Report on the S&D Group’s Vision for the Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

1.0 Executive Summary

The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group has formulated a position for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), advocating for a policy framework that is robustly funded and strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The vision prioritises economic viability for agricultural producers, social equity for rural communities, and comprehensive environmental stewardship. This report outlines the key pillars of the S&D proposal, with a significant focus on its contributions to achieving specific SDGs, including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15).

2.0 Economic Viability and Social Equity

A central tenet of the proposed CAP is ensuring the economic and social sustainability of the EU’s agricultural sector and rural areas. The S&D Group identifies significant challenges, including low farm incomes, rising costs, and unfair trade practices, which undermine progress towards several SDGs.

2.1 Fair Incomes and Support Mechanisms

To address economic disparities and support livelihoods, the proposal focuses on equitable financial distribution, directly contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Targeted Direct Payments: Payments must be directed to active farmers and prioritised for small and medium-sized farms to ensure support reaches those most in need.
• Support for New Entrants: Special emphasis is placed on supporting young farmers, women, and new entrants to the sector, fostering generational renewal and promoting SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Mandatory Capping: A mandatory cap on payments per beneficiary, proposed between €75,000 and €95,000, is advocated to ensure a fairer distribution of funds.
• Crisis and Transition Funding: The proposal calls for a reinforced crisis reserve and a dedicated just transition fund to enhance resilience against market shocks and natural disasters, securing the economic viability of EU farming.

3.0 Food Security and Public Health

The S&D Group’s vision underscores the CAP’s fundamental role in guaranteeing food security and promoting public health, aligning with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

1. Food Security and Sovereignty: The policy must ensure a stable and sovereign supply of high-quality, safe, and affordable food for all European citizens.
2. Nutritious Food Access: A core principle is that no citizen should be left without access to nutritious food, reinforcing the link between agricultural policy and public health outcomes.

4.0 Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

A strong emphasis is placed on transforming the CAP into a key driver for environmental protection and climate change mitigation, in line with the One Health approach. This directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

4.1 Promoting Sustainable Practices

The S&D Group calls for financial incentives, training, and investment to support the transition to sustainable farming systems.

• Incentivising Agroecology: Support for practices such as organic farming, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and agroforestry is identified as a powerful tool for improving sustainability.
• Protecting Natural Resources: The policy must include measures for the protection of pollinators, soil health, and water resources, alongside the preservation of wetlands and peatlands.
• Reducing Chemical Inputs: A key objective is to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, thereby lowering the environmental impact of farming.
• Rewarding Climate Mitigation: The next CAP should reward farmers for efforts that contribute to climate goals, such as carbon storage, to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

5.0 Policy Coherence and Governance

The S&D Group expresses concern over European Commission proposals that could weaken the commonality and solidarity of the CAP. The report advocates for a strong, integrated European policy framework that upholds fairness and leaves no one behind, reflecting the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Maintaining a Common Policy: The group opposes any move towards the renationalisation of the CAP, arguing it would fragment the European dimension and weaken solidarity.
• Ensuring a Fair Global Playing Field: The vision includes the implementation of trade rules that ensure fair competition for EU farmers, contributing to sustainable global food systems.
• Adequate Budgeting: A robust CAP budget, indexed to inflation, is deemed essential to meet the challenges of the green transition and ensure the policy can deliver on its ambitious social, economic, and environmental objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article addresses the economic struggles of farmers, highlighting their “low incomes compared to national averages” and the need to guarantee “decent incomes for farmers,” which directly connects to the goal of ending poverty in all its forms.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• This is a central theme. The article explicitly mentions the goals of achieving “food security and sovereignty for Europe,” providing “high quality, affordable food for citizens,” and ensuring “no citizen should be left without access to nutritious and affordable food.” It also focuses on sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food production.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article specifically calls for prioritizing support for “women, and new farmers,” acknowledging the need to empower women in agriculture and ensure they have access to resources.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The vision for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) includes ensuring “fairness for EU farmers and agricultural workers” and providing “jobs.” The focus on improving farmer incomes and economic viability aligns with the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article advocates for sustainable agricultural practices, such as “reducing our reliance on chemical pesticides” and protecting natural resources like “soils and water,” which are key components of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The proposed CAP is intended to “support climate action,” with a focus on farmers adopting practices that contribute to “climate mitigation and adaptation.” The mention of “rewarding carbon storage” is a direct link to climate action strategies.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article strongly emphasizes “nature protection.” It calls for “farming that restores nature” and promotes practices that support “biodiversity protection,” “Protecting pollinators, soils and water,” and “preserving wetlands and peatlands.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources. The article’s focus on ensuring “decent incomes for farmers” and addressing their “low incomes compared to national averages” directly relates to this target.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article’s commitment to “guaranteed food security” and “high quality, affordable food for citizens” aligns with this target.
• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers… The call to prioritize support for “small and medium-sized farms; young, women, and new farmers” is a direct reflection of this target.
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… The article extensively covers this by promoting “sustainable practices” like “organic farming, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and agroforestry” that protect nature and adapt to climate change.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land… The specific mention of prioritizing support for “women… farmers” connects to this target of enhancing women’s access to economic resources in agriculture.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… The article’s aim to ensure “fairness for EU farmers and agricultural workers” and “decent incomes for farmers” supports the goal of decent work for all.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals… The call for “reducing our reliance on chemical pesticides” is a clear link to this target.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters… The article addresses this by calling for a “reinforced crisis reserve” to ensure “resilience to market shocks and natural disasters” and by supporting farmers in “climate mitigation and adaptation.”

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems… The article’s call for “preserving wetlands and peatlands” and protecting “water” directly supports this target.
• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… The emphasis on protecting “soils” aligns with this target.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity… The article’s goals of “biodiversity protection” and “Protecting pollinators” are central to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Implied Indicator: Farmer income levels. The article mentions farmers “struggling with low incomes compared to national averages,” implying that a key measure of success would be the increase of farmer incomes to a decent level, closing the gap with the national average.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Implied Indicator: Proportion of support directed to small-scale producers. The call to prioritize “small and medium-sized farms; young, women, and new farmers” suggests that tracking the allocation of CAP funds to these groups would be a relevant indicator.
• Implied Indicator: Adoption rate of sustainable agricultural practices. The promotion of “organic farming, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, and agroforestry” implies that measuring the land area or number of farms utilizing these practices would be a key indicator of progress.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Implied Indicator: Volume of chemical pesticide use. The goal of “reducing our reliance on chemical pesticides” directly implies that a reduction in their use would be a primary metric for success.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Implied Indicator: Amount of carbon sequestered in agricultural soils. The proposal for “rewarding carbon storage” suggests that measuring and incentivizing carbon sequestration is a tangible indicator for climate mitigation.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Implied Indicator: Area of protected or restored habitats. The specific mention of “preserving wetlands and peatlands” implies that the total area under preservation or restoration schemes would be a key performance indicator.
• Implied Indicator: Pollinator population health/trends. The goal of “Protecting pollinators” suggests that monitoring pollinator populations would be a measure of success in protecting biodiversity.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: socialistsanddemocrats.eu