During an exchange of views with the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), Piotr Całbecki, Chair of the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) Commission for Natural Resources (NAT), underlined the urgent need for a more just, inclusive, and regionally responsive Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027.
Całbecki, who also serves as President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region in Poland, stated that the ongoing agricultural crisis requires addressing the deep-rooted inequalities within the current agricultural economic model. He welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to better target public support towards those who need it most — with particular attention to farmers in areas facing natural constraints, young and new farmers, and mixed farms. “Farmers’ incomes must be fair,” Całbecki said. “We need to ensure that those working in farming and the wider agri-food sector can earn decent wages and salaries. A guaranteed basic income for farmers, regardless of the size of land they manage, is essential. At the same time, this must be accompanied by fair and stable prices, sound rules for international competition, and better working conditions across the value chain.”
He also underlined the need for increased and better-targeted support to help farmers transition to sustainable agriculture and adapt to climate change: “Our farmers must be supported adequately in the green transition. However, the CAP budget currently earmarked for agri-environmental measures will not be sufficient. Additional resources must complement the greening budget to ensure success.” Całbecki called for a decisive shift away from blanket support measures and towards incentives that reward sustainability and inclusivity. In his view, achieving economic viability in farming is key to reversing the strong decline in the farming population.
Turning to governance, Całbecki reaffirmed the CoR's position that European regions must play a central role in the design, delivery, and monitoring of agricultural and rural development policy: “There must be stronger focus on the regional dimension of the CAP. Regional authorities need to have a real say in how policy is shaped and implemented. So far, their role has too often been overlooked. We regret that the Commission’s long-term vision for rural areas does not mention the essential contribution of regional managing authorities. Direct lines of communication between the EU institutions and regional authorities must be established — and we invite MEPs to support this.”
Referring to the CoR study on the regional dimension of the CAP, Całbecki stressed that the new CAP delivery model has increased the administrative burden on regional authorities. It lacks flexibility to adapt Strategic Plans to territorial needs and it has led to delays in implementation. “These issues must be urgently addressed. Moreover, the CAP Network should directly involve the regions in monitoring and evaluating the national strategic plans,” he added.
Beyond agriculture, Całbecki stressed the vital importance of rural development: “Rural areas cannot be reduced to an annex of agricultural policy. They require access to quality public services and infrastructure. If we fail to offer good living conditions, attracting young farmers will be impossible.”
In his concluding remarks, Całbecki reminded the Committee: “Farmers live on the land, and this is something we take very seriously. We must have the courage to break with the current agricultural status quo — one that devalues the essential work of our farmers, contributes to rural depopulation, and fuels the geography of discontent. Regions stand ready to contribute to a strong future agri-food policy that delivers fair incomes, sustainable farming, and vibrant rural territories.”