Including the depopulation criterion in CAP 2028-2034

Priority question for written answer P-004414/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE), Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE)

The Commission's proposal for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework restructures the CAP, replacing the EAGF, EAFRD and LEADER with national and regional partnership plans. This model cuts the funding by 22 % - from EUR 386.6 billion in the 2021-2027 period to EUR 295.7 billion - and increases national cofinancing to 60 % in developed regions and 40 % in transition regions (COM(2025)0571).

Although the Commission is considering revising its approach in the negotiations with Parliament, demographic criteria need to be integrated.

There are clear imbalances in Aragon, which has 28.3 inhabitants/km², compared to 97.5 in Spain and 109 in the EU: 70 % of the territory is home to just 2 % of the population. The current system prioritises GDP over depopulation, limiting the CAP's ability to sustain agricultural activity and tie populations to their areas.

In view of the above:

• 1.Will the Commission revise Articles 10 and 20 of the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the conditions for CAP support for the period 2028-2034 to include depopulation, ageing of the population and terrain among the criteria?
• 2.Will it ensure that the regions get to play an active role in the funds programming, in line with the principle of subsidiarity?
• 3.What concrete mechanisms will ensure that the future CAP contributes to territorial and demographic cohesion in these regions?

Submitted: 7.11.2025