Shrinkage in "No-strings-attached" flexibility forecasted for sustainable food production

The European Commission has presented a proposal for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), aiming to make the distribution of funds fairer and promote sustainable food practices. However, the proposal has faced criticism from environmentalists and farmers alike, with concerns about its potential impact on natural resource protection and climate change.

Giulia Riedo, Sustainable Food Policy Officer at the WWF European Policy Office, has expressed her concern about the proposal. She believes that the lack of clear rules and accountability for environmental measures could lead to both farmers and citizens paying for the consequences. The proposal risks watering down requirements for agri-environmental and climate actions, potentially reducing incentives for farmers to protect nature.

The proposal grants Member States full responsibility for deciding their own natural resource protection systems. Without dedicated funding for environmental payments, there are fears that governments may channel funds to benefit exploitative farming systems. The Commission is not setting spending targets for environmental payments, potentially making agri-environmental and climate actions less attractive and prioritizing damaging food production systems.

The Commission's proposed 'farmer stewardship system' significantly reduces obligations, with no guarantee of increased incentives for environmental protection. The performance framework of the proposal lacks precise targets or performance indicators for meaningful environmental requirements. This has led to concerns that the proposal could exacerbate climate and biodiversity crises.

To address these concerns, decision-makers should prioritise long-term benefits for society, rather than short-term benefits and individual political gains. The proposal aims to make the distribution of CAP funds fairer by capping hectare-based financial support for farmers, with the intention of redirecting funds to young farmers and diversifying the sector. However, critics argue that this could potentially undermine efforts to foster sustainable food practices.

The proposal will be discussed by Member States over the next year and will require approval from the European Parliament. It remains to be seen whether changes will be made to address the concerns raised by environmentalists and farmers. In the meantime, the ongoing impacts of floods and droughts on farmers' harvests underscore the need for effective environmental protection measures.

Shrinkage in "No-strings-attached" flexibility forecasted for sustainable food production