What tools for the European Agricultural Policy to encourage the provision of public goods?

Agriculture plays an important role in the provision of a wide range of public goods in Europe, particularly regarding the environment and rural vitality. Appropriate policies are required to secure adequate provision in future. The Common Agricultural Policy potentially has a key role. This report examines some of the issues involved in reorienting the CAP for this purpose and proposes how it could be modified to contribute to the provision of public goods more effectively in the future.

Public goods associated with agriculture include: farmland biodiversity, culturally valued agricultural landscapes, rural vitality, farm animal welfare and aspects of food security.