What will change in CAP 2023-2027? Expert roundtable in Spain explains

TUdi project coordinator Dr. José A. Gómez and project manager Gema Guzmán participated in the roundtable “The reform of the CAP 2023-2027. Eco-schemes”. The event took place in March 2022 in the "Sebastián Valero" auditorium in Aguilar de la Frontera, Córdoba.

The main topic of the event was the new common agricultural policy (CAP), which is due to begin in 2023. The new CAP seeks to ensure a sustainable future for European farmers, provide more targeted support to smaller farms, and allow greater flexibility for EU countries to adapt measures to local conditions. Agriculture and rural areas are central to the European Green Deal, and the new CAP will play a key role in achieving the results of the Farm to Fork and biodiversity strategies.

For the period 2023-27, the common agricultural policy will be built around the following ten objectives, which will focus on social, environmental and economic goals: 

• Ensure viable income for farmers

• Increase competitiveness 

• Improve farmers’ position in the value chain

• Contribute to climate change mitigation

• Efficient natural resource management

• Preserve landscapes and biodiversity 

• Support a generational renewal of farmers

• Promote employment, growth and equality in rural areas

• Respond to societal demands on food quality & health

• Foster knowledge and innovation.

These objectives will be the basis upon which EU countries design their CAP strategic plans. 

Each EU country will design a national CAP strategic plan, combining funding for income support, rural development, and market measures. When designing their strategic plans, EU countries will contribute to the ten specific objectives through a toolbox of broad policy measures provided by the Commission, which can be shaped around national needs and capabilities. 

Other topics of the conference covered the issues related to eco-schemes, alternative practices in agriculture for erosion prevention and increasing biodiversity. The new CAP will allocate at least 25% of the budget for direct payments to eco-schemes, providing stronger incentives for climate-and environment-friendly farming practices and approaches (such as organic farming, agro-ecology, carbon farming, etc.) as well as animal welfare improvements.

Watch the full recording of the event here.

Image: TUdi project coordinator Dr. José A. Gómez and project manager Gema Guzmán participate in the roundtable “The reform of the CAP 2023-2027. Eco-schemes”