EU agriculture ministers reach partial agreement on CAP reform

Agriculture ministers from the 27 EU member states have reached a partial negotiating position regarding the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during a meeting in Luxembourg.

The agreement focuses on the mechanics of agricultural support but intentionally excludes broader issues tied to the 2028–2034 EU budget negotiations, such as the total budget size and specific rules regarding the capping and degression of area-based income support for individual farms.

Key points of the negotiated position include: • Increased national flexibility: Member states are seeking more autonomy, requesting that EU Commission recommendations for funding implementation remain non-binding. • Support for young farmers: The position includes mandatory higher levels of support and assistance for young farmers during business startups. • Definition of active farmers: While the definition of an ‘active farmer’ will remain binding to ensure funds reach actual agricultural producers rather than land investors, member states are requesting flexibility to adapt specific definitions to their national contexts. • Pensioner support: The ministers proposed that reducing direct payments for farmers receiving an old-age pension should not be mandatory.