In a written answer on 10 July 2026, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen defended the European Commission's proposed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget for 2028-2034, arguing that Greek farmers could receive slightly more funding than under the current framework if they make full use of new flexibility tools. The reply came in response to a parliamentary question from Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE), who had warned that proposed cuts and restructuring would devastate Greek agriculture, which relies heavily on direct payments and consists mainly of small and medium-sized farms in sectors such as olive cultivation, livestock, fruit and vegetables, and mountainous and island regions.
Hansen stated that the future CAP aims to improve income support for farmers who need it most, particularly smaller and young farmers. He highlighted that a minimum of EUR 293.7 billion is ring-fenced under national and regional partnership (NRP) plans, with Member States able to complement this from an unallocated part of the NRP fund. A new 10% rural target of Member States' NRP allocation, beyond the CAP ring-fenced envelope, would strengthen support for rural areas, translating into EUR 48.7 billion, or over EUR 63.5 billion if Catalyst Europe loans are included. Member States can also access EUR 45 billion from a flexibility amount foreseen for the mid-term review. For Greece, Hansen estimated that full use of the proposed rural spending target and early use of the flexibility amount would yield approximately EUR 20 billion, slightly higher than the current EUR 19 billion.
On inflation, Hansen noted that the next MFF introduces a new method to handle inflation at the level of its ceilings, keeping annual price adjustment at 2% if EU inflation is between 1% and 3%, and matching the actual forecast rate otherwise. He also emphasised simplification: merging funds and aligning rules would allow Member States to design more consistent and synergistic tools for farmers, accompanied by simplified forms of payments for smaller farmers and investment projects, and a more proportionate approach to obligations and controls.
The answer contains concrete figures and mechanisms but remains largely declarative, outlining potential rather than guaranteed increases for Greece. It signals a policy orientation toward targeting support to smaller and young farmers, simplifying bureaucracy, and giving Member States more flexibility. The Commission's proposal is now subject to negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council, with the final MFF expected to be adopted by the end of 2027.
Greek small and medium-sized farmers could benefit from simplified procedures and targeted income support, but the actual funding level depends on national decisions and inflation trends. EU taxpayers face a slightly increased budget envelope, though the real value may erode if inflation exceeds 2%. National administrations in Greece will gain flexibility but also responsibility for designing effective NRP plans. Larger, more competitive farms in other Member States may see relative reductions as support is redirected to smaller producers.