The new EU budget grants less money to agriculture and more to migration, security, and research
The European Commission announced on Wednesday the new post-Brexit EU budget, which will have to fill the British contribution gap of €15 bn.
The 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework , worth €1.14 trillion, decreases the funding allocated for agriculture, maritime policy and climate action (“Natural resources and Environment).
The EU has assigned 29.7 percent of the overall budget (€336 m) to this policy for the new timeframe, which is nine points lower than in the previous budget. The MFF 2014-2020 allocated 39 percent (€373 m) of the funds to this heading.
But the Commission proposes to increase the investment in migration policy, security, and research.
The budget has a new line specifically for Migration and Border Management, worth €30 bn (2.7 percent of the total budget). The Commission plans to grant € 9 bn to the Asylum and Migration Fund, which was assigned €2.8 bn in the previous MFF.
Security and Defence would get €24 bn (2.1 percent of the total budget). The two primary programs under this heading are the European Defence Fund and Military Mobility, which would be granted €17 bn.
As for research and education, the Commission has increased the investment in programs such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+. This would increase the former's budget by 24 percent, and double the education and mobility program's financial resources.
The Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, which account for 1.1 percent of the gross national income of the remaining 27 countries, will have to be approved by the European Parliament and the European Council in 2019.