The debate on the future of the EU’s farm policy is developing in the European Parliament, with one big question at its centre: how much money will be available for the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The CAP is the EU’s main funding tool for supporting farmers, rural communities, and land management across Europe. It also plays a major role in helping to protect biodiversity on farmland.

At the moment, discussions are focused on the EU’s long-term budget, which determines how much funding will be available for the CAP. In a recent report, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets proposed a 10% increase in the CAP budget, bringing it to EUR 433 billion. This is an important signal that the CAP must remain properly funded.

For FACE, this is particularly important because farmland biodiversity depends on practical action on the ground. Farmers and land managers cannot be expected to deliver more for nature without proper support. If Europe wants healthier habitats and stronger populations of species such as grey partridge, turtle dove, and hare, farmers must be rewarded and incentivised for the work they do.

This is especially true for agri-environment and climate measures, which help support wildlife-friendly farming practices. In this context, FACE believes that at least 30% of the CAP budget should be directed towards these measures to ensure real benefits for biodiversity.

The CAP should also make greater use of “results-based schemes”, where farmers are rewarded for achieving environmental outcomes. These approaches have shown good results for both farmers and biodiversity in several countries.

FACE will continue working with Members of the European Parliament to make sure the next CAP delivers both for farmers and for biodiversity.