BRUSSELS (ANP) – European Commissioners Christophe Hansen (Agriculture) and Valdis Dombrovskis (Simplification) have announced a new initiative aimed at supporting small farmers, who play a vital role in rural communities. Defined by the agricultural committee as those managing less than 10 hectares of land, these farmers will benefit from the Commission’s renewed focus on their needs.
The initiative aims to facilitate easier access to funding for organic farms. The Commission is committed to upholding its environmental goals while streamlining the implementation process. By removing certain obligations, they believe it will encourage both farmers and rural authorities to adopt greener practices.
Additionally, the Commission proposes that member states should have more flexibility in allocating funds for farmers impacted by natural disasters or animal diseases, allowing them to use 3 percent of their EU agricultural budget for such emergencies without constraints.
The Commission acknowledges that EU farmers currently face “excessive administrative burdens that often do not reflect reality,” which leads to significant costs and time losses for both farmers and national authorities. Through these simplifications, the Commission aims to save European farmers approximately 1.5 billion euros annually and reduce government expenses by 210 million euros. Further specific measures are still in development.
Prior to the European elections, there were notable protests by farmers in Brussels regarding these regulations. The Commission claims to have considered farmers’ concerns during their decision-making process, emphasizing that this simplification is part of a broader strategy.
Since taking office, the Commission has been focused on creating a comprehensive package to simplify EU regulations, with the goal of enhancing competitiveness among businesses. A similar package is anticipated in June for the defense sector, followed by proposals for other policy areas later in the year.
(May 14, 2025)
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