and promote the competitiveness of livestock farming, given the protein-crop deficit and the progressive loss of livestock in the EU, and the consequent threats to biodiversity, fire risk, soil fertility and rural economies, as well as increased dependence on imports from third countries; on this point, looks forward to the recommendations of the working group on livestock announced by the European Commission;

14. Stresses the importance of safeguarding and reinforcing direct income support to meet the needs of all active, professional farmers under the CAP, both full and part-time, regardless of their size and type of production; underlines the importance of including pluriactive farmers, since all farmers contribute significantly to the socio-economic fabric of rural areas;

15. Calls on the Member States to promote and improve systems for the replacement of farmers or any agricultural employee in the event of illness, rest or accident, or in order to ensure a better work-life balance for farmers;

15. Points out that direct payments in their current form generate clear EU added value and recalls the importance of an area-based model, while increasing support for the most vulnerable farmers, including family-run farms, small and medium-sized farms, young and female farmers, farms in areas with natural constraints and those that adopt more sustainable practices; advocates a model that provides stability and contributes effectively to farmers’ income and maintains the economic viability, competitiveness and sustainability of food production in all regions and territories of the EU; believes that it is essential to ensure fairness in the distribution of direct payments both among and within Member States;

16. Calls on the Commission to update the financial allocations for POSEI to reflect cumulative inflation in the next MFF and regrets that the 2 % deflator applied to direct payments has not also been considered for POSEI in the current MFF;

16. Believes that in order to improve the targeting of CAP support towards those engaged in an agricultural activity, it is necessary to further refine the EU-level framework definition of a farmer and that, on the basis of this definition, the Member States should define which farmers are eligible for support; insists that this definition should not result in precluding support to pluriactive farmers, who are actively farming, but who are also engaged in non-agricultural activities outside their farm, as their multiple activities often strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas;

17. Points out that Pillar II financing for beekeeping should be better targeted and made more effective and that the new legislative framework should provide for a new Pillar I support scheme for beekeepers;

17. Emphasises the importance of transparency in the allocation of CAP funds and calls for the systematic identification of final beneficiaries and interconnected companies; urges the Commission and the Member States to introduce control mechanisms to prevent concentration of aid through complex ownership structures or an artificial fragmentation of farms;

18. Highlights the importance of reliable internet access for farmers’ quality of life in rural areas, in particular to overcome social isolation and access education and training opportunities, as well as for service provision, with the objective of tying populations to their areas;

18. Considers that, as long as a level playing field in the internal market is respected, voluntary coupled support payments should be maintained or increased, with sufficient budgetary allocation and greater flexibility in their use, as a simple tool to maintain production in vulnerable sectors and to counteract specific difficulties, particularly those arising from the structural competitive disadvantage of less-favoured areas;

19. Calls for greater awareness of the importance of farmers’ mental health and the high risk of suicide among this demographic, which is an alarming phenomenon caused by high levels of stress, uncertainty and isolation; calls, therefore, for the development of psychological support programmes that promote administrative simplification and work-life balance in order to improve the quality of life of professionals in the field;

19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to maintain the voluntary nature of eco-schemes and to make them simpler and more flexible in the post-2027 CAP; calls on the Member States to provide their farmers with a clear and simple list of efficient and effective eco-scheme options to choose from, accompanied by appropriate and attractive remuneration to incentivise them, while neither undermining the funds allocated for direct payments and investments nor increasing red tape; calls on the Member States to invest in training to support farmers in making effective use of eco-schemes;

20. Calls for the consolidation of harmonised European labelling to ensure a fair and equitable system, strengthening transparency about the origin and quality assurance of EU agri-food products, ensuring their competitiveness in the single market and globally, with clear rules to avoid distortions, enhance their promotion and reinforce consumer confidence;

20. Recognises the progress already achieved through social conditionality; calls for an evaluation of social conditionality in the CAP and proportionate, effective and clearly defined implementation to avoid duplication of regulations among Member States and disproportionate administrative burdens on farmers, and to protect workers’ rights;

21. Calls for the promotion of nutrition education in schools and school canteens, with the aim of helping children understand the importance of a complete and balanced diet from an early age, developing eating habits and school menus that include a variety of healthy and nutrient-rich foods to contribute to strengthening the physical and mental well-being of students, respecting and promoting regional gastronomy as a cultural heritage;

21. Calls for a comprehensive study to assess whether introducing mandatory mechanisms, such as a redistribution or limitation of direct payments under the CAP through capping and degressivity, would improve fairness; stresses that this should be analysed in advance of the presentation of proposals for a new CAP in order to develop appropriate instruments that can genuinely support the viability of farms across the EU, including young and female farmers and small and medium-sized farms; stresses that this study should also analyse the non-application of capping to specific payments, such as eco-schemes and agri-environment or climate-related payments;

22. Calls for widespread recognition of the essential work performed by farmers on food safety and health and their commitment to sustainable practices, through campaigns that strengthen the relationship of consumers with European farmers and agri-food products, as it is essential to counteract erroneous and unjustified messages, while improving the vilified and prejudiced image that part of society has of farmers;

22. Calls for the pursuit of equitable distribution of the value produced in the agri-food sector, by means of framework laws and interventions aimed at increasing the returns from entrepreneurship and agricultural incomes, by rebalancing the relationships within the chain towards distributors and producers; calls, in particular, for incentives and investments for new agri-food business models that deliver long-term financial sustainability and for a rebalancing of the commercial relationship between farmers, distributors and producers beyond the current EU approach of prohibited practices, by designing reference framework legislation inspired by the French ‘EGAlim’ law;

23. Calls for an independent and strong second pillar of the CAP – separate from, but closely coordinated with, cohesion policies – that promotes policy coherence to facilitate, inter alia, territorial integration, and ensure synergies and effective support for the agricultural sector within a coherent framework that guarantees the efficient use of EU funds and investments in projects; insists that these funds reach beneficiaries in a timely manner; believes that rural development funding should be allocated primarily to agricultural activities, while other actions supporting territories or infrastructure should be financed from the cohesion funds;

24. Stresses the need for a well-funded rural development programme under the second pillar of the CAP to support rural areas, with a strong EU financial contribution, complemented by national co-financing to ensure the programme’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability; emphasises, in this sense, the crucial role of local governments and stakeholders, such as cooperatives and local action groups, in streamlining the efforts under CAP Pillar II; insists that regions must be able to design, implement and manage rural development measures autonomously, while respecting the constitutional specificities of each Member State;

25. Calls for an increase in the budget allocated to the LEADER programme, which contributes to addressing social challenges and promoting local action groups by strengthening CLLD approaches, which are key in building stronger rural-urban links; stresses that LEADER has a central role to play in promoting attractive, prosperous, resilient and interconnected rural areas by supporting initiatives that generate local added value, stimulate entrepreneurship, foster innovation and strengthen the economic and social fabric of territories, all of which are essential for retaining and attracting human capital, especially young people and women, and contributing to demographic and territorial balance, and generational renewal;

26. Recognises that voluntary agri-environmental and climate measures, and animal welfare and animal and plant health measures under Pillar II, using simplified and both incentive- and compliance-based approaches, are key instruments for safeguarding the environment and the promotion of sustainable practices, while contributing to decent incomes for the farmers who implement them; considers these Pillar II schemes to be more effective than eco-schemes, which, in many Member States, have not achieved the desired results due to their high level of complexity for farmers, and thus believes these Pillar II schemes should receive an increased share of funding in the future CAP; underlines the importance of ensuring that agri-environmental and climate measures contribute to maintaining and enhancing food production;

27. Calls for the CAP financial support to be made simpler and more accessible for small projects, which are more often than not the drivers of the most innovative initiatives; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote and extend the use of simplified cost options;

