EP wants more agricultural support in EU budget after 2027

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In a resolution adopted by 393 votes in favour, 145 against and 123 abstentions at the EP plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs said: the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) should not be merged with other funding areas and should not be made part of a wider financial framework used by member states for purposes other than agriculture. Direct income support should be paid to all active, professional farmers, following the area-based model, they said. Rural development should be supported independently of cohesion policy, they underlined. The resolution proposes reducing the administrative burden on farmers and introducing a system that incentivises farmers to achieve environmental and social objectives. Ecosystems should remain voluntary and should be accompanied by remuneration, they say. MEPs also want to take into account existing farming practices when requiring farmers to comply with the General Agricultural Condition (GAEC) requirements. To minimise burdensome farm control procedures, MEPs say the use of CAP funds should be monitored using satellite imagery and self-declaration in a centralised electronic reporting system. To ensure the production of sufficient and high-quality food, MEPs call for investments in the modernisation and development of water storage, distribution and storage infrastructure, as well as in the treatment and treatment of waste water. Farmers should be given incentives to utilize biomass, agricultural waste and by-products, it was suggested.

MTI