Amid proposals to merge agricultural and defence budgets in the EU’s next financial framework, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen warns that cutting CAP funding could jeopardise food security and calls for reforms to support smaller and younger farmers.
In a period marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen has sounded a clarion call against diverting funds from the European Union’s €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to bolster defence expenditures. He underscored the intrinsic link between agricultural funding and food security, stating, “It is difficult to build a continent on an empty stomach.” His remarks reflect concerns that increasing military spending should not undermine essential agricultural support at a time when food security is critical to reducing vulnerability to external pressures.
Negotiations are currently underway regarding the EU’s next budget, set to span from 2028, amidst proposals from Brussels which could radically alter the financial landscape. The European Commission has suggested creating a unified fund that would allow member states to reallocate budgets, potentially merging agricultural funding with defence. This concept has ignited fierce opposition from agricultural stakeholders, who fear that their financial resources could be subsumed in broader budgetary reallocations. Hansen’s arguments highlight the necessity of retaining a dedicated budget for agriculture, as he pointed out that reducing investment in farming sectors could lead to significant long-term consequences for the EU’s food supply and security.
Member states with robust agricultural sectors, such as Ireland, have voiced strong dissent against merging CAP funds. This apprehension has been echoed by Copa Cogeca, the EU’s principal farming lobby group, which has expressed “unanimous concern across the agricultural sector” over these changes. The agricultural community is not only worried about funding cuts but also about the imposition of increasing environmental conditions that they argue strain their operational viability. Last year, farmers staged significant protests that brought attention to these concerns, particularly regarding the restrictive nature of the EU’s environmental directives on agricultural practices.
In conjunction with concerns about funding reallocations, Hansen has also advocated for reforms within the CAP structure. One significant proposal is to recalibrate subsidies towards smaller, low-income farmers rather than large agribusinesses, allowing for a fairer distribution of resources. Hansen’s vision for CAP reform includes not just a financial overhaul but also an approach that diversifies income streams for farmers, encouraging sustainable practices such as biofuel production and renewable energy installations. These changes aim to create a more resilient agricultural sector amidst shifting market demands and environmental considerations.
A recent proposal from the Commission to ease some environmental requirements tied to CAP may simplify compliance for farmers, potentially easing financial burdens. By allowing exemptions and reductions in environmental expectations for smaller farms, the Commission aims to alleviate pressures that have contributed to mounting farmer dissent. However, critics warn that this easing of regulations might compromise efforts towards sustainability and environmental resilience, contradicting broader EU goals linked to climate change and ecological stewardship.
Hansen’s calls for change also encompass a focus on supporting younger farmers entering the industry, a demographic heavily impacted by established financial structures favouring larger operations. He stresses that to foster a new generation of farmers, the CAP must evolve to provide them with a viable pathway to success. Acknowledging the uncertain budget landscape, Hansen insists that supporting young farmers must remain a priority, tying their futures to the health of the agricultural sector as a whole.
As discussions around the EU’s budget intensify, Hansen finds himself at a crossroads where fiscal prudence meets the imperative of ensuring food security and support for the farming community. The ongoing negotiations will not only shape the financial future of the EU but also define its agricultural policy’s commitment to sustainability and fairness. The outcome of these deliberations will ultimately set the tone for how Europe balances its multifaceted needs amidst a backdrop of rising tensions and increasing demand for security.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.ft.com/content/1dd3d859-04bb-4d25-a1ba-75e690657173 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ft.com/content/1dd3d859-04bb-4d25-a1ba-75e690657173 – EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen cautioned against diverting funds from the €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to defense spending. He emphasized the importance of food security and warned that increasing military expenditure should not come at the expense of agricultural funding. The proposal to merge CAP with other funds into a single pot for reallocation, including defense, has faced resistance from the farming community and countries like Ireland. Hansen advocated for a specific budget for agriculture and additional financing for environmental requirements.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/eu-proposes-curbing-more-green-rules-farming-subsidies-2025-05-14/ – The European Commission proposed easing environmental rules tied to farming subsidies under the CAP, valued at €387 billion for 2021–2027. This move aims to reduce farmers’ regulatory burdens and could save them up to €1.58 billion annually. Proposed changes include exempting smaller farmers from basic environmental requirements and allowing farms to remove up to 10% of permanent grasslands. Critics argue that these changes could harm ecosystems and reduce climate resilience. The proposals are part of a broader EU initiative to simplify policies for businesses.
- https://www.ft.com/content/b0393171-0ff0-4880-a9e2-70f62a0e3445 – EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen is advocating for reforms in the €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to allocate more subsidies to low-income farmers rather than large agribusinesses. Hansen proposes changing the allocation of funds to benefit smaller landowners and suggests diversifying farmers’ income sources by promoting the cultivation of biofuels and installation of renewable energy. Despite expected resistance, especially amid protests and fiscal challenges, Hansen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen aim to ensure fair incomes for farmers.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/02/19/eu-commissioner-says-young-farmers-should-get-more-cap-subsidies/ – European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen stated that farm subsidies should be better targeted to support younger farmers entering the industry. He emphasized the need for a ‘rebalancing’ of payments under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), considering the difference between small and large-scale farmers. Hansen acknowledged uncertainty around the next EU budget and the potential pressure on the agriculture budget, highlighting the importance of fair distribution of funds to support young farmers.
- https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/12/will-the-common-agricultural-policy-see-reform-under-the-new-commission/ – EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen is advocating for reforms in the €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to better target support to small, low-income farmers. Hansen acknowledges budgetary constraints amid mounting defense and reindustrialization priorities in Brussels and characterizes his call for a CAP overhaul as an ‘evolution’ to re-balance the farming support system in a financially feasible manner. This approach follows recent compromises to dilute the environmental goals of the Farm to Fork strategy in response to farmers’ protests.
- https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/05/meps-back-agriculture-commission-nominee-following-cap-defence-pledges – Christophe Hansen, the new EU Agriculture Commissioner, won approval from the European Parliament’s agriculture committee after pledging to defend the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and income support for European farmers. Hansen opposed proposals to merge CAP with other EU programs, arguing that the farming subsidies program requires its own dedicated budget. He emphasized the importance of a strong CAP and acknowledged that EU leaders and ministers would play significant roles in shaping its future budget and scope.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative discusses ongoing negotiations and proposals for the EU’s next budget, which suggests recent and timely content. However, the lack of specific dates for these negotiations and the mention of ‘last year’s protests’ could indicate some recycled information.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote ‘It is difficult to build a continent on an empty stomach’ is attributed to Christophe Hansen but lacks a clear first source. This could be an original quote or a paraphrased version from a press conference or statement.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Financial Times, a well-known and reputable publication.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about EU budget negotiations and CAP funding are plausible given the context of geopolitical tensions and the importance of agricultural policy. However, some assertions about specific reforms and environmental considerations lack concrete evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears generally reliable, coming from a reputable source and discussing timely and plausible topics. However, a few details could be verified further for complete accuracy.
