16/12/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 16 December, the European Parliament approved new rules offering farmers greater flexibility and support in implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The text resulting from the European Parliament-Council negotiations was adopted with 629 votes in favour, 17 against and 16 abstentions (see EUROPE 13750/16). The co-legislators have agreed that small farms can benefit from annual financial support of up to €3,000 as well as a new one-off farm development payment of up to €75,000. The new rules guarantee that land classified as arable on 1 January 2026 will retain this designation, even if it has not been ploughed. Certified organic farmers will automatically be deemed to have met the requirements of the good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC) for the parts of their farms that are already organic or in the process of converting to organic farming. (LC)