The European Ombudsman has launched an investigation into emergency changes made by the European Commission earlier this year in response to pressure from farmers’ protests. The investigation was initiated at the request of ClientEarth and Birdlife, who filed a complaint against the changes in July, it was announced today.
The nature organisations have 'serious concerns' about the changes the Commission has made to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). According to the NGOs, the changes to the CAP dilute environmental protection measures and threaten the future of agriculture. They also claim that the Commission is not adhering to its own laws because no proper analysis of the consequences for the climate was made before the CAP was changed. ClientEarth writes in a statement that it is looking for starting points to establish mismanagement.
The CAP pot contains €2023 billion for the period 2027 to 386. These are subsidies for agriculture and rural development. After the major farmers' protests in various member states earlier this year, the European Commission has accommodated farmers in the CAP. This is a thorn in the side of various environmental groups.