Spain Demands Comprehensive Reform and Simplification of EU Agricultural and Fisheries Policies
Spain criticizes the EU's CAP reform proposal and pushes for reforms and simplification in both agricultural and fisheries policies.
- • Spain finds the EU's CAP reform proposal positive but insufficient and demands fully community-centered policies.
- • Spain leads a coalition pushing for reform and simplification of the Common Fisheries Policy.
- • Scientific reports support allowing more fishing days in the Mediterranean due to fish stock recovery.
- • Spain advocates equitable agricultural subsidies focused on professional farmers and stresses food security importance.
Key details
Spain, led by Agriculture Minister Luis Planas, has voiced significant criticism of the European Commission's proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and called for a thorough overhaul of the Common Fisheries Policy (PPC). While acknowledging some positive elements in the Commission’s CAP proposal, Planas described it as ultimately insufficient, calling instead for policies that are "fully community-oriented" with adequate funding and no national co-financing. He pointed out key omissions such as support for irrigation, the agro-food industry, and innovation, stressing the need for clarity and simplification in policy administration.
In fisheries, Spain is coordinating with Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal to advocate for reform and simplification of the PPC. Minister Planas highlighted the outdated nature of the current PPC, given geopolitical shifts and emerging challenges like climate change and food security. Notably, scientific assessments indicate improvements in Mediterranean fish stocks, supporting potential increases in fishing days for 2026. Flexibility in management plans and simplification of regulations remain priorities.
Planas also emphasized reforming the CAP subsidy system to be fairer and more focused on professional farmers and farming cooperatives, cautioning against market distortions caused by national co-financing obligations. He underscored the strategic importance of European agro-food policies to ensure food security and called for improved trade relations, including ratification of the Mercosur agreement.
The Commission’s CAP reform package earmarks a minimum €293.7 billion for agricultural income support for 2028–2034 and aims to tackle youth engagement, climate action, and crisis resilience. Despite these aims, Spain is pushing for more community-centered policies that simplify bureaucratic burdens and address the realities of agriculture and fisheries sectors across the EU.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.