iGrow News AgriBusiness WeMove Europe Pushes for Urgent Reform of EU Farming Subsidies
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WeMove Europe Pushes for Urgent Reform of EU Farming Subsidies

A series of Magritte-inspired Surrealist artwork appeared outside the European Parliament – confronting policymakers with a visual warning about the future of farming in Europe, and a call to align the EU’s €386 billion farm subsidy system with the Green Deal. WeMove Europe, the independent campaign group made up of more than 750,000 people across Europe behind the stunt, have called for urgent CAP reform — demanding fairer subsidies, stronger market regulation, and greater support for sustainable, small-and medium-sized farms. The action is backed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental organisations and over 100,000 citizens across Europe. They argue the current subsidy system rewards intensive agriculture at the expense of small and sustainable farms. Share The action is backed by a coalition of farmer groups, environmental organisations and over 100,000 citizens across Europe. They argue the current subsidy system rewards intensive agriculture at the expense of small and sustainable farms. More than five million farms have disappeared across the EU since 2005, while 80% of CAP funds go to just 20% of recipients. Polling released earlier this year shows up to 70% of farmers in Spain, Italy and Poland feel forgotten by policymakers — despite most expressing pride in their work and support for environmental action. Morgan Ody, a vegetable producer from Bretagne, France, and member of European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), says: “Alongside ensuring fair prices, a strong CAP budget is essential to tackle the challenges farmers face today. But that public money must be used to keep rural areas alive by regulating markets and supporting the transition to agroecology and more sustainable food systems – not to fuel the industrialisation of farming or line shareholders’ pockets.” Styled in homage to Magritte’s famous ‘Treachery of Images’, the artworks unveiled carry captions such as “Ceci n’est pas une pomme” and “Ceci n’est pas une ferme”. Their message: Europe’s farm policy no longer feeds people — it feeds corporate consolidation. The full collection is viewable at www.notfarming.com. The aim is to challenge outdated “postcard” perceptions of farming — and spark honest discussion among policymakers about who the current system really serves. In many European areas, one in three farms has ceased operations, while subsidised overproduction drives prices so low that some farmers earn less than it costs them to produce. In France and Spain, for example, milk is often sold below production cost — a market failure propped up by the CAP. Giulio Carini, communications manager at WeMove Europe says: “Our farming system is rigged. Small farmers are being pushed off the land while agribusiness giants cash in on public money. Discussions about the future of the CAP need to address what we are paying for, not just how much money is allocated to it. We need to support farmers and reward them for protecting our nature and climate, on which they rely. We’re calling on people across Europe to stand up for fair prices, healthy food, and a future where small sustainable farmers and nature can thrive. This is our moment to demand our EU leaders fix this broken system.” In full, the coalition is calling for: Fair prices for farmers that reflect the full cost of sustainable food production Stronger market regulation, including supply management and minimum price guarantees Greater support for small and medium-sized farms over industrial agribusiness A just transition to agroecology to protect soil health, climate, biodiversity, and food sovereignty Access to healthy, sustainable food for all, ensuring that good food is affordable and available, and that people can make real choices about what they eat, without hidden environmental or health costs. These reforms are essential not only for securing farmers’ futures, but also for delivering on the EU Green Deal — ensuring that Europe’s food system supports climate, nature and communities alike.
Sinister Portrayal Of Industrial Agriculture appears outside European Parliament as WeMove Europe calls for reforms to EU Farming policies in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty Images for WeMove Europe)

Key Takeaways

  • A WeMove Europe art campaign outside the European Parliament called for reform of the EU’s €386 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
  • The campaign was supported by over 100,000 citizens, farmer groups, and environmental organizations across Europe.
  • Advocates argue the current system disproportionately benefits large-scale agribusiness over sustainable small- and medium-sized farms.
  • The coalition is urging alignment of the CAP with EU Green Deal goals.
  • The action included Magritte-style artwork to spark public and political reflection.

WeMove Europe Uses Surrealism to Spotlight CAP Inequities

In a high-profile public campaign, WeMove Europe, an independent activist network of over 750,000 members, staged a series of surrealist art installations outside the European Parliament. Styled after René Magritte’s “Treachery of Images,” the visuals featured slogans like “Ceci n’est pas une ferme” (“This is not a farm”) to question who the EU’s farming policies truly serve.

The campaign serves as a visual prompt to lawmakers to reassess the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the bloc’s largest budget item. According to the organizers, the current subsidy model encourages industrial-scale farming and marginalizes small, environmentally responsible producers.

Farmers, Citizens, and Environmental Groups Call for Change

Backed by a coalition of farmer unions, environmental NGOs, and over 100,000 citizens, WeMove Europe is pushing for CAP reforms that prioritize fairness and sustainability. Among their primary concerns is the concentration of subsidies: 80% of CAP funds go to just 20% of recipients, while five million farms have closed across the EU since 2005.

“Small farmers are being pushed off the land while agribusiness giants cash in on public money,” said Giulio Carini, communications manager at WeMove Europe. “We need to support farmers and reward them for protecting our nature and climate.”

Morgan Ody, a vegetable grower and member of European Coordination Via Campesina, added: “Public money must be used to keep rural areas alive by regulating markets and supporting the transition to agroecology — not to fuel the industrialisation of farming.”

WeMove Europe Policy Demands and Connection to the Green Deal

The coalition’s recommendations include:

  • Fair pricing that covers the real cost of sustainable production
  • Market regulation such as supply management and price floors
  • Support for small and medium-sized farms
  • A shift to agroecology to protect ecosystems and climate
  • Accessible, healthy food for all EU citizens

The group maintains that these proposals are essential to making the CAP consistent with the EU Green Deal, which aims to promote climate action, biodiversity, and social inclusion across sectors.

Broader Context: Economic Pressure on Farmers

CAP critics argue that subsidized overproduction is contributing to market imbalances. In some countries, such as France and Spain, dairy farmers are selling milk below production costs, a situation the coalition links to CAP’s existing structure.

With public polling showing that a majority of farmers in countries like Spain, Italy, and Poland feel abandoned by EU policymakers, WeMove Europe is using both data and public art to amplify calls for policy reform.

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