Lorraine Williamson
Farmers across Spain are sounding the alarm after the European Commission unveiled a proposed long-term budget that would sharply reduce agricultural subsidies in favour of ramping up defence spending.
The revised financial framework for 2028–2034 would see Spain’s funding from Brussels drop by 20%, dealing a major blow to rural economies and regional cohesion.
Under the new proposal, Spain would receive €88.1 billion from the EU budget starting in 2027—down from the €100 billion allocated in the previous cycle. Of that, just under €80 billion is earmarked for agriculture, fisheries, and regional development, with the rest diverted to priorities such as migration, security, and climate policy. It’s a move that has drawn fierce criticism from within Spain’s government and farming sector.
Defence over development?
The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, didn’t mince words, branding the draft budget “disappointing” and “insufficient.” He warned the shift threatens to gut the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), one of the EU’s oldest frameworks, and risks abandoning the rural development objectives set out in the Treaty of Rome. Planas also highlighted that at least 20 EU member states have expressed concerns over protecting CAP funding.
“We are not talking about abstract figures—we’re talking about the survival of rural communities,” he said.
Rural Spain could be left behind
Fernando Sampedro, State Secretary for European Affairs, echoed the concerns, warning the budget changes could deepen inequality between Europe’s regions. In Spain, the fear is that poorer and less populated areas, particularly in the interior, will be left behind as defence spending takes centre stage.
The proposed cuts come at a time when many farmers are already struggling with rising costs, extreme weather, and increasing regulatory pressure. Losing a fifth of EU agricultural funding could tip many over the edge.
Exporters and unions unite in criticism
The Spanish Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters (Fepex) has also condemned the plan, arguing that rolling agriculture into a wider catch-all funding pool will dilute its impact. Fepex warned that merging agricultural funding with other priorities threatens the EU’s long-term goals on food security and internal market cohesion.
Meanwhile, Spain’s major trade union, CCOO, has issued a stark statement calling the proposal “unacceptable” and a dangerous deviation from Europe’s founding principles. The union criticised what it calls a “guns over butter” approach, referencing the classic economic trade-off between military and civilian spending. It has urged Brussels to reinstate a standalone, ring-fenced agricultural budget that supports long-term employment in the agri-food sector.
More than money at stake
For many in Spain, this is not just about euros and cents—it’s about the direction of the European project. Farmers, exporters, and policymakers fear that prioritising militarisation over sustainability and rural welfare could irreversibly alter the character of the EU.
As debate heats up across the continent, Spain is positioning itself to push back hard. “We will not remain silent,” said Planas. “We will defend our farmers and our rural future.”
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What’s at risk for Spain
If the European Commission’s proposal moves forward without significant revisions, Spain could face not only a funding crisis but also a broader social and territorial rupture. With rural depopulation already a pressing issue, slashing CAP support could accelerate the decline of agricultural regions and widen the urban-rural divide.
Spain’s stance is likely to become a key battleground in the coming months as EU member states negotiate the final shape of the 2028–2034 budget—and determine whether food, community, and cohesion remain European priorities.
Source: infobae.com