Presentation of future CAP must not coincide with long-term budget, urges AGRI Chair

The AGRI Committee is concerned about the presentation of legislative proposals on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) at the same time as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

In a letter addressed on Thursday, 12 June to the European Commission, Chair of the European Parliament Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) Veronika Vrecionová (ECR, CZ) supported by large majority of political groups in the Committee considers that the legislative proposals on the future CAP should follow, not coincide with, the presentation of the next MFF.

An own-initiative report on the future of EU agriculture, that is being finalised by the AGRI Committee, will provide the Commission “with a valuable indication of the political direction and priorities likely to emerge in the legislative process”, reads the letter. “It is therefore important that this reflection is concluded and duly considered before the formal launch of new legislative proposals”, urges Mrs. Vrecionová.

Moreover, given the ongoing work of the European Parliament on legislative files such as the reform of the Common Market Organisation, and the so called CAP simplification package, “a full CAP reform at this stage would stretch both institutional and stakeholder capacity”, warns the AGRI Committee Chair.

The sequence of publishing the MFF first, and sectoral proposals later in the past “has helped ensure both coherence and accountability”, recalls the Chair. Future CAP proposals must be of a high legal quality and internal consistency and follow an inclusive consultation process with Member States, farmers, and stakeholders, concludes Mrs. Vrecionová.

Background

The presentation of the next MFF is expected in July 2025, according to the Commission College agenda.