To simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and boost farmers’ competitiveness, the European Commission has presented a large package of measures targeting the administrative burden, controls, implementation, crisis response and investment needs of the sector.

Included in the package are simplified environmental requirements and controls to better accommodate diverse farming practices and local conditions, while reducing overlap with existing national rules.

For example, certified organic farms will automatically be considered as meeting some of the EU’s environmental requirements for funding. For some of the more demanding requirements, farmers may benefit from incentives to protect peatlands and wetlands, as set out under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition 2. This support will also help them comply with national rules that go beyond EU standards, ensuring fair compensation for their efforts.

To reduce the administrative burden of controls, controls will be streamlined through the use of satellite and technology. In addition, a new principle will be introduced, namely only one on-the-spot check per year per farm.