Earlier today MEPs voted on their priorities for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2020, which included developing a new method to calculate direct payments.

MEPs argued that the EU farm policy for the period after 2020 must be “smarter, simpler, fairer and more sustainable; but also well financed and truly common”.

The non-binding resolution seeks to influence the upcoming legislative proposals on the CAP reform, which are expected to be announced this Friday (June 1).

Last year, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, presented the EU’s white paper on ‘The Future of Food and Farming’.

The commissioner outlined that the new-look policy will provide for “simpler rules and a more flexible approach“. The paper confirmed that a support system based on direct payments will continue; but, future supports will be based more on results than compliance.

However, MEPS have also stated that farming activities in all member states should be subject to the same high EU standards and that breaches should trigger similar penalties.

As well as enabling farms across the EU to continue producing safe and quality food at affordable prices, the CAP for the period between 2021 and 2027 should “make them more environmentally sustainable and fully integrated into the circular economy”, MEPs added.

They maintained that it should also foster innovation, research and smart farming practices. Because of this, MEPs want to maintain the CAP budget at its current level as a minimum.

The post-2020 CAP reform – which is closely linked to debates on the future of the EU’s long-term budget – will be co-decided by the European Parliament and the European Council.