Farmers and the Common Agricultural Policy

How France became the largest beneficiary of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, why French farmers are politically powerful, and the 2024 farmer protests.

France is Europe’s largest agricultural producer.

CAP

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), begun in 1962, is one of the EU’s biggest spending programmes.
France receives the largest share of CAP funds.

How CAP works

Originally price support that created surpluses (“butter mountains” and “wine lakes”).
Now mostly direct payments based on land and environmental conditions.

Farmer power

French farmers are politically influential and often protest with tractors.
France has defended CAP and resisted trade deals that expose farmers to competition.

2024 protests

In early 2024, farmers blocked roads around Paris over costs, regulations, cheap imports and green rules.
The government made concessions on diesel tax and rules.

Mercosur

France opposed the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing competition from South American beef.

Comparison with India

Indian farmers are also politically powerful, as the 2020-21 protests against farm laws showed.

The tractor blockade

In January 2024, farmers parked tractors across motorways into Paris, demanding lower costs and less red tape.

Thinking rich countries don't subsidise farmers

The EU's CAP is one of its biggest programmes.

Key takeaways

France is Europe's largest farm producer.
It receives the largest share of CAP funds.
Farmers are politically powerful.
Protests in 2024 won concessions.