Reform of the CAP

Agricultural spending accounts for 41% of the European Union's annual budget and has been at the heart of EU policy since the very start of the European project. As the European Parliament, European Commission and member states begin to haggle over the EU's long-term budget, we look into the role of the Common Agricultural Policy in the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020.

The last revision of the CAP dates from 2003 but following the accession of 12 new EU countries, it is clear that the EU's agricultural policy must be adapted to face new challenges.

Among the issues to be tackled are: a fairer distribution of money between old and new member states, a structure for direct payments to farmers, the stimulation of greener farming, the guarantee of fair prices for farmers and how best to compete in the global market.

The European Commission presented its proposals for reforming the CAP on 12 October. The EP, the Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council are preparing an extensive public debate on the future agricultural policy and for the first time 7 November, Agriculture Committee MEPs will meet their co-decision counterparts - farm ministers - and Commissioner Dacian Cioloş, to discuss the proposed reform package. The EP has delegated MEPs to prepare reports on different aspects of the proposals.

Parliament's rapporteurs on core reports:

Regulation for direct support schemes for farmers: Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos (Portuguese Socialist)

Regulation on common organisation of markets: Michel Dantin (EPP group, France)

Regulation on support for rural development: Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos

Regulation on financing management and monitoring: Giovanni La Via (EPP group, Italy)

Reports linked to the reform package:

Regulation on transitional measures for 2013: Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos

Regulation on common organisation of markets (vine-growers): Herbert Dorfmann (EPP group, Italy)

This feature will keep you updated on the latest developments in the negotiations on the future CAP.

The reformed farm policy will cover the period from 2014 – 2020.