Spending €387 Billion and Losing 3 Million Farms: Europe's Flawed Agricultural Policy (xataka.com)

• EU lost 3 million farms (25%) since 2013 despite €387 billion CAP spending.
• 80% of CAP payments go to 20% of beneficiaries (large landowners).
• Spain: 180,000 farms lost in 15 years; mega-farms up 6%.
• Netherlands: top 1% gets 40% of CAP funds; nitrogen crisis ensued.
• CAP ends 2027; reform debate starts.

"The EU has lost three million farms (25%) since 2013 while spending €387 billion on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Most funds go to the largest landowners: 20% of beneficiaries receive 80% of payments. In Spain, farm losses accelerate (12.4% in 2020–2023) as mega-farms grow. The Netherlands, a CAP poster child, gives 40% of funds to the top 1% of recipients, triggering a nitrogen pollution crisis. The CAP expires in 2027, and the reform debate is urgent."