On Friday 1 June, the European Commission presented its legislative proposal on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). ALDE Group MEPs welcome that the proposed system for CAP funds will be more efficient and focuses more strongly on small and medium holdings, and that the proposals contain simplifications for controls and inspections, with greater flexibility for Member States.

Ulrike Müller, ALDE Group's Coordinator of the Committee on Agriculture, said: “It is clear that the current Common Agricultural Policy needs to be modernised, simplified and should be more efficient. Therefore, it is good news that the Commission’s proposals contain simplifications of controls and inspections for farmers, with greater flexibility for Member States. We have been calling for more flexibility for years now and also asked for setting the right incentives for farmers to become more environmental friendly by introducing the new eco-schemes. Finally, this has been taken on board. Moreover, the Commission aims with its proposals at making the payment scheme for farms in the EU more balanced, with a stronger focus on small and medium holdings."

“The agriculture sector is facing major global challenges, such as long-term food security, along with environmental degradation. We have to address these challenges, foster competitive and sustainable farming and forestry, and boost digitalisation and innovation in the sector through training and research. The Commission’s proposals are a good step forward into that direction. We are ready to pick them up and to work on them within the European Parliament to achieve the best result possible for the EU’s agriculture community."

The ALDE Group has set out its priorities for the EU’s agriculture policy and the CAP reform post-2020. You can find the vision paper here.

Das Europäische Parlament hat soeben den Bericht über die Ernährung und Landwirtschaft der Zukunft - die #GAP nach 2020 - verabschiedet. Wir konnten ein gutes Ergebnis für unsere Landwirte erzielen! pic.twitter.com/Zrz2SRNtmd

— Ulrike Müller (@UliMuellerMdEP) May 30, 2018