28. Calls on the Commission to adopt concrete measures to guarantee that imports of agri-food products from non-EU countries are held to the same food safety, environmental, social and animal welfare standards as those required of EU producers, in order to ensure a level playing field and a high level of food safety, traceability and sustainable production in the EU; insists that this is essential to avoid compromising the competitiveness of EU agri-food production with respect to imported products; insists that, in order to avoid unfair competition for EU farmers, the Commission must be ready to activate safeguard clauses in its agreements with non-EU countries, where necessary, to ensure the stability of the internal market;

29. Calls on the Commission, in its efforts to open new markets and consolidate existing ones, to carry out a systematic impact assessment of the provisions relating to the agricultural sector in each of its trade agreements, which should take into account all interested parties in order to determine their cumulative impact, and to provide specific strategies to ensure a level playing field and reciprocity at all levels, particularly with regard to production, quality and social standards;

30. Stresses that it is necessary to maintain consistency between the Union’s trade and sustainability policies and to strengthen controls both at the source and at borders by the Commission and the Member States and through an EU control agency, as this would offer greater guarantees in terms of fair competition for European producers; calls for a review of EU trade policy to ensure that it effectively supports the competitiveness and sustainability of European agriculture; stresses that the sustainability and competitiveness of the EU’s agricultural sector should not be undermined when securing future trade agreements;

31. Calls on the Commission to improve synergies, complementarities and coordination among EU funding instruments, such as the Cohesion Fund, the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument and the Just Transition Fund, and with national instruments, as well as to open direct lines of cooperation with local authorities in managing and implementing the funds; calls, furthermore, for enhanced integration with other relevant programmes, in order to maximise the impact of innovation, digitalisation, sustainability and resilience objectives in agriculture and rural areas; calls on the Commission to put in place an internal procedure, at the beginning of each financial programming period, to ensure complementarity and consistency at EU level between the different support instruments planned in rural areas;

32. Stresses that access to finance for farmers and other actors in the agri-food sector is essential for implementing investments, facilitating access to land and ensuring the continuity of agricultural activity on farms; stresses, furthermore, that innovation and technology in the agri-food sector should continue to benefit from targeted investment support as a priority, so as to enable the EU to become a global digital hub, boosting start-ups and attracting and retaining talented young people;

33. Notes that Member States face increasing and diverse risks; stresses, in this regard, that an appropriate increase in and a reform of the common agricultural crisis reserve combined with the creation of new and specific financial instruments, with resources outside of the CAP, are both essential to support farmers, amid unpredictable market and climate change distortions such as drought and floods, storms, plant and animal diseases, as well as changes in consumer behaviour and geopolitical tensions; calls on the Commission to establish its ex ante crisis management strategy on a product-by-product basis, with a view to using the agricultural crisis reserve in a way that maximises efficiency and community added value; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure rapid, effective and proportionate responses to the needs of farmers in crisis situations, allowing them to swiftly obtain the capital they need to restore their agricultural activities;

34. Emphasises the important role played by CAP public intervention mechanisms in stabilising agricultural markets and protecting farmers from price fluctuations; recalls that the reference thresholds have not been reassessed for several years and should be reviewed as soon as possible to take account of price changes;

35. Calls for better coordination and simplification between all available instruments, including the Solidarity Fund, to enable farmers, as well as rural communities and local authorities, affected by natural and climate-related disasters to access faster and more targeted aid; calls, in view of the increasing damages caused by natural disasters, for the creation of an automatic trigger mechanism to speed up the arrival of specific tools for risk mitigation and management based on active and passive measures that are affordable for farmers;

36. Calls on the Member States to ensure the timely and correct implementation of their national strategic plans, across both pillars, thereby avoiding the return of funds;

37. Stresses that, while agriculture contributes through the CAP to other policies and strategies, such as the environment, energy, trade, climate, biodiversity, animal health and welfare, public health and regional development, it is relevant and welcome that other policies continue to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture and to rural development and the provision of services beyond the production of food and biogenic resources; stresses, in particular, the importance of bioenergy and bioeconomy development to support the resilience of the agricultural sector;

38. Calls on the Commission to implement an EU-wide rural-proofing mechanism across all policy areas and to include the Rural Pact Community, as well as the Committee of the Regions, in all activities related to the rural development framework; regrets the fact that although the Commission included the rural-proofing mechanism in its vision for rural areas towards 2040, in practice it appears to have been implemented only to a limited extent;

39. Reaffirms that the EU has the highest standards in the world for food safety, animal welfare and environmental and social protection, which are cornerstones of the competitiveness of high-quality EU agricultural products, and which must be respected and protected; demands, therefore, that any proposed legislation in these areas be science-based and preceded by a rigorous and comprehensive impact assessment, and be designed to strengthen competitiveness and the sustainability of EU farms; believes that incentivisation and compensation for farmers for any additional costs they incur is essential to meet this aim;

40. Emphasises that improving animal welfare is not only an ethical imperative, but also a pathway to more resilient and profitable livestock systems; underlines that healthier animals with lower stress levels generally require less veterinary intervention, have higher fertility rates and perform better, leading to greater economic efficiency; calls for CAP measures to continue supporting investments and training in higher animal welfare standards, aligned with market expectations and scientific recommendations;

41. Calls on the Commission to give Member States the opportunity to reverse their past gold-plating of EU legislation, often done without overseeing its scope, for example in relation to the designation of sites under the Habitats Directive;

42. Calls on the Commission to present in its legislative proposals for the next CAP an ambitious and comprehensive protein strategy, which should include appropriate measures and instruments to promote high-quality protein-crop production, including leguminous crops such as, but not limited to, certain oilseeds, pulses and green forage, and non-leguminous crops such as sunflower and rape seed for food and feed purposes, with the aim of significantly reducing the EU’s protein deficit and ensuring strategic autonomy;

43. Emphasises the strategic importance of sustainable livestock farming for rural development, biodiversity conservation, landscape management and environmental sustainability, particularly in less-favoured areas and high nature value landscapes, and stresses the need to provide the sector with adequate financial support to ensure its sustainability; underlines that animal products are not only of nutritional value, but that their production plays a crucial role in preserving traditional cultural landscapes, soil fertility and carbon storage; calls on the Commission to create a high-level group on livestock farming involving all relevant stakeholders to develop new approaches to safeguard the future of the sector and address the progressive loss of livestock in the EU, boosting generational renewal, promoting animal welfare and the circular economy – including the use of digestate as a valuable biofertiliser contributing to nutrient recycling and soil health – and maximising the positive contribution of sustainable livestock farming on nature conservation and restoration, biodiversity and soil health and fertility, and to promote investments to foster the competitiveness of the sector; considers that the introduction of a new agricultural emissions trading system (ETS) would create excessive complexity without any guarantee of effectiveness;

44. Highlights the recent outbreaks of animal diseases in several Member States; calls on the Commission and the Member States to bolster prevention and eradication measures and increase CAP funding allocations dedicated to risk management and improved on-farm biosecurity investments; calls on the Commission to strengthen animal health measures in the EU agricultural sector by coordinating the research, purchase and supply of veterinary vaccines at EU level through a preparedness and early detection mechanism, and by fostering the development of these vaccines in the EU; calls for adequate funding for this mechanism outside of the CAP; urges the Member States to support and work with the regions in developing and implementing prevention, vaccination and mitigation plans for these diseases;

45. Regrets that the funding of measures to prevent, control and eradicate certain animal diseases through the Single Market Programme is insufficient to support farmers and Member States in relation to diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease; stresses that, in the EU, any failure to prevent or control animal diseases in one Member State can have immediate repercussions for the others and requires a coordinated response; calls for the introduction of strict EU-level animal health standards to safeguard livestock farming, including provisions for the management of wild animal populations posing infection risks and for the targeted vaccination of animals when necessary;

46. Stresses that antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to human health and reducing the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry must be a priority; notes the funding available for reducing the susceptibility and transmission of animal diseases already available in the CAP;

