Thematic Group on Effective Approaches for Simplification within the CAP

This Thematic Group (TG) will provide an opportunity to examine the practical challenges facing the implementation of the CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs). It will identify how these have been, and can be, overcome through some form of simplification, while upholding the CAP’s objectives. 

Simplification has been an ongoing exercise across the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) over recent programming periods. The rules governing support for CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) in this programming period require Member States to take appropriate measures to reduce the administrative burden and ensure simplification in the implementation of the CAP when pursuing the CAP objectives. Following widespread farmer protests in early 2024, the European Commission opened a consultation process which led to a Simplification package of short- and medium-term measures. Since then, the momentum for simplification has continued, with the European Commission emphasising the importance of ensuring existing rules are fit for purpose, and are focused on reducing administrative burdens and simplifying legislation, including it in its vision for agriculture and food.

Simplification is defined as the minimisation of costs that are not strictly necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the CAP, and the adoption of measures that reduce the administrative burden for the administration and beneficiaries. Simplification implies that additional administrative costs without added value for achieving CAP objectives should be avoided. Core elements of simplification may relate to different aspects of CAP design and implementation, including governance mechanisms, application processes, implementation (e.g. shifting more towards outcome-focused schemes), reporting requirements, control requirements, use of digital tools and information flows.

To ensure that simplification becomes a tangible and impactful reality, this Thematic Group (TG) aims to foster a focused and practical discussion, leading to the development of concrete proposals that address the specific needs and challenges of CAP simplification for farmers, other beneficiaries under CAP and national authorities, while upholding its objectives.

This TG is an opportunity for you to be part of a committed group of experts and relevant stakeholders that will examine the practical challenges facing the implementation of the CSPs, where complexity or administrative burdens will be considered, and identify how these have been and can be overcome through some form of simplification. This should promote more effective and efficient implementation of the CSPs without undermining the achievement of the priorities identified within the CSPs or creating trade-offs between costs for administrations and beneficiaries.

The objectives of this TG are to: