Europäischer Rechnungshof - European Court of Auditors
EU agriculture policy – is the proposal for the new CAP fit for purpose?
Press invitation
for 9 February 2026
EU agriculture policy – is the proposal for the new CAP fit for purpose?
- Online press briefing: Monday 9 February at 10.30 a.m. CET
- Publication: Same day at 5.00 p.m. CET
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) would like to invite you to an online press briefing for its upcoming opinion on the proposed new common agricultural policy (CAP) under the long-term EU budget of almost €2 trillion between 2028 and 2034. The briefing will take place at 10.30 a.m. CET on Monday 9 February 2026 via TEAMS.
The purpose of the briefing is to provide a detailed overview of the opinion, and to put its main messages into context. There will also be an opportunity to discuss them with ECA Member Iliana Ivanova, as well as representatives of the audit team.
RSVP: Please let us know by 4.00 p.m. on Friday 6 February whether you intend to take part in the online briefing; we will then send you detailed instructions on how to connect. To allow for an informed discussion, confirmed participants can receive an embargoed copy of the opinion and press release upon request ahead of the briefing. Both documents will be published on the ECA website at 5.00 p.m. on Monday 9 February.
Background
In 2025, the Commission put forward a total of €2 trillion for the EU’s 2028-2034 budget, or multiannual financial framework (MFF). In this opinion, the auditors will provide their view on the Commission’s legislative proposal for the new CAP and the proposed changes to a regulation for the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products. According to the Commission’s MFF proposal, the CAP would be part of the new European Fund, establishing a single set of rules in support of cohesion, agriculture and rural development, fisheries and maritime affairs, prosperity and security. This marks the first time since the CAP was created in 1962 that the Commission is proposing not to have a specific fund for agriculture. However, there is a specific legislative proposal on implementing the CAP, on which the auditors will comment in this opinion.
The Council, which will ultimately decide on the budget, and the European Parliament, which needs to give its consent, have asked for the auditors’ views before they examine the proposals. In mid-January 2026 the ECA started issuing a series of opinions on these proposals. Later this month, the ECA will publish further opinions on the MFF proposals, including on the European Fund and the performance framework for tracking the EU budget, which are also relevant for the CAP.
Contact:
ECA press office: press@eca.europa.eu