EU Common Agricultural Policy reform discussions

EU agriculture ministers have engaged in ongoing discussions regarding the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the future Multiannual Financial Framework.

Initial discussions in Brussels focused on the need for CAP flexibility to address member state realities, such as drought and fertilizer costs. During these sessions, Spanish officials advocated for resources dedicated to rural development and irrigation, while the European Commission noted that current agricultural reserves for emergency funding, specifically for the olive oil sector, were already exhausted.

Subsequent negotiations in Luxembourg led to a partial agreement on CAP reform mechanics. This position emphasizes increased national flexibility by requesting that Commission recommendations remain non-binding. The negotiated framework includes mandatory support for young farmers during business startups and seeks flexibility in defining ‘active farmers’ to suit national contexts. Additionally, ministers proposed that reducing direct payments for farmers receiving old-age pensions should not be a mandatory requirement. Broader budgetary issues, such as the total size of the 2028–2034 EU budget, remain excluded from this specific agreement.