25/05/2021 (Agence Europe) – Direct aid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) makes a major contribution to stabilising farm incomes, according to a study published on 12 May by the European Commission. The EU average share of support from the two pillars of the CAP is 36% of farm income (with direct payments accounting for 26%). The effectiveness, relevance and European added value of these measures are generally welcomed, but their targeting can be improved. External convergence (aiming to gradually approximate support levels between each country) and internal convergence (adjustment between regions or productions within the same Member State) have been limited and have not always led to a significant reduction in the concentration of direct income support as a whole, the authors of the report note (https://bit.ly/3unZoGC ). (LC)