The European Parliament's AGRI Committee on 25 June 2026 held a public hearing on the Commission's CAP funding proposal, revealing sharp divisions among MEPs and stakeholders on key issues including the structure of national plans, funding flexibility, and environmental ambition. The hearing, chaired by Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR), featured speakers from farming associations, think tanks, and national authorities, alongside a Commission representative who defended the proposal as preserving a minimum ring-fence for farmers while improving synergies.
Main disputes centered on seven areas. On the structure of national plans, Maria Skovager Østergaard (COPA-COGECA) urged a farmer-usable CAP toolbox with incentive-based green support, while Luc Vernet (Farm Europe) backed an autonomous CAP plan with its own rules. MEPs Cristina Maestre (S&D) and Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) opposed any dilution of CAP's common character. On funding, Barry Cowen (Renew) warned that flexible co-financing could lead to budget cuts, while others defended ring-fenced funding. On common rules vs national flexibility, Thomas Waitz (Greens/EFA) and Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP) stressed the need for a level playing field. Capping and degressivity were opposed by Østergaard and Arno Bausemer (ESN) but supported by Waitz and Asger Christensen (Renew). Environmental incentives vs competitiveness saw Jessika van Leeuwen (ECR) warning against purely extensive approaches. Administrative simplification was questioned by Markus Hopfner (Austrian CAP Strategic Plans Managing Authority) and Silvia Capdevila (FEGA, Spain), who cited extra red tape. Many supported a transition year for implementation.
Despite disagreements, consensus emerged on preserving CAP's common character, ring-fenced funding, predictability, simplification, support for young farmers, and environmental action. The hearing will feed Parliament's legislative work on the CAP reform file.