A large group of Cypriot farmers recently gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia to express strong disapproval of proposed changes to the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a new free trade agreement with Mercosur. This demonstration, which is part of a wider European movement, highlights serious concerns about the long-term viability and economic sustainability of farming within the EU.
Farmers, representing several major agricultural organisations, marched from designated meeting points to the presidential residence. Their primary intention was to present official documents and letters to the European Commission and Parliament. These documents clearly articulated their grievances and called for urgent government intervention to address their pressing issues.
Key demands included increased state subsidies and the implementation of practical measures to tackle the numerous challenges currently facing the agricultural sector. A particularly strong appeal was made to President Nikos Christodoulides, urging him to actively oppose the CAP revisions during upcoming EU financial plan discussions. Without such opposition, the future of Cypriot agriculture and its food security could be jeopardized.
The protest underscores a widening gap between agricultural producers and EU policymakers, who farmers believe are enacting policies that place “unprecedented pressure on the primary sector.” Reductions to the CAP budget and the potential impact of the Mercosur trade deal are seen as direct threats that could ultimately lead to the “wiping out of the peasantry.”
Ministry of Agriculture officials have acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction among farmers. The permanent secretary, Andreas Gregoriou, noted that EU agriculture ministers have already found the European Commission's current proposals unsatisfactory. Furthermore, Cyprus has pledged to actively advocate for improvements to these proposals during its upcoming presidency of the EU Council. This presidency offers a critical opportunity for Cyprus to champion a more robust CAP, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure farmers' practical needs are better incorporated into policy.
Agricultural union leaders emphasized the vital need for state support and expert guidance to navigate these complex issues effectively. One union leader warned that if the President fails to oppose the CAP changes, "Cyprus is finished both environmentally and economically," highlighting the perceived gravity of the situation.
These protests are part of a coordinated, continent-wide mobilization, with significant demonstrations also occurring in Brussels. The farmers' collective action signals a determined effort to influence policy decisions that will shape the future of European agriculture, especially in the crucial period after 2027. The outcomes of these debates and Cyprus's role during its EU Council presidency will be decisive for the sector's trajectory.