On 12 October 2011 the Commission presented a set of legal proposals designed to make the CAP a more effective policy for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural areas.
On 26 June 2013 a political agreement on the reform of the CAP has been reached between the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council.
On 16 December 2013 the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers formally adopted the four Basic Regulations for the reformed CAP as well as the Transition Rules for 2014. This follows on the approval of these Regulations by the European Parliament in November.
>> Political agreement on the CAP reform
>> Main elements of the CAP reform
Since its creation, the CAP has always been adapted to respond to the challenges of its time. Significant reforms have been made in recent years, notably in 2003 and during the CAP Health check in 2008, to modernise the sector and make it more market-oriented. The Europe 2020 strategy offers a new perspective. In this context, through its response to the new economic, social, environmental, climate-related and technological challenges facing our society, the CAP can contribute more to developing intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth. The CAP must also take greater account of the wealth and diversity of agriculture in the EU Member States.
Before setting down any initial policy guidelines for this strategic sector, Commissioner Cioloş launched on 12 April 2010 a public debate on the Common Agricultural Policy’s future, objectives, principles and contribution to the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy to inform the preparatory work for the decision-making process.
In addition to how the CAP can contribute to developing the Europe 2020 strategy, the public debate centred around four main questions:
- Why do we need a European Common Agricultural Policy?
- What are society’s objectives for agriculture in all its diversity (incl. potato farms)?
- Why should we reform the CAP and how can we make it meet society’s expectations?
- What tools do we need for tomorrow’s CAP?
This public debate stayed open for contributions until 11 June 2010. An independent body produced a summary of these contributions (Summary report 
[358 KB] - Executive summary of contributions [179 KB] ). On 19-20 July 2010, the European Commission held a conclusive conference on the public debate.
