European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu has called for stronger European support for agriculture and a more robust Common Agricultural Policy, arguing that the sector remains a key pillar of the European Union’s economic resilience, food security and long-term competitiveness.
Speaking in the context of the European debates on trade and agricultural policy, the Romanian MEP stressed that the EU must ensure fair conditions for farmers while strengthening the strategic role of agriculture in the European economy. “Agriculture is not only an economic sector; it is a strategic component of Europe’s stability, food security, and territorial cohesion. Protecting farmers and maintaining high standards must remain central to the European project,” Negrescu said.
At the same time, Victor Negrescu emphasized that agriculture must remain a priority in European policies, especially in the context of negotiations regarding the future budget of the European Union. The MEP is the rapporteur on behalf of the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets for the Common Agricultural Policy post-2028, being directly involved in negotiations on the budgetary dimension of the future CAP. In this capacity, he supports stronger funding for European agriculture, real convergence of subsidies between Member States, and additional support for farmers.
According to Negrescu, maintaining high European standards for food safety and product quality represents a competitive advantage for the EU in global markets. “We must preserve our standards on consumer protection, quality, and public health. These common rules define the European Union and strengthen our global competitiveness,” he underlined.
The Vice-President of the European Parliament also highlighted the need for stronger investment in agricultural value chains, innovation, and rural development to ensure that European agriculture remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
He stressed that European agricultural policy must combine market openness with effective safeguards for farmers, ensuring that European producers are not exposed to unfair competition from products produced under significantly lower standards. “Europe can remain competitive globally without sacrificing its agriculture, environmental standards or social cohesion. A strong Common Agricultural Policy, fair competition and continued investment in rural areas are essential for the future of the European economy,” Victor Negrescu concluded.
