It is important to retain a diversity of farmers Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture

Caspian Energy (CE): What are the main challenges that the EU agricultural sector is facing today because of climate change?

Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Commissioner for Agriculture: Climate change is happening and our farmers are at the frontline of its impacts. I have seen these impacts first hand, for instance when meeting farmers in Greece, Slovenia, Spain and Italy. On the one hand we have the significant challenges of drought and wildfires, which are very severe in the South of Europe. On the other hand, there has also been an excess of rain in the northern parts of Europe and frost in certain countries that damaged fruit and vegetables’ crops and vineyards. This is why we gran­ted €77 million of support from the agricultural reserve to Austria, Czechia, Poland and Portugal whose farmers were particularly affected by extreme weather events. 

So there is no question that we need to act and promote a transition to more sustainable practices to enhance far­mers’ long-term resilience. 

Our current Common Agricultural Policy is the greenest one ever. Until 2027, close to €98 billion from the CAP (representing 32% of the total spen­ding) will be devoted to delivering benefits for the climate, water, soil, air, biodiversity and animal welfare. The actions supported by this fun­ding will primarily be delivered through eco-schemes and agri-environmental schemes and will focus on the reduction of greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, as well as increasing the land-based sequestration of carbon.

Furthermore, under national CAP strategic plans, 176,608 farms across the EU are expected to receive fun­ding for climate related investments. Six Member States have assigned an investment priority to the livestock sector, aiming to mitigate emissions, minimise nutrient losses, and exploit manure nutrient content. 

In addition, the CAP includes a solid set of tools to help the farmers manage risks, which can be supplemented by national funds. Fifteen Member States have activated risk management tools in their CAP strategic plans, targeting crop production, livestock production and horticulture. For example, Hungary is introducing a mutual fund for insurance against weather risks for certain crops, while Greece is planning to introduce a CSP insurance intervention for crop failure.  

As I said, farmers are at the frontline of the fight against climate change; but with the support of the Commission and the CAP, it is a fight they can win.