CAP Evaluation News 10 - September 2025

This issue of CAP Evaluation News focuses on evaluating the simplification of the CAP, drawing on the experiences of farmers, Member States, and experts.

The newsletter highlights the main findings of the ‘Study on simplification and administrative burden for farmers and other beneficiaries under the CAP'.

This study confirmed that administrative complexity remains a significant challenge for CAP implementation. Based on nearly 27 000 survey responses, 298 in-depth farmer interviews, and additional stakeholder input, the study finds that farmers spend on average 7 working days and approximately EUR 1 230 per year on CAP-related administrative tasks, albeit with significant national variation.

The report highlights the crucial scope for simplification – over 60% of interviewees consider that some of the burden imposed at the national level is ‘unnecessary’.

In response to these challenges, the analysis looks at Member States' efforts to simplify the CAP that are already underway, as well as the new proposals from the Commission to enhance CAP simplification.

While targeted simplification actions may effectively address urgent issues, the study concludes by emphasising the importance of longer-term approaches.

Evaluating the simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a compulsory aspect of the CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs). In the ‘showcase’ section of this Newsletter, evaluations in Sweden, Spain, and Luxembourg illustrate diverse national strategies. From Spain’s coordinated multi-level governance to Sweden’s iterative feedback mechanisms and Luxembourg’s focus on clearer communication, Member States are actively exploring how simplification can be understood, measured, and, where feasible, advanced under the CAP.

In the Newsroom section, there is a focus on a recent publication that looked at evaluations on organic farming from 13 countries. An analysis of 60 evaluations from Member States and the UK demonstrates substantial progress, especially in biodiversity, soil health, and emissions reductions (notably in Austria and Lithuania). However, socioeconomic impacts are mixed: organic farms depend on subsidies but boost rural employment and attract young farmers.

Finally, this edition presents different activities for capacity building organised by the European Evaluation Helpdesk for the CAP. In an online event, which gathered 80 participants from across Europe, participants learn how to improve the quality of evaluations.  Key recommendations included establishing robust evaluation frameworks, fostering collaboration between Managing Authorities and evaluators, and investing in solid data systems.  In 2025, Good Practice Workshops, organised by the EU CAP Network with the support of the Evaluation Helpdesk, focused on simulation models for impact assessment (Bari, Italy) and the use of big data for environmental evaluation (Hanover, Germany). The upcoming October workshop in Bucharest will address “netting out” impacts.