EC streamlines Common Agricultural Policy
The European Commission simplifies the common agricultural policy to support farmers and boost competitiveness
Mihai Pelin, 15.05.2025, 13:50
The European Commission proposes solutions to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to better support farmers in the face of natural disasters and to cut red tape. Farmers across the EU are currently subject to burdensome administrative obligations that often fail to reflect the realities on the ground. This regulatory burden is time-consuming and costly for farmers and national administrations, while also leading to lower acceptance of obligations and possibly discouraging investment.
The proposed changes would make European agriculture more successful and competitive. According to the European Commission, these changes could save farmers over EUR 1.5 billion and local authorities over EUR 210 million, while making payments, certain requirements and crisis instruments more flexible and manageable.
A first change is the simplification of the lump-sum payment for small farmers – a single annual disbursement, with a ceiling increased from EUR 1,250 to 2,500. The aim of these payments for small farmers is to promote a more balanced distribution of support, to strengthen the vitality of rural areas where small farms play an essential economic role and to reduce administrative burdens for both farmers and authorities. On-the-spot environmental checks will also be reduced to one per year per farm, with satellite image checks used by the authorities in parallel.
At the same time, small farmers will have a new way to increase the competitiveness of their farms, thanks to the digitisation of the reporting system. The “report once, use multiple times” principle will help farmers save time, cut administrative costs and improve farm management. In turn, national administrations will be further encouraged to develop interoperable digital systems.
Another change comes in the field of crisis management. EU farmers affected by natural disasters or animal diseases will be better supported thanks to new crisis payments available under the CAP strategic plans and more flexible and accessible risk management tools.
Small farmers will also find it easier to get financial support through a new simple financing option offering up to EUR 50,000 as a lump sum to help improve the competitiveness of their farms.
The draft will be submitted for approval to the European Parliament and the Council, which are made up of representatives of the member states. It is part of a wider process that will continue in 2025 with a cross-cutting legislative simplification package, targeting farmers, agri-food businesses and administrations. (AMP)
