Around 500 representatives from European agricultural federations and unions gathered in Brussels on Wednesday, calling for the preservation of a “strong” budget and a “solidarity-based” Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The mobilisation coincided with the European Commission’s scheduled presentation of its multiannual financial framework proposal for 2028-2034, highlighting farmers’ concerns over potential funding cuts.
Belgian organisations, including the Fédération Wallonne de l’Agriculture (FWA), Fédération Unifiée de Groupements d’Éleveurs et d’Agriculteurs (Fugea), Fédération des Jeunes Agriculteurs (FJA), Boerenbond, and Algemeen Boerensyndicaat (ABS), joined counterparts from Poland, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Serbia in this European protest.
The demonstration began at 14:00 at Luxembourg Square, in front of the European Parliament, and proceeded to the European Commission headquarters. Protesters left dozens of pairs of boots at the building’s entrance before making speeches.
Philippe Duvivier, president of the FWA, criticised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s “budgetary tinkering” and urged for “solidarity among states to secure future generations.” He stated, “We cannot secure this future without a strong, solidarity-based, and common budget for agriculture.”
This protest arose amid fears that the CAP may be renationalised and its budget reduced. Agricultural organisations worry that the CAP, historically one of the EU’s foundational common policies, might lose its dedicated funding.
The European Commission is expected to unveil its proposals today for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework. According to Fugea and the European Coordination Via Campesina, the Commission might propose a 20% reduction in the CAP budget and its integration into a single national-managed fund.
