Brussels recognizes the complexity of the problem and the lack of support for agriculture

The European Commission acknowledged this Wednesday that the problems affecting agriculture in the European Union (EU) are complex and that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is insufficient.

“We should not oversimplify the situation that brought farmers to the streets, because the problems are complex,” said European Commissioner responsible for the Environmental Pact, Maros Šefčović, during a debate on the situation in the agricultural sector in the European Parliament. in Strasbourg (France).

The commissioner and one of the vice-presidents of the community executive acknowledged that CAP funds are “insufficient” to address issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, price shocks, and competitive markets globally.

Many feel trapped and their demands are not being met.

Šefčović acknowledged that there are producers for whom “the system is not working,” arguing for the need to find “joint solutions, a common vision and find a new consensus.”

The way, in his opinion, is through the recently launched Strategic Dialogue, which brings together stakeholders to discuss the future of agriculture in the EU.

European farmers, including in Portugal, have taken to the streets in recent weeks to demand flexibility in the CAP and more support for the sector.

Brussels is preparing a proposal to reduce the administrative burden on farmers, which will be discussed by EU agriculture ministers on February 26.

On Tuesday, on the other hand, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the withdrawal of a proposal aimed at halving the use of pesticides in agriculture by 2030, a central part of the Green Pact, environmental legislation. EU, which is also one of the goals of the farmers’ protests.