Thematic Group on Effective Approaches for Simplification within the CAP
This Thematic Group explored specific elements of the CAP requiring simplification and identified actual and potential examples and case studies of simplification that could be replicated.
Context
Simplification has been an ongoing exercise across the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) over recent programming periods. Actions for simplification can take place at different levels (EU, Member State, regions) and help reduce administrative burden and bureaucracy for beneficiaries (including farmers) and/or national authorities. The current rules governing CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) require Member States to take appropriate measures to reduce the administrative burden and ensure simplification in the implementation of the CAP when pursuing the CAP objectives. The European Commission has so far put forward two simplification packages to address complexity and administrative burden of the CAP. A third package to streamline legislation and address complexity beyond the CAP is due to be published in autumn 2025.
This TG examined the practical challenges facing the implementation of the CAP Strategic Plans where complexity or administrative burdens are considered an issue and identified how these have been and can be overcome through some form of simplification. The discussion was enriched by the diversity of TG members (see below in this page), which included policymakers and administrators at regional and national level (e.g. Managing Authorities and Paying Agencies), beneficiaries, such as farmers and farmers organisations, advisers, researchers, national CAP networks and other agricultural and environmental stakeholders.
The background document and the list of TG members are available in the Resources section below.
Objectives
- Explore and interrogate specific elements requiring simplification as identified through the Expressions of Interest (EoI) with a view to developing concrete proposals for addressing these elements, taking into account already existing solutions.
- Identify and create examples and case studies of simplification that can be shared and potentially replicated by Member States.
Activities
At the first TG meeting (02 April 2025, online), preliminary findings from the EU CAP Networks study on simplification and administrative burden for farmers and other beneficiaries under the CAP were presented, as well as an outline of the European Commission’s ongoing work on CAP simplification was given. TG members took stock of challenges in relation to different aspects of CAP design and implementation and explored possible ways to address them through simplification (application process and implementation, reporting requirements, control requirements).
In-between the two formal TG meetings, TG members worked on four specific key areas for simplification which were identified for further elaboration during the first meeting (Calculation and controls for costs of non-IACS interventions / Use of digital tools / Controls / Issues of consistency in regionalised countries).
The second TG meeting (12 June 2025, Brussels) served as a platform for reflecting on the different ideas for simplification as well as ways for streamlining legislation and future actions in addressing complexity beyond the CAP. The aim was to fine-tune the most promising solutions, explore their feasibility, and identify key actors responsible for implementation.
The outcomes of the TG meetings are highlighted in the event reports available below. All the discussions fed into the final report on examples for simplification that will be published in autumn 2025.
Key findings
Simplification is defined as the minimisation of costs that are not strictly necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the CAP, and the adoption of measures that reduce the administrative burden for the administration and beneficiaries. Simplification implies that additional administrative costs without added value for achieving CAP objectives should be avoided.
TG members identified practical examples and new ideas for solutions on key areas for CAP Simplification, which are collected in a dedicated briefing. The examples and proposed approaches are grouped under four key areas for simplification:
- CAP governance and rules
- Application processes and implementation
- Monitoring and control requirements
- Supporting environment (horizontal)
One transversal solution relates to the greater use of improved digital tools, which can be used to simplify applications, reporting and monitoring as well as controls.
Scroll down this page to find all the outputs of this Thematic Group and relevant resources related to this topic.
Learn more
You can find other useful resources about this theme in our Publications section and in our Good Practice database.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us at [email protected].
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Resources
Documents
Links
- Thematic Group on CAP Strategic Plans: Monitoring Committees
- Thematic Group on the Design and Implementation of Eco-schemes in the new CAP S…
- Thematic Group on Green Architecture: Designing Green Strategies
- Thematic Group on Economic Vulnerability of Farming
- European CAP Network’s Steering Group
- Subgroup on CAP Strategic Plans
- European CAP Network’s Assembly
