Public debate on the future of CAP

The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is due to be reformed by 2013. A formal public consultation will be undertaken later this year, when the Commission intends to publish a policy paper setting out different options for the future CAP for consideration.

In the run up to the communication the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş, has launched a public debate on the future of the CAP, inviting all interested EU citizens and organisations to participate.

Rural development (the "second pillar") forms a vital part of the CAP. On the 14^th April an extraordinary meeting of the EN RD Coordination committee was held at which the members of the committee were invited to launch the public debate on the CAP after 2013 in their own country/organisation.

The following rural development questions have been proposed by DG AGRI: 

What should be the objectives of the future rural development policy?

How can the policy instruments be made more effective?

How can the management of the policy be improved?

All individuals and organisations interested in rural development are invited to join the debate, either through their National Rural Networks or the other organisations such as ELARD represented in the EN RD Coordination committee.

The members of the Coordination committee have been requested to send their contributions by 3^rd June 2010.