Another Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy: What to Expect

Abstract

SummaryAnother reform of the CAP is on the agenda. This common policy, which was initiated almost 60 years ago is criticised by almost everybody. Even farmers, who are the main beneficiaries, are critical. Moreover, many NGOs that are concerned with a broad range of issues such as the environment, food safety, animal welfare, etc. argue that the CAP makes matters worse in these domains. These shortcomings and criticisms of the CAP suggest that a radical reform is in order. Yet, an analysis of the main determinants of the CAP since its inception suggests that such an outcome is very unlikely. The article focus is on a few long‐term economic and institutional forces which determine the interests of, and positions taken by, the main actors involved in the political process where they pursue their own objectives. The CAP debate today is dominated more than ever by the contradiction between the extreme pressures to cut public expenditures and the desire to protect farmers’ incomes which will be greatly affected by cuts in European payments. In this context, other societal concerns, although very vocal, will probably not be much taken into account. Similarly, equity concerns raised by the uneven distribution of payments received by farmers will probably be addressed only marginally.