Brussels, 30 April 2025 – Members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) participated in the informal meeting of the newly established EPP Farmers, following its official recognition as an associated entity of the European People’s Party during the EPP Assembly on 20 March 2025.
This gathering marked a significant step toward enhancing the connection between local and regional authorities and the EPP’s agricultural platform, with the aim of better representing the interests of farmers, rural communities, and landowners across Europe.
Patrick Schwarz-Kiefer, Member of the County Council of Baranya in Hungary, highlighted the challenges of unequal treatment in some Member States: “Farmers in Hungary who are not connected to the government often face unequal access to funding and opportunities. EPP Farmers can serve as a vital platform to share information and promote fairness across the EU.”
Adrian Zitelli, Director General of EU Affairs for the Region of Murcia, emphasized the importance of regional engagement: “Regions have a lot to contribute to this group. As the level of government closest to the agricultural sector, we are well placed to raise local concerns and support effective solutions. We look forward to close cooperation with EPP Farmers.”
The event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views and outline the next steps for EPP Farmers with all interested participants. The EPP-CoR strongly supports this initiative, which could reinforce the role of local and regional authorities in shaping European agricultural policy.
Manfred Weber, President of the EPP, attended the event and emphasized the group’s commitment to giving farmers a strong voice within the EPP family. He affirmed that the EPP is doing its utmost to support farmers and to foster open dialogue and exchange of views. The event was also attended by several MEPs including EPP-EP AGRI coordinator Herbert Dorfmann.