EU direct payments

The direct payments provided by the EU are part of the income support for farmers funded from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The objectives and implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) are regularly updated and reformed to ensure that the effectiveness of the agricultural support paid by the taxpayers would meet the objectives set on the basis of consumer, environmental and other needs.

Direct payments for the period 2023-2027 include basic income payment, redistribution income support, income support for young farmers, eco-scheme support and coupled income support (certain animal and special crop payments). Payment amounts are based on the area of land or the number of animals or carcases, and farmers must meet certain eligibility conditions, such as the active farmer condition.

The criteria for direct payments have been established by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in codesicion. The rules have been complemented with a so-called delegated regulation and implementation regulations. Within the powers granted to EU Member States in the above-mentioned legislation, the Finnish Government has adopted two acts and a few government decrees. Links to these documents can be found at the end of this section.