Just Accepted Manuscripts
Keynote Article

The Common Agricultural Policy in the National and Regional Partnership Plan: challenges and key issues of the Commission’s proposals

Maria Rosaria Pupo D'Andrea
CREA
Serena Tarangioli
CREA - Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy

Published 2026-10-09

Keywords

  • Single Fund,
  • performance-based budgeting,
  • cap,
  • multi-level governance,
  • Cohesion policy

How to Cite

Pupo D’Andrea, M. R., & Tarangioli, S. (2026). The Common Agricultural Policy in the National and Regional Partnership Plan: challenges and key issues of the Commission’s proposals. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics. https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-17749

Abstract

This paper examines the European Commission’s proposed 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and its implications for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), focusing on the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). By integrating the CAP, Cohesion policy and other programmes within a Single Fund, the reform seeks to strengthen policy coordination, territorial impact, administrative simplification and performance-based delivery. The analysis highlights, however, substantial governance, financial and institutional challenges. Effective integration will depend on Member States’ capacity to build coherent strategies, ensure meaningful regional and stakeholder participation, and manage competition for non-ring-fenced resources. The proposed architecture may weaken the CAP’s distinct identity, reinforce a sectoral approach to agriculture and reduce funding predictability, particularly for rural and territorial interventions. The NRPPs mirror the national Recovery and Resilience Plans model, raising concerns about administrative complexity, the suitability of milestones and targets, and the measurement of long-term impacts and European added value. The actual shape the NRPPs will take ultimately depends on governance choices, resource allocation and the outcome of ongoing negotiations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

