Small farms make up the vast majority of the EU's 10 million farms. Recent studies have lowered past estimates of how much of the global food supply is produced by small farms. Notwithstanding the complex nature of such estimates and the possible under-estimation of small operators' production because of self consumption, it is clear that small farms allocate larger shares of their production to food and have a more diversified produce portfolio than larger farms. In addition to producing food, small farms are typically associated with protecting landscape features and biodiversity and the notion of providing public goods.

EPRS policy podcast - Small farms' role in the EU food system

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

The common agricultural policy (CAP) is one of the oldest common policies in the EU. Its significance is reflected in the proportion of the EU's budget devoted to it, representing approximately 40% of the total. Developed at a time when Europe was unable to meet most of its own food needs, it was necessary to encourage farmers to produce food by means of guaranteed prices. The policy has undergone regular reform and has evolved over the years.

As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future CAP on 1 June 2018. The proposal for a regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the CAP provides the legislative framework for adapting the financing, management and monitoring rules to a new CAP delivery model.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/common-agricultural-policy-8th-parliamentary-term_6503_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Common agricultural policy (2019-2020)

EP Plenary session - EU action plan for organic agriculture

Plenary session- Organic production and labelling of organic products

This infoclip illustrate the current need to protect and promote the wine sector in the EU. The new legislation approved by the European Parliament in 2026 includes more funds for winegrowers to adjust production to market developments and extra tools to deal with extreme weather events. Furthemore, wine with less than 0.05% alcohol to be labelled “alcohol-free 0.0%”; wine from 0.5% alcohol but 30% lower than the standard to be labelled as “alcohol reduced”, New rules will also support wine tourism, export and promotion. The infoclip shows a wine farm in Tuscany, Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio and a wine bar in Brussels, Le Chemin des vignes.

Infoclip: EU wine legislation - Agriculture and rural development

The common agricultural policy (CAP) has three clear environmental goals, which are echoed in the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy: tackling climate change, protecting natural resources and enhancing biodiversity. These goals are supported by the CAP’s promotion of organic farming and the responsible management of inputs like pesticides and fertilisers. The CAP aims to reach its environmental goals in a way that is socially and economically sustainable for farmers and rural communities. This infoclip illustrates an example of a sustainable farm in Enghien, Belgium.

Infoclip: Sustainable agriculture

From a niche concept to a proven sustainable practice, organic farming has come a long way over the years. The European Parliament has highlighted that the EU could reduce its emissions with organic farming. Studies also show that organic lands have 30 % more biodiversity than conventional ones (European Commission, 2021). To build on these key benefits, the EU action plan on organic production set an ambitious target: 25 % of EU farming should be organic by 2030.

EPRS - 5 facts about organic farming

Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament, participate in a meeting, in Brussels, on "A Farm to Fork Strategy" for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system. Statements of co-rapporteurs: Herbert DORFMANN (EPP, IT) and Anja HAZEKAMP (GUE/NGL, NL)

A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system: extracts from the meeting

This infoclip illustrates the EU Biodiversity Strategy in the franework of the European Green Deal programme: views of the Parc de Sainte Croix, in Rhodes (France), European pond turtles, coypu, brown bears, raccoon, griffon vulture, grey wolf. Views of the Mediterranean coast, views of the countryside; and planting trees initiative.

Infoclip: Green Deal - The EU Biodiversity Strategy

This Infoclip illustrates the support for the agriculture sector in Belgium, showing the wholesale fruit and vegetable market BelOrta, the potato production in Flanders touched by the close down of the hotels, restaurants and cafes (horeca), the strawberry harvest and an organic farmer that organises the direct distribution via a vegetarian restaurant.

Infoclip: Covid-19 - Support for the agriculture sector

During the EP plenary session (28-31 May 2018) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, signs various legislative acts with Lilyana PAVLOVA.

Lex signing ceremony in presence of Antonio TAJANI, EP President

During the EP plenary session (16- 19 April 2018) in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss and vote on new rules on production, controls and labelling of organic food in the EU. The new rules aim at making it easier for small farmers to convert to organic productions and increase overall output in the EU, while ensuring that organic imports comply with highest EU standards. Statements by Martin HÄUSLING (Greens/EFA, DE) and Eric ANDRIEU (S&D, FR).

organic farming (T)

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