Von der Leyen under fire for 'excessive bureaucracy' as she is slammed by Spain's PM

Ursula von der Leyen

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit out at the European Union as farmers continue to take their rage to the streets. Mr Sanchez, appointed for a third term in November last year, said his government “supports the farmers” and that their demands are “legitimate”.

This category of workers, he continued, is facing a series of hurdles and needs to be supported. One of these challenges, Mr Sanchez said, is presented by bureaucracy plaguing the agricultural policy process in the EU.

In an interview with Spanish publication La Voz de Galicia, the Spanish Prime Minister said: “The demands of farmers are legitimate. They suffer the consequences of climate change and war.

“It is true that there is an excess of bureaucracy in the whole process of the common agricultural policy. This is something we need to simplify.”

The politician went on to claim he brought farmers’ complaints straight to the leader of the European Commission.

He said: “I have personally asked Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, with whom I have a very good relationship.”

Mr Sanchez also believes it is necessary for Spain to “strengthen the food chain law” as a means to help farmers and invest economic resources into the sector.

Since January, thousands of tractors have choked streets in various EU cities, from Berlin to Paris, from Malaga to Milan.

Among the issues lamented by farmers are the rising costs they face, notably for energy, fertiliser and transport, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Tractors blocking the street

The farmers are also complaining about the import of cheap agricultural produce from Ukraine, on which the EU waived quotas and duties following Moscow’s attack.

The complexity of the common agricultural policy and the many boundaries it sets on farmers is also a main issue linking these workers from all around Europe.

Moreover, climate change is having an effect on production, particularly in Mediterranean countries affected by wildfires and extreme drought.

To try and quash the protests, governments have taken steps over the past few days: France scrapped a planned diesel tax increase, while Germany watered down its announced cut to diesel subsidies.

The protests made a dent in the echelons of power in the EU too, as last week Ms Von der Leyen announced she would scrap a contentious upcoming bill, first pitched in 2020, that aimed to slash the use of chemical pesticides.