The European Commission has proposed another set of reforms to the EU’s €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), aiming to reduce bureaucratic burdens on farmers by loosening certain environmental rules. These changes could allow farmers to save up to €1.58 billion annually and limit on-site inspections to just once a year. The proposal is part of broader efforts to simplify EU regulations for businesses.
Key changes include exempting small-scale farmers from green obligations, increasing the minimum payment limit to €2,500, and providing more subsidies for maintaining existing peatlands and wetlands. The proposal would also permit farmers to convert up to 10% of permanent grasslands, a move seen as a concession to long-standing complaints from the agricultural sector about overly rigid environmental mandates.
Environmental groups, however, have voiced strong criticism. Organizations like BirdLife warn that such rollbacks could severely damage ecosystems and weaken climate resilience. Marilda Dhaskali of BirdLife Europe stated that the Commission is effectively giving farmers “a blank check to destroy vital ecosystems” instead of supporting sustainable practices. The proposal still requires approval from member states and lawmakers before becoming law.