European farmers face mounting crises, from extreme weather to market instability and unfair competition. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warns that current EU policies fail to protect farmers and calls for urgent reforms to secure incomes, strengthen bargaining power and ensure sustainable agriculture.

In an opinion requested by the Polish EU Presidency, the EESC called for a more resilient agricultural system, with farmers at its core.

'Farming is a noble profession with two key objectives: produce top quality safe food to feed the people and maintain and enhance the environment. All we ask for in return is an honest day's pay for an honest day's work and respect and a fair price for the food we provide,' said Joe Healy, one of the three rapporteurs of the opinion.

The common agricultural policy (CAP) is ill-equipped to handle today's challenges, according to the EESC. The financial tools it recommends to support farmers include public insurance for natural disasters, counter-cyclical aid and direct payments. Mutual funds, already used in some EU states, could provide an additional safety net, funded collectively by farmers, industry, regional governments and the EU.

With the CAP set for review after 2027, the EESC advocated restoring its budget to at least 0.5% of EU GDP. Stricter trade regulations are needed to ensure that imported products meet EU environmental and labour standards.

Another key concern is below-cost selling, a practice that puts farmers under extreme financial pressure. The EESC is urging EU policy-makers to seriously consider banning below-cost purchases to prevent large retailers from squeezing farmers out of business, using Spain's food chain laws as a model.

To improve transparency and farmers' market power, the EESC proposed an EU digital centre to monitor prices, costs and profits. It also advocated collective price negotiations and increased support for cooperatives and producer organisations. There is a need for greater economic independence and competitiveness across EU agriculture.

While climate goals are essential, farmers cannot bear the costs alone. A sustainability fund could help them transition to greener practices. The opinion warned of the risk of carbon leakage, where strict EU rules put local farmers at a disadvantage compared to non-EU competitors.

The EESC highlighted the importance of investment in rural development, innovation and simpler CAP rules. With farmers under increasing pressure, the urgency is clear: EU leaders must act before more farms disappear. (ks)