Regions and cities call for a stronger territorial dimension, fair support and greater resilience in Europe's future farm policy
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted its opinion on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2028–2034, calling for a stronger territorial dimension, fairer support for farmers and a greater role for local and regional authorities in shaping and delivering agricultural policy. The opinion, led by Piotr Całbecki (PL/EPP), President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region and Chair of the CoR's NAT Commission, argues that the future CAP must reflect the diversity of Europe's territories while strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
Recognising that agricultural challenges differ widely across Europe, the opinion rejects a one-size-fits-all approach and calls for National and Regional Partnership Plans that better reflect territorial realities. It stresses that regional and local authorities must be formally involved in planning, implementing and monitoring the future CAP, ensuring that policies respond more effectively to local needs and strengthen partnership between all levels of government.
Piotr Całbecki said: "If we want CAP reform to succeed, we must build it together with farmers in every European village. Without them, reform will only create more bureaucracy, holding back investment, innovation, and the future of European agriculture."
The opinion calls for a fair and predictable income support system that safeguards farmers across all regions while reducing inequalities. It supports stronger redistribution towards small farms and welcomes degressive area-based income support. It also advocates a non-reducible minimum level of income support to help maintain agricultural activity throughout the European Union.
To ensure the long-term resilience of the sector, the CoR calls for targeted measures to attract young and new farmers, while recognising that generational renewal requires more than financial incentives alone. Access to land, innovation, skills, infrastructure and vibrant rural communities must all form part of a comprehensive approach to securing the future of European agriculture.
The opinion also highlights the need for more flexible support instruments capable of responding to climate change, extreme weather events, pests and market volatility. It warns that excessive national co-financing requirements for agri-environmental measures could discourage investment, particularly in Member States with more limited fiscal capacity, and therefore calls for a balanced approach that combines environmental ambition with economic viability.
Finally, the CoR supports strengthening shorter food supply chains and regional food markets, helping farmers retain more value while improving food security and resilience. It also warns against excessive disparities in support levels between Member States and regions, stressing that fair competition within the Single Market requires a balanced distribution of support while recognising Europe's territorial diversity.