Amending certain CAP Regulations as regards the conditionality system, types of intervention in the form of direct payment, types of intervention in certain sectors and rural development and annual performance reports, data and interoperability governance, suspensions of payments annual performance clearance and controls and penalties
The European Parliament adopted by 492 votes to 111, with 39 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 as regards the system of conditionality, types of intervention in the form of direct payments, types of intervention in certain sectors and in rural development and annual performance reports, and Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 as regards data governance and interoperability, suspension of payments linked to the annual performance clearance and controls and sanctions.
The matter was referred back to the relevant committee for interinstitutional negotiations.
The main amendments adopted in plenary are as follows:
Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC)
Members considered that: (i) farmers whose entire or part of their holding is certified for or in conversion to organic farming; (ii) farmers whose holding is situated in sites designated as special areas of conservation or special protection areas; (iii) farmers whose entire holding is less 50 ha should be deemed to comply with GAEC standards.
By 31 December 2026 at the latest, the Commission will submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the implementation of social conditionality by the Member States.
Crisis payments
Members opposed the Commission's proposal for complementary crisis payments to be direct payments to farmers following natural disasters, adverse weather events, or catastrophic events. However, Member States will be required to provide crisis payments to active farmers affected by natural disasters, adverse climatic events, epizootic outbreaks or catastrophic events.
By 30 September of each year following the budgetary year, the Commission will submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on crisis payments.
Payments to small farmers
Parliament proposed to raise the ceilings for support for small farmers: an annual payment of up to EUR 5 000 (instead of the EUR 2 500 proposed by the Commission) and new one-off funding for business development of up to EUR 75 000 (compared to the EUR 50 000 proposed).
In the case of a legal person, or a group of natural or legal persons such as group of farmers, producer organisations or cooperatives, the complementary income support for young farmers may be granted for an additional maximum of five years in the case of a young farmer becoming a new member of such legal persons or groups.
Climate, environment and animal welfare schemes
Member States may decide to exempt from the commitments of the regulation farmers who submit applications for agricultural practices that are beneficial for the climate, the environment and animal welfare, and/or for combating antimicrobial resistance within the meaning of this Article, and whose agricultural area does not exceed 10 hectares and/or does not exceed a number of livestock unit defined by Member States.’
Risk management tools
The regulation stipulates that aid may be granted to promote risk management tools that help active farmers manage production and income risks related to their farming activities over which they have no control. According to Members, Member States should ensure that aid is only granted to cover losses exceeding a threshold of at least 15% of the farmer's average annual production or average annual income over the previous three years (compared to the 20% proposed by the Commission).
Digital information systems
Where a Member State requires farmers to use digital information systems, it will have to ensure, with the support of the Commission, that the digital tools needed for compliance are accessible and affordable for all farmers and that technical support and training opportunities are provided to farmers. Means of protecting individual data must also be put in place.
In order to speed up the implementation of the new flexibility rules, Member States may decide, for the 2026 claim year, that amendments to CAP Strategic Plans related to the changes based on the amendment to this Regulation have legal effect before their approval by the Commission.