47. Reaffirms the need to develop an overarching food strategy for the EU based on scientific experiment, which incorporates arable and livestock farming while simultaneously guaranteeing equitable treatment for all agricultural sectors; supports science-based environmental assessments that take account of the entire life cycle of food products; supports nutrition based on scientific evaluations that confirm the importance of foods of animal origin for human health, in particular for vulnerable populations such as children, elderly people and women;

48. Calls on the Member States to promote and improve working and social conditions and wages for farmers or any agricultural employees and to ensure proper worker coverage and replacement in the event of illness or accidents causing a temporary absence; calls also for the provision of training and for annual leave and family leave to take care of family members, in order to ensure quality jobs and a better work-life balance for farmers and farm workers; underlines the role of agriculture as a key contributor to social responsibility and decent working conditions in rural areas;

49. Calls on the Commission to update the financial allocations for POSEI to reflect, as a minimum, cumulative inflation in the next MFF, with annually adjusted envelopes, and regrets that the 2 % deflator applied to direct payments has not also been considered for POSEI in the current MFF; believes, however, that the Commission must go further and propose a significant increase in the POSEI budget in the next MFF to provide complementary support for agricultural production, thus ensuring food self-sufficiency in the outermost regions; considers this to be essential for the continuity of agricultural activity in the outermost regions, for supporting investments and for ensuring the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU, in full compliance with Article 349 TFEU, which recognises the specific nature of these regions and the need to adopt differentiated measures to respond to their permanent constraints; argues that increased POSEI funding should take into account the real and specific agricultural needs of these regions, including changes in production costs, exposure to increasing extreme weather events and climate change, territorial fragmentation, market volatility and the need to ensure the economic viability of farms and fair incomes for farmers; stresses, in this context, the importance of creating a specific mechanism, namely a POSEI transport programme, which will help mitigate the additional transport costs for products within and transported from the outermost regions to the single market and factors of production in the outermost regions;

50. Points out that Pillar II financing for beekeeping should be better targeted and made more effective and that the new legislative framework should provide for the modernisation and simplification of the Pillar I support scheme for beekeepers that takes into account the specific features and vulnerabilities of the sector;

51. Highlights the importance of access to physical and digital infrastructure with reliable high-speed broadband service and the use of satellite technology for farmers’ work and quality of life in rural areas and in overcoming social isolation; insists, therefore, on the importance of achieving a gradual digitalisation of agriculture, which involves constant access to the internet, digital knowledge, innovation, farmer data access and ownership, education and training opportunities so as to attract and retain people in these areas, especially young people, affording them the possibility of remaining in these areas should they wish to do so; calls on the Commission and the Member States to make training available for farmers and forest managers to acquire digital skills that can help them to make the best use of the advantages of digitalisation and precision farming and work in a more efficient and sustainable way, while mindful of the fact that personal and verbal communication remain essential for many farmers at present; recognises the crucial role of farmers’ organisations in driving the digital transformation of agriculture;

52. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure full alignment between the Digital Europe Programme, broadband deployment policies and the post-2027 CAP; affirms the necessity of both equipping rural areas with digital infrastructure services and of boosting the skills necessary for remote work, precision farming and digital entrepreneurship; underlines that digital infrastructure services must be affordable for rural citizens; highlights that such investment is key to reducing rural depopulation and enhancing the attractiveness of agriculture and rural living for younger generations;

53. Calls for greater awareness of the importance of the mental health of farmers and agricultural workers given the high rate of suicide in this sector; emphasises that this is an alarming phenomenon caused, inter alia, by high levels of stress, uncertainty, onerous administrative burdens, as well as vulnerability, social isolation, lack of holiday, debt and economic hardship faced by farmers; highlights, furthermore, that stressful farm inspection procedures place additional pressure on farmers in managing their holdings and calls on the Member States to develop mechanisms to address this; urges the Commission and the Member States to foster collaboration to develop a comprehensive mental health strategy for farmers and ensure that appropriate support measures are included in the next CAP; emphasises the value of approaches tailor made to local circumstances, using various types of support services, including current farm advisory networks and other rural community support groups; considers that it is necessary to develop psychological support programmes, as well as measures promoting administrative simplification and work-life balance, all of which will improve the quality of life of EU farmers and workers; reiterates the need for farmers to receive fair prices for their market and non-market products;

54. Stresses that over 70 % of consumers in the EU base their purchasing decisions on the information on packaging and draws attention to the real risk of consumers being misled; calls, therefore, for the consolidation of harmonised EU labelling to ensure a fair and equitable system, providing transparency about the country of origin, quality assurances and production standards, including animal welfare and organic standards, of EU agri-food products; considers that it is necessary to guarantee traceability and competitiveness in the single market and globally through clear rules to avoid distortions and misleading practices in order to protect the integrity of EU food systems, enhance their promotion and reinforce consumer information and awareness;

55. Advocates enhanced protection measures for regional products, including strengthening the regimes of protected designations of origin, protected geographical indications and traditional specialities guaranteed through streamlined procedures that safeguard against misuse and counterfeiting;

56. Calls, furthermore, on the Commission to end simplistic front-of-pack labelling systems such as Nutri-Score because of the lack of broad scientific consensus and the risk of the food industry changing the parameters to serve its interests;

57. Calls for the promotion of nutrition education in schools and school canteens, with the aim of helping children understand the importance of a complete and balanced diet from an early age, with a view to helping children understand the origin of food; encourages the development of healthy eating habits and school menus that include a variety of vitamins, fibre and nutrient-rich foods to contribute to strengthening the physical and mental well-being of students; stresses, furthermore, the need to respect and promote national, local and seasonal gastronomy as valuable cultural heritage, well represented in the Mediterranean Diet model; urges the Commission to ensure that additional resources go to local and regional authorities for schemes aimed at these activities and stresses the need for public procurement to be guided by quality, not price, and to promote, where possible, the consumption of organic, local and seasonal products with geographical indications;

58. Underlines the importance of the EU scheme for the distribution of milk, fruit and vegetables to children through school programmes as a key tool to promote healthy eating, especially for children from vulnerable backgrounds for whom school meals can be one of the few sources of balanced nutrition; regrets that some Member States are not using the funds allocated to this programme, which is leading to the available budget being underused; draws attention to the importance of involving farmers and actors across the agri-food value chain in delivering food education, and promoting direct links between producers and schools;

59. Emphasises the importance of maintaining appropriate funding for olive oil and table olive production due to their significant health and nutritional benefits for all Europeans;

60. Is deeply concerned by the rise in projects to produce ‘lab-grown meat’; highlights the need to review the EU’s legislative framework for the authorisation of these products so that it takes fuller account of the economic, social and environmental implications of this type of innovation, as well as the related ethical considerations;

61. Encourages politicians, schools, media, farmers and local associations to work together in promoting a positive image of farming, increasing its attractiveness to young people, and to communicate better on the farmer’s role in sustainable food production and environmental services; calls for widespread recognition of the essential work carried out by farmers and farm workers in respect of food safety and of their commitment to sustainable practices through campaigns aimed at raising consumer awareness of the choices they make when buying and at strengthening the relationship between consumers and EU farmers, promoting a better understanding of how they produce the agri-food products that consumers purchase; highlights the need to counteract misinformation and misleading, erroneous and unjustified messages in order to improve the negative image that part of society has of farmers; urges the Member States to include this recognition in their educational plans to make agriculture an attractive economic activity; strongly regrets the fact that farmers and rural residents have suffered many years of de-prioritisation and underinvestment;

62. Calls for a comprehensive re-evaluation of designated Natura 2000 areas, including the removal of species and habitats not demonstrably present at the time of designation, and for a revision of the Habitats Directive that better accounts for socio-economic requirements, in order to reduce unnecessary restrictions and alleviate undue pressure on surrounding areas;

