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The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, described the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a key tool for maintaining agricultural income, supporting small and medium-sized farms, and enhancing the resilience of European agriculture during his interventions at the Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries of the European Union (AGRIFISH).
At the same time, the Greek minister welcomed the Commission’s effort to direct resources towards professional farmers, noting that this targeting enhances the effectiveness of the CAP.
He reminded, however, that small family farms, which are the norm in our country, are protected anyway by the existing framework.
He also emphasized that the amounts saved through declining support and the ceiling must remain within the CAP and be directed to priority areas, such as:
– Areas with natural constraints.
– Crops critical for food security.
– Young farmers and generational renewal.
– Risk management tools.
At the same time, he stressed that the abolition of redistributive support makes real simplification in the new architecture of the CAP imperative. “For us, it is clear that the level of direct payments will at least remain stable, that sufficient and committed resources for rural development and investments will be secured, and that critical infrastructures, such as irrigation and land improvement projects, will continue to be funded under the CAP,” he notably mentioned.
At the same time, the Minister of Rural Development and Food expressed his concern about the reduction in funding, noting that such a development carries the risk of marginalizing rural development. “Greece believes that the CAP, after 2027, must remain a truly common, strong, and fair policy capable of guaranteeing food security, supporting farmers’ income, keeping rural areas alive, and fulfilling the promise that no farmer and no region will be left behind,” he added.
At the same time, Mr. Tsiaras noted that the EU needs a trade policy that combines ambition with realism and protects European interests. He placed particular emphasis on three points regarding the protection of Geographical Indications in all negotiations.
Regarding the revision of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Minister of Rural Development and Food supported the statement of seven member states and called for the rapid initiation of its revision for a more modern and sustainable policy that meets the needs of coastal communities. (18/11/25)