Press Release: The future of European agriculture policy Call for a public debate

The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş,launched on 12 April 2010 a public debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the European Union. Since its creation, the CAP has always been adapted to respond to the challenges of its time. Significant reforms have been made in recent years, notably in 2003 and during the CAP health check in 2008, to modernise the sector and make it more market-oriented. The Europe 2020 strategy offers a new perspective. In this context, through its response to the new economic, social, environmental, climate-related and technological challenges facing our society, the CAP can contribute more to developing intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth. The CAP must also take greater account of the wealth and diversity of agriculture in the EU’s 27 Member States. The debate launched relates to the CAP’s future objectives in the new perspective of the Europe 2020 strategy. A discussion on funding will come later.