  1. Becker S. (2026). The End of EU Rural Development Policy As We Know It?, EuroChoices, 25(2): 45-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1746-692x.70029.
  2. Buckwell A. (2017). Twenty years after the Carpe (Buckwell) report: impacts and remaining challenges?. Agriregionieuropa, 50, September.
  3. Buckwell A., Blom J., Commins P., Hervieu B., Hofreither M., von Meyer H., Rabinowicz E., Sotte F., Sumpsi Viñas J.M. (1997). Towards a common agricultural and rural policy for Europe. European Economy. Reports and Studies, No. 5. DG II, European Commission.
  4. Busse M., Caselli F., Fotiou A. (2026). The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility: Experience and Lessons for the Next Multiannual Financial Framework, IMF Working Paper WP/26/114.
  5. Cagliero R., Vassallo M., Pierangeli F., Pupo D’Andrea M.R., Monteleone A., Camaioni B., Tarangioli S. (2023). The Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027. How Member States implement the new delivery model?. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics, 78(1): 49-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-14318.
  6. Conferenza delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome (2026). Posizione delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome sull’attuazione della Politica Agricola Comune 2028-2034 (26/109/CR10c/C10).
  7. Copa-Cogeca (2025). The 10 red lines that make the Commission’s MFF/CAP proposals unacceptable to EU farming, Brochure.
  8. Corti F. (2024). Performance-based Programmes under the post-2027 MFF. Briefing. Requested by the BUDG committee, Policy Department for Budgetary Affairs, Directorate-General for Internal Policies. PE 766.275. October.
  9. Council of the European Union (2026a). Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 (‘NRPP Regulation’) - Partial general approach, Document 10559/26. Brussels, 16 June 2026.
  10. Council of the European Union (2026b). Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). Policy debate. Statement by Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, 9146/26 ADD 1, Brussels, 27 May 2026.
  11. Council of the European Union (2026c). Regulation establishing the conditions for the implementation of Union support under the CAP. Presidency suggested amendments, Document 10367/26. Brussels, 17 June 2026.
  12. Council of the European Union (2026d). Draft minutes. Council of the European Union (General Affairs). 16 June 2026. Document 10669/26. Brussels, 1 July 2026.
  13. Darvas Z., Lappe M.S., Sangers B., Zettelmeyer J. (2026). National plans, regional voices: cohesion policy in the next European Union budget. Policy Brief 06/2026, Bruegel. DOI: https://doi.org/10.64153/UDNN6182.
  14. De Filippis F., Henke R., Salvatici L., Sardone R. (2013). Agricultural expenditure in the European Union budget: a graphical analysis. European Review of Agricultural Economics, 40(4): 659-683. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbt004.
  15. Draghi M. (2024). The future of European competitiveness. Part A – A competitiveness strategy for Europe. September.
  16. Erjavec E., Rac I., Bertolozzi-Caredio D. (2025). Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans: Smokescreens or instruments for evidence-based policymaking?. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics, 80(3): 7-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-16856.
  17. European Commission (2025a). Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2028 to 2034. COM(2025) 571 final, Brussels, 16.7.2025.
  18. European Commission (2025b). Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. COM(2025) 565 final/2, Brussels, 16.7.2025.
  19. European Commission (2025c). A Vision for Agriculture and Food. Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations. COM(2025) 75 final, Brussels, 19.2.2025.
  20. European Commission (2025d). An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034*. Press release, IP/25/1847, Brussels, 16 July 2025. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/en/ip_25_1847/IP_25_1847_EN.pdf.
  21. European Commission (2025e). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. A dynamic EU Budget for the priorities of the future - The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034. COM(2025) 570 final/2, Brussels, 16.7.2025.
  22. European Commission (2025f). A simpler and faster Europe: Communication on implementation and simplification, COM(2025) 47 final Strasbourg, 11.2.2025.
  23. European Commission (2025g). The road to the next multiannual financial framework COM(2025) 46 final, Strasbourg, 11.2.2025.
  24. European Commission (2021). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. A long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas - Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040. COM(2021) 345 final, Brussels, 30.6.2021.
  25. European Committee of the Regions (2026). Opinion. NRPP Fund Regulation, 171st plenary session, 6-7 May 2026, COTER-VIII/009, https://www.cor.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions/cdr-3467-2025 (accessed September 14, 2026).
  26. European Court of Auditors (2026a). Opinion 05/2026 “concerning the proposals for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the conditions for the implementation of the Union support to the Common Agriculture Policy for the period from 2028 to 2034 and a regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards the school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme (‘EU school scheme’), sectoral interventions, [..], rules on the availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis and securities (COM(2025) 553 and 560)”. Publications Office of the European Union.
  27. European Court of Auditors (2026b). Opinion 09/2026 “concerning the proposal 2025/0240 (COD) for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 and amending Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 (COM(2025) 565 final/2). Publications Office of the European Union.
