The negotiations on the new CAP are just around the corner, but this time under completely new auspices. The European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen would like to change the EU’s financial management and could possibly merge the two largest EU funding pots, namely the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Fund, to promote regional development. The main consequence of this measure could be a reduction in CAP funding. To prevent this, we must enter into an alliance with environmental and climate protection in the negotiations on the Common European Agricultural Policy and finally switch to sustainable funding systems.
Because European agriculture and our farmers do much more than just produce healthy food for European citizens. They make our soils resilient to drought and increasing heavy rainfall, create and maintain areas for rich biodiversity, bind CO2 in the soil and much more. These services d not only help farmers to maintain their production base, but help everyone in Europe. It is time for European agricultural policy-makers to learn what farmers have known for centuries: You should only support what has a chance of being harvested. Only a CAP that focuses on climate resilience and suitability for future generations can guarantee a good future for our farmers and rural areas in Europe.
Our concrete demands for the new CAP:
1. Capping the CAP
In order to be attractive particularly for smaller farmers, we are calling for a limit of €60,000 per hectare per farm with a distribution of the remaining funds to young farmers, environmental measures, etc. and a long-term switch to CAP payments based on the number of jobs a farm provides.
2. Fair markets for farmers
Farmers have the right to a fair income and a good work-life balance. Through direct and regional marketing, secure contracts, legal guarantees and stable demand, especially through the leverage of public procurement, we strengthen the bargaining power of small farms in particular and guarantee a regular income that they can rely on.
3. Organic gold standard and ambitious agroecology
We want to accelerate the transition to organic farming! The EU must achieve its goal of converting 25% of agricultural land to organic farming by 2030. Every farm that commits to working more closely with nature (e.g. through non-chemical-synthetic pest control) counts. Organic farms should receive preferential financial support and independent advice.
4. Agriculture that protects soil and water
Soil and water are the basis for food and agriculture. Through targeted build-up of humus, the cultivation of climate-adapted plants, hedges and trees, and agroforestry, we can reduce the need for irrigation and increase the soil’s ability to store water.
5. Feed and protein sovereignty
Reducing our dependence on imported soy and other protein sources strengthens our own agricultural system, prevents deforestation of rainforests, and improves soil health when we grow legumes on our soil. It also reduces our dependence on autocratic regimes that benefit from our imports.
6. Achieving animal welfare
Farm animals should be raised without cruel practices such as cage-production. Slaughter must be done with respect and transportation conditions must be improved. The CAP should provide a dedicated budget to support better animal welfare standards. This includes the reconstruction of slaughterhouses in rural areas and pasture slaughter to enable shorter transportation times and support local processing and value creation.