The Common Agricultural Policy: A European Agricultural Model Between Sectoral and ‘National’ Interests?

Abstract

As one of the European Union’s most longstanding and pervasive policies, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) takes a highly symbolic place in the process of European integration. The Treaty of Rome sets out its objectives and the common organisation of agricultural markets started to take effect from July 1962, six years before the implementation of the customs union in July 1968. In the early 2000s, decisions relating to the Common Agricultural Policy constituted about 50 per cent of the whole acquis communautaire1 and the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development was one of the largest and most influential Directorate Generals, with over 1000 staff.2 CAP spending accounted for over 70 per cent of the EC budget in the 1970s and still reached 43 per cent during the period under analysis.3 The setting of common prices and quotas imposes heavy constraints on the member states’ agricultural policies, not to mention its impact on international trade cooperation.