The EU says it has no intention of
making impositions on European people about what they put on
their tables, but seeks to have a Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP) more focused on incentives through targeted support and
simplification.
Brussels is responding to the farmers' protests that shook
Europe last year and, in its Vision for the Future of
Agriculture, the EU promises to work toward a more flexible
future CAP and to dismantle the remaining bureaucratic hurdles
in the current one.
This vision not a legislative proposal but a roadmap guiding
Ursula von der Leyen's European Commission in making the sector
"more attractive" and "competitive" on the global
market—bringing food sovereignty back to the center of the
political agenda.
"Food and food sovereignty are non-negotiable for the EU,"
stressed the European Commission's Executive Vice President for
Cohesion, Raffaele Fitto, in his first press briefing at the EU
executive's Berlaymont headquarters since taking office. The EU
plans to hold annual talks with food sector stakeholders to
address urgent issues such as food reformulation, data
collection on food intake, diets, and affordability.
This regular discussion aims to restore the link between "food,
territory, and European culture," pushing back against
ultra-processed foods.
"We will never impose what people should eat: we will not
dictate that they should consume more of this or less of that,"
Christophe Hansen, the Commissioner responsible for the dossier,
said in an interview with ANSA.
"However, we must work on food education and balanced diets in
the interest of society as a whole".
This marks a "clear and radical shift," which, according to
Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, is fully aligned with Italy's
stance in Brussels.
"From essential and non-negotiable European food sovereignty to
the promotion of local products and the recognition of the key
role of farmers and fishers—these issues, championed by us for
years, are finally being addressed in the EU's new vision," he
stated.
"Italy's perspective has not only become a reality but has taken
center stage in shaping Europe's future."
The nearly 30-page strategic document lays the groundwork for
the future CAP, which Brussels aims to make "more targeted" in
supporting small businesses, young farmers, and those who
contribute most to the sector's competitiveness. While concrete
proposals and the post-2027 agricultural budget—currently
accounting for one-third of the EU budget—are still in
development, the Commission is exploring ways to better
redistribute direct payments from the CAP's first pillar,
directing them toward the farmers "who need them most."
Meanwhile, EU officials are already working on a second package
of CAP simplifications to further ease bureaucratic burdens on
small farms.
This follows last year's initial reforms, introduced in response
to farmer protests. The upcoming package, set to be unveiled in
spring, will include lump-sum payments and the suspension of the
performance review—an annual control system introduced in the
current CAP to ensure payments align with national spending
plans.
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