Simplification of the post-2027 CAP: Strategies for more efficient management

23. Supports, with a view to the future, the Commission’s objective for the 2024-2029 period to focus on reducing administrative burdens and simplifying legislation; stresses that this must be the driving force behind all actions;

63. Supports, with a view to the future, the Commission’s objective for the 2024-2029 period of reducing administrative burdens for farmers and simplifying legislation as a cross-cutting strategic priority, in order to facilitate access to CAP support and make implementation on the ground more effective; insists that this must be one of the guiding principles underpinning all actions aimed at achieving the social, environmental and economic sustainability of EU agriculture, without undermining the five main objectives of the CAP as set out in Article 39 TFEU; stresses that CAP simplification should not compromise a strong regulatory framework at EU level, as this is vital for preserving the commonality of the CAP and ensuring public support for the necessary financial resources; ’

24. Calls for incentives rather than obligations for farmers to implement environmental and social activities in the course of their work, going beyond the costs incurred or profits foregone;

64. Stresses the need for more flexibility and a simpler funding structure for the new CAP that benefits the active farmer; points out that volatile conditions, increasing regulations and rising societal expectations cause frustration among farmers and affect the attractiveness of the profession, especially among young farmers and the most vulnerable;

25. Stresses the need to reassess the cross-compliance requirements of the CAP in order to ease the administrative burden, reduce costs and avoid excessive implementation requirements, while respecting farmers’ need for flexibility in their implementation;

65. Calls on the Commission, when designing the future architecture of the CAP, to focus on delivering clearer criteria, digitalised procedures, standardised guidelines, the timely communication of changes and accessible technical support; highlights that gold-plating adds complexity for farmers and beneficiaries, reducing the effectiveness and uptake of important measures;

26. Believes that the CMO Regulation should incorporate the simplification and acceleration of procedures for granting exceptional aid to farmers, including the key role of producer organisations (POs) and fruit and vegetable producer organisations (FVPOs) in stabilising the market, and that crisis management mechanisms need to be updated and strengthened;

66. Demands better coordination between the Commission and national and regional authorities regarding a reduction in documentation and reporting obligations; emphasises the need for proactive engagement between the Commission, Member State authorities, farmers and farm organisations before CAP national strategic plans are drawn up; underlines the need for greater flexibility for Member States within CAP strategic plans, allowing them to adapt specific elements without requiring prior approval from the Commission, when necessary; calls for the establishment of a centralised, electronic reporting system, a ‘CAP one-stop shop’, where farmers can submit applications, reports and all the required documentation in one place, avoiding unnecessary and duplicated administration;

27. Calls for a guarantee that any legislative proposal affecting agriculture will be accompanied by a detailed economic, scientific, social and legal cumulative impact report, with updates published following any changes in the decision-making process;

67. Calls for a realistic, incentive-based system for farmers, which reflects the time commitment demonstrated by the beneficiary, rather than a system based purely on obligations to achieve ambitious environmental and social objectives, taking due account of the specificities of geographical areas; believes that incentive-based approaches yield the best results in terms of enhancing the sustainability of agriculture in the EU; stresses that it is vital, when calculating the remuneration due for services provided, that the methodology goes beyond the narrow lens of ‘costs incurred and income forgone’ by the farmer, as the socio-economic losses to the wider community can be much greater with the loss of both upstream and downstream economic activity in the local area; believes that funding for these payments should come from the CAP or from national funds so that public funding can truly incentivise green innovation and the green transition; invites the Commission to explore additional funding sources beyond the CAP to support farmers in developing locally adapted, sustainable business models;

28. Points out that the collection of information should be based in particular on satellite imagery and integrated management and control system databases in order to reduce face-to-face inspections;

68. Emphasises that the implementation of requirements for good agricultural and environmental conditions must take into account current land use and farming practices; stresses that active farmers must retain the right to continue their current agricultural activities, including necessary maintenance operations, without facing additional administrative or operational restrictions;

69. Stresses the need to continue to assess the conditionality requirements of the CAP in order to ease administrative burdens, obstacles or economic barriers, reduce costs and avoid excessive implementation requirements for farmers; insists on farmers’ need for flexibility and simplicity, while continuing to promote responsible farming practices, through incentives, maintaining a level playing field and public support for the policy, in an approach that generates greater added value and more investment in innovation; ’

70. Urges the Commission to encourage farmers’ to take responsibility by allowing a degree of tolerance and by ensuring that sanctions are fair and proportionate, especially with regard to conditionality requirements, as well as voluntary eco-schemes and agri-environmental and climate measures; stresses the need for all new legislative requirements under the post-2027 CAP to be accompanied by sufficient transition periods and administrative simplifications to ensure legal and planning certainty for farmers;

71. Stresses that the CMO Regulation must be simplified, thereby accelerating procedures to grant exceptional aid to farmers; underlines the importance of promoting and enhancing the crucial role played by cooperatives, POs, APOs, fruit and vegetable producer organisations, inter-branch organisations and other entities contributing to the agri-food value chain, including the organic sector, and to making the agri-food value chain more balanced, thereby ensuring better remuneration for farmers; urges the Commission to examine how their cooperation can be further encouraged and supported through the CMO Regulation;

72. Calls on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive review of the tools, including market observatories, aimed at improving resilience against market volatility and collapses in market prices; insists that it is necessary to update and strengthen current risk management instruments and to enhance cooperation among cooperatives, POs and APOs with a view to strengthening their role in the management of economic and risk management tools; insists on the need to further facilitate the application of the exemptions from competition rules for farmers to address and overcome market crises;

73. Encourages the Commission to provide efficient safety nets in the CMO Regulation, including a review of the current public intervention prices and reference thresholds to accurately reflect the current economic conditions and realities;

74. Welcomes the Commission’s new package for the wine sector and calls on the Commission to further allocate financial resources for the implementation of the proposed measures and for a long-term sustainable revival of the wine sector;

75. Recalls, furthermore, that the CMO Regulation should address the demand of producers and consumers regarding the sales names of certain agricultural products, such as those related to meat, which must be protected from the risk of misleading use;

76. Calls for a guarantee that any legislative proposal affecting agriculture will be preceded, except in exceptional circumstances, by a detailed, comprehensive and evidence-based cumulative impact assessment, with particular emphasis on economic, environmental and social aspects, aiming to provide legal certainty for farmers; advocates the assessment of the economic impacts of proposed policy measures at farm level and the financial means required for their implementation, as well as continuous monitoring of the measures; stresses that the continuous increase in regulatory burdens placed on the sector has caused frustration among farmers and resulted in significant extra costs at farm level, and is one of the factors affecting the attractiveness of the profession for new entrants;

77. Stresses the importance of recognising the diversity of European agriculture, including greenhouse horticulture and permanent crops, in the designation of support measures, regulatory requirements and innovation strategies; calls for the introduction and adaptation of EU regulations specifically developed to address the challenges and opportunities of greenhouse, urban and vertical farming;

78. Stresses the need for a transition to integrated and interoperable digital systems to monitor the CAP; underlines, in this context, the importance of promoting the collection of data and information under a single legislative framework that relies, in particular, on satellite imagery to develop integrated management and control systems; highlights that such systems should aim to reduce face-to-face or physical on-the-spot inspections, where feasible, and minimise farmers’ administrative burdens and costs; insists that the protection and ownership of farmers’ data must be fully guaranteed; recalls, however, that, in view of the current limitations in the use of satellite technology, particularly concerning small, narrow parcels, it remains necessary to maintain other systems in the meantime;

79. Calls for the Member States to implement the single audit approach to minimise the time lost by farmers to accompanying controls; encourages the Commission to modernise the integrated management and control system for satellite imagery, such as Copernicus and Galileo, in order to integrate existing and new technologies to provide greater accuracy, reliability and simplification;

