INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Marshal Piotr Całbecki, acting in his capacity as Chair of one of the substantive commissions of the European Committee of the Regions (NAT Commission), led an important debate in Brussels today on the future of the European Common Agricultural Policy and the financing of rural development after 2027.

Participants included Poland’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Stefan Krajewski, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Committee of the Regions, and delegates from organizations representing agricultural producers across the continent. They agreed that the financial weight of the Common Agricultural Policy should be maintained and expressed concern over the European Commission’s proposal to shift key decision-making powers in this field to the national level.

“The first common European policy was the Common Agricultural Policy, which in 1953 transformed a Europe on the brink of famine into an exporter of high-quality and, above all, accessible food. It was a remarkable and successful project. As heirs to this policy, we must strongly advocate for agriculture, food production, and rural development to continue playing a significant role in the European Union. Food is an element of our security, and when thinking about security, we must not overlook this dimension. I hope that the conclusions of this debate, as well as the opinions currently being prepared by the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions regarding the Common Agricultural Policy for the 2028 – 2034 perspective, will influence the European Commission and the final decisions to be taken by the European Council,” Marshal Całbecki concluded at the end of the debate (formally referred to in EU terminology as a high-level dialogue).

The concerns stem from the European Commission’s proposed changes to the financing and governance of one of the EU’s most important policies. These proposals have raised alarm not only among agricultural communities but also among policymakers, including members of key Brussels institutions. The plans include shifting greater responsibility to the national level and replacing the currently dedicated funding envelope with a joint budget package – the proposed National and Regional Partnership Fund – which would merge, among others, the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion policy. Critics describe this approach as a “renationalization” of EU agricultural policy and warn of potential cuts to agriculture and rural development funding.

During today’s discussion, participants put forward compelling arguments: that agricultural policy requires a genuinely common European approach rather than competition among Member States and regions; that the existing EU financing model has proven effective, with direct payments supporting farm investment and modernization; that a new model could have negative economic, social, and environmental consequences; and that the proposed rules may further accelerate depopulation in rural areas.

“I hope we will succeed in protecting and preserving the dignity of rural communities and the quality of life in the countryside,” said Italian Member of the European Parliament Cristina Guarda.

“Agriculture is not the problem – it is the solution,” stated German MEP and Chair of the European Food Forum, Stefan Köhler.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office
March 3, 2026