The Lithuanian Young Farmers and Youth Union (LJŪJS), together with young farmers from other European countries, has signed a joint declaration to unite efforts in shaping the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) within the EU budget. This is a significant step that demonstrates the commitment of Lithuanian young farmers to mobilize on a European level, defend shared interests, and demand clear political guarantees from the European Commission.
A Clear Message to Brussels
In the declaration, young farmers express deep concern about new funding models being considered by the European Commission, which could alter the traditional structure of the CAP and weaken its effectiveness. The so-called “National and Regional Partnership Plans,” proposed as part of the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), would pose a serious threat to a unified EU agricultural policy and diminish its ability to address shared challenges.
Vytenis Grigas: “This is a historic moment where we must speak with one voice”
LJŪJS board member Vytenis Grigas emphasizes that Lithuanian young farmers have chosen not just to observe the process, but to actively engage and help shape the direction of agricultural policy alongside representatives from other countries.
“We are convinced that the CAP must remain an independent, common policy equally accessible to all EU Member States. It cannot be broken down into fragmented national plans with no clear goals, oversight, or shared vision. Young farmers in Lithuania face the same challenges as our peers in France, Germany, or Spain – farm succession, lack of investment, climate change. Therefore, the responses must also be shared and European,” said V. Grigas.
According to him, participation in the joint initiative of CEJA (the European Council of Young Farmers) is a strategic step to ensure that Lithuania’s voice is heard not only at the national level but also across Europe.
A Decisive July
On July 16, the European Commission is expected to present its proposals for the new MFF and the future CAP post-2027. According to young farmers, these proposals could determine the future of the entire agricultural sector. Therefore, a clear, transparent, and inclusive political process is essential—one that takes into account the expectations of both farmers and rural communities.
Strength in Unity
LJŪJS, together with other European young farmers’ organizations, urges EU institutions to listen to the united voice of young people in agriculture and ensure that the CAP remains strong, effective, and socially responsible. This is not only about economic support—it is about preserving agriculture as a strategic sector that contributes to environmental protection, food security, and social cohesion.
“It is no longer enough to talk about supporting farmers—we must demand clarity, legal certainty, and political commitment. Europe must invest in its youth, who will ensure the vitality of agriculture in the future. That is why we signed. That is why we act,” V. Grigas emphasizes.