80. Advocates for allowing Member States greater flexibility to support investment in key innovations and technologies, such as the use of satellites, the internet of things and similar technologies to capture operational data; believes that this will ensure transparency and compliance without imposing additional costs on farmers, facilitating the transition towards a trust-based system where reliable farmers can self-certify their compliance, complemented by targeted, risk-based audits rather than broad, routine inspections;

81. Underlines the need to design innovation strategies and digital transitions in a way that is participatory and accessible to all farms, ensuring that technological progress contributes to rural cohesion, democratic participation and sustainable development;

82. Considers it essential to grant Member States that recognise regions as having a statutory role in CAP management the opportunity to restore management instruments at regional level in the context of rural development measures;

Water and the circular economy as a foundation for the post-2027 CAP

29.83. Urges the Commission to incorporateintegrate a strategic and holistic approach to water perspectiveresources into the post-2027 CAP in orderand to allocateincrease moreits investmentsynergies towith boostingother infrastructureEU sofunds, such as tothe makeEuropean agricultureRegional moreDevelopment efficientFund, andto resilient,strengthen includingthe waterwater-food nexus as ana essentialkey element in the protection ofstrengthening food sovereignty;security pointsand outin the need to providedevelopment regulatingof reservoirs,rural waterareas; storagecalls, systems,furthermore, interconnectionsfor andincreased transfersinvestment andin toimproving promotewater greaterresilience usethrough ofthe reclaimedmodernisation and desalinateddevelopment of water inretention, orderdistribution, tostorage provideand watersustainable securityregulating andinfrastructure, balance;as onwell thisas point,nature-based lookssolutions, forwardwhich tois thekey presentationto ofachieving thea watermore resilienceefficient strategyand incompetitive 2025;agricultural sector;

30. Calls on the Commission to include among its priorities the modernisation and digitalisation of sustainable irrigation, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and new water technologies to reduce the water footprint;

84. Calls on the Commission to guarantee access to water for sustainable irrigation; stresses the need to promote investment in waste-water purification and treatment, as well as the use of non-conventional water sources, such as reclaimed and desalinated water for the agricultural sector, regardless of farm size, at competitive prices, with water transport interconnections being equally important to transport this water; calls on the Commission to take into account both the significant differences and challenges in the Member States and also the good practices implemented by each Member State to safeguard agricultural production; calls on the Commission to invest in training programmes for farmers on water-use efficiency;

31. Calls for strong support for EU farmers and foresters to boost the circular economy, prioritising an efficient use of all resources, rather than focusing exclusively on reducing carbon emissions; stresses the importance of better integrating the circular economy into the emerging bioeconomy, optimising the use of raw materials and secondary products to generate by-products and new energy sources such as biogas and strengthening the EU’s energy autonomy; on this point, looks forward to the presentation of the bioeconomy strategy in 2025;

85. Calls on the Commission to prioritise the promotion of innovative technologies and smart irrigation and the digitalisation of infrastructure to optimise water use and reduce the water footprint, especially in regions affected by drought and desertification, while ensuring stable production;

32. Calls on the Commission to strengthen risk management instruments in the post-2027 CAP by increasing support for agricultural insurance to cope with extreme weather events;

86. Draws attention to the fact that many irrigation systems are obsolete and inefficient, causing significant water losses and therefore requiring replacement or modernisation; calls, therefore, on the Commission to include financial incentives for this modernisation among its priorities and supports their inclusion as eligible investments within the CAP strategic plans and relevant EU cohesion instruments;

33. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote a model based on the bioeconomy as a virtuous system that can boost farmers’ incomes and provide new jobs; calls also for encouraging the eco-system services role of livestock farming, which can contribute to a virtuous carbon cycle;

87. Highlights the complexity of using CAP funds, particularly those from Pillar II, to finance irrigation infrastructure, and therefore calls for a review of the design and financing mechanisms for such infrastructure to improve the availability and use of water resources by farmers, reflecting the real costs and added value of the environmental and landscape services they provide;

34. Emphasises that Mediterranean EU regions are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as drought, fires and desertification, and that farmers therefore need to make greater efforts in these areas to adapt their activities to the changed environment;

88. Calls for targeted and effective support for EU farmers and foresters to boost the circular economy and integrate into the emerging bioeconomy, through incentives for the recovery of biomass, agricultural waste and co-products, which would also support the energy autonomy of farms and reduce their dependence on external inputs; points out the need to optimise the use of raw materials and secondary products that generate by-products such as digestate and new energy sources, including sustainable biogas and sustainable biofuels, while being mindful of the need to prioritise food production; underlines that these measures, which must not lead to increased administrative burdens at farm level, will contribute to strengthening the EU’s energy autonomy, boost additional sources of income for farmers and create new employment opportunities; encourages the Commission, in this context, to recognise the importance of these aspects in the forthcoming Bioeconomy Strategy for 2025;

35. Encourages the minimising of food waste in the agri-food chain – including in agriculture – by ensuring efficient and sustainable use of resources and materials and by reinforcing animal and plant health measures to avoid food loss in the field due to diseases or pests, or by transforming them into by-products that boost the circular economy;

89. Stresses the need for a holistic approach to decarbonising agriculture and calls for appropriate encouragement and incentives, including for the recovery of biomass and rewarding carbon sequestration in soils, as well as sufficient funding for farmers to adopt solutions and practices that reduce the carbon footprint of crops while maintaining their competitiveness, so that the burden of such decarbonisation and workload does not fall exclusively on them;

90. Urges the Commission and the Member States to encourage and enhance the integration of agriculture and renewable energy, recognising the potential of this synergy to promote sustainable farming practices, strengthen local resilience to climate change and enhance the circular economy; highlights the potential for agriculture to play a key role in the Clean Industrial Deal and the energy transition through the production of renewable energy in the sector; calls on the Commission to clarify the provisions of the CAP to better align and increase the compatibility of renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as agrisolar and biogas, with agricultural activities;

91. Advocates for a review of the Nitrates Directive to align it with the latest scientific evidence and best agricultural practices, while continuing to protect water quality; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to work with the Member States to swiftly adopt a science-based proposal allowing the use of RENURE fertilisers under clearly defined conditions so that farmers can reduce their reliance on synthetic fertilisers and accelerate the transition towards more circular and sustainable nutrient management systems;

92. Calls for the facilitation of structured knowledge exchange and cooperation between comparable production systems across the Member States, in order to support mutual learning, address region-specific challenges – such as those faced by intensive production areas – and accelerate sustainable transitions that are tailored to the specific realities of each sector;

93. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen risk management instruments in the post-2027 CAP by increasing financial support for agricultural insurance, mutual funds and the income stabilisation tool; insists on the need to make insurance more accessible and financially viable for farmers; points to the need to introduce a mechanism at EU level to reinforce national agricultural insurance schemes to be activated automatically to cope with extreme and unforeseeable weather and sanitary and market crises; stresses that these measures should be additional to current market management tools and should not undermine current national schemes;

94. Calls on the Commission to reinforce risk management measures, including insurance, reinsurance schemes and other complementary funds to be drawn on in the event of higher damage thresholds, both for preventive measures and compensation for farmers in relation to natural disasters, epizootic outbreaks and plant diseases; considers it necessary, in this context, to include investment in prevention, early warning systems and the development of new resilience infrastructure enabling the sector to anticipate and recover from increasing climate-related risks; underlines the need for Member States to make greater use of currently underutilised risk management tools;

95. Stresses the need to reform and increase the financial capacity of the agricultural reserve in order to address unforeseen market disturbances and climate-related events such as droughts and floods; underlines, however, that the agricultural reserve cannot be the sole instrument, and reiterates the importance of developing a broader range of risk management and rapid response tools, including more effective agricultural insurance schemes, mutual funds, climate emergency funds and extraordinary liquidity support for the EU farming sector;

