FACE’s advocacy work on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027 is ongoing. It aims to ensure that EU policymakers fully understand the strong link between biodiversity measures under the CAP and the survival of small game across Europe’s farmland. In particular, measures such as grass margins, flower or seed strips, uncultivated areas, hedges, and extensive grasslands are essential for supporting wildlife and maintaining healthy farmland ecosystems.

Although these measures are not detailed in the CAP legislation, it is important that the ongoing discussions and the final regulation create a framework that encourages their adoption at the national level. It will be for Member States to determine how to make biodiversity interventions attractive to farmers. In this context, earmarking sufficient funding for agri-environmental and climate actions in the CAP budget is crucial. Without dedicated financial support, Member States may prioritise other spending needs. This is especially important because these measures require 30% national co-financing.