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The current Commission’s College has coined a “prevailing idea as matter of priority” to get rid of overlapping, unnecessary and/or disproportionate rules surrounded the member states agro-sector. Existing undue burden on EU agro-business has for long prevented its progressive development. The Commission is setting a new course towards simplifying EU agro-rules, which are expected also to make the EU economy in general more competitive and the farmers more prosperous.
Background
The Commission has a clear target to deliver an unprecedented simplification effort by achieving at least 25% reduction in administrative burdens, and at least 35% for SMEs during coming four years, and -as it promised- without undermining related policy objectives.
The first ‘Omnibus’ package adopted this February, covered a far-reaching simplification in the fields of sustainable finance reporting, sustainability due diligence, carbon border adjustment mechanism, taxonomy, as well as the EU-wide investment programs. In agriculture, this means enhancing the competitiveness of EU farms while reducing the administrative burden for both farmers and public authorities and taking account of the diverse situations and needs of EU farmers.
The new agricultural package builds on the simplification measures already introduced by the European Commission in 2024: it is a part of a broader process that will coincide at the end of 2025 with a cross-cutting legislative simplification package, targeting other policies impacting farmers, agrio-food businesses and administrations.
The simplification package is a key deliverable from the “Vision for Agriculture and Food” program presented by the Commission in February 2025. The “vision” was proposed as a priority initiative for the first 100 days of the present Commission’s mandate led by Executive Vice-President Fitto and Commissioner Hansen, under the guidance of President von der Leyen. Building on the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture (January 2024) and in consultation with the European Board for Agriculture and Food, the “vision” aims to secure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the EU’s farming and food sector. Based on the latest Eurobarometer results, the EU citizens overwhelmingly agree that securing a stable food supply in the EU at all times is essential.
On the “strategic dialogue” in: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/overview-vision-agriculture-food/main-initiatives-strategic-dialogue-future-eu-agriculture_en.
On Eubarometer in: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_182
Delivering concrete results in terms of simplification, competitiveness, resilience and digitalisation, the changes could save up to €1.58 billion annually for farmers and €210 million for national administrations.
Proposed measures
The Commission has proposed some targeted solutions through a set of concrete legislative changes based on operational experience and extensive feedback from stakeholders and the EU states:
= Simplified payment scheme for small farmers. To make it more attractive, the annual lump-sum payment – that is, a single, annual disbursement – limit for small farmers will be increased from €1,250 to €2,500. The purpose of these payments for small farmers is to promote a more balanced distribution of support, strengthen the vitality of rural areas where small farms play a key economic role, and reduce administrative burdens for both farmers and authorities. These farmers will also be exempted from certain environmental rules (conditionality) while they may benefit from payments that reward eco-friendly farming (through the eco-schemes).
= Simplified environmental requirements and controls. The simplification package aims to better accommodate diverse farming practices and local conditions, while reducing overlap with existing national rules. For example, certified organic farms will automatically be considered as meeting some of the EU’s environmental requirements for funding. For some of the more demanding requirements, farmers may benefit from incentives to protect peat-lands and wetlands, as set out under Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition 2 (so-called GAEC-2). This support will also help them comply with national rules that go beyond EU standards, ensuring fair compensation for their efforts.
To reduce the administrative burden of controls, controls will be streamlined through the use of satellite and technology. In addition, a new principle will be introduced: only one on-the-spot check per year per farm.
= Strengthened crisis management and simpler procedures for national administrations. EU farmers affected by natural disasters or animal diseases will be better supported thanks to new crisis payments available under CAP Strategic Plans and thanks to more flexible and accessible risk management tools. The farmers in the EU member states will benefit from greater flexibility in adapting the national/regional CAP Strategic Plans, with prior approval from the Commission required only for strategic amendments. This will have a positive impact on the farmers who will benefit faster from the changes introduced.
= Enhanced competitiveness and digitalisation. Small farmers will find it easier to get financial support through a new simple funding option offering up to €50,000 as a lump-sum to help improve the competitiveness of their farms. National governance and agro-administrations will be further encouraged to develop inter operable digital systems. Following the “report once, use multiple times” principle, the aim is that farmers will only have to submit their data once, through a single system, saving time, cutting administrative costs, and improving farm management.
Source and reference from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1205
Member states’ attitude
The Commission is aware of farmers’ concerns and has worked tirelessly to table concrete actions to respond to them. The EU member states are also on the front line of implementing the CAP and they raised issues concerning the implementation of certain requirements one year into the current policy framework. Simplification is an ongoing process, and the Commission is working to reduce the administrative burden and align rules with the changing realities on the ground. This applies to all sectors of the economy.
The Commission is listening to all stakeholders, including social partners, NGOs, and civil society to ensure that all perspectives are taken into account. For instance, implementation dialogues with Commissioners will target main groups affected by EU policies such as SMEs, industry, social partners, regional and local authorities, and civil society.
Source and citation from: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_25_1206
Commission’s conclusion
The suggested simplification process does not mean automatic lowering of the EU-wide ambitions; it does not mean abolishing policy goals or social and environmental standards, but on the contrary, delivering them as efficiently as possible. Cost-effective implementation is more beneficial and ensures a faster implementation as well as acceptance by concerned stakeholders.
The Commission remains committed to ensuring policy certainty and legal predictability, which is key in every legislative reform. The measures proposed maintain the overall orientation and ambitions of the current CAP and its key role in supporting the transition of European agriculture to sustainable farming.
The proposal does not change the green architecture, including the fact that the CAP Strategic Plans allocate 32% of the total CAP budget (around €98 billion) to voluntary actions advancing the environmental, climate and animal welfare objectives. More specifically, the conditionality system, and the budgetary ringfencing alongside an array of other key tools of the CAP’s green architecture, including eco-schemes and rural development, remain in place to ensure an overall higher level of ambition of the current CAP compared to the past.
The changes remain clearly limited to the requirements where experience has shown a clear need for adjustments and further incentives for farmers, noted the Commission.
More information in the Commission web-link:
The Commission simplifies the Common Agricultural Policy to support farmers and enhance competitiveness.