By 30 August 2024, unless extended, farmers can submit a single application for aid and funding under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027. This aid is intended for active and new farmers, including young people, to support rural activity in various areas. The new CAP has a budget of 37.5 billion euros divided over five years. In this guide, we explain what the 2023-2027 CAP is, what aid and funding are provided for farmers, how to apply for them and when to apply.
What is PAC aid
CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) aid is direct economic support or funding for the agricultural sector to support entrepreneurs in the sector and guarantee Europe’s food security. Launched in 1962, the CAP is a policy common to all the countries of the European Union, managed and financed at European level with resources from the EU budget. In Italy, AGEA (Agency for Agricultural Disbursements) manages this aid.
Types of CAP aid and funding for farmers
Aid and funding for CAP demand is divided into three main categories:
Direct payments
- Managed at the national level: these are contributions calculated based on the securities held by farmers, the value of their land and the sustainability of their crops.
Financing for rural development
- Regionally managed: they support specific projects aimed at the development of rural areas.
Sectoral support
- Managed at the national level: it encourages specific sectors in difficulty, such as fruit and vegetables, beekeeping, viticulture, hops, olive oil and table olives.
What is the single demand CAP
The single CAP application is a simplified application that farmers can submit to access the contributions of the Common Agricultural Policy. This unified application may include the request for access to multiple interventions, as governed by Article 3, paragraph 3, of Reg. (EU) 2022/1173
.
How to submit a single PAC 2024 application
It is possible to submit the single PAC application on the AGEA website, accessible with SPID, CIE or CNS. The application procedure is managed by AGEA and is open to those who have (or are opening) their own electronic business file, following the procedure explained in circular no. 23171 of 14 March 2024. Those interested can submit the application digitally or with the support of the Agricultural Assistance Centers
.
Deadline for submitting the PAC 2024 application
The deadline for submitting the single PAC application for the current year is 30 August 2024, as clarified in decree 29 July 2024, prot. 0341205. The deadline has been extended from the initial date of July 31
, 2024.
Who is entitled to the CAP in agriculture
The aid and funding granted under the single CAP application are intended for:
New farmers
- They started the agricultural activity as head of the farm in the 2022 calendar year or later.
- They apply within 2 years from the start of the activity.
- Age between 41 and 60 years old.
- They have adequate educational requirements.
Active farmers
- They carry out agricultural and livestock activities, as defined by the MASAF decree of 23 December 2022.
- They must carry out at least one annual cultivation practice for the maintenance of agricultural areas or for agricultural production.
Young farmers
- They settle for the first time on a farm as head of the farm.
- They are not older than 40 years old in the first year of submitting the application.
- They have adequate education and competence requirements.
How does CAP aid and funding work
CAP aid and funding for farmers works on request and involves the provision of direct contributions or funding for specific agricultural sectors. AGEA evaluates the contributions to be made and verifies the requirements, providing details on the disbursement and access once the requested aid has been recognized
.
PAC 2024 Resources
The 36.6 billion euro budget for the 2023-2027 CAP funds is divided into:
- 18.14 billion euros for direct payments.
- 16.40 billion euros for rural development, managed at regional level.
- 2 billion euros for sectoral support, managed at national level.
Conclusion
Submitting the single application for CAP aid and funding is an important opportunity for farmers, who can thus access useful contributions to support and develop their business. It’s crucial to stay up to date on deadlines and verify requirements to avoid problems when submitting your application
.