Agriculture and rural development
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An overview of Germany’s formally approved strategy to implement the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) nationally, as well as information on the process and related documents.
Overview
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Climatic, agronomic, societal and rural conditions across Germany’s regions (Laender) vary. Consequently, its agricultural sector encompasses different farm structures, ranging from highly specialised farms to family farms in mountain areas. Over 57% of the area is agricultural land and 30% is covered with forests. Milk, cereals as well as vegetables and horticultural products are the most important sectors in terms of production value. German agriculture is market-oriented, with certain sectors being very export-oriented. Predominantly rural regions cover 39% and intermediate regions 50% of the country’s territory.
276 000
Farms
There are over 276 000 farms in Germany with an average size of around 61 hectares.
7%
Young farmers
7% of farmers are under the age of 35, while around 40% are 55 years or older.
16%
Rural population
Nearly 13 million people live in predominantly rural regions, which represents 16% of the population, while 41% live in intermediate regions.
Goal and strategy
Germany’s strategy is aimed at ensuring the sustainable competitiveness and resilience of farms and, at the same time improving the protection of natural resources and the climate. It also aims at boosting the quality of life in rural areas through investments, knowledge transfer and innovation. Germany has designed a strategy that combines national and regional elements. This will provide support to farmers across the country with a fair approach, while taking into account specificities of the Laender. Legislative or financial tools at national and/or regional level, which complement the actions of the CAP Plan have to be taken into account for a complete picture.
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Factsheet6 December 2023
At a glance: Germany's CAP Strategic Plan
Overview of key elements and choices defined by Germany in its approved CAP Strategic Plan for the implementation of the CAP 2023-27.
Auf einen Blick: Der Deutsche GAP-Strategieplan
Überblick über die wichtigsten Elemente und Entscheidungen, die Deutschland in seinem genehmigten GAP-Strategieplan für die Umsetzung der GAP 2023-27 festgelegt hat.
DownloadDeutsch
(1.94 MB - PDF)
Germany's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-27
The completeness of the information provided in the links is solely the responsibility of the competent national authorities.
Germany's CAP Strategic Plan on the national website
Germany’s 2023 annual performance report on the national website
The annual performance report (APR) presents: spending, outputs, and results achieved through the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).
The APRs cover a qualitative and a quantitative overview of the CSPs’ implementation, providing an outline