EU Rushes Through Controversial Farming Reform, Raising Legal and Environmental Concerns

In response to mounting pressure from protesting farmers, the European Parliament has rapidly approved a reform package aimed at simplifying farm subsidies. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) changes, passed in record time, have raised concerns about potential legal breaches and negative consequences for the EU’s climate goals.

The European Commission presented the reform plan in mid-March after only a week of public consultation and without a formal impact assessment. The Parliament approved it in just 40 days, bypassing standard debate procedures and denying lawmakers the ability to propose amendments.

Legal experts worry this circumvention of usual process could put the reforms in conflict with EU regulations, including the European Climate Law. ClientEarth, an environmental organization, is considering making a formal complaint to the EU ombudsman on the grounds of maladministration.

The reform package weakens the CAP’s environmental architecture. It offers flexibility to farmers, including exemptions from on-the-spot farm checks and making many previously mandatory green measures voluntary. Environmental groups fear that relaxing environmental standards will damage the EU’s climate efforts, stressing the interdependence of agriculture and environmental health.