MEP Galato Alexandraki (ECR) has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission urging stronger support for small, island and mountain family-run farms in the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The question, filed on 22 April 2026, targets the Commission's upcoming legislative proposals and seeks to ensure that smaller holdings, which are prevalent in Greece and other EU regions with natural constraints, are not disadvantaged by a one-size-fits-all approach.
Alexandraki highlights that Greece has around 600,000 agricultural holdings with an average size of only 7 hectares, many located on islands or in mountainous areas. She argues that current rules tend to favour larger, more organised farms, undermining the social and economic role of small family farms in rural cohesion.
The question contains three concrete asks. First, the MEP asks whether the Commission intends to include a stronger mandatory redistribution of direct payments in favour of small and medium-sized family farms, especially those in island and mountain regions. Second, she inquires about maintaining and strengthening coupled payments for sectors with permanent natural constraints and of particular importance for food security. Third, she calls for a specific simplified scheme for small farms with fewer administrative obligations and targeted flat-rate support.
Policy orientation and ambition Alexandraki's question signals a push for a more targeted and redistributive CAP post-2027, with a focus on equity and administrative simplification. The emphasis on mandatory redistribution and simplified schemes reflects a desire to shift resources from larger beneficiaries to smaller ones, while maintaining coupled support for vulnerable sectors. This aligns with the ECR group's general advocacy for subsidiarity and tailored support for specific regional needs.
Expected follow-up The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it is open to strengthening redistribution, maintaining coupled payments, and introducing a simplified scheme for small farms. The response will provide early signals on the direction of the post-2027 CAP reform, particularly regarding the balance between competitiveness and social cohesion in rural areas.
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