Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, in a written answer on 1 July 2026, defended the Commission's proposal to merge the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) into a single National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP), arguing it will enhance synergies and simplify access to funding. The answer, responding to a question from MEPs Daniel Buda and Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (both PPE), rejected concerns that the abolition of the CAP's two-pillar structure would lead to competition for resources and underfunding of rural areas. Fitto pointed to the proposed rural spending target of 10% of each Member State's envelope (outside ringfenced CAP and CFP amounts) as a tool to ensure continuity of investment in rural development, generational renewal, and the 'right to stay'.
He also cited the impact assessment accompanying the NRPP proposal, which concluded that combining funds in a single plan allows for more effective support to rural areas, provided appropriate strategies are in place.
The answer did not commit to a specific study on the impact of dismantling the EAFRD and ERDF, instead referring to the existing impact assessment. The Commission's proposal, COM(2025) 565, is currently under negotiation between the European Parliament and the Council. The answer signals the Commission's firm stance on maintaining the integrated approach, despite MEPs' warnings that the EUR 47.8 billion minimum rural target may be insufficient and overlaps with the EUR 218 billion target for less-developed regions. Stakeholders, including rural development agencies and farming associations, may face increased competition for funds within the NRPP framework, while beneficiaries could benefit from simplified rules. The Commission's position prioritises flexibility and simplification over dedicated rural funding streams, a trade-off that may impact the attractiveness of rural areas for young people and long-term food security.