CAP reform

New German coalition plans mandatory animal welfare label, restructuring of farm subsidies

Germany's next government will introduce compulsory livestock labelling and revise the distribution of EU agricultural subsidies, according to the coalition agreement the three parties agreed to on Wednesday (24 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.

Everything you need to know ahead of the CAP final vote

It's crunch time for the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with lawmakers in the European Parliament set to give their green light to the reform of the EU's farming policy once and for all on Tuesday (23 November). So, what should you know ahead of the vote?

What’s on the ‘horizon’ for agriculture?

With a budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027, Horizon Europe is the largest multiannual budget for an EU research programme, with a 30% increase compared to the previous budget framework, excluding the participation of UK beneficiaries.

Horizon Europe opens new doors to fund rural digitalisation

The European Union's main research programme, Horizon Europe, opens new ways to reinforce rural digitalisation and technologies in the agri-food business through international projects and funds beyond those already earmarked in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Commissioner to oppose CAP plans restricting support for small, medium farmers

EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowksi has said support for small and medium sized farmers is a red line for the approval of member states’ CAP strategic plans, promising to oppose plans which restrict access to funding for these farmers.

Commission bows to pressure to water down Green Deal ambitions in CAP plans

The European Commission's ambition to tie the EU's farming subsidies programme to the European Green Deal is set to fall victim to pressure from member states in a behind-closed-doors procedure.

Seasonal farm workers in Germany exposed to ‘massive labour rights violations’

Seasonal agriculture workers are exposed to numerous labour rights violations in Germany, according to a new report by the Fair Agriculture Initiative alliance on seasonal work in German agriculture. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s rural residents happy with quality of life, bemoan job diversity

A majority of residents in rural regions in Germany are satisfied with their quality of life the situation is less positive when it comes to jobs, digitalisation and public transport links, a study commissioned by the agriculture ministry published on Monday (1 November) found. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Hard or soft law: what’s the status of EU sustainable agriculture goals?

With the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the European Commission wants to make the policy more performance oriented. However, non-binding targets and national leeway might hinder the Commission’s quest to keep track of results.

Special CAPitals edition: State of play of organic agriculture in the EU

In this second edition of CAPitals special brief, the EURACTIV network takes a look at the state of play of organic agriculture in 12 EU countries.

Animal welfare in the EU

Where do the EU and its member states stand in terms of animal welfare and what is being done in terms of policy? In this infographic, EURACTIV takes a look at some of the key facts and figures.

Farmers will not ‘sit around and wait’ amid uncertainty over CAP strategic plans

European farmers’ leeway for planning the changes needed to implement Common Agricultural Policy's new green architecture is shrinking, as it remains uncertain whether all member states will submit the national strategic plans on time.

Delivering on CAP strategic plans

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The reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims to have a more flexible, performance- and results-based approach that takes into account local conditions and needs while increasing the level of EU ambitions in terms of sustainability.

Commission dismisses calls for more transparency in drafting CAP plans

The European Commission has dismissed calls for more transparency in the drafting of the Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans, saying an excessive focus on this risks overburdening the process and missing the big picture.

French agencies to check pesticide exposure of residents in wine-growing areas

France's food and public health agencies, Anses and Santé Publique France, have announced that they would be launching a study on pesticide exposure among people living in wine-growing areas. The issue is of growing concern in France and the EU.

EU member states struggling with tight deadline for ‘CAP strategic plans’

A third of EU member states have expressed concerns over meeting an end-of-year deadline for submitting their national strategic plans under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the agriculture Commissioner's home country Poland, according to sources.

EU market protection, farmers’ income dominate French livestock summit talks

During France's upcoming EU Council presidency, reciprocity will be the name of the game for its Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie, who took the opportunity during a recent agricultural summit to emphasise the importance of protecting the European market and farmers' wages

On EU Commission’s menu for agri in 2022: pesticides, carbon removal, packaging

The sustainable use of pesticides and a carbon removal certification scheme will be placed front and centre of the European Commission’s agricultural priorities next year, according to a leaked version of its 2022 work programme seen by EURACTIV.

German agri minister slams Commission over trade agreement sustainability

German Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner has urged the European Commission to insist on more consistent sustainability standards when negotiating future free trade agreements with third countries.

What is the current consensus on the CAP?

The EU’s farming subsidy programme, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), is relentlessly debated at the EU level.

Policy loopholes mean EU farming is haemorrhaging water, say auditors

The European Court of Auditors has condemned weak, and poorly enforced policies that they say give farmers a free pass to abuse water use, levying damning criticism at EU's farming subsidy programme.

Commission says Germany lags behind in reducing agriculture emissions

The European Commission has highlighted Germany's lack of progress in reducing emissions by implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Industry associations also see current plans as falling short of the mark. EURACTIV Germany reports.

New German arable strategy fails to impress environmentalists, organic farmers

Although Germany's annual harvest and arable farming report was revised at the end of August to take account of the climate crisis, it still includes changes that remain just 'symbolic politics' for environmentalist NGOs and organic farmers.

Ball now in court of German states to protect species in agriculture

Germany must do more to promote the protection of biodiversity when implementing the EU agricultural reform, the European Commission has said. EURACTIV Germany reports.