EU Proposes Overhaul of Agricultural Subsidies to Prioritize Sustainability

The European Commission unveils a vision to reform its Common Agricultural Policy, focusing on environmental goals, young farmers, and fairer subsidy distribution.

The European Commission aims to make the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) simpler, more targeted, and environmentally sustainable.
Current agricultural subsidies, comprising about 30% of the EU budget, disproportionately benefit large farms, prompting calls for fairer distribution.
The proposed reforms emphasize supporting young farmers, sustainable practices, and food production critical to EU resilience and autonomy.
Environmental groups caution against weakening climate and animal welfare standards, which some farmers argue increase bureaucracy and costs.
The EU is expected to release detailed plans for the next CAP funding period (2028–2034) in the coming months, following consultations.