The European Commission’s proposal for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2028–2034 has sparked a wave of protests among farmers, trade unions and civil society organisations. Presented on 16 July 2025, the reform includes a 20% cut in resources allocated to agriculture and a more centralised management at the national level. It has been strongly criticised for its lack of attention to the ecological transition, social sustainability, and the protection of small-scale producers.
The EU budget proposal and the CAP chapter
The new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 presented by the European Commission amounts to €1.8 trillion. While this marks a nominal increase compared to the previous cycle (2021–2027), it remains essentially unchanged in real terms due to inflation. The key change lies in the reduced share for the CAP and cohesion funds, which drop from 70% to 45% of the EU budget.
The Commission proposes a single €850 billion fund, merging CAP, cohesion, migration and border control policies, to be managed directly by Member States following the model of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Although minimum thresholds are foreseen (€300 billion for CAP, €218 billion for poorer regions, €34 billion for migration), the reform reduces the role of regional authorities and the European Parliament, increasing national discretion.
At the same time, investments in competitiveness (€410 billion), defence (€130 billion), digital transition and decarbonisation are set to rise. The ‘Global Europe’ chapter receives €200 billion, largely benefiting countries currently outside the EU, with an additional €100 billion earmarked for Ukraine. Ukraine’s potential EU accession raises serious concerns for the CAP. Critics have also condemned the new financing mechanisms, which introduce taxes on tobacco (targeting €11 billion in revenue), large corporations (€7 billion), and electronic waste (€15 billion).
Farmers’ protests
Reactions from farmers and agricultural organisations to the CAP portion of the new budget have been fierce:
- ECVC (European Coordination Via Campesina) denounces what it calls the “dismantling of the CAP”, warning of risks to farmers’ incomes and growing inequalities between Member States. The group criticises the absence of market rules to ensure fair prices and opposes the renationalisation of agricultural policy;
- Collectif Nourrir fears the weakening of the agroecological transition and a race to the bottom among countries, with insufficient funds to support small producers.
Weakened workers’ rights and trade union concerns
Trade unions claim that the work of farmers and agricultural labourers is not being given due consideration.
EFFAT (European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions), which represents all national unions in these sectors, has condemned the weakening of social conditionality – the mechanism linking direct payments to compliance with labour standards, including health and safety at work.
The Commission’s proposal introduces exemptions for farms under 10 hectares (70% of all EU farms) and less stringent penalties, clearly increasing the risk to workers’ rights.
Environmental groups: climate and biodiversity overlooked
Major environmental organisations have unanimously rejected the reform. IFOAM (organic farmers), WWF, and Greenpeace have all condemned the proposal as a step backwards in sustainability. WWF warns that without mandatory requirements on climate and biodiversity, Member States could cut green funding. Greenpeace goes further, saying national flexibility will only benefit large, polluting agribusinesses.
There is still time to act
The approval process for the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework will take at least two years, involving complex negotiations between the Commission, the EU Council and the European Parliament. Protests by farmers and organisations may influence the debate, especially on key issues such as:
- Redistribution of funds – aiming to prevent cuts from hitting small-scale producers hardest;
- Social and environmental conditionality – urgent need to reinstate clear obligations for climate and workers’ rights;
- Market rules – essential to guarantee fair prices and curb unfair competition.
If the Commission fails to revise its proposal, mobilisation may intensify, as it did in 2024. What is at stake is the future of European agriculture – balancing food sovereignty, social justice, and the climate crisis.
Marta Strinati
Cover art copyright © 2025 Dario Dongo (AI-assisted creation)
References
– Bordignon M. Bilancio europeo 2028-2034: cosa cambia. lavoce.info 18.7.25 https://lavoce.info/archives/108438/bilancio-europeo-2028-2034-cosa-cambia/
– Collectif Nourrir. Future PAC : une renationalisation et un budget amputé au détriment de la souveraineté alimentaire européenne. 17.7.25 https://collectifnourrir.fr/future-pac-une-renationalisation-et-un-budget-ampute-au-detriment-de-la-souverainete-alimentaire-europeenne/
– EFFAT. Not a New Day for CAP: New Architecture Hides Dangerous Threats for Agricultural Workers. 18.7.25 https://effat.org/featured/not-a-new-day-for-cap-new-architecture-hides-dangerous-threats-for-agricultural-workers/
– European Coordination Via Campesina. Farmers reject disastrous budget proposal for Multiannual Financial Framework and CAP. 16.7.25 https://www.eurovia.org/press-releases/farmers-reject-disastrous-budget-proposal-for-multiannual-financial-framework-and-cap/
– TerraNuova. PAC: FederBio, WWF e Greenpeace bocciano la proposta di riforma. 18.7.25 https://www.terranuova.it/news/agricoltura/pac-federbio-wwf-e-greenpeace-bocciano-la-proposta-di-riforma
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
