The DG Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission has launched a public debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the European Union.

Since its creation, the CAP has always been adapted to respond to the challenges of its time. Significant reforms have been made in recent years, notably in 2003 and during the CAP health check in 2008, to modernise the sector and make it more market-oriented. The Europe 2020 strategy offers a new perspective. In this context, through its response to the new economic, social, environmental, climate-related and technological challenges facing our society, the CAP can contribute more to developing intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth. The CAP must also take greater account of the wealth and diversity of agriculture in the EU’s 27 Member States. The debate launched relates to the CAP’s future objectives in the new perspective of the Europe 2020 strategy. A discussion on funding will come later.

At the end of the year the European Commission will publish a Communication on the future of the CAP after 2013. But, before setting down any initial policy guidelines for this strategic sector.

Objetive of the debate

The aim of this debate is to present later this year a Communication on the future of the CAP after 2013 once the current programming period is ended. This will be pursued four main themes:

• Why do we need a European Common Agricultural Policy?
• What are society’s objectives for agriculture in all its diversity?
• Why should we reform the CAP and how can we make it meet society’s expectations?
• What tools do we need for tomorrow’s CAP?

Calendar of the public debate to develop the Communcication.

• April to June 2010: Contributions to the public debate can be done at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-debate
• July  2010:  Conclusive conference on the public debate.
• July to December 2010: Development of its Communication on the CAP after 2013.
• December 2010: Official presentation of the Communication.