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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.

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Months of protests last year saw farmers irked at regulatory burdens, squeezed revenues and what they see as unfair competition from less-regulated overseas rivals
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Overview

  • 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.