The Economic and Social Council stresses the need for a separate and adequate budget that takes inflation into account and provides stability for farmers and does not accept the idea of merging it with other funds into a single fund because of the risk of reduced funding and administrative complexity. The position of ESC is to maintain the balance between direct payments and rural development investments with a clear distinction and independent budgets. Europe needs to take decisive steps to strengthen the agricultural sector, reduce external dependence and ensure stability in the food supply for its citizens. This is stated in the opinion “A vision for the future of agricultural policy after 2027”, adopted in plenary session at ESC. The rapporteur is Natalia Shukadarova from Group III. The document is intended to provide guidance to the national negotiating team in the preparation of the future legislative framework and financing mechanisms for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy after 2027.
The vision presented by the European Commission aims to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the agricultural sector, but it is a roadmap offering an ambitious catalogue of future work streams without addressing the main issue – the future budget of the Common Agricultural Policy and the resources needed to finance this package of measures.
ESC underlines the strategic importance of an effective agricultural policy for sustainable food production and ensuring Europe’s food security. In the context of military conflicts, increasing geopolitical instability and rising tensions in world trade, ensuring food sovereignty is becoming not only an economic but also a strategic priority, the opinion adds.
An important condition for ensuring the competitiveness of Bulgarian farmers is to achieve full external convergence of direct payments. In the national context, the Council supports the retention of coupled support and transitional national aid, which target vulnerable sectors in the country, such as livestock, horticulture and vegetable production.
In the context of the discontent of consumers and primary producers and processors in a growing number of European countries, including Bulgaria, ESC supports the initiatives of the European Commission to prevent below-cost sales, protect against unfair commercial practices and overall strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain.
At European level, the Council hopes that the administrative burden on farmers will be tangibly eased and that it will implement a flexible and realistic environmental transition, tailored to regional differences, with financial support for investment in sustainable technologies and practices and a full assessment of the impact on farms and the market before introducing further regulations.
ESC emphasises the need for reciprocity in trade relations, requiring imported products to meet the same standards as those applicable to European producers in order to avoid unfair competition. It also highlights the need for stronger import controls and stricter checks to protect European production. Equivalent conditions for competition, preservation and budget increases are also needed with future EU enlargement in prospect and the accession of countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, etc., which offer opportunities for growth but also pose significant risks for existing farmers in Europe. The Council points out that there is a need to focus on developing specific support mechanisms that take into account the different sizes and needs of small and medium-sized farms in different regions. At the same time, maintaining direct support for all active farmers under the common agricultural policy, regardless of their size and type of production, is crucial to ensuring income stability for farmers.
ESC welcomes the Commission’s strategy for generational renewal, but also calls for increased support measures for young farmers, including access to land, financial instruments, simplified administrative procedures and social support in rural areas.
