EU Agriculture Council Adopts Negotiating Position for 2028–2034 CAP and Reviews Export Strategy

Council Formalizes Partial Position on Post-2027 CAP Framework

On October 26, 2026, the Council of the European Union formally approved its partial negotiating position regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) framework covering the 2028–2034 programming period.

The formal negotiating position established by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council is designated as "partial" because it explicitly excludes specific financial allocations and horizontal provisions. These excluded elements remain subject to ongoing negotiations under the broader Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.

Core Policy Priorities: Simplification, Flexibility, and Generational Renewal

The agreed negotiating position for the 2028–2034 CAP framework outlines several operational and structural priorities for the European agricultural sector.

According to the Council's framework, key objectives include:

• Administrative Simplification: Streamlining regulatory requirements and reducing administrative complexity across agricultural programs.
• Implementation Flexibility: Providing EU member states with greater leeway in implementing policy measures to suit national and regional agricultural conditions.
• Support for Active Farmers: Directing policy support specifically toward active farmers across the Union.
• Generational Renewal: Focusing interventions on encouraging young farmers and facilitating generational transitions within the farming community.

Strategic Focus on Agricultural Export Opportunities via Trade Agreements

Alongside policy planning for internal farm support programs, EU agriculture ministers held dedicated discussions regarding international trade.

The ministerial discussions focused on how to better leverage the European Union's existing global network of trade agreements to develop and expand export opportunities for European agri-food producers and agribusinesses.