The Commission continues to simplify the common agricultural policy for EU farmers

Today, the Commission’s proposal to make the use of geo-tagged photos voluntary for Member States gathered a positive opinion from national representatives, paving the way for its adoption. The proposal, in the form of an implementing act, keeps bringing more flexibility in the implementation of CAP tools for national administrations, in line with all the actions taken since the beginning of the year by the Commission. 

Farmers and Member States have expressed several difficulties in the first year of implementation of the current common agricultural policy (CAP). The Commission has been working hard since the beginning of the year to change and clarify several provisions of the policy to relieve the administrative burden for farmers and national administrations. One of their concerns was related to the requirements for the use of geo-tagged photos as of 1 January 2027 for the Area Monitoring System. The Commission’s draft proposal was available for public consultation from 11 June to 9 July before it was presented today for the opinion of the Member States in committee meeting.

The Area Monitoring System is based on automated analysis of satellite imagery from Copernicus, meant to reduce farm inspections, help farmers avoid errors and penalties, and facilitate reporting. It is part of the administration and control system to be set up by all Member States to check CAP payment applications and compliance with eligibility requirements for various interventions.

More flexibility and less complexity

Geo-tagged photos were introduced in the current CAP to avoid field visits to farmers and alleviate costs for national administrations. However, it has been perceived as being cumbersome and complex to implement by certain farmers and Member States.

As a previous preliminary survey on simplification has shown, half of the respondents applying for CAP support are not using mobile devices to provide geo-tagged photos to the authorities. Out of the 50% using mobile devices for this purpose, about half have issues with it, because they find it time-consuming, not easy to use or lack feedback on the accuracy of the picture provided.

The Commission has noted these concerns and proposes to remove obligations for Member States to use geotagged photos in the Area Monitoring System. In the Commission’s proposal, Member States will have the flexibility to ask farmers to use geo-tagged photos or any other data deemed equivalent.

Delivering on our commitments

This is the latest action delivered by the European Commission following its commitments to address farmers’ concerns. On 22 February, the Commission presented its first actions for simplification to reduce the administrative burden for EU farmers in a lasting way. On 15 March, it presented its proposal for a targeted review of the Common Agricultural Policy, which entered into force on 25 May after successfully being approved by the Council and the European Parliament.

Member States play a key role in keeping the administrative burden for farmers limited and proportionate. Any successful simplification exercise must be carried out in close cooperation with the national administrations and farmers themselves.