Europe Asia News

European Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen welcomed the decision, stating that due to excessive bureaucracy, farmers are currently facing an average of seven workdays and costs ranging from 1,230 to 2,740 euros annually. Hansen said, “Farmers spend too much time on paperwork, which costs them not only valuable time but also money.”

The newly agreed measures are expected to lead to significant savings. Commissioner Hansen estimated that these measures would save farmers about 1.6 billion euros annually in administrative costs, with national governments saving approximately 210 million euros annually.

One of the key elements of the agreement focuses on the conditions for receiving direct payments. Hansen explained that the temporary agreement maintains the essence of the proposals first presented by the Commission in May, stating, “It introduces simpler rules for organic farmers and provides better support for smaller businesses that have been more affected than large enterprises.”

The reforms are also designed to provide farmers with more flexibility and help small and medium-sized enterprises make better use of EU support. Specifically, small farmers will switch to lump sum payments of up to 50,000 euros, and the requirement to declare “every small detail” will be eliminated.

The agreement has been officially approved by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, and Hansen is confident that it will come into effect on 1 January 2026, with farmers benefiting from the simplifications from the following calendar year.