Six MEPs from the Greens/EFA group have submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, demanding greater transparency on the final beneficiaries of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies and on foreign investments in European agricultural land. The question, led by David Cormand and co-signed by Cristina Guarda, Pär Holmgren, Tilly Metz, Anna Strolenberg, and Thomas Waitz, follows a journalistic investigation that revealed companies linked to the United Arab Emirates' sovereign wealth funds and ruling family received tens of millions of euros in CAP subsidies through large agricultural holdings in several EU member states.
The question, submitted on 26 May 2026 under Rule 144 of Parliament's rules of procedure, asks the Commission three specific points: whether it plans to make it mandatory to identify the final beneficiaries of farms receiving CAP subsidies, including when held through subsidiaries or transnational arrangements; whether the future European Land Observatory will monitor foreign investments in large-scale purchases of agricultural land; and whether current CAP rules effectively prevent land concentration and subsidy capture by very large farms or financial actors.
Policy direction and ambition The MEPs' question signals a push for stronger transparency and oversight in CAP spending, targeting the ability of foreign entities and large financial actors to benefit from EU agricultural subsidies without public scrutiny. The investigation cited suggests that current rules allow opaque ownership structures to obscure the ultimate recipients of taxpayer-funded aid, raising concerns about land concentration and the strategic implications of foreign ownership of agricultural assets. The question implicitly advocates for stricter disclosure requirements and a broader mandate for the Land Observatory, which the Commission has launched as a pilot project.
Expected follow-up The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, as is standard for written questions. Its response will indicate whether it is open to tightening transparency rules, expanding the Land Observatory's scope, or revising CAP provisions to curb land concentration and subsidy capture by large or foreign-owned entities. The answer will be closely watched by civil society groups and stakeholders concerned about the integrity of EU agricultural spending and the protection of Europe's farmland from foreign control.
Stakeholder impacts If the Commission acts on the MEPs' requests, the most directly affected stakeholders would be large agricultural holdings and financial investors, including sovereign wealth funds, which could face new reporting obligations and potential restrictions on subsidy access. EU farmers and cooperatives might benefit from reduced competition for subsidies and a more level playing field. National authorities would need to implement enhanced transparency measures, potentially increasing administrative burdens. EU taxpayers and civil society would gain greater insight into how CAP funds are distributed, improving accountability. Conversely, stricter rules could deter foreign investment in EU agriculture, potentially reducing capital inflows and affecting land values.
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