Subject: Income support for small farmers
The current crisis threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities in the agricultural sector and disproportionately affects small holdings more than other farms, irrespective of their sector of production.
Small holdings, which make up the majority of farms in Greece, receive very little support, have a limited production volume and a multifaceted workforce, and hence are more affected by the reduction in non-agricultural income in the countryside.
Given that the Commission will soon present a ‘vision for the future of rural areas by 2040’ aimed at addressing the problems such areas face, such as low levels of income, demographic change, digital divide, and limited access to services:
What measures is it planning to boost income, especially for small holdings, so that Greek and European farmers are able to live off their produce and earn a decent living?
Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski on behalf of the European Commission (4 June 2021)
The Commission Communication on a long-term vision for rural areas, which is under preparation, intends to propose a vision for rural areas in the perspective of 2040. It will be based on analysis and foresight, and it is developed on the basis of a strong participatory approach with public consultations, workshops and other events.
The communication aims at enabling increased synergies between policies and funds to advance towards the goals of the vision. Indeed, a comprehensive approach on rural challenges and opportunities is necessary to address challenges in rural structures and enable improving incomes.
Therefore, several policy areas must work together to create the conditions in which small farms can thrive. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Cohesion Policy have an important role to play in providing financing for infrastructure and other investments ensuring diversification of economic activities generating additional income.
As for specific instruments to support small farms in the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in accordance with Article 25 of the Commission proposal for the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation (1), Member States may grant payments to small farmers as defined by Member States by way of a round sum as alternative to general forms of support.
The proposed tools for rural development include the possibility to set specific conditions and selection criteria to orient support for e.g. investments and risk management towards small farms. Member States may also set their own definition of small farms to differentiate and further target specific vulnerable sectors, sub-sectors, type of farmers or even territories.
⋅1∙ Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by
Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, COM(2018) 392 final.