Brussels (ANSA) – The outstretched hand of Ursula von der Leyen in person was not enough to calm the spirits of those who see the upcoming multiannual budget of the EU as a threat to the Common Agricultural Policy. It is a front of at least seven EU countries, led by Italy, which reiterated its opposition in Brussels to the idea of unifying agricultural funds and cohesion funds into a single ‘national fund’ in the future European budget.
Instead, they are asking for “a profound revision” of the financial architecture for the next seven years (2028-2034). “We have achieved substantial support from a broad majority of colleagues, who appreciated our vision and our proposal,” claimed the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigidawho, along with his counterparts from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia, promoted an informal discussion on the topic at the EU Agrifish Council.
Highlighting the “concrete risk” of a “renationalization of the CAP,” the seven capitals expressed concerns about “further complications” that could arise from the new budget structure. From Paris to Berlin, passing through Madrid and Vienna: several delegations took the floor in the morning, emphasizing their desire to maintain the ‘common’ nature of European agricultural policy.
“We will monitor against any risk of renationalization” of the CAP, assured the French, Annie Genevard. A tense discussion that comes just a week after Ursula von der Leyen’s attempt to mend the fractures with the European Parliament and member countries by introducing limited changes to the budget proposal.
Among these, the idea of including a ‘rural target’ – that is, a minimum quota of 10% of funds to be allocated to measures for rural areas – as well as strengthening the legal independence of the future CAP from other programs (November 17).
