EPP Agriculture Ministers, chaired by Sari ESSAYAH, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, met today in Brussels ahead of the forthcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) to set a clear and united political course for Europe’s farmers in view of decisive negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Ministers welcomed the participation of EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe HANSEN and EPP Vice-President Mairead McGUINNESS to the meeting. Ministers reaffirmed the EPP as the leading force defending a strong, well-funded and future-oriented CAP. They committed to driving a far-reaching simplification agenda, pushing back against unworkable administrative burdens, and ensuring that competitiveness and food security remain central to EU decision-making. They underscored that European agriculture and the CAP are indispensable for food security, economic resilience and vibrant rural communities. Ministers stressed the need for adequate resources in the next MFF to safeguard farm viability, ensure fair and stable incomes and support rural investment and generational renewal, making clear that farmers cannot be expected to deliver more with less and that any requirements must be matched with appropriate resources. Meaningful simplification will be essential to reducing administrative burden, improving delivery mechanisms and allowing farmers to focus on production rather than bureaucracy. Ministers welcomed the proposed measures on innovation and simplification and emphasised the importance of digital tools, research, smart farming technologies and improved delivery systems in strengthening resilience, competitiveness and sustainable production. The Ministers acknowledged the newly published Environmental Omnibus and made initial remarks agreeing on the importance for simplification for farmers. They also expressed their contentment with the negotiated result of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and highlighted that the EPP is the only group offering practical and credible solutions to the challenges facing Europe’s farmers. They pointed to concrete achievements such as CAP simplification, the wine package, progress on new genomic techniques and forestry files, and strengthened Mercosur safeguard measures.