  28. European Court of Auditors (2025). Review 02/2025: Performance-orientation, accountability and transparency – lessons to be learned from the weaknesses of the RRF. Publications Office of the European Union.
  29. European Economic and Social Committee (2026). Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, C/2026/1974. Official Journal of the European Union, C series, 28.4.2026. http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2026/1974/oj.
  30. European Parliament (2026). Interim report on the proposal for the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034. European Parliament resolution of 28 April 2026 on the proposal for a Council regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2028 to 2034 (COM(2025)0571 – C10-0000/2025 – 2025/0571R(APP)), P10_TA(2026)0111.
  31. Farm Europe (2025). Single Fund & CAP: Von der Leyen betrays EU farmers https://www.farm-europe.eu/news/single-fund-cap-von-der-leyen-betrays-eu-farmers/ (accessed September 25, 2026).
  32. Haas J., Rubio E. (2017). Research for AGRI Committee – Possible impact of Brexit on the EU budget and, in particular, CAP funding. European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies, Brussels.
  33. Hansum R., Lindner J., Redeker N., Rubio E. (2025). Ripe for Reform – What’s in the EU Budget Proposal and What Should Come Next. Policy Brief, Hertie School Jacques Delors Centre, August.
  34. Henke R., Benos T., De Filippis F., Giua M., Pierangeli F., Pupo D’Andrea M.R. (2018). The New Common Agricultural Policy: Ηow do Member States Respond to Flexibility?. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies, 56(2): 403-419. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12607.
  35. Leino-Sandberg P. (2026). Measuring the unmeasurable: EU’s performance-based budgeting in the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the next MFF. Legal Studies Research Paper Series, University of Helsinki. Faculty of Law.
  36. Letta E. (2024). Much more than a market - Speed, security, solidarity. Empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU Citizens, April.
  37. Mantino F. (2026). The CAP and the Future of Rural Areas: Competing Rural Development Strategies in Europe from a Political Economy Perspective. Studies in Agricultural Economics, 128 (2026): 102-112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7896/j.3791.
  38. Mantino F., De Fano G., Asaro G. (2026). Rural policy in the 2028-2034 EU budget: Reform or retreat? A rural-proofing analysis. Bio-based and Applied Economics, 15(1): 87-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-20124.
  39. Matthews A. (2015). Gainers and losers from the CAP budget. CAP Reform, https://capreform.eu/gainers-and-losers-from-the-cap-budget/. (accessed, September 25, 2026).
  40. Matthews A. (2025a). How big will the CAP budget be in the next MFF?, CAP Reform, https://capreform.eu/how-big-will-the-cap-budget-be-in-the-next-mff/ (accessed September 16, 2026).
  41. Matthews A. (2025b), The Commission’s CAP budget proposal in the next MFF, CAP Reform, https://capreform.eu/the-commissions-cap-budget-proposal-in-the-next-mff/ (accessed September 16, 2026).
  42. Matthews A. (2026a). Reimagining the Common Agricultural Policy: Competing Rationales for the CAP after 2027. Studies in Agricultural Economics, 128: 71-79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7896/j.3776.
  43. Matthews A. (2026b). The Commission’s proposal to replace the ‘active farmer’ definition appears more bureaucratic. CAP Reform, https://capreform.eu/the-commissions-proposal-to-replace-the-active-farmer-definition-appears-more-bureaucratic/ (accessed September 25, 2026).
  44. Mendez C., Kah S., Van der Valk O. (2026). Cohesion Policy and NRPPs 2028-2034: Preparing for a New Delivery Model, IQ-Net Thematic Paper 60(2), European Policies Research Centre Delft.
  45. Pereira dos Reis J., Hoernig S. (2026). The Evolution of the EU Budget: From MFF 2021–2027 to MFF 2028–2034, IPP Policy Paper 40, Institute of Public Policy, Lisbon, May.
  46. Pupo D’Andrea M.R., Carillo F., Scardera A., Henke R. (2025). The Common Agricultural Policy and income disparities in Italian agriculture. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics, 80(3), 23-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rea-16643.
  47. Régnier E., Catallo A., Aubert P.-M., (2025). European Financial Framework 2028-2034: Key issues for the agricultural sector, IDDRI. Issue Brief N° 05/25.
  48. Saraceno E. (2003). Rural Development Policies and the Second Pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, in Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung (ed.), Policy Vision for Sustainable Rural Economies in an Enlarged Europe, ARL-DATAR, ARL Studies on Spatial Development, 4: 197-222. Hannover.
  49. Sotte F. (2026). What is still common in the Common Agricultural Policy?. Bio-based and Applied Economics, 15(1): 95-100. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-18692.
  50. Swinnen J.F.M. (eds) (2015). The political economy of the 2014-2020 common agricultural policy: An imperfect storm. Rowman & Littlefield International.
  51. Tedioli F. (2026). The CAP’s Transition to a Single Fund: Legal and Institutional Consequences / Przejście wspólnej polityki rolnej do jednolitego funduszu: konsekwencje prawne i instytucjonalne. Zagadnienia Ekonomiki Rolnej / Problems of Agricultural Economics, 387(2), 1-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30858/zer/216953.
  52. Varotto M. (2026), QFP 2028-2034. Un anno di negoziato europeo e il ritorno della grande questione sul futuro dell’Unione, https://maurovarottoblog.com/2026/06/23/qfp-2028-2034-un-anno-di-negoziato-europeo-e-il-ritorno-della-grande-questione-sul-futuro-dellunione/ (accessed September 14, 2026).
  53. Von der Leyen U. (2025). Letter from the President of the European Commission to President European Parliament and Prime Minister Denmark, Brussels, 9 November 2025.
  54. Von der Leyen U. (2026). Letter from the President of the European Commission to President of Cyprus President of the Council of the EU and President European Parliament, Brussels, 6