Omnibus, previsto per il 1 aprile il voto al Parlamento europeo
Marzo 20, 2025
EU’s Omnibus Package moves forward: agriculture reform joins the simplification agenda
The third Omnibus package introduced significant reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), aiming to enhance sustainability, improve farmers' income stability, and promote rural development within the European Union.
Omnibus key instruments
On 26 February 2025, the European Commission presented the “Omnibus Package”, a legislative initiative designed to simplify and streamline several complex EU sustainability and environmental regulations. This first package of proposals focuses on four key instruments:
- the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD),
- the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD),
- the EU Taxonomy Regulation, and
- the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The goal: to streamline complex regulatory requirements, reduce administrative burden, and enable a more practical implementation of EU rules — especially for SMEs and companies newly covered by evolving sustainability obligations.
Significant reforms for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
The simplification agenda continues with the third Omnibus package, focusing on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which was presented by the European Commission on 14 May 2025. Building on previous flexibilities introduced in response to farmer protests, this agricultural reform proposes:
- Greater flexibility on conditionalities tied to accessing agricultural subsidies (so-called “BCAA” rules);
- Expanded definition of environmental conditions, including revised criteria for permanent grassland, peatland and wetland protection, and watercourse management;
- Introduction of complementary crisis payments for farmers affected by floods, droughts, or other climate-driven disasters — excluded from cross-compliance rules;
- Higher flat-rate aid ceilings:
- Up to €2,500 for small farmers;
- Up to €50,000 for small farm development initiatives;
- Streamlined strategic plan amendments: Only significant changes would require Commission approval;
- Reduced inspection frequency: Farmers could be exempted from multiple on-site checks per year;
- Organic farmers to be largely exempt from cross-compliance obligations.
The proposals aim to provide faster, more targeted support for European farmers and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of escalating climate impacts.
A broader simplification package is expected later in 2025, as announced by Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen.
