Members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions held an exchange on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027. The discussion emphasized the need for a more tailored, generationally inclusive, and regionally sensitive policy framework that supports both farmers and rural communities.
Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, stressed the importance of predictability and simplicity in CAP reforms. He underscored the urgency of attracting younger generations back to farming, warning that failure to act could endanger Europe’s food sovereignty. Hansen highlighted the upcoming Generational Renewal Strategy as a key initiative and advocated for reducing administrative burdens while better targeting support to young farmers and those in difficult conditions.
Joke Schauvliege, CoR rapporteur on the Vision for Agriculture and Food, called for more funding to help farmers transition to sustainable practices. She underlined the pivotal role of Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in shaping effective food systems, citing local initiatives like farmers’ markets and sustainable procurement as examples. Schauvliege urged the European Commission to integrate LRAs’ expertise when designing future agricultural policies.
Piotr Całbecki, President of the NAT Commission and of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region (PL), warned against unfair competition threatening the common agricultural market, referencing issues like Mercosur and Ukraine imports and the soaring cost of farm machinery in Poland. He advocated for courageous reforms to protect rural heritage and small farms, even if these remain low-profit. Całbecki stressed the need to regionalize agricultural policy implementation, noting that central governments alone cannot effectively manage such challenges. He also highlighted the importance of aligning environmental standards with adequate CAP funding and reducing bureaucracy.
Thibaut Guignard, Mayor of Plœuc-L’Hermitage, stressed that revitalizing rural areas is crucial to attracting a new generation of farmers — whether from farming backgrounds or not. He argued that agriculture must be part of a broader rural vision that includes access to services like education, transport, and healthcare. Guignard called on the next CAP to reinforce support for rural development and make rural living viable for young people and newcomers.
Adrián Zitelli Ferrari, Director General for the European Union in the Government of Murcia, warned that Spanish regions are concerned about the proposed CAP configuration in the post-2027 financial framework. He insisted that: The agri-food sector must be treated as strategic, offering certainty and long-term support to farmers. He emphasized the need to balance environmental, social, and economic sustainability in CAP reforms.
Igor Andrović, Prefect of the Virovitica-Podravina County, pointed out that over 23% of Croatia’s population is aged 65+, and only 11.4% of those under 40 manage farms, even though 46% live in rural areas—almost double the EU average. He called for a CAP that prioritizes young farmers by offering start-up support, tax and administrative relief, access to land, training, advice, technology, and markets.
Thomas Schmidt, Member of the Saxon State Parliament emphasized the link between rural development and EU-wide cohesion: “If only we managed to ensure development in rural areas, that would allow people to fulfil their lives and contribute to the EU’s development. To relieve pressure on urban centres, rural areas must be given a real chance to grow.” Schmidt’s remarks reinforced the broader call for EU investment in rural vitality as a strategic and societal necessity.
Mariëtte van Leeuwen, Minister of the Province of Zuid-Holland (NL), called for stronger CAP support for new farm start-ups, particularly to attract young people into agriculture: “We need more support for our farmers in starting up new farms, including to help bring young people into the sector. CAP funds should support this.” She underscored that without such support, generational renewal will remain an aspiration rather than a reality.
Radim Sršeň, Member of the Local Assembly of the Municipality of Dolní Studénky, urged the EU to think beyond agriculture alone: “We must invest in non-agricultural rural development. Tools like smart villages and the Rural Pact exist—but we’re not using them enough. Rural areas are not museums. We need a holistic approach, using both CAP and cohesion policy, to face rural challenges effectively.”
Mirjam Sterk, Regional Minister of Utrecht, delivered a comprehensive call for a modern, sustainability-focused CAP: “We meet at a time when Europe faces serious challenges—security, stability—but we must not forget what farmers are facing: climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising sustainability demands. She stressed the importance of generational renewal, stating: “Young farmers are full of passion and ideas. We must support them—not just to survive, but to thrive.” Sterk advocated for a CAP that rewards green and blue services like carbon storage, water management, and landscape stewardship stressing “Let’s make sure we have a CAP that doesn’t burden our farmers—but that has their back.”