EU Unveils Comprehensive Agricultural Policy Overhaul
The European Commission's long-term vision aims to support farmers, enforce stricter import standards, and promote sustainability across the bloc.
- The EU's new agricultural vision outlines reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), prioritizing young farmers, sustainability, and rural development while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
- Stricter import rules will ensure that foreign agricultural products meet EU health, environmental, and pesticide standards, though details on implementation remain unclear.
- The plan includes incentives for carbon farming, bioeconomy projects, and sustainable practices, while emphasizing flexibility over one-size-fits-all environmental policies.
- A rebalancing of food supply chain profits is proposed, targeting unfair trading practices and improving conditions for farmers and rural workers, though tensions with retailers and manufacturers are anticipated.
- The EU aims to reduce reliance on imported fertilizers and animal feed by boosting domestic production, while also exploring food stockpiles to enhance supply chain resilience.