A significant meeting take place in the EU today (Wednesday, June 3) will hear calls for funding within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to remain in a two-pillar structure.

The Committees for Budgets (BUDG), Regional Developments (REGI) and Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) are holding a joint meeting.

They are discussing the establishment of the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034.

Vice-chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Norbert Lins (EPP) said:

"The EPP Group wants €433.01 billion dedicated to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a return to the tried-and-tested two-pillar structure.

"This way, we make sure farmers get direct income support and that rural areas are properly cared for and developed.

"I’ll also base my CAP report on this same approach."

Lins explained that for the EPP, the goal stays simple: the grouping wants the European Commission to back farmers and rural regions, without unnecessary bureaucracy or "risky experiments".

CAP

Last year, the EU Commission announced proposed changes to the next CAP.

One major change proposed is that the current two-funds structure Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 - will merge under one single umbrella.

The commission detailed that support to agriculture and rural areas will be delivered through the new 'National and Regional Partnership Plans' which will bring key EU funding tools under one roof.

The integration of the CAP into the NRP Plans is supported by the NRP fund envelope which will amount to €865 billion.

This envelope comprises the allocation for the CAP post-2027 and various financial resources EU countries will be able to make use of.

According to the EU, a ring-fenced budget of at least €300 billion for income and crisis support will ensure predictability and stability of CAP support for farmers.

Income support: An amount of at least €293.7 billion is secured for ensuring stability and predictability for farmers;
Unity safety net: €6.3 billion to assist EU countries in case of disturbance of markets.

As part of the NRP Plans, EU countries will have €453 billion to deliver on national needs, including for agriculture and rural areas, through country-specific CAP recommendations.

In addition to the ring-fenced amounts, EU countries will have access as of 2028 to €45 billion from the crisis payments (unallocated funds included in the NRP plans funding of €453 billion) amount normally only available for the mid-term review of their NRP plans, for addressing the needs of their farmers and rural communities.

At least 10% of the resources of each NRPP outside the ring-fenced amounts will be dedicated to addressing rural areas’ specific needs and challenges.