CAP reform

CAP Tracker – Next steps for the national strategic plans

Welcome to EURACTIV’s CAP tracker, your one-stop shop for all the latest developments on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Be sure to check back here regularly for updates on the next steps for the CAP and how member states are...

Experts: Deadly floods made worse by misguided farming practices

German environmental organisations are calling for flood protection measures to be improved and for a change to the way agricultural soils are used weeks after catastrophic flash floods deluged the country and left more than 200 dead across Western Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Slovenian agri minister: Climate change just as unpredictable as COVID pandemic

Although agri-food sector has recovered from the worst of the pandemic, it must keep one eye on the present and one on future crisis management, Slovenia's Agriculture Minister Jože Podgoršek told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.

German commission urges phase out of CAP direct payments

The EU's agricultural subsidies should be restructured to achieve environment and climate goals, including a phase out of direct payments and the reduction of livestock, according to a milestone report from the German commission on the future of agriculture. EURACTIV Germany reports.

MEP: Parliament and Council haven’t listened to each other in CAP talks

In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV France, MEP Eric Andrieu expressed disappointment about the lack of communications between the two EU lawmakers that led to an unsatisfactory environmental part of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform

Mixed feelings in Germany over EU farm reform compromise deal

German Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner has praised the EU's compromise deal on the reform of the bloc's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while associations and opposition parties criticised its shortcomings on organic farming and nature conservation. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Commissioner: Rejecting CAP plans on basis of Green Deal alignment ‘unimaginable’

The EU's Agriculture Commissioner has said he does not foresee a situation where a member state's Common Agricultural Policy national plan would be rejected for failing to align with the Green Deal, banking instead on the power of persuasion.

EU to fight ‘geography of discontent’ with new vision for rural areas

The European Commission unveiled on Wednesday (30 June) its long-term vision for the EU's rural areas, proposing a rural pact and a rural action plan aimed at making those regions stronger, connected, and prosperous.

France still has mixed feelings over compromise CAP deal

After the 27 EU agriculture ministers agreed in principle on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on Monday (28 June), following months of tough negotiations, not everyone in France is happy with the result. EURACTIV France reports.

Greens do not break up with Timmermans, but letdown remains

European Greens have been disappointed with the first steps in the EU's Green Deal implementation but despite recent criticism received from Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans, they have expressed readiness to continue working with him on shaping the bloc's green agenda.

Final CAPdown: Negotiators seal a deal on future EU farming subsidies programme

A provisional agreement has been reached between European lawmakers on the reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), sealing the fate of the bloc's farming subsidy programme for the 2023-2027 period.

German agriculture minister slams Timmermans ahead of CAP trilogue

German Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner has launched a sharp attack on EU climate chief Frans Timmermans ahead of continued negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Brussels. EURACTIV Germany reports.

All words, no action: CAP funding ineffective at combatting climate change, say auditors

EU agricultural funding for combating climate action has so far been ineffective, according to a damning new European Court of Auditors report which criticises inaction on livestock farming and calls for a “polluter pays” principle.

Parliament still hopeful for CAP deal during Portugal’s EU presidency

The European Parliament still hopes to reach an agreement on the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform during Portugal's presidency of the Council of the EU, the chair of the assembly's agriculture committee announced on Tuesday (15 June).

Decision to invite EU farmers association to informal CAP talks divides opinion

The decision by the Portuguese rotating presidency to invite exclusively EU farmers association COPA-COGECA to this week’s informal gathering of EU agriculture ministers has divided agricultural stakeholders, some of whom complained that "this toxic tradition" should end. 

MEP: Member states trying to preserve ‘absurd’ agricultural status quo

EU member states are trying to preserve “absurd” agricultural situations when it comes to redistribution of farming payments, according to one MEP, who stressed that the European Parliament is not willing to budge on the matter.

No CAP reform without trade reform

Negotiations to attempt to align the next phase of the Common Agricultural Policy to the EU Green Deal drag on. Yet the goal of a truly sustainable European agricultural policy will only be achieved alongside a courageous trade policy, argues Thilo Bode.

Bundestag adopts national CAP package amid ongoing EU negotiations

While negotiations on the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform have not been concluded in Brussels, the German Bundestag, racing to complete work before national elections in September, has passed a legislative package to be implemented at the national level.

Agrifood brief: The art of counting chickens

Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. This week: We spoke with EURACTIV’s very own Ben Fox about the so-called “sausage war”...

Ireland split over giving farmers equal share of CAP payments

In Ireland, a storm is brewing over the need to give all farmers an equal slice of EU payments. While Irish farmers association argue that this risks more farms becoming unviable, proponents say it is needed even the playing field for small farms.

Shaping the agriculture of tomorrow – How can farmers and consumers benefit from a reformed CAP?

In 2020, the agricultural sector faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. From logistical issues, a shortage of workforce, to radical changes in demand, the sector showed its resilience by adapting to the different challenges. Overall, the impact of...

Greece’s agri minister: Parliament’s CAP negotiation tactics ‘lacked democracy’

Agricultural ministers were faced with a "totally unacceptable" method of negotiation from the European Parliament during talks on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which "lacked democracy," Greece's agriculture minister Spilios Livanos told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.

A re-‘CAP’ of Common Agricultural Policy coverage

This year has been a decisive one for the reform of the EU’s farming subsidy programme, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

French minister’s CAP reform approach an ‘insult’ to organic farmers

Organic farmers protested in Paris on Wednesday (2 June) against a potential cut in aid for organic farmers in the future CAP. But the French agriculture minister insists their calculations are “biased”.  EURACTIV France reports.