The secretary-general of UPA Aragón, José Manuel Roche, took part in the COPA-COGECA European Farmers' Congress in Stockholm, where he met with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen. During the meeting, he expressed his opposition to the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2028-2034 period, arguing that it could reduce aid and particularly harm family farms.
The organization is calling on Europe to maintain a sufficient budget to support those who make their living from farming and livestock, while preventing a significant share of the funds from being concentrated in large holdings. It is also asking for emergency aid to be retained to address droughts, extreme weather events and other exceptional situations. "We cannot accept a CAP reform that involves cuts or weakens the mechanisms that enable a fairer distribution of aid," Roche warned.
RISING COSTS PUT ARAGON'S FARMING SECTOR AT RISK
This concern is compounded by the rising cost of agricultural diesel, fertilizers and energy, which is reducing farmers' and ranchers' profits. According to UPA Aragón, the prices they receive for their products do not always cover the increase in expenses. The organization is therefore demanding measures to curb costs, guarantee fair prices and prevent unfair competition from products imported from countries that do not meet the same requirements as European producers.
Finally, UPA Aragón stressed that the future CAP must guarantee the continuity of family farms and make it easier for young people and women to join the sector. The organization believes that maintaining farming and livestock production is essential to combating depopulation and preserving jobs in Aragonese villages. "We need a Europe that supports its farmers and ranchers, guarantees our food sovereignty and understands that behind every family farm there are jobs, economic activity and life in our villages," Roche concluded.
