Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

What is the GAP?

CAP stands for Common European Agricultural Policy and is one of the most important areas of European policy. The CAP was introduced in the then European Union in 1962 with the aim of promoting a crisis-proof agricultural sector, ensuring the income security of European farmers, supporting environmental and climate protection and promoting rural development. To achieve this, decisions are made at EU level between the member states and supported with over 40% of the total EU budget. In the current period, this amounts to around 387 billion euros from 2021 to 2027.

Because the agricultural sector is so important to many countries, and the support programs are so well funded and take place through direct payments, the CAP has a very strong influence on what happens in the fields. For this reason, it is also often the cause of discussion and dispute between farmers and governments, as well as between nations within the EU.

Since 2023, the Common Agricultural Policy has also provided greater support for environmental, nature and climate protection so that the European climate targets can be achieved together with the EU's "Green Deal".

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