The European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has adopted its position on a proposal to simplify the European Union’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The committee voted in favor of the draft resolution, with 38 members supporting, eight opposing, and two abstaining.
The committee is seeking greater flexibility for farmers in meeting CAP rules. Among the proposed changes are adjustments to environmental requirements. Farms that are fully or partially certified as organic, as well as those located in special conservation areas, would automatically fulfill certain conditions needed to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition.
To further protect biodiversity, MEPs want to extend the period before grassland is classified as permanent. This measure aims to prevent farmers from converting grassland into arable land just before the end of the classification period. Under the new definition, permanent grassland would include areas not used for crop rotation or disturbed by ploughing, tilling, or reseeding for at least seven years—or land not considered arable since January 1, 2023.
Regarding financial support during crises, the committee opposes a new type of direct payment for farmers affected by natural disasters but supports a crisis payment under rural development funds as proposed by the European Commission. The committee also suggests expanding eligibility for this aid to include losses caused by animal disease outbreaks. Furthermore, it recommends lowering the threshold for production or income loss required to access national financial contributions—from at least 20% loss (as suggested by the Commission) down to at least 15%. This change could make more farmers eligible for insurance schemes and mutual funds.
Support measures for small farmers are also included in the proposal. MEPs advocate increasing annual payments up to €5,000—doubling what was initially proposed—and introducing a one-off business development payment up to €75,000. Additionally, they propose reducing from three months to two months the time allowed for EU approval when member states request amendments to their national strategic plans.
Rapporteur André Rodrigues (S&D, PT) commented: “This report is an important step that farmers across Europe have long been waiting for. By cutting red tape and making the CAP rules clearer and more workable, we are delivering solutions that allow farmers to do what they do best – produce – and that can support the sector in these turbulent times. This will help farmers and, in turn, hopefully also enable consumers to continue to access quality, safe and more affordable products.”
The next step will be a vote on this report during Parliament’s plenary session scheduled from October 6-9. Discussions with EU member states are expected immediately after with an aim toward final adoption of new rules possibly during November’s plenary session.
The European Commission first presented its simplification package on May 14 this year following recommendations from ongoing dialogue about agriculture’s future needs. The AGRI Committee opted for a streamlined procedure allowing members of parliament (MEPs) to submit amendments directly on the Commission’s proposal.
