The European Parliament Approves a Reform to Simplify the CAP and Increase Aid to Small Farmers

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been a fundamental pillar of the European Union since its inception in 1962. Its initial goal was to increase agricultural productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural population, stabilize markets, secure the availability of supplies, and ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices. Over the years, the CAP has evolved to meet new challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and the need to preserve biodiversity. The reform approved by the European Parliament is part of this continuous adaptation process. Traditionally, the CAP has been criticized for favoring large agricultural holdings at the expense of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (SMEs), due to a system of aid based on the amount of cultivated land. This imbalance has led to a concentration of land ownership and difficulties for small farmers, who...