PE designates André Rodrigues as rapporteur for PAC simplification

BRUSSELS – Socialist MEP André Rodrigues has been appointed rapporteur for the European Parliament’s (EP) stance on the European Commission’s proposal to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In a statement to Lusa, André Rodrigues highlighted the proposal’s significance, stating it will greatly affect thousands of farmers in the European Union and the public administrations tasked with implementing the CAP.
He made clear the objective: “to cut down on bureaucracy, ease access to support, and empower Member States, while maintaining the essential environmental and social objectives of the CAP.”
To ensure the new regulations take effect by 2026, the MEP plans to engage with national, regional, and European authorities involved in CAP implementation, as well as agricultural representatives and experts.
“I aim to gather insights that will enable Parliament to contribute constructively and effectively to this legislative process,” the socialist MEP added.
The report is expected to be put to a vote in the EP’s Agriculture Committee in September, marking the first step toward approval in a plenary session.
On May 14, following months of protests from the agricultural sector, the European executive presented a set of measures aimed at addressing administrative burdens, controls, and the CAP’s implementation, alongside crisis response strategies and sector investment needs.
The proposed changes could result in annual savings of up to 1.58 billion euros for farmers and 210 million euros for national administrations, while also streamlining payment processes and crisis management instruments.
The CAP, established in 1962, is the EU’s longest-standing policy, accounting for 386.6 billion euros of the budget for 2021-2027, equating to about 0.34 euros per day for each EU citizen.
It includes direct payments to farmers, market stabilization measures, and support for rural areas. (24/06/25)