In brief

• Agriculture ministers of EU member states unanimously adopted a common position on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027.
• CAP funding has not yet been set and depends on negotiations over the EU budget for 2028–2034.
• Poland supported the compromise, while submitting reservations about the DNSH principle.

Common position of the ministers

On Monday, 26 October, agriculture ministers of EU member states unanimously adopted in Luxembourg a position on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027. It is to be aligned with the new multi-annual EU budget for 2028–2034 (Країни-члени ЄС досягли згоди щодо реформи Спільної сільськогосподарської політики – Європейська правда). Now member states will begin talks with the European Parliament, because the reform will only enter into force once both sides approve it.

Support for active and young farmers

EU aid is to go primarily to active farmers. Countries will themselves determine who meets this criterion (Jest kompromis UE w sprawie zasad dla rolników po 2027 roku. Kwestia pieniędzy do uzgodnienia – RMF24). A greater level of support is also to be given to the younger generation of farmers, and countries will be obliged to prepare strategies on how to ensure generational renewal on farms.

Money still unresolved

The most important issue remains open: funding. The current plan assumes about €300 billion for the CAP, which is less than the €387 billion in the previous period. The European Commission assures that countries will receive additional funds to support agriculture, and details will be set after the budget is approved.

The Ministry of Agriculture considered separating the CAP rules into a separate draft regulation a success, but this does not mean a separate budget (Miliardy z budżetu UE. „Polska odpuszcza, europosłowie zaostrzają walkę” – RMF24). MEPs, in turn, are toughening their stance on the money.

Poland's reservations about the DNSH principle

Poland agreed to the compromise despite reservations about the DNSH principle, that is "do no significant harm", which is meant to protect the environment from investments financed with EU funds. The Commission proposes exempting from it, among others, defence investments. Member states, including Poland, demanded a similar exemption for agricultural investments, including the purchase of machinery powered by fossil fuels. This postulate was entered into the meeting's minutes as a political appeal to the Commission, without changing the regulation itself.