EU farm chief confirms CAP will keep its own legal basis

EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen has confirmed that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will maintain a separate legal basis in the EU's next long-term budget framework.

Speaking before the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee (AGRI), Hansen stressed the importance of ensuring that the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and the Parliament’s Agri Committee remain central in decision-making on the CAP. “I believe it is crucial that they continue to have a say on the key elements,” he said.

Hansen described the battle to secure this legal status as “very tough,” but emphasized the CAP’s legacy and relevance. “The CAP has proven its success over more than 60 years. I prefer evolution over revolution,” he noted, adding that the goal is to make the policy “simpler, more targeted, modern and effective.”

Under the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework, at least €300 billion will be allocated for income support and crisis management — roughly 80% of the current CAP budget, which totals €386 billion until 2027.

These funds will be ring-fenced exclusively for farmer income support, with no flexibility for reallocation or reform, contrary to earlier proposals. “This is essential to guarantee stability and predictability for farmers,” Hansen said.

While the future CAP will be integrated into the EU’s single budget fund — merging direct payments and rural development — each Member State will still be required to invest the minimum ring-fenced amount, adapting it to national and regional strategic plans.