Press release | Agriculture;
Local authority leaders have adopted an opinion on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), calling for it to be fair, sustainable, solidarity-based and for the benefit of farmers, regions, consumers and the public. In its current form, the legislative proposal on the future CAP jeopardises European regions' autonomy in managing the CAP. Moreover, the proposed 28% cut in funding for rural development runs counter to the EU's objective of territorial cohesion. The new CAP must address Europe's environmental and climate challenges and enable farmers to have a fair income. The budget cuts and instruments proposed by the European Commission will make this difficult.