The Balearic regional agriculture authorities have formally launched discussions on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) following a first bilateral meeting held in Madrid with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The meeting was led by Fernando Fernández, Director General for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, and Ana Rodríguez, Secretary General for Agricultural Resources and Food Security, to open negotiations on the future European agricultural framework.
During the talks, the Balearic side outlined its main strategic priorities, in line with the dialogue recently initiated with the islands’ agricultural sector. Particular emphasis was placed on consolidating the achievements of the previous CAP, especially the formal recognition of island regions and the structural extra costs associated with insularity.
Fernández stressed that insularity represents an objective disadvantage rather than a privilege, and warned that failure to reflect this reality in the future CAP could undermine the competitiveness of many agricultural holdings.
TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
The first bilateral meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture launches negotiations on the future CAP
He also noted that current draft regulations allow support to be targeted at the most vulnerable agricultural sectors and enable territorial differentiation based on objective criteria. According to Fernández, there is still scope within European regulations to continue the approach adopted in earlier negotiations.
Key issues discussed included maintaining specific recognition for island regions within the new aid model, defending differentiated payment levels for degressive hectare-based aid and coupled support, and strengthening compensatory payments for areas with natural constraints as a genuine complement to basic income support.
The meeting also addressed the need to revise the current budget distribution system inherited from the EAFRD, which will no longer exist under the future CAP. Fernández argued that the existing model no longer reflects territorial realities or sectoral needs, making it necessary to redefine regional allocation criteria and ensure sufficient funding for strategic interventions in the Balearic Islands.
Both sides highlighted the importance of establishing a stable and cooperative working methodology throughout the negotiation process. The Balearic delegation welcomed the Ministry’s openness and constructive attitude, underlining that this initial meeting represents a key first step towards a fairer, more balanced CAP adapted to territorial diversity.