ZAGREB, 16 July (Hina) – The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPK) has expressed its full support for the peaceful protest by farmers in Brussels against proposed cuts to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding, the Chamber said on Wednesday.
The HPK stated it fully endorses the peaceful rally to be held today in Brussels, organised by Copa-Cogeca, the umbrella organisation of EU farmers, of which HPK is a member.
This renewed protest is taking place in response to concerns over potential reductions in CAP funding and the European Commission’s plan to merge agricultural and cohesion policies into national partnerships managed by individual member states.
The protest, described as a “symbolic march”, is taking place in the EU Quarter, coinciding with the Commission’s presentation of the first package of proposals for the next EU long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
According to HPK, this marks the first major farmer protest in the EU capital since last year, when widespread demonstrations were held across the EU against the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement.
HPK has reiterated that it has been warning authorities for over a year and has called on Croatian MEPs to defend the interests of Croatian farmers, who are worried about the new CAP and further funding cuts, which they say would be another blow to domestic food and agricultural production.
The farmers’ march, which HPK supports, is part of a broader campaign launched by Copa-Cogeca, including a petition titled “No Security Without CAP”. The demonstration is planned to go from the European Parliament to the European Commission headquarters.
HPK and other members of Copa-Cogeca advocate for a CAP budget indexed to inflation and maintaining the current CAP structure with its two pillars: direct payments and the Rural Development Fund, arguing that there is significant uncertainty surrounding future funding and the prospect of radical EU budget reforms from 2028 to 2034.
According to the proposed plan, two-thirds of the €1.2 trillion EU budget, currently allocated to cohesion policy and agriculture, would be channelled through national reform plans negotiated between the European Commission and member states. Funds would only be disbursed upon approval by the Commission and the Council, effectively removing the European Parliament’s role in decisions beyond the general framework of these plans.
The European Commission argues that this approach would significantly reduce administrative burdens and strengthen EU priorities, HPK’s statement concluded.
HPK leader, Mladen Jakopović, stated that at a time when Europe is facing numerous challenges, from geopolitical instability and economic/legal uncertainty to climate change and shifts in global trade, EU food security is, in fact, EU security.
He emphasised that the foundation of that security is a strong, common, and well-funded agricultural policy.
