The long debate over greening in this year’s CAP reform is moving towards a climax. This short paper provides an overview of the state of play on the greening in Pillar 1, Pillar 2 and cross-compliance. It reflects on the architecture of the CAP as well as the implications of the different ways in which green elements have been watered down in negotiations, suggestions are made about how the outstanding issues should be resolved if greenwash is to be avoided and a credible CAP put in place.

A recent news article posted by the European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism provides an update on the on-going battle for traditional graziers against Member State reclassification of farmland.

A contentious issue in the negotiations on the future of the CAP is how to implement the proposed new green direct payments to farmers. However, proposals to increase flexibility for Member States will not necessarily be administratively any simpler and may risk weakening environmental outcomes.

After lengthy deliberations, on 19 March, the Agriculture Council agreed its negotiating mandate on the CAP reform package of legislative texts. This agreement, which significantly watered down green elements, provides the Council with their mandate to enter into trialogue discussions with the European Parliament and the Commission.

The European Environmental Bureau is organising a timely conference entitled 'Sealing the Deal on a Greener CAP?' on Wednesday 10 April to exchange views on the latest developments in the Parliament and Council.