EU Auditors Critique National Agricultural Plans for Environmental Goals

In a report published on September 30, 2023, the European Court of Auditors criticized the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) national strategic plans for failing to meet the EU's environmental goals. The auditors noted that while the plans for the 2023-2027 CAP period are greener than previous iterations, they still do not align with the ambitious targets set by the European Green Deal, particularly the Farm to Fork strategy. This strategy aims for significant reductions in pesticide and chemical fertilizer use by 2030, alongside an increase in organic farming. The auditors highlighted that key elements necessary for evaluating green performance are absent from the plans, which undermines their effectiveness. The report pointed out that member states have not fully utilized the enhanced green conditionality introduced in the CAP, often opting to reduce or delay the implementation of environmental requirements. This flexibility has led to exemptions for certain beneficiaries and a lack of comprehensive data to assess the overall impact of eco-schemes in various countries, including Spain and Poland. The European Commission acknowledged the partial information provided by member states regarding their contributions to the Green Deal objectives. To address these shortcomings, the auditors recommended strengthening the monitoring framework for climate and environmental performance in future CAP iterations. The Commission plans to negotiate legal provisions for the next CAP after 2027 and will conduct a study to identify best practices in green strategies. The findings of this report underscore the need for more robust accountability measures to ensure that agricultural policies align with environmental sustainability goals.