96. Draws attention to the lack of consistent and easy-to-use methodologies for calculating the emissions of individual agricultural sectors; strongly opposes, therefore, any attempts to include agriculture in the ETS or any green taxation schemes;

97. Stresses that all EU regions are impacted by the consequences of climate change; points out, however, that the southern regions are more vulnerable, suffering from desertification, drought, aquifer salinisation, forest fires, as well as persistent rainfall and flooding, causing new pests and diseases, all of which threaten the agricultural sector; underlines, therefore, that farmers across the EU need specific support measures and instruments to redouble their efforts to adapt their activities to climate change and to prevent and mitigate its negative effects; draws attention to the importance of providing comprehensive support to rural communities and local authorities in achieving these goals;

98. Calls for continuous support to innovative farming techniques, including those used in organic farming and other agroecological practices, both in organic and increasingly in conventional systems, to significantly reduce the use of inputs and external dependencies in agriculture and strengthen autonomy and food security;

99. Insists that the future development of the EU organic sector must be market-oriented and calls for the new CAP to continue to provide incentives for farmers and new entrants to engage in organic farming; invites the Commission to examine new ways of dealing with crises in the organic market; recalls the need to promote organic consumption also through public procurement;

100. Encourages the minimising of food waste and loss along the entire agri-food chain, including primary producers, to ensure the efficient, innovative and sustainable use of all resources; calls on the Commission to take measures at all levels to prevent losses and to promote the conversion of surpluses into value-added products; insists on the need to give greater value to the food produced by farmers and the major effort that goes into obtaining it; encourages the Commission, in this regard, to promote solutions, such as a review of best before dates and the use of natural bio-based preservatives, to extend the shelf life of food products;

101. Calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive nutrient recovery strategy along the agri-food chain, with targeted support for innovation in the separation, treatment and reuse of nutrients from waste streams from food processing, retail and consumption;

An attractive sector for new generations

36. Recalls that ensuring generational renewal is a challenge for agriculture in the Member States and will involve mobilising all the financial resources of the CAP, including the additional payment for young professional farmers under Pillar I and measures to help young farmers to establish themselves under Pillar II, all of which are compulsory for Member States, as well as support from new financial instruments outside the CAP;

102 Emphasises that ensuring generational renewal and female entrepreneurship are both essential to preserving the future of EU agriculture and the socio-economic structure of rural areas; recognises the efforts through CAP measures to foster generational renewal, particularly in more peripheral rural areas, and stresses the need to reinforce them; points out, however, that the CAP cannot be the only tool to bring young people and women into farming, but must be backed up by national strategies, involving private sources of financing, including banks, collaborative farming arrangements and partnerships, and financial instruments with reduced or no co-financing requirements; insists that the vitally important objective of ensuring generational renewal in EU agriculture has to be accompanied by structural measures, particularly with regard to innovation, digitalisation, digital connectivity and access to land; looks forward, in this regard, to the publication of the Commission’s strategy on generational renewal;

37.103. Calls on the Member States to develop coherentcoherent, sustainable and long-termpredictable strategies to promote generational renewal and increase the attractiveness of working in agriculture, combiningensuring differentcompatibility measureswith inEU aand complementaryregional way,policies, suchincluding astheir financialnational support,strategic includingplans; installationinsists aid,on increasedthe taxneed exemptionsto increase and incentives,mobilise CAP financial resources in particularfavour of generational renewal, which currently include the additional Pillar I payment and the support for investment and installation aid available under Pillar II, as well as the transfercreation of land;new calls,financial furthermore,instruments foroutside the MemberCAP; Statesemphasises tothat improvethese linksinstruments betweenshould EUinclude policiesincreased andtax nationalexemptions and regionalincentives, policieslow-interest loans, agricultural credit guarantee schemes, subsidies for precision farming tools and strategies,training services, including theiron nationalsustainable strategicbusiness plans;models, aimed at improving profitability;

38. Calls on the Commission and Member States to address the problem of agricultural land loss adequately; stresses that land leasing is a viable short-term alternative for accessing land, as it requires fewer resources to set up and encourages generational renewal; calls on Member States to adopt policies to promote land leasing, such as tax exemptions, thus providing security of tenure and time to invest, especially for young and new farmers, which could also improve soil health;

104. Stresses the importance of providing diversified, tailored and independent advisory services to support young farmers and new entrants, both prior to their establishment and in the following years, particularly in soft skills, digital and direct marketing skills, accounting, legal aspects, business diversification, sustainable farming and communication; advocates the widespread use of agricultural business incubators that enable prospective farmers to benefit from the knowledge of farmers with a few years of experience in a structured environment before taking over an independent farm; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that provision is made for the establishment of national centres for training young farmers;

39. Welcomes the cooperation agreement with the EIB Group as a promising model that can foster the creation of financial instruments for young farmers and water policies in all Member States;

105. Asks the Commission to assess whether extending the eligibility for support for young farmers to the age of 45 would encourage more people to become established in agriculture, including through reskilling; calls on the Commission also to reassess other elements of the eligibility criteria which may be too restrictive;

40. Recognises the efforts of CAP measures to bring young people into farming, particularly those in more peripheral rural areas; points out, however, that the administrative burden is excessive and that the current CAP model can be improved to speed up access for young and new farmers, stressing that the CAP cannot be the only tool to encourage generational renewal, but must be backed up by national strategies;

106. Welcomes the cooperation agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group as a promising model that can foster the creation of financial instruments for many aspects of the CAP, including support for young and female farmers, as well as water, market and climate resilience policies in all Member States; believes that the role of the EIB should primarily focus on providing low cost financing for match funding for capital items and infrastructure projects that farmers may engage in as part of a modernisation programme;

41. Calls on Member States to make business start-up and investment support available to young farmers throughout the CAP budget period and to make full use of all available options to support them; Stresses the need to provide access to training opportunities, particularly in soft skills, digital skills, business diversification, management and sustainable farming methods, including skills in communication, leadership, mental health and well-being;

107. Encourages the Member States to design mechanisms that facilitate the transition to a dignified and planned retirement; calls, in particular, for early retirement schemes for farmers, financed by separate funds; requests an expansion in services that connect retiring farmers with aspiring young or new farmers, accompanied by, inter alia, logistical support and legal advice to enable the mutually beneficial transfer of farms and ensure the continuity of knowledge and agricultural activity;

42. Calls on the Commission to promote the exchange of best practices and innovative ideas between Member States in collaboration with universities, research centres and farms, focusing on increasing efficiency, simplification and accessibility, and reducing bureaucracy; calls on Member States to set up a one-stop shop system to facilitate administrative procedures in the most appropriate territorial area;

108. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to address, in their generational renewal strategies, the specific barriers faced by women, in particular young women, wishing to enter the agricultural sector, including issues not directly related to agriculture, such as adequate healthcare and social services; recognises the efforts through CAP measures to support women in agriculture, but stresses that stronger and more tailored support is needed, especially in peripheral rural areas, including access to loans, training or financial assistance to ensure real engagement and equal opportunities; urges the Member States to establish appropriate conditions for the active participation of women in representative agri-food organisations and in the management bodies of agricultural enterprises and rural women’s associations; welcomes, in this regard, the forthcoming creation of the women farmers’ platform as a space for dialogue and exchange of good practice to strengthen participation and equal opportunities in the agri-food sector;

43. Encourages Member States to design mechanisms to facilitate the transition to a dignified retirement, in particular early retirement schemes for farmers, financed by Pillar II, and to support the mutually beneficial transfer of farms to young and new farmers;

109. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to urgently address the problem of agricultural land loss and concentration, including the lack of transparency in this market; stresses that land leasing under conditions of legal certainty is a viable short-term alternative for facilitating access to land, as it requires fewer resources to set up and encourages generational renewal; highlights the importance of publicly supported land-matching services and structured succession planning, in particular for the transmission of land that allows for early retirement and the continuity of farm management; advocates Member States adopting policies to promote long-term stable land leasing, thereby providing security of tenure and time to invest, especially for young, female and new farmers, which could also improve soil health, environmental performance and climate resilience;

44. Encourages the promotion of support and visibility programmes that reflect the enriching and fulfilling lifestyle that the agricultural sector can offer, highlighting the value and commitment of farmers to nature, food security and the specific qualities and values inherent in the work of farm professionals;

110. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to launch an EU observatory on farmland, which would have to improve transparency in the agricultural land market in the EU and facilitate the harmonisation of farmland data and access to land, enable cooperation and exchange of best practice between Member States, as well as provide recommendations for more informed EU policymaking;

111. Highlights the fact that the preservation of the EU’s diverse cultural landscapes is not only of ecological and touristic importance, but also a cornerstone of regional identity and long-term rural resilience; calls, therefore, for their explicit recognition and the integration of their preservation as a strategic objective within the post-2027 CAP;

112. Strongly opposes any form of expropriation of farms and agricultural land for the purpose of nature restoration;

113. Encourages the Commission to explore how the CAP could support new business models for farmers towards even more sustainable, competitive agriculture in Europe;

114. Calls on the Commission to promote partnerships for exchanging best practice and innovative ideas between Member States in collaboration with local authorities, universities, research centres and farms; emphasises that such cooperation should focus on simplification, accessibility, increasing sustainability and addressing challenges specific to each region and sector and should be supported by appropriate training, thereby avoiding distortions and diverging approaches that could disadvantage farmers;

115. Encourages the promotion of support and visibility programmes that reflect the enriching and fulfilling lifestyle that the agricultural sector can offer, highlighting the value and commitment of farmers to nature, food security and the specific qualities and values inherent in the work of farm professionals; draws attention to the value of policy consistency over time as essential to enabling clear long-term objectives for the farming sector;

116. Stresses the importance of a strong and well-funded EU promotion policy, including increased CAP budget allocations, to raise awareness of the qualities of EU agricultural and food products both within the EU and globally, and emphasises that this assumes even greater significance during periods of economic uncertainty;

Innovation to continue moving agriculture forward

45. Highlights the important need for the CAP, Horizon Europe and other supportive funding schemes to encourage farmers to invest in new technologies adapted to their farm size, such as precision and digital farming tools which improve the resilience and environmental impact of agriculture;

117. Calls for an ambitious investment package for innovation, technology and applied research adapted to farmers’ needs, financed through the CAP, Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme and other support mechanisms, which will play a key role in fostering a more sustainable and adapted agricultural sector; stresses that the Horizon Europe programme should include a specific pillar dedicated to agriculture, geared towards promoting research, innovation and knowledge transfer in the agri-food sector;

46. Calls for a large investment package for research and innovation, which will be the only pathway towards a more sustainable and adapted agricultural sector, for example by developing the enormous potential of using new genomic techniques (NGTs) to develop more resilient crops that require fewer plant protection products, less fertiliser and less water; calls for a new legislative framework to ensure that this innovative technology can be used in the EU and to stimulate research, investment and employment;

118. Emphasises the need to ensure that innovative and digital solutions can be used with equitable access across all types of farms and territories in the EU and that these solutions support sustainable agriculture, aid in managing the diversity and complexity of agroecosystems, contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, improve farmers’ incomes, reduce the administrative workload for both farmers and administrations, anticipate future production conditions and are in line with the expectations of consumers and society; underlines that the use of new technologies should be supported by an appropriate legal framework in order to unleash their full potential and be subject to robust risk assessments;

47. Stresses, in this regard, the need to support farmers in adapting to digital technologies and developing digital skills, which can help them to better implement their installation projects, support sustainable agriculture, reduce the administrative workload for both farmers and administrations, and anticipate future production conditions and expectations of consumers and society;

119. Calls for increased funding for applied research into sustainable and effective alternatives to conventional plant protection products and calls for a revision of the current approval procedures; highlights the need to avoid any further withdrawal from the market of plant protection products that respect established legal safety limits if alternatives are not yet available, in order to ensure that agricultural production can be maintained in a safe, sustainable manner; points to the potential of biostimulants in improving plant productivity;

48. Points to the need to design a specific measure within the rural development framework – based on the principles of integrated sustainable agriculture – to promote the combination of pest control practices and technologies, including monitoring, biocontrol and the optimised use of plant protection products where necessary, always respecting the established legal and safety limits;

120. Stresses the importance of recognising and strengthening the role of the AKIS model as a strategic and cross-cutting tool in the post-2027 CAP, capable of ensuring the effective dissemination of knowledge and innovation to farmers; believes that an efficient and coordinated AKIS is central to achieving key CAP objectives in terms of competitiveness, sustainable food production, climate resilience and digital transition and must be fully integrated with national strategic plans;

49. Recognises that the voluntary EU-wide framework for the certification of carbon removals can provide a positive incentive to ensure better remuneration for farmers, in particular younger farmers, through measures to capture and reduce emissions on farms;

121. Recognises the importance of EIP-AGRI, which has contributed to the advancement of innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector through the creation of operational groups and the implementation of innovative projects aimed at developing cutting-edge solutions, demonstrating best practice, which improve the sustainability, resilience and competitiveness of the agri-food sector; calls on the Commission to strengthen support for this initiative in the framework of the post-2027 CAP;

122. Points to the need to design a specific measure within the rural development framework based on the principles of integrated sustainable agriculture, to make greater use of integrated pest management, including biocontrol, drones and endotherapy, to optimise the application of plant protection products, while always respecting the established legal and safety limits and providing compensation to farmers for any financial losses suffered; stresses the importance of establishing integrated farming as a commonly recognised system in the EU and of making further progress in establishing and supporting sustainable and organic farming practices;

123. Highlights the importance of leveraging private funding within the CAP to increase investment in agriculture and rural development by mobilising more long-term resources for farmer organisations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as family businesses;

124. Notes that, according to a European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) study from 2025, a small number of large slaughterhouses are concentrated in certain regions; highlights, therefore, the need to support, through CAP funds, the establishment and development of slaughterhouses to stimulate the local economy, create jobs and strengthen short supply chains;

125. Calls for the rapid approval and implementation of new breeding techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas, across both small and large companies, to foster the development of crops that are more resilient, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable;

126. Calls for measures that ensure that farmers retain full ownership and control over their data, thereby safeguarding their rights and promoting transparency in the utilisation and sharing of agricultural data in the context of evolving digital and AI-driven innovations;

127. Recognises the potential benefits of the voluntary EU-wide framework for the certification of carbon removal and urges the Commission to enhance access to these opportunities for the farming sector; stresses that carbon and nature credits could provide a positive incentive and additional remuneration for farmers, particularly young farmers, by fairly rewarding practices such as agroforestry and regenerative soil management, which contribute to carbon capture and emission reductions on farms; underlines that such a certification framework has to be open and available to all farmers willing to maintain or increase the carbon storage capacity of their soils and encourages the Commission to create conditions to ensure market demand for such certificates through appropriate incentives and long-term market predictability for private sector investors; emphasises that carbon farming should complement, not replace, active and sustainable agricultural production;

128. Calls on the Commission to promote solar energy production on farms in a way that ensures that ownership of the installations and the benefits accrued remain with the landowner and the local community and that is compatible with agricultural activity, with a view to improving farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change and contribute to the stability and diversification of farmers’ income;

129. Urges the Commission to follow the recommendations of the Niinistö report and to consider the importance of having strategic food stocks; calls for the widespread establishment of strategic food stocks, based on the solid experience gained in Finland and Germany and for the concept of ‘dual use by design’ to be incorporated into policies for the development of biofuel production; considers that there can be no food sovereignty without strategic food stocks;

