A critique of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers

The issue of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers is more complex and is linked to the historical traditions of the CAP, the specific circumstances of the small farms that grow tobacco and a political support for maintaining rural agricultural communities.

Through the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the EU provides about 1 billion Euros per year (1% of the EU budget) to European farmers to grow tobacco, much of which is destined for cigarettes in the developing world.

In 2002, a reform of the CAP was adopted which establishes that from 2006 until 2010 there will be a phasing out of subsidies to tobacco growers. After 2010 there will be a disociation between crops and EU payments. However, tobacco growers will not be disqualified from subsidies if they continue growing tobacco.

This is a clear contradiction of the EU’s treaty obligation to ensure that all policies contribute to human health.

A coalition of NGOs has prepared an analysis of the proposals to reform the CAP support for the tobacco growers from a public health perspective with a viewpoint of supporting local communities. The document finishes with a list of the 10 top reasons to end EU subsidies for tobacco.