The Council of the European Union has initiated its examination of a comprehensive European Commission proposal to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) market measures, aiming to amend the core CMO Regulation (EU) 1308/2013. The proposal, discussed during a Council working party meeting on 13 January 2026, covers a wide range of topics including the school scheme, sectoral interventions, the protein sector, hemp, marketing standards, and import duties. This marks the first formal step in the legislative process, with discussions structured into thematic blocks such as ensuring the availability of agricultural supplies in emergencies and adjusting support mechanisms for specific sectors.
Scope of the Reform The Commission's proposal represents a significant overhaul of the CAP's market measures, which are designed to stabilise agricultural markets and support farmers. Key elements include updates to the school fruit, vegetables, and milk scheme, new sectoral interventions for protein crops, revised marketing standards, and adjustments to import duties. The proposal also addresses the hemp sector, potentially expanding opportunities for growers. The Council's working party will now scrutinise the text article by article, with the aim of reaching a common position.
Stakeholder Impact The reform will have direct consequences for several groups. EU farmers, particularly those in the protein and hemp sectors, stand to benefit from new support mechanisms and simplified rules, potentially boosting production and income. EU consumers may see changes in the availability and quality of school scheme products, as well as potential price effects from revised import duties. EU food processors and distributors will need to adapt to updated marketing standards and sectoral intervention rules, which could increase compliance costs but also create new market opportunities. National authorities of EU countries will face administrative adjustments to implement the new measures, though the proposal aims to streamline existing procedures.
Trade-offs and Cleavages The reform involves several policy trade-offs. Increasing support for the protein sector aims to reduce EU dependence on imports, enhancing food security, but may raise concerns about budget reallocation from other CAP priorities. Adjusting marketing standards could improve consumer information and product quality, but may impose additional costs on producers. The inclusion of hemp reflects a shift toward recognising its economic potential, yet may face resistance from member states with stricter drug policies. The balance between market liberalisation and protectionism is evident in the import duty adjustments, which aim to protect EU producers while complying with WTO commitments.
Next Steps The Council's working party will continue its examination in the coming weeks, with the aim of reaching a general approach. The European Parliament will also consider the proposal, and the two institutions will need to agree on a final text through the ordinary legislative procedure. The reform is expected to be adopted before the end of the current CAP programming period.
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