The EU has a €300B program directly subsidizing farmers [0]. To quote the wiki page:

     The [EAGF] consumes a large part of the general budget of the European Union. 

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Agricultural_Guarante...

Most wolf-attack compensation paid to farmers are government subsidies not EU ones (so on top of EU subsidies if it's not EU subsidies funneled for this purpose somehow).

It's a heated debate because farmers are considered such an important part of historic & cultural identity. And thus have a strong lobby & much public support. This is ignoring their dwindling % contribution to GDP.