Report - Subgroup on CAP Strategic Plans - 5th meeting

The meeting was introduced by representatives of the European Commission - DG AGRI, who provided an overview of recent significant policy developments. The focus was on the Vision for agriculture and food and its four key pillars -attractiveness, competitiveness and resilience, sustainability, and fairness of the agri-food sector. These were explained in the opening presentation and clarified further in a Q&A session that allowed for an open discussion of stakeholders' concerns, including the definition of mixed farms, the financing of farm-level investments, the green transition and the territorial approach.

Subgroup members received updates on the EU CAP Network's recent work on CAP implementation, including the work to define the future Annual Work Programme (to build on the results of the current one) and the Network's Strategic Framework. The presentation continued with a summary of the outcomes of the recently concluded Thematic Groups (TGs) on Enhancing Biodiversity on Farmland for Improved Resilience and on Gen Z: Leading Generational Renewal in Farming, followed by a summary of the first findings from the current TGs on Economic Vulnerability of Farming, Valuing Farmers' Wider Contributions to Society and Effective Approaches for Simplification within the CAP.

Participants then engaged in an interactive session aimed at assessing how CAP implementation aligns with the Vision for Agriculture and Food and identifying ways to enhance this alignment within the existing CAP framework. Discussions focused on three key areas: Attractiveness & Fairness, Competitiveness & Resilience, and Sustainability & Climate Action. Overall, the discussions confirmed that CSPs provide a solid foundation for achieving the Vision, but more efforts are needed to improve financial stability, support generational renewal, and enhance sustainability. Long-term regulatory stability and a predictable policy environment will also be key.

In her concluding remarks, the Chair reiterated that ongoing collaboration, the sharing of successes and challenges, and the contributions from these discussions are essential to strengthening CSP implementation.