Spending the money where it is most needed

Financial safety nets to support farmers are still in place, but are used much more selectively.
For example, they can be used to provide relief from one-off emergencies like natural disasters, outbreaks of animal disease (e.g. foot-and-mouth) or major market imbalances that could endanger whole sectors of the rural economy.
The EU does supplement farmers' income with direct support to help them make a decent living – but in return they must meet standards on farm hygiene/food safety, animal health and welfare, biodiversity and landscape protection.