Towards a Fairer Approach to EU Farm Funding

Supporting agriculture in the European Union is not only about sustaining production, but about doing so in a way that is fair and respectful to the people who work the land and keep rural areas alive. However, data shows that the current distribution of support remains highly uneven, with around 80% of agricultural funding going to just 20% of farms, mostly large holdings. This imbalance highlights persistent inequalities in how agricultural support is allocated.

At the same time, Europe’s farming population is ageing. Many young people are leaving the countryside in search of a better future in urban areas, attracted by broader job opportunities. This shift towards large cities raises serious concerns for the future of European agriculture, as in 2020, only 11.9% of farm managers in the EU were under the age of 40.

For this reason, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2023–2027 period introduced fairer rules for the allocation of subsidies, directing funds in a more balanced and targeted way. The aim of these measures is to ensure that support reaches those who genuinely need it: young farmers, small and medium-sized producers, and those who are actively engaged in farming.

More specifically, when designing their national strategic plans, Member States are required to allocate at least 3% of their direct payments budget to support young farmers, thereby encouraging generational renewal and the entry of new people into the agricultural sector. At the same time, the CAP places particular emphasis on small and medium-sized farms by directing at least 10% of direct payments towards them, in order to reduce inequalities and strengthen the most vulnerable holdings.

Finally, the concept of the active farmer plays a central role in the CAP 2023–2027. In this way, European funding supports real production, employment and rural life, contributing to a more just and sustainable agricultural system.

Through these changes, the CAP makes it clear that supporting agriculture is not merely a matter of numbers, but a matter of fairness. By channelling funds towards those who need them most the CAP is investing in the future of Europe’s rural areas: a future in which agriculture remains vibrant, inclusive and fair for younger generations.