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Agriculture and rural development
News article6 April 2020Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

Commission adopts extension of CAP payments deadline

Following the Coronavirus outbreak and current crisis, the European Commission adopted today the extension of the deadline for submitting common agricultural policy (CAP) payment applications. Farmers and other CAP beneficiaries will now have more time to fill in their applications to receive both direct payments and rural development payments. The extension will be possible for all eligible farmers in all Member States. It is however up to the Member States to decide whether to use the extension.

The new deadline for applications will now be 15 June 2020, instead of 15 May, allowing more flexibility for farmers to fill in their applications in these difficult and unparalleled times.

Every year, European farmers file their applications to receive CAP income support. National authorities then process the applications and ensure necessary checks. CAP payments are then distributed at national or regional level, which is reimbursed by the European Commission through the EU’s budget.

Background

During these unparalleled times, the European Union's agri-food sector is showing its resilience and continues to provide Europeans with high quality and safe food. Ensuring food security and an effective food supply chain across the continent remains one of the Commission's priorities.

Nonetheless, the Commission is aware of the difficult conditions that some of our farmers currently face. We have already announced several measures to introduce more flexibility in the implementation of the CAP to support European farmers. In addition, we adopted early on guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services and subsequent guidance documents to ensure the free flow of goods and seasonal workers within the single market and mitigate the negative effects of coronavirus on the functioning of the food supply chain.

We keep in close contact with EU countries regarding their needs. The Commission keeps monitoring closely all agricultural markets and trade of food products and remains ready to take further action when necessary.

More information

Coronavirus: Commission announces further measures to support the agri-food sector

Message by President Ursula von der Leyen on measures to support farmers during the Coronavirus crisis

Related links

Coronavirus response

Supporting the agriculture and food sectors amid Coronavirus

Income support explained

Details