Simplified CAP rules to boost farm efficiency and support

As part of a broader simplification effort, the European Commission has therefore proposed a set of changes to common agricultural policy rules that will relieve farmers from this regulatory burden and stimulate competitiveness.

The proposed changes include

• Easier payments for small farmers
  • the annual lump-sum payment limit for small farmers will rise from €1,250 to €2,500
  • small farmers will be exempt from certain environmental rules and may benefit from payments that reward eco-friendly farming
• Simplified environmental requirements and controls
  • certified organic farms will automatically be considered as meeting some of the EU's environmental requirements for funding
  • farmers may benefit from incentives to protect peatlands and wetlands
  • controls will be streamlined using satellite and technology and will be limited to one on-the-spot check per year per farm
• Strengthened crisis management and simpler procedures for national administrations
  • EU farmers affected by natural disasters or animal diseases will be supported through new crisis payments and more flexible and accessible risk management tools
  • EU countries will benefit from greater flexibility in adapting their CAP strategic plans, with prior approval from the Commission required only for strategic amendments
• Enhanced competitiveness and digitalisation
  • small farmers can make use of a new simple funding option offering up to €50,000 as a lump-sum to help grow their farms
  • national administrations will be encouraged to develop interoperable digital systems, so that farmers will only have to submit their data once, through a single system, saving time and cutting costs

This simplification package builds on similar measures already introduced by the Commission in 2024 and represents a key deliverable from the vision for EU agriculture and food presented in February 2025. The process will continue later this year with a cross-cutting legislative simplification package, targeting other policies impacting farmers, agri-food businesses, and administrations.