News

The European Parliament has postponed its decision on rejecting the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRP, NPPs, RPPs) from the July 2025 CAP and MFF package to November 2025, due to internal disputes over committee roles and strong opposition to the Commission’s proposal. The European People’s Party (EPP) and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) demand significant revisions, warning they will reject the proposed merger of agricultural and regional funds into one €865 billion programme. If EPP, S&D, and other groups combine forces, they could block the proposal, which faces resistance from many national delegations. The Commission shows willingness to negotiate, but insists on budget discipline, and a showdown is expected at the November plenary.
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The European Parliament is considering a vote to block the European Commission’s proposal to merge agricultural and cohesion funds into a single national and regional fund as part of the draft Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). While the Commission argues this would simplify financial management, there is significant opposition from key political groups, member states, and farm organizations, with concerns over the weakening of the CAP’s core functions and potential budget reductions. Calls for withdrawal and revision of the proposal, as well as protests by farmers’ groups, have intensified pressure. Seventeen member states have jointly demanded that CAP measures be consolidated in a single legal act. The Parliament’s stance could force the Commission to substantially revise the MFF plan.
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The European Commission proposed a revised system for degressivity and capping of direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), aiming for fairer support distribution after 2027. Degressivity would apply to payments above €20,000 per beneficiary, capping starts at €100,000, and the system tracks linked enterprises and ultimate beneficiaries. The new DABIS (Degressive Area-Based Income Support) instrument would unify and replace current schemes, with payment reductions scaling above certain thresholds. The changes would impact around 4% of EU farmers and aim to redirect savings within national CAP budgets toward smaller farmers, sustainability, or rural development. The proposal also introduces harmonised per-hectare payments and a simplified small farmer scheme. A joint working group meeting is set for 13 October 2025 to discuss these reforms.

At its 29–30 September 2025 meeting in Brussels, the European Board of Agriculture and Food (EBAF) failed to agree on a joint statement regarding the simplification of EU agricultural rules. Delegates debated a draft text on streamlining regulation, prepared by producer, industry, and environmental groups. Disagreement arose over a clause preserving current standards and legislative strength, which was opposed by farming representatives but supported by environmental groups. Without consensus, no statement was adopted. EBAF members instead will set up a sub-group to prepare new proposals on simplifying basic, implementing, and delegated agricultural legislation by early November. The discussion comes as the Commission prepares an “Omnibus” food and feed law and seeks stakeholder input for a new platform, the "Food Dialogue," to address topics such as food reformulation and the impact of processed foods. The Commission also plans a study on highly processed foods.

A majority of EU member states have voiced opposition to the European Commission’s plan to merge the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget with other policies into a single national fund. Seventeen countries argue that merging the CAP with cohesion and other funds would fragment CAP provisions and undermine guarantees for farmers. The proposal contradicts earlier Council and Parliament positions, and member states insist Agriculture Ministers—not the General Affairs Council—should steer CAP discussions. Within the European Parliament, significant divisions have emerged, especially among European People’s Party (EPP) members, who warn the merger could decrease support for farmers. The EPP may call for the proposal’s rejection and revisions. Meanwhile, Nordic countries caution that watering down the reform could hinder budget negotiations. These debates unfold as EPP President Ursula von der Leyen faces a no-confidence vote in October.
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