Farmers protesting in the EU have won concessions from the European Commission

The European Commission officially extended an exemption from the rules on leaving some agricultural land fallow, which had been the cause of protests by farmers across the EU. The European Commission announced its decision on its official website.

These rules were first abolished in 2023 in response to market disruptions caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the decision, these rules will remain partially suspended this year.

Instead of keeping 4% of arable land unproductive, farmers will be allowed to use it to grow “nitrogen-fixing crops,” such as lentils, peas, or “intercrops,” grown between regular harvests, and remain eligible for EU subsidies.

Heeding the calls of several EU members, the European Commission agreed to grant a new, partial exception to the rule in the midst of farmers’ protests.

The modified rule “imposes fewer restrictions on how they (farmers – Ed.) can use arable land and reduces income losses while providing certain environmental benefits,” the Commission said.

Initially, the Commission proposed that seven percent of the land should be set aside for nitrogen-fixing crops, but this figure was later revised to four percent.

The fallow land rule was introduced as part of the EU’s common agricultural policy aimed at supporting biodiversity.

The list of farmers’ complaints is long, but it mostly boils down to the fact that they feel they can no longer make a living working the land.