Minister Joan Simonet sends a letter to the European Commissioners for Agriculture and Fisheries, warning of the negative impact: “The viability of our primary sector and the future of our farmers and fishers is at risk.”
The Government of the Balearic Islands has formally conveyed to the European Commission its “deep concern” regarding the proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, which entails a significant reduction in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and a restructuring of European support for the primary sector.
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Balearic Government Expresses “Deep Concern” Over European Commission Proposal Cutting Common Agricultural Policy Budget and Weakening Support for the Primary Sector
Joan Simonet, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Natural Environment, sent letters to European Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen and European Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis highlighting the potentially severe negative effects on the Balearic primary sector, already challenged by insularity, structural limitations, and the impacts of climate change.
Severe Budget Cuts to the CAP
According to the Commission’s proposal, the CAP budget would be reduced from €386 billion to €300 billion. This cut, combined with the elimination of the second pillar for rural development and the concentration of funds into a single financial instrument, directly threatens the viability of agricultural holdings.
“This budget reduction not only represents a significant economic setback, but also undermines the very essence of the CAP as a common, strategic, and cohesive policy of the European Union,” Simonet stated.
For the Balearic Islands, CAP funds currently provide around €47 million annually, which is essential to ensuring the viability of agricultural and fishing operations:
“A reduction of this magnitude could translate into a loss of around €15 million per year. The future of thousands of farming and fishing families in the Balearic Islands is at stake. Our agri-food and fishing sector not only guarantees food security, but also contributes to preserving the landscape, biodiversity, and cultural identity of our land. A strong and cohesive European Union requires a fair and adequately funded CAP.”
Concerns About Fisheries Fund Restructuring
Simonet also expressed concern over the proposal to merge the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) into a broader fund:
“This decision diminishes the strategic importance of fisheries —one of the few truly common policies of the European Union— and the removal of the term from the new fund’s name sends a discouraging signal to the fishing sector.”
Although the Commission claims that the new framework will improve coherence and simplify procedures, Simonet warns:
“This will ultimately dilute the EMFAF’s ability to address the specific needs of the fishing sector, which will have to compete for scarce financial resources against a broad range of initiatives linked to the blue economy, such as marine and ocean energy, biotechnology, or desalination.”
Additionally, the Government highlights a sharp reduction in fisheries funding, with the proposed budget set at only €2 billion, far below the €6.1 billion allocated to the EMFAF for 2021–2027.
“In island territories, where the blue economy and artisanal fishing remain fundamental pillars, unequal competition with goods and services from the mainland jeopardises the survival of the sector and the implementation of more resilient, sustainable, and locally adapted fisheries policies. It is therefore essential that the new fisheries fund include specific provisions for islands and archipelagos of Europe, taking into account the inherent challenges of insularity,” Simonet stressed.
Call for Institutional Unity and Dialogue
Minister Simonet reaffirmed the Balearic Government’s commitment to the primary sector and called for unity among Spain’s autonomous communities and the national government to defend, in Brussels, a fair, well-funded CAP sensitive to territorial diversity.
Simonet has also formally approached the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, urging him to “consider convening a meeting” to carry out a thorough and coordinated analysis among all autonomous communities to evaluate the impacts of the reform and to establish a common position in defense of the sector’s interests.
“The Balearic Government is ready to actively cooperate with European institutions to prevent these fundamental policies from being weakened. We will continue to firmly defend our primary sector,” Simonet concluded.