The European Commission has unveiled a draft reform of the Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2013, which aims to strengthen the sustainability throughout the EU by dedicating 30% of direct payments to farmers to sustainable practices, and prioritizing ecosystem restoration and climate change responses in its rural development policy.
12 October 2011: The European Commission has unveiled a draft reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period after 2013, which aims to strengthen the competitiveness, sustainability and permanence of agriculture throughout the EU in order to secure for European citizens a healthy and high-quality source of food, preserve the environment and develop rural areas.
In order to reinforce the ecological durability of the agricultural sector and enhance the efforts of farmers, the reform proposes, among other elements, to dedicate 30% of direct payments to farmers for practices enabling optimal use of natural resources such as crop diversification, maintenance of permanent pasture, preservation of ecological reserves and landscapes. In addition, agri-environmental initiatives at national, regional and local levels will be encouraged by prioritizing the preservation and the restoration of ecosystems and the fight against climate change in the context of the rural development policy. [EU Press Release] [The Proposal]