Stronger support for small farmers, continued regional involvement in fund management, and targeted measures for young and new farmers were at the centre of discussions in the NAT Commission on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2028–2034. The Opinion adopted by a wide majority calls for a shift away from a uniform approach and stresses the importance of national and regional partnership plans to address territorial challenges, ensure fair income support and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s agricultural sector.
Addressing the Commission, Piotr Całbecki, President of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Region and CoR rapporteur, said: "The aim is to move away from a one-size-fits-all and top-down model toward a more balanced policy tailored to the realities of individual regions. In the opinion, I highlight, among other priorities, the need to ensure sufficient investment capacity within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to reinforce the principle of subsidiarity. As well we underline the importance of environmental and social aspects, the development of local food systems, and the need for multi-level governance and partnerships, with real involvement of local and regional authorities at every stage."
The Opinion highlights the diversity of agricultural conditions across regions and calls for flexible yet fair support tools, non reducible minimum income support for farmers, stronger redistribution for small farms and young farmers, and better capacity to respond to climate, weather and market shocks. It also supports shorter food supply chains, stronger local and regional markets, and lower national co financing rates for agri environmental and climate actions.
Isabel Urrutia, Regional Minister in the Government of Cantabria, underlined the importance of the CAP for rural communities, stating that “The CAP is a vital instrument for farmers’ incomes and a cornerstone of Europe’s food sovereignty,” and warning that possible funding cuts “would make life even harder for our farmers and our rural communities.”
During the debate, EPP CoR members stressed that the future CAP must remain focused on farmers’ needs. Dimitrios Kafantaris, Municipal Councillor of Pylou–Nestoros, highlighted the importance of clarity and competitiveness, noting that “we need strong support for European farmers and, first and foremost, that means protecting their production, their income and their competitiveness.”
From Andalusia, José Enrique Millo Rocher, Secretary General for External Action, emphasised that the future CAP must also invest in the sector’s modernisation, stating the need “to include stronger measures to support innovation, digitalisation and technological transfer,” while also calling to avoid “additional costs on farms.”
Highlighting the role of bottom up development, Pavel Gudzherov, Mayor of Rakovski Municipality, recalled that “the LEADER approach has ensured the effective application of the bottom-up principle” and stressed that it “remains a vital instrument for small farmers,” calling for this importance to be backed by a guaranteed CAP budget.
The debate confirmed broad regional support for a post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy that is fairer, more flexible and more targeted, while strengthening farmers’ incomes, innovation, local food systems and the long term vitality of rural areas.