EU member states look set to resist tighter CAP active farmer definition

Member states look like they are leaning towards rejecting major plans to tighten the next CAP’s active farmer definition.

The active farmer definition sets out the minimum conditions a farmer must meet to claim any direct payments under CAP, such as by setting out a minimum stocking rate or level of on-farm activity required to claim BISS.

Ireland is due to present updated CAP proposals to EU member states over the coming days that look to address member states’ concerns with the European Commission’s proposals on this and other areas of CAP reform.

This text will likely remain unpublished as talks remain ongoing behind closed doors.

The new draft of the CAP regulation that has been drawn up looks to “identify a balanced landing ground” that member states will take when the CAP talks proceed to trilogue stage, when member states, the European Parliament and the Commission sit down to iron out the 2028-2034 CAP’s detail.

Member states are looking for an active farmer definition “broadly aligned” with that set out in the current CAP, a move that would reduce CAP payment uncertainty for thousands of Irish farmers.

The Commission had attempted to curtail payments to part-time farmers earning more than half of their income from an off-farm job from 2028 in its CAP proposals published last year.

CAP income supports were also to be scrapped entirely for farmers receiving a pension from 2032 under Brussels’ plans.

However, these proposals came under heavy criticism from many member states, MEPs and farming organisations.

Member states also appear to be leaning towards backing a CAP that gives them more leeway to decide at national-level which environmental and generational renewal measures they will implement in the next CAP.