Europe’s future food security depends on a strong and fair post-2027 CAP

Ahead of the AGRIFISH Council, the Party of European Socialists (PES) hosted a meeting to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), unfair trade practices, and the EU's strategic priorities within the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for 2026-2027.

The meeting, chaired by Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, focused on ensuring that the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) delivers a Common Agricultural Policy that protects food security, strengthens farmers' incomes, and guarantees sustainability across the Union.

Participants agreed that the European Commission's proposal provides a starting point for discussion. However, participants stressed that the proposal must strengthen agricultural and cohesion policies. A modern CAP must ensure food affordability, fair remuneration for farmers, proper support for small and medium-sized farms, and guarantee a level playing field, especially in the context of international trade agreements.

Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain and Chair of the meeting, said:

"The Commission proposal on the CAP post-2027 serve as a basis to start our discussion. But it is our responsibility to make sure that the MFF post-2027 delivers on food security and affordability, ensures farmers can enjoy a fair wage and a decent living, while at the same time given farmers the tools to embrace sustainable ways of farming. Simplification in the MFF cannot lead to fragmentation, nor weaken agricultural or cohesion policies. The revised CAP must put farmers first, ensure a fairer allocation of income support that prioritises small and medium sized farms and young and new farmers. Further, it is important to ensure rules-based trade that allows fair prices throughout the value chain.''

Dario Nardella MEP, PD Italy

Participants also exchanged views on the Commission's evaluation of the Unfair Trade Practices Directive. They underlined that imbalances in bargaining power within the agri-food supply chain persist and that stronger cross-border cooperation is essential to tackle large-scale unfair practices.

The meeting also addressed the EU's strategic priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for 2026-2027. Participants agreed that strengthening global food security, enhancing sustainability of natural resources and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development must guide the EU's engagement. Participants emphasised the need to foster innovation in sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems, reinforce climate adaptation, build resilient supply chains that support farmers' incomes, and create synergies in a complex multilateral environment.