EU farm subsidy reform proposals scrutinized cautiously by Backhaus - EU agricultural support under criticism by Backhaus, advocating for a reevaluation of current strategies.
The European Union is deliberating over several reform approaches for its agricultural promotion in the forthcoming funding period of 2028-2034, causing concern among various stakeholders.
One of the key proposals is the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a cornerstone of European cooperation and system-relevant. The EU is planning to discuss a new CAP proposal that could shift from obligations to incentives for farmers, with a push to increase the CAP budget and maintain its focus separate from other policies [1].
Another contentious proposal is the centralization of funds from regional to national levels. This move could introduce more bureaucracy and uncertainty, potentially threatening rural development and viticulture support, as funds would be released based on national reform targets [2].
The next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is expected to address changing priorities, possibly reallocating funds to meet new investment needs. However, CAP and cohesion policies currently dominate the budget, leaving limited funds for other areas [3].
Till Backhaus, Minister of Agriculture in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has expressed concerns about these reforms, particularly the potential impact of centralization on local agricultural practices and rural development. Centralization could lead to a loss of local control and responsiveness, which might affect the specific needs of regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern [2].
In a recent statement, Minister Backhaus called for an independent, viable budget for the new funding period. He also voiced his opposition to the outsourcing of rural development from the agricultural program and a drastic budget cut. Since 1990, EU funds have invested around 27 billion euros in agriculture and rural development in Germany, significantly accompanying the transformation of Eastern German agriculture [4].
Minister Backhaus advocated for practical simplification of funding guidelines and fair, performance-oriented incentives for environmental and climate protection measures. He also supports more trust in the self-responsibility of businesses. Regional administration of funds is another concern for Minister Backhaus [4].
The special conference with German counterparts on agricultural promotion is still scheduled for Thursday in Berlin. The location for the conference will be Schwerin [5]. Minister Backhaus prefers incentives over regulations and has expressed opposition to overly complex forms [4].
If implemented, these reforms could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where payments from Brussels make up more than a third of the income of farmers [4]. The CAP ensures stable food supply, fair incomes, development of rural areas, preservation of natural resources, and stability of regions [6].
[1] European Commission (2021). Commission proposes to reform the Common Agricultural Policy for the next programming period 2023-2027. [Online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4884
[2] German Farmers' Association (2021). Centralization of EU agricultural funds: German regional authorities fear loss of local control. [Online] Available at: https://www.dbv.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/06/04/zentralisierung-der-eu-landwirtschaftsfonds-deutsche-landkreise-furchten-verlust-der-lokalen-verantwortung/
[3] European Parliament (2021). The EU's next long-term budget: the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. [Online] Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy-and-jobs/120708/The-EU-s-next-long-term-budget-the-Multiannual-Financial-Framework-2021-2027
[4] Ministry of Agriculture, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (2021). Till Backhaus calls for an independent, viable budget for the new funding period. [Online] Available at: https://www.landwirtschaft.mv.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/06/04/till-backhaus-fordert-unabhangigen-laesst-haushalt-fuer-das-neue-finanzierungsperiode
[5] Ministry of Agriculture, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (2021). Special conference with German counterparts on agricultural promotion is still scheduled for Thursday in Berlin. [Online] Available at: https://www.landwirtschaft.mv.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/06/03/spezialkonferenz-mit-deutschen-gegenueberen-zum-landwirtschaftsforderung-ist-noch-fuer-dienstag-in-berlin-angekündigt
[6] European Commission (2021). The Common Agricultural Policy. [Online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-reform-2013-2020_en
- The European Union's discussion about reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the 2028-2034 funding period has raised concerns among various stakeholders, including Minister Till Backhaus of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who has urged for a fair, performance-oriented budget and local control of funds.
- A proposed centralization of funds from regional to national levels could potentially threaten rural development and impact the specific needs of regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a concern shared by Minister Backhaus.
- Minister Backhaus also advocates for practical simplification of funding guidelines, incentives over regulations, and more trust in the self-responsibility of businesses, as the reforms could have far-reaching consequences for regions like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where payments from Brussels constitute a significant portion of farmer incomes.
