This is the final article in our four-part series exploring recent developments in EU rural and agricultural policy.
In September 2024, an EU-commissioned report recommended major reforms to the €387 billion Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), calling for a fundamental shift in how subsidies are distributed. Rather than linking support to farm size, the proposals emphasize rewarding economic viability, sustainability, and resilience.
The report outlined three key recommendations:
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Supporting farmers based on economic performance, not land area
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Placing environmental sustainability at the core of agricultural funding
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Strengthening long-term resilience of the sector against crises and market volatility
If implemented, these reforms could significantly reshape the CAP into a fairer, more future-oriented policy framework. By focusing on both financial viability and environmental stewardship, the recommendations aim to ensure that farming communities across Europe can thrive while contributing to the EU’s wider climate and sustainability goals.
Such a transformation would mark a decisive step toward aligning agricultural support with Europe’s evolving challenges – from food security and competitiveness to biodiversity protection and the Green Deal agenda.
Read more in the Financial Times article here.
