Large-scale farmers are the biggest losers in the new European Union agricultural budget. The agricultural budget, the biggest part of the EU’s overall budget, represents a major attempt to increase sustainable agriculture at the expense of big producers.
The EU budget for the next several years has been a controversial topic in Europe. Major agricultural states like France have been pushing hard for increased farm spending and protection of major agricultural subsidies. Meanwhile, major EU states like the United Kingdom and Germany, which have smaller farm sectors, have been pushing harder for reduced spending and reduced agricultural protections.
In addition to these national concerns, environmental advocates have been pressuring EU leaders to increase their focus on green production and green agriculture.
The final budget, which mandates that farmers set aside parts of their land for ecological protection, hurts some large-scale producers. “This is a major issue for some governments. You’re talking about taking money away from some farmers and giving it to others, which politically is very sensitive,” said one EU official involved in the talks.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer