Future Common Agricultural Policy: regions call for a stronger territorial dimension and fair support

Local and regional leaders urge a comprehensive approach to bringing new generations into farming.

During its Plenary Session on 1 July, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted unanimously its position on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2028-2034, calling for a stronger role for local and regional authorities, a fair and predictable income support system for farmers, and a balanced approach to economic, environmental and social objectives to ensure generational renewal.

Regional and local authorities play a crucial role in planning, implementing and monitoring agricultural policies and are best placed to respond to the highly diverse territorial needs and challenges. The opinion, led by the chair of the commission for natural resources (NAT) of the CoR, Piotr Całbecki (PL/EPP), President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, therefore calls for a formal and meaningful involvement of regional and local authorities in the governance of National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). Regions and cities urge the European Commission to strengthen partnership arrangements, improve consultation with regional and local stakeholders, and develop territorial impact assessments.

The opinion also reaffirms the importance of maintaining a strong and fair safety net for farmers across the EU. It welcomes the proposed degressive area-based income support, reducing direct payments per hectare as the size of the farm increases. The CoR calls for a clearer definition of the concept of an 'active farmer' and for the implementation of redistributive payments, in line with the draft report on the post-2027 CAP of Nobert Lins (DE/EPP), Member of the European Parliament. These demands will help reduce inequalities and support young farmers, small family farms and farms operating in areas facing natural constraints.

Local and regional leaders stress the need to prevent excessive disparities in support levels between Member States and regions, warning that such differences could distort competition within the single market. Greater flexibility should be introduced to enable support to better respond to farmers' changing needs arising from weather, pests and market conditions.

Regions further warn against excessive national co-financing requirements for agri-environmental measures that could discourage investment, particularly in financially constrained Member States, and advocate for a balanced approach to the environmental and social dimension of the CAP.

While welcoming measures to improve farmers' well-being and occupational safety, local and regional representatives advocate for a more ambitious social conditionality framework and stronger protection of agricultural workers. A second opinion dedicated to generational renewal in agriculture, led by Emiliano García-Page Sánchez (ES/PES), President of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Castile-La Mancha, calls for a firm and binding financial commitmentfor young farmers, with a focus on new entrants, smaller holdings and sustainable farming models. The CoR's opinion emphasises, though, that generational renewal cannot be achieved through financial support alone. It requires investment not only in quality public services, education and training, but also into childcare, healthcare, mental-health support, housing, digital connectivity and mobility. The CoR therefore calls for a territorial approach that empowers local and regional authorities to develop tailored solutions, facilitate access to land, finance and advisory services, and support young farmers, women and new entrants.

Quotes

Rapporteur Piotr Całbecki (PL/EPP), President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region: "If we want CAP reform to succeed, we must build it together with farmers in every European village. Without them, reform will only create more bureaucracy, holding back investment, innovation, and the future of European agriculture."

Rapporteur Emiliano García-Page Sánchez (ES/PES), President of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Castile-La Mancha: "It would be unthinkable for Europe, after decades of investing billions of euros in its primary sector, to now turn its back on achieving food sovereignty."

Background

• Photos and videos from the Plenary Session.
• Follow the Press service account on X.
• The adopted opinion is part of a series of 20 opinions on which the CoR is working to assess specific aspects and regulations of the future EU long-term budget 2028-34: check the opinions roadmap.

Contact:

Hélène Dressen

Tel: +32 471502795

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