Speculation surrounding the future of a post 2013 EU budget was fuelled last week with the leaking of a first draft of the Commission’s paper emanating from the 2008/2009 EU Budget Review.

In this IEEP CAP2020 Policy Briefing, we review the future of the CAP in light of the upcoming appointment of a new Agriculture Commissioner and forthcoming Commission green paper, expected in autumn next year. We review the challenges faced in the creation of a CAP fit for 2020, and look at the implications of these for the future of EU agricultural policy.

If Irish voters deliver a 'yes' vote in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty taking place today, then the role of the European Parliament is likely to become increasingly important in the CAP decision making process. A recent report by IEEP provides an overview of some of the new EP committees.

The budget has succeeded in providing continued and stable funding as well as avoiding placing additional financial burdens on Member States, in a year characterised by significant economic turbulence.