European Parliament draft report proposes 8% of direct payments for young farmers in future CAP

A draft report from the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture proposes a significant increase in direct payments for young farmers under the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2028-2034 period. The report, led by German MEP Norbert Lins, suggests allocating a minimum of 8% of direct payments to young farmers, exceeding the 6% proposed by the European Commission.

This initiative aims to facilitate generational renewal within the agricultural sector. Additionally, the report recommends capping aid at 500,000 euros per farmer, a different approach than the Commission's proposed 100,000 euros per farm. Lins emphasized the need for a stable and predictable CAP, preserving its existing two-pillar structure and avoiding excessive bureaucracy.

“

Europe needs a stable and predictable agricultural policy that offers farmers long-term security and frees them from excessive bureaucracy (...) We must maintain what already works, not reinvent it.

The draft report also calls for mandatory redistributive payments across all member states, a measure currently optional. It rejects the idea of phasing out aid for farmers reaching retirement age and receiving a pension by 2032, and opposes a uniform degressivity in basic payments. Organizations like Via Campesina have welcomed aspects of the report, particularly regarding aid redistribution and support for small farms, though they argue the proposed percentage for redistributive payments is too low and the aid cap is insufficient.

“

We must reinforce instruments with proven effectiveness, such as redistributive income support - specifically aimed at strengthening small and medium-sized farms - or aid for the wine sector, fruits and vegetables, and other strategic sectors.