Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI), an independent member of the European Parliament, has tabled a series of amendments to the proposed regulation establishing the European Fund for Economic, Social, and Territorial Cohesion, agriculture and rural development, fisheries and maritime affairs, and prosperity and security for the period 2028–2034.

The amendments aim to strengthen support for European farmers and reduce the administrative burden that affects the competitiveness of European agriculture.

Among the most important proposed changes are the recognition of the concept of “food sovereignty” alongside the objective of food security, as well as the extension of eligibility for support to farmers engaged in a minimum level of productive agricultural activity, without excluding farmers with complementary activities or part-time farmers.

Furthermore, the amendments provide Member States with greater flexibility in defining the criteria for identifying beneficiaries of agricultural support, taking into account national specificities and on-the-ground realities.Another key element is the removal of the application of the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) principle to Common Agricultural Policy interventions.

The amendments submitted argue that agriculture is already subject to a significant number of environmental obligations, and the introduction of new conditions risks generating additional costs and uncertainty for farmers.At the same time, Luis Lazarus proposes using existing control systems to verify compliance with CAP requirements, thereby avoiding the duplication of administrative procedures and reducing the bureaucratic burden on farms.

The amendments also aim to introduce a much more proportionate system of sanctions, based on the principle of fault and the severity of the violation, so that farmers are not penalized excessively for minor or unintentional errors.

Non-attached Member of the European Parliament Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI) argues in his amendments that European agriculture needs stability, predictability, and rules that can be applied in practice. Farmers must be supported, not burdened with new administrative obligations. Europe needs a competitive agricultural sector capable of ensuring food security and sovereignty for its citizens.

The legislative process is not yet complete. The deadline for submitting amendments is June 16, and the MEP intends to continue analyzing the legislative proposal and to promote new amendments that address the concerns expressed by farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and representative organizations in the sector.

In this context, special attention will be given to issues essential to the future of European agriculture, such as simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy, reducing excessive cross-compliance requirements, protecting farmers’ incomes, granting flexibility to Member States in implementing agricultural measures, and maintaining the competitiveness of European farms in an increasingly challenging economic and geopolitical context.

Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus (NI) thus reaffirms his commitment to supporting Romanian and European farmers and to contributing to the development of an agricultural policy that responds to on-the-ground realities and the actual needs of the agricultural sector.

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