Hungarian agricultural leaders and EU farming organizations gathered in Brussels to protest what they see as growing threats to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which represents nearly one-third of the EU budget. According to President of Hungary’s National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) Zsolt György Papp, Ukraine’s potential EU membership could lead to a loss of up to 25 per cent in funding for existing EU farmers.
The demonstration, supported by COPA–COGECA and other European partners, was prompted by leaked plans from the European Commission suggesting the CAP budget could be folded into a larger ‘superfund’, reducing dedicated agricultural support.
‘400 billion euros are at stake,’ Papp said, highlighting that CAP funding underpins basic income support, investments, agri-tech acquisition, and sustainability across all 27 EU member states. He also warned against free trade deals like the Mercosur agreement and the influx of Ukrainian imports, both of which could undermine EU farmers’ resilience.
Farm leaders argue that existing CAP support must be protected, especially as Ukrainian agriculture—operating under less strict rules—could become the largest in the EU. ‘We must shield the EU’s agricultural support system from the consequences of Ukraine’s accession,’ Papp said, stressing the importance of preserving food security and responsible consumption.
Tuesday’s protest, described as peaceful but determined, aimed to demand a greater say in decision-making. ‘If we’re not heard, we’re ready to escalate,’ Papp noted, referencing past farmer demonstrations across Europe.
Fidesz MEP Csaba Dömötör echoed concerns, stating that the EU is dismantling CAP to reallocate funds to ideological programs such as war policy or Ukraine’s integration. He criticized the EU for failing to assess the real impact of absorbing Ukraine’s 40 million hectares of farmland and for allowing in products banned within the EU, which have depressed market prices and hit Central and Eastern European farmers hard.
‘We have to act before official proposals are released—only then do we stand a real chance of influencing the outcome’
NAK vice-president Tibor Cseh recalled that farmer pressure had previously led to EU policy shifts, but expressed doubt about current intentions, especially in light of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election, supported by Green parties. He warned of stealth legislative efforts to blend CAP funds with defence and cohesion money, which would drastically cut the share allocated to farming.
Cseh insisted that early intervention is key. ‘We have to act before official proposals are released—only then do we stand a real chance of influencing the outcome.’ He also emphasized the risk of financial collapse for Hungarian farmers if Ukrainian imports flood the market and if CAP payments are made conditional on rule-of-law benchmarks.
Farmer groups across Europe, including COPA–COGECA, have pledged solidarity. ‘We will not back down,’ said Cseh, underscoring the widespread resolve to preserve the CAP as a foundational pillar of European cooperation.
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