At the end of March 2022, the 19 EU Member States that submitted their CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) by the 1 January 2022 deadline received their Observation Letters. The letters identify elements of the proposed plans that require further explanation, completion or adjustments before the European Commission (EC) can approve them.
The EC also published an overview of the main elements expressed in the letters regarding two important aspects: a) key issues relating to the entirety of the CSPs (strategic focus, contributions to the CAP’s general objectives and assessment in relation to the specific EU targets set in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies), and b) detailed observations according to the CAP’s ten specific objectives, the instruments and other elements of the proposed CSP.
All observation letters of the EC have been now made available online for the 19 EU Member States. Further observation letters and comments from EU Member States will be published as they become available. The observation letters are an interim step in the Commission’s overall assessment and approval process for the CAP strategic plans. Each EU country is now expected to address the observations made and submit a revised version of the plans. In the meantime, each country has been given the opportunity to comment on their observation letter.