On Thursday 24 November, the European Commission approved the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans submitted by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, worth €5.6 billion and €3.3 billion respectively.
Of the total EU budget for these two countries, €3 billion will be spent on environmental and climate objectives and eco-regimes, and over €200 million on young farmers.
One of the main objectives of the Czech Republic’s plan is the fairer distribution and more effective targeting of income support. In terms of environmental priorities, the focus is on the protection of natural resources and biodiversity. Under the Czech plan, the area of farmland receiving CAP support for organic farming should increase from the current 16% to 21% by 2027.
Slovakia’s plan aims to increase the competitiveness and resilience of its agricultural sector while protecting natural resources. Additional annual support in the amount of €370 million will help Slovak farmers in areas with natural constraints, as 61% of Slovakia’s agricultural land falls into this category. With support from the CAP, the Slovak plan is to have 20% of its agricultural land under organic farming by 2030.
More information on ‘CAP strategic plans’: https://aeur.eu/f/45i (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)