Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002884/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Beatrice Timgren (ECR), Charlie Weimers (ECR), Dick Erixon (ECR)
At the moment, Swedish dairy farmers are not eligible for EU agricultural aid for their grazing cows. This is because support for animal welfare payments cannot be paid for something that is a national law or practice. The unfortunate consequence of this is that Swedish farmers are placed at a disadvantage in comparison with other farmers in the Union owing to the stricter rules on animal welfare.
The Commission is now suggesting a change to the rules governing animal welfare payments[1]. The legal requirements under the new rules will no longer exclude farmers who comply with the level of animal welfare required under EU legislation.
In view of the above:
- 1.Can Swedish farmers expect a future CAP under which they can both maintain their high level of animal welfare and receive animal welfare payments?
- 2.How does the Commission intend to ensure that Member States with stricter rules on animal welfare do not remain at a competitive disadvantage within the internal market when the CAP is implemented?
- 3.What is behind the Commission’s U-turn on stepping up animal welfare payments?
Submitted: 15.7.2025
- [1] See recital 25 and pp. 37-38 of COM(2025)0236, https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/circabc-ewpp/d/d/workspace/SpacesStore/b595fc96-2988-44fb-86a5-4383cb070119/file.bin.