130. Stresses the importance of explicitly confirming the legality of cultivating, harvesting, processing and commercialising the entire hemp plant for authorised industrial purposes across the EU in order to provide legal certainty for farmers, processors, regulators and consumers; notes that hemp cultivation requires relatively few inputs, especially fertilisers, plant protection products and water; emphasises that it also contributes to soil health and biodiversity, offering new economic opportunities, additional income and innovation to rural areas through the provision of raw materials for industrial applications such as textile fibre, and other uses such as for health, food and feed; calls on the Commission to establish a common EU-wide threshold of 0.5 % tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for the legal classification of industrial hemp, ensuring harmonisation of national legislation in line with Court of Justice of the European Union rulings and international law;

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50.131. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The rapporteur believes that with a solid budget, simplified regulation and a strong commitment to innovation, Europe will be able to ensure a more resilient and prosperous agri-food system that will attract new generations to a profession that is closely tied to European culture. It is essential to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to its farmers, ensuring a policy framework that allows them to develop, prosper, innovate and guarantee the EU’s present and future food security and sovereignty.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

DECLARATION OF INPUT FROM CARMEN CRESPO DÍAZ

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he included in his report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the draft report from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

26.6.2025

OPINION OF THE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE AND FOOD SAFETY

for the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

on the future of agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy

(2025/2052(INI))

Rapporteur for opinion: Mathilde Androuët

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety submits the following to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, as the committee responsible:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 a (new)

Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 b (new)

Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 c (new)

Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 d (new)

Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 e (new)

Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 f (new)

Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 g (new)

Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 h (new)

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 i (new)

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 j (new)

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 k (new)

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 l (new)

Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 m (new)

Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 n (new)

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 o (new)

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 p (new)

Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 q (new)

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 r (new)

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 s (new)

Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 t (new)

Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 u (new)

Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Citation 19 v (new)

Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Recital A a (new)

Amendment 25

Motion for a resolution

Recital B

Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Recital C

Amendment 27

Motion for a resolution

Recital C a (new)

Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Recital C b (new)

Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Recital E

Amendment 31

Motion for a resolution

Recital F

Amendment 32

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

Amendment 33

Motion for a resolution

Recital H

Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Recital I

Amendment 35

Motion for a resolution

Recital I a (new)

Amendment 36

Motion for a resolution

Recital I b (new)

Amendment 37

Motion for a resolution

Recital J

Amendment 38

Motion for a resolution

Recital K

Amendment 39

Motion for a resolution

Recital L

Amendment 40

Motion for a resolution

Recital M

Amendment 41

Motion for a resolution

Recital N

Amendment 42

Motion for a resolution

Recital O

Amendment 43

Motion for a resolution

Recital O a (new)

Amendment 44

Motion for a resolution

Recital P

Amendment 45

Motion for a resolution

Recital Q

Amendment 46

Motion for a resolution

Recital Q a (new)

Amendment 47

Motion for a resolution

Recital Q b (new)

Amendment 48

Motion for a resolution

Recital R

Amendment 49

Motion for a resolution

Recital R a (new)

Amendment 50

Motion for a resolution

Recital S

Amendment 51

Motion for a resolution

Recital T

Amendment 52

Motion for a resolution

Recital T a (new)

Amendment 53

Motion for a resolution

Recital U

Amendment 54

Motion for a resolution

Recital U a (new)

Amendment 55

Motion for a resolution

Recital V

Amendment 56

Motion for a resolution

Recital W

Amendment 57

Motion for a resolution

Recital X

Amendment 58

Motion for a resolution

Recital Y

Amendment 59

Motion for a resolution

Recital Z

Amendment 60

Motion for a resolution

Recital AA

Amendment 61

Motion for a resolution

Recital AB

Amendment 62

Motion for a resolution

Recital AB a (new)

Amendment 63

Motion for a resolution

Recital AC

Amendment 64

Motion for a resolution

Recital AD

Amendment 65

Motion for a resolution

Recital AE

Amendment 66

Motion for a resolution

Recital AE a (new)

Amendment 67

Motion for a resolution

Recital AF

Amendment 68

Motion for a resolution

Recital AG

Amendment 69

Motion for a resolution

Recital AH

Amendment 70

Motion for a resolution

Recital AI

Amendment 71

Motion for a resolution

Recital AJ

Amendment 72

Motion for a resolution

Recital AK

Amendment 73

Motion for a resolution

Recital AN

Amendment 74

Motion for a resolution

Recital AO

Amendment 75

Motion for a resolution

Recital AP

Amendment 76

Motion for a resolution

Recital AQ

Amendment 77

Motion for a resolution

Recital AR

Amendment 78

Motion for a resolution

Recital AS

Amendment 79

Motion for a resolution

Recital AT

Amendment 80

Motion for a resolution

Recital AU

Amendment 81

Motion for a resolution

Subheading 1

Amendment 82

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Amendment 83

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Amendment 84

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2 a (new)

Amendment 85

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2 b (new)

Amendment 86

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2 c (new)

Amendment 87

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Amendment 88

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 a (new)

Amendment 89

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 b (new)

Amendment 90

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Amendment 91

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 a (new)

Amendment 92

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 b (new)

Amendment 93

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 c (new)

Amendment 94

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Amendment 95

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 a (new)

Amendment 96

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 b (new)

Amendment 97

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 c (new)

Amendment 98

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5 d (new)

Amendment 99

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Amendment 100

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6 a (new)

Amendment 101

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Amendment 102

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Amendment 103

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 b (new)

Amendment 104

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 c (new)

Amendment 105

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Amendment 106

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 a (new)

Amendment 107

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 b (new)

Amendment 108

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8 c (new)

Amendment 109

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Amendment 110

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Amendment 111

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10 a (new)

Amendment 112

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10 b (new)

Amendment 113

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10 c (new)

Amendment 114

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11

Amendment 115

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 a (new)

Amendment 116

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11 b (new)

Amendment 117

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Amendment 118

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Amendment 119

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Amendment 120

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 b (new)

Amendment 121

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 c (new)

Amendment 122

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 14

Amendment 123

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 14 a (new)

Amendment 124

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 15

Amendment 125

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 16

Amendment 126

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 16 a (new)

Amendment 127

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 17

Amendment 128

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18

Amendment 129

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 19

Amendment 130

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 20

Amendment 131

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 21

Amendment 132

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22

Amendment 133

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22 a (new)

Amendment 134

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22 b (new)

Amendment 135

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23

Amendment 136

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 a (new)

Amendment 137

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 b (new)

Amendment 138

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 c (new)

Amendment 139

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 d (new)

Amendment 140

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24

Amendment 141

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24 a (new)

Amendment 142

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25

Amendment 143

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25 a (new)

Amendment 144

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25 b (new)

Amendment 145

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26

Amendment 146

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27

Amendment 147

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28

Amendment 148

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28 a (new)

Amendment 149

Motion for a resolution

Subheading 28 b (new)

Amendment 150

Motion for a resolution

Subheading 3

Amendment 151

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 29

Amendment 152

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30

Amendment 153

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30 a (new)

Amendment 154

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31

Amendment 155

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31 a (new)

Amendment 156

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 32

Amendment 157

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33

Amendment 158

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Amendment 159

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 b (new)

Amendment 160

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34

Amendment 161

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 35

Amendment 162

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 35 a (new)

Amendment 163

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 35 b (new)

Amendment 164

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 35 c (new)

Amendment 165

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 36

Amendment 166

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 37

Amendment 167

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 38

Amendment 168

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 39

Amendment 169

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 40

Amendment 170

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41

Amendment 171

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 42

Amendment 172

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 43

Amendment 173

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 44

Amendment 174

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 45

Amendment 175

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46

Amendment 176

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46 a (new)

Amendment 177

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 47

Amendment 178

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48

Amendment 179

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 49

Amendment 180

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50 a (new)

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE