From Butter Mountains to Eco-Schemes: The Epic Journey of the CAP
Did you know that farming has its own epic EU story — with heroes, plot twists, and plenty of drama? That’s right: meet the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), one of the oldest and most powerful EU policies, born back when Europe was just starting to come together.
Once Upon a Time…
It all began in 1957 with the Treaties of Rome. Europe was still recovering from World War II, and food was scarce. Farmers struggled with low incomes, productivity lagged behind, and every country had its own rules. To address these challenges, a common policy was officially launched in 1962 with five primary goals:
- Boost productivity, swiftly.
- Ensure fair income for farmers.
- Keep markets stable and food supplies flowing.
- Make sure prices stayed reasonable for consumers.
- Level the playing field for farmers across Europe.
The strategy implemented included guaranteed prices, protection from imports, and government intervention whenever markets wobbled. Farmers were rewarded for producing more — and yes, they delivered!
The Mansholt Plan & The Mountains of Butter
By the 1970s, there was a twist: farmers were producing so much that Europe ended up with “butter mountains” and “wine lakes.” Seriously — more food than anyone knew what to do with.
Enter Sicco Mansholt, the EU’s Agriculture Commissioner. His 1970 plan aimed to modernise farms, stabilise markets, and merge smaller farms into bigger, more efficient ones. But despite the reforms, the surplus problem only grew. By the 1980s, quotas (especially for milk) were introduced to stop the flood of products. Farmers who overproduced had to pay fines — and the world accused Europe of being too protectionist.
The Big 1992 Plot Twist
By the 1990s, CAP couldn’t go on as it was. Cue the MacSharry reforms:
- No more unlimited price support.
- Direct payments linked to land or livestock, not how much you produced.
- First-ever environmental rules and quality standards — the seeds of “green CAP.”
Agenda 2000 – CAP Gets a Second Pillar
As the EU prepared to welcome new members, CAP had another makeover. Agenda 2000 added the famous “second pillar” — rural development. This expanded CAP’s mission: not just food, but also jobs, social cohesion, and stronger rural communities. Farming was no longer the whole story.
From Closed Doors to Co-Decision
Until 2009, CAP decisions were mostly made by EU governments behind closed doors. But the Lisbon Treaty changed the rules: from 2013 onwards, the European Parliament became an equal player. That reform made CAP greener, fairer for small farms, and more attractive for young farmers.
The Latest Chapter – CAP Today
Fast-forward to 2021. The newest reform, which runs until 2027, is shaped by the European Green Deal and today’s challenges. What changed?
- Countries now design their own National Strategic Plans.
- Farmers get rewarded for eco-friendly practices through “eco-schemes.”
- More support goes to small farms and young farmers.
- And for the first time, CAP looks after farm workers’ rights.
What’s Next?
No story is complete without a cliffhanger. After 2027, CAP faces fresh challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, food security fears, and farmer protests. Another big reform is coming — and it could redefine Europe’s farming future once again.
So stay tuned: the CAP saga continues…