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Commission authorises higher advance CAP payments to EU farmers

EU farmers will receive higher CAP advances to ease liquidity issues, up to 70% for direct payments and 85% for rural interventions.

The European Commission has approved an increase in advance payments of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds to assist EU farmers facing severe liquidity challenges. This decision allows Member States to raise the advance on direct payments from 50% to 70%, and on rural development payments tied to area and livestock from 75% to 85%, starting 16 October. The move responds to ongoing financial pressures caused by extreme weather, high input costs, and elevated interest rates, which have impacted yields and financial stability in the sector. Several Member States had requested this action, aligning with the CAP’s role in providing economic stability for farmers. The Commission also underscored earlier measures in 2024 that offered additional flexibility for farmers, along with distributing the agricultural reserve to aid those affected by severe weather events.