The future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must remain a strong, dedicated European policy that supports farmers, strengthens food security and fully recognises the role of regions in its governance, EPP-CoR members stressed during the debate on the future CAP 2028–2034 at the European Committee of the Regions' Plenary Session.
Speakers underlined that while the CAP must evolve to address new challenges, it should not lose its core purpose of supporting farmers and ensuring Europe's strategic resilience. They also warned against excessive centralisation, calling for multilevel governance, territorial flexibility and common rules that preserve a level playing field across the European Union.
José Enrique Millo Rocher (ES/EPP), Secretary General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation, Government of Andalusia, stressed that cohesion policy and agricultural policy must each retain their distinct objectives. "Improving public services in rural areas should be addressed through territorial cohesion policy, not through the Common Agricultural Policy, whose primary purpose must remain supporting the agricultural sector." He also called for a practical and inclusive approach to agricultural support. "We must preserve a broad and flexible definition of the farmer that reflects the real diversity of European agriculture, while avoiding excessive administrative burdens and ensuring equal implementation of environmental measures across the Union."
Thomas Gottfried Schmidt (DE/EPP), Member of the Saxon State Parliament, underlined that the governance of the future CAP must continue to respect Europe's multilevel governance model and safeguard regional competences. "After 2028, multilevel governance must remain a cornerstone of European policy. Regions must continue to have a decisive role in matters that affect their communities, including the right to oppose national plans that undermine their competences."
Huguette Zeller (FR/EPP), Regional Councillor of the Region of Grand Est, emphasised that the CAP must remain a strong and properly financed common policy capable of ensuring Europe's food security while maintaining common standards across the Single Market. "Europe's farmers need certainty, not fragmentation. The Common Agricultural Policy must remain a strong, dedicated pillar of the EU budget, with sufficient funding to guarantee Europe's food sovereignty and strategic resilience. At the same time, we must preserve common environmental standards across all Member States to ensure fair competition, protect the quality of our food, and avoid a race to the bottom that would weaken both European agriculture and consumer confidence."
The debate highlighted broad support within the EPP-CoR Group for a future CAP that remains adequately funded, avoids unnecessary administrative burdens, respects regional competences and continues to provide farmers with the certainty needed to invest, innovate and contribute to Europe's food security and rural vitality.