A cross-border investigation revealed that the ruling royal family of the United Arab Emirates, the Al Nahyans, has benefited from over €71 million (approximately $76 million) in European Union (EU) farming subsidies over the past six years. These funds have been allocated to agricultural operations in Romania, Italy, and Spain, where subsidiaries controlled by the family have extensive farmland. The largest beneficiary, Agricost, operates the EU's largest farm, covering 57,000 hectares (141,000 acres), and received €10.5 million in direct payments in 2024 alone. Critics argue that EU subsidies disproportionately favor large landowners and foreign investors, including autocratic regimes, undermining support for local farmers. The UAE's agricultural expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance food security in a nation that imports up to 90% of its food. The European Commission is currently proposing reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aimed at capping payments to large landowners, with advocates calling for better targeting of subsidies to support genuine EU farmers. The findings highlight the lack of transparency in subsidy allocation, as many payments benefit wealthy foreign investors rather than local agricultural communities.