Overview
Civil dialogue groups (CDGs) assist the European Commission and help to hold a regular dialogue on all matters relating to the common agricultural policy (CAP), including rural development, and its implementation. The Commission has opened a call for applications to designate the new members for the CDGs 2023-27. Applications can be sent until 29 November 2022. Find more details on the Register of Commission Expert Groups.
Legal bases
Commission Decision 2013/767 – on setting up a framework for civil dialogue in matters covered by the common agricultural policy and repealing Decision 2004/391/EC.
Commission Decision 2021/1112 – on the temporary extension of the current CDGs organisation to the end of 2022. This additional one and a half years follows the rationale of the CAP transitional regulation, which extended most of the existing CAP rules until the end of 2022.
Based on experiences regarding the organisation of the CDGs, in addition to the extension of the mandate, the Commission has taken over the role of chair of CDG meetings, in line with the Commission's horizontal framework for expert groups of 2016.
Composition and tasks
On 18 July 2014 the Commission's Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development decided on the composition of the civil dialogue groups.
The civil dialogue groups' tasks are:
- to hold a regular dialogue on all matters relating to the CAP, including rural development, and its implementation;
- to bring about an exchange of experience and good practice;
- to assist the Commission and advise on policy;
- to deliver an opinion on specific matters;
- to monitor policy developments.
The groups are composed of at least European-level non-governmental organisations, including representative associations, socio-economic interest groups, civil society organisations and trade unions that are registered in the joint Transparency Register.
The composition of the groups was decided on the basis of calls for applications.
Transparency
The Commission will publish all relevant documents such as agendas, minutes, conclusions, partial conclusions or working documents on the activities carried out by the civil dialogue groups dealing with matters covered by the CAP.
Exceptions to systematic publication will be made where disclosure of a document would undermine the protection of a public or private interest as defined in article 4 of EU Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
- July 2021
The Commission decided to temporarily extend the current CDG organisation, and took over the role of chair at the same time.
- July 2014
The Commission decided – based on calls for applications – on the composition of the civil dialogue groups.
- December 2013
The Commission set up a framework for social dialogue.
- 1962
A dialogue framework with representative associations and civil society dealing with matters covered by the CAP was established.
With a view to increase transparency and provide for a better balancing of represented interests it became necessary to review the existing dialogue in the advisory groups and to provide for a new framework of a civil dialogue in the field of agriculture and rural development, including the international aspects, and to define their tasks and structure.
Related links
Selection of civil dialogue groups
An outline of the application process for civil dialogue groups.
Analysis of EU policy consultation
Common agricultural policy
A partnership between EU agriculture and society to ensure a stable supply of affordable food, safeguard income for farmers and keep rural areas vibrant.
