The discussion on the overarching structure of the first pillar of the EU budget (which also includes the farm budget) goes on in the European Parliament (EP). On 3 June, rapporteurs (MEPs leading on the file) from the EP Agriculture, Budget and Regional Development Committees presented the draft report on the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans, part of the EU budget debate for 2028–2034.

The proposed fund would cover around 44% of the future EU budget and would bring together policy areas such as agriculture, rural development, cohesion and fisheries. This makes the file highly relevant for the future CAP and for biodiversity delivery on the ground.

The draft report includes several CAP-related points. It proposes that at least 35% of the amount dedicated to rural development should be reserved for agri-environmental and climate actions, at least 5% of rural development funding for LEADER, and at least 10% of CAP interventions for young farmers.

However, these CAP/rural-development provisions are not the same as dedicated funding for nature conservation. For the hunting community, the key test is whether the future EU budget can support a CAP which provides the right incentive to farmers and land managers to improve farmland habitats.