Simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to support farmers and enhance competitiveness was the focus of remarks delivered by Commissioner Christophe Hansen alongside Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on May 15, 2025. Hansen outlined a package of concrete measures aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving the operational environment for Europe’s farmers, reflecting a policy orientation toward less regulatory complexity and greater flexibility for Member States.
Concrete reforms to reduce bureaucracy and enhance flexibility
The proposals seek significant simplification, such as expanding a simplified payment scheme for small farmers receiving up to €2,500 annually, relieving them from detailed claims and compliance documentation. They grant Member States increased discretion to adapt environmental conditionalities—to protect wetlands, peatlands, and permanent grasslands—tailoring requirements based on local contexts while maintaining environmental objectives. Notably, organic farmers would be exempt from several conditionalities, acknowledging organic standards as sufficiently protective.
Regulatory relief extends to control processes through the principle of a single on-farm inspection annually, aiming to lighten administrative pressure on farmers and national administrations alike. Digitalization efforts include introducing a single digital agricultural profile, reducing repetitive reporting across authorities. The package foresees savings nearing €1.6 billion yearly for farmers and over €200 million for administrations, signaling measurable cost reductions.
Policy directions balancing competitiveness, sustainability, and modernisation
While affirming the CAP as the "greenest ever," the proposals emphasize pragmatism, seeking to balance environmental ambitions with reducing complexity that can discourage especially small and medium-sized farms. Increasing Member State responsibility embodies a shift favoring national sovereignty over stricter EU-wide regulation. The initiatives also support resilience by enabling national crisis funds within CAP plans to address natural disasters and disease impacts, dedicating up to 3% of CAP budgets.
Stakeholder impact
Farmers, particularly small and medium-sized operations, are poised for substantial relief and targeted support enhancing business growth and risk management. National authorities benefit from streamlined administrative processes and reduced compliance monitoring burdens. Environmental NGOs may view increased Member State discretion with caution, as it could weaken uniform enforcement of agro-environmental standards, although organic farmers receive clear support. EU taxpayers might anticipate efficiency gains from cut red tape but will witness the provision of crisis funds within existing budgets.
Overall, Commissioner Hansen’s speech delineates a policy shift emphasizing less EU centralisation and complexity in the CAP, aiming to foster competitiveness, resilience, and digital transformation while sustaining environmental safeguards. The package’s detailed measures represent concrete, quantifiable steps with immediate deadlines and targeted financial incentives, marking a notable development in CAP policy adaptation.
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