EU: Council to back up Commission on CAP simplification measures

"The proposed simplification measures could lead to significant reductions in administrative costs for both farmers and national administrations. According to the Commission’s assessment, this simplification could lead to annual savings of up to €1.6 B for farmers and more than €200 M for Member States’ administrations. The Council’s position maintains the general thrust of the Commission proposal", declares the Council of the EU on 03/09/2025.

The Council added dispositions to the Commission's proposal, including:

• giving flexibility to Member States to decide to what extent partially organic farms could be considered to fulfil certain GAECs (good agricultural and environmental conditions, such as minimum level of maintenance, protection and management of water, soil erosion, soil organic matter and soil structure);
• improving the possibility for farmers to benefit from risk management tools;
• increasing the percentage rate for advanced direct payments: e.g., improving the possibility for Member States to assist farmers hit by natural disasters.

"The aim is to boost the…