EU Reaches Deal to Ease Green Rules in Farming Subsidy Reform

The European Commission (EC) and member states of the European Union (EU) have reached a provisional agreement to overhaul the bloc’s large-scale farming subsidy scheme, easing environment-focused requirements as part of efforts to reduce regulatory burden on the agricultural sector. Under the deal, smaller farms will be exempt from certain baseline “green” conditions tied to subsidy payments, and the amount recipients may receive will be increased. The EC estimates the reform could save farmers up to EUR 1.6 billion annually, while annual on-site inspections may be reduced to one per farm. The changes form part of a wider simplification package aimed at lowering red-tape and boosting competitiveness in the European agricultural sector. The agreement now awaits formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.