Policy Archives - Agricultural and Rural Convention

A Sustainable Food System Law Paving the Way for an Ambitious CAP Reform

November 2, 2023 Matteo Metta

As has become very familiar in recent months, another opportunity to better integrate CAP and the pledges of the European Green Deal is being missed. Instead of watering down the ambition, this time the mainstream political establishment simply postponed or abandoned DG SANTE’s law proposal for a European Framework for Sustainable Food Systems. Yet, there are many ways the CAP or the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas could accompany and bridge with the upcoming SFS. […]

Impact of CAP Beyond the EU – A Closer Look on Soya Imports and Milk Product Exports

October 17, 2023 ARC

Are subsidies provided to farmers in the EU generating deforestation in Brazil? Or the decline of pastoral communities in Sahel? In this article, we shed light on the CAP’s implications beyond the EU, focusing on its influence on the global trade of soya and milk products and examining its implications for local populations. […]

CAP Social Conditionality: A Game Changer for Farm Workers?

October 4, 2023 Mathieu Willard

In a new CAP that largely maintains the status quo, social conditionality emerges as one of the few truly innovative elements. But is it going to be a real game-changer? This new legislative tool has the potential to improve the working conditions of millions of farm workers. But does it offer the means to achieve this goal? In this article, we will explore what can be anticipated and discuss ways to enhance its effectiveness. […]

French CAP Strategic Plan : EU Sued over Approval of the Plan

September 25, 2023 ARC

Did the Commission breach its own laws by approving the French CAP Strategic Plan? According to Collectif Nourrir and ClientEarth, it did! After their internal request for an internal review of the approval of the plan fell short, the two organisations decided to take it to the next level, and bring the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union. So what are their arguments? And what results can be expected of the process? Let’s assess […]

Old Varieties and Short Production Circuits to Rebuild “Rural Solidarities”

September 7, 2023 Adèle Pautrat

In June 2023, we took advantage of the first fine summer days to visit a project run by the Réseau Meuse-Rhin-Moselle (RMRM), one of our close partners. Comprising around ten member associations, the RMRM aims at supporting and connecting initiatives that promote the preservation of old varieties and peasant breeding practices, in an area bounded by the three rivers that give it its name. […]

“A Fairer CAP”, Really? | Analysing Fairwashing in CAP Talks and Practices

August 28, 2023 Matteo Metta

Now that the CAP Strategic Plans are approved and running, is the CAP really fairer? Read our report «“A Fairer CAP”, Really?». […]

Seed Marketing Proposal Unveiled – First Key Takeaways

July 17, 2023 Mathieu Willard

The new proposal for Seed Marketing in the EU was presented by the Commission on July 5th. In 2013, a first attempt to revise this intricate legislation did not succeed in gaining parliamentary approval. So, what does the new proposal entail? And can we expect a different outcome this time around? […]

Ernährungsrat: The democratic potential of Food Policy Councils in Germany

July 13, 2023 Marie-Lise Breure-Montagne

Part 2 in democratising local food policy: we look to Germany and the democratic potential of Food Policy Councils. […]

France | Democratising Food Policy – Tweaking The Financial Toolbox

July 5, 2023 Marie-Lise Breure-Montagne

How can a top-down tool such as France’s Territorial Food Programmes help to democratise local food policy? How does the French infrastructure compare to Germany’s Food Policy Councils? In the best case scenario, communities take food into their own hands. Part 1 of a policy analysis by the Rural Resilience project. […]

CAP Strategic Plans: More Money, Less Liability

June 29, 2023 Mathieu Willard

EU Agriculture is in crisis mode. And so is the CAP. For two years in a row, the CAP crisis reserve has been spent to help farmers deal with the adverse consequences of the invasion of Ukraine and climate change. At the same time, Member States are asking for reduced environmental obligations in 2024. What happened during this week’s AgriFish council CAP wise? We guide you through the updates. […]

Nature Restoration Law avoids rejection in Parliament’s Environment Committee – what’s next?

June 15, 2023 ARC

The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) continues its perilous path towards enactment, surviving the first major hurdle at the Environment Committee in the European Parliament on the morning of today, Thursday 15th June. So what happened, and what’s next? […]

CAP Environmental Derogations: What is the Impact on Food Security?

June 4, 2023 Mathieu Willard

Looking at the CAP, 2022 and 2023 have been marked by multiple authorised derogations on environmental standards. Those derogations, claimed to be necessary to ensure food security in Europe, have been highly criticised by the scientific community. As the data on food production resulting from these derogations emerges, we examine the concrete impact of these decisions on food security in the EU. […]

CAP Strategic Plan Denmark: The Art of Bypassing Fairness

May 31, 2023 Rasmus Blædel Larsen

The struggle to cap and redistribute direct payments received by the largest landowners, to support smaller farms, thereby enabling a more divers and resilient rurality, has come up against the whole financial system in Denmark. So how did Denmark end up without capping or redistributive payments? And how could the Commission accept such a proposal? […]

Can the CAP and Carbon Farming Coexist?

April 25, 2023 Mathieu Willard

Carbon Farming is the new hype in agriculture. A proposal for a Certification Framework of Carbon Removals was proposed back in November by the Commission and there is a strong push by the Swedish presidency and French government to make it happen quickly. But can a Europe-wide Carbon Farming program coexist with the CAP? In this article, we explore the similarities and contradictions between the two. […]

Are We Ready to Amend the CAP SP to Fit For 55?

April 19, 2023 Mathieu Willard

Although the CAP Strategic Plans have been approved and are now being implemented, they are not closed files. Once a year, amendments can be proposed by Member States and, under specific conditions, other adaptations can be required. Recent readjustments of targets for climate mitigation in different legislations to meet the ambition of the Fit For 55 package should offer an opportunity to raise the ambition of CAP Strategic Plans on climate action. […]