Romania protests against cuts to agricultural budget in EU proposal

In Brussels, on July 16, 2025, farmers from various EU member countries held a significant protest against the European Commission’s proposal regarding the long-term budget for 2028-2034. Led by representatives such as Andrej Gajdoš, chairman of the Slovak Agricultural and Food Chamber, they expressed strong discontent over plans to merge agricultural funds with cohesion policy funds. Protesters argued that these changes could jeopardize food security and lead to disparities within the internal market. The European Parliament has indicated its support for farmers, pledging to advocate for the preservation of a dedicated agricultural budget. Romania's stance was particularly critical, as Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu announced dissatisfaction with the proposed reductions in the total agricultural budget in Brussels discussions aimed at evaluating the EU budget presented by the European Commission. Currently, 300 billion euros is earmarked for farmers' support, a decrease from 387 billion euros allocated previously for the Common Agricultural Policy. The Romanian government calls for substantial discussion regarding the impact of these cuts, which they believe could detrimentally affect their farming industry. Katarína Roth Nevešalová, an MEP and member of the Agricultural Committee, emphasized the need for the EU to maintain funding levels that support quality food production and food security. The agricultural sector's viability is a major concern, especially in light of ongoing negotiations with member states and the European Parliament over the budget. As the negotiations are set to last until the end of 2027, she highlights the urgency for the EU to prioritize agricultural support. Overall, the proposals have elicited fears across various countries about reduced support for farmers and potential inflation in food prices due to lowered agricultural funding. The merger of agricultural funds with other budgets signals a significant shift in the EU's approach to agricultural policy, which farmers fear could dilute the effectiveness and focus of the support they receive. As negotiations progress, stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure adequate representation for farmers' interests in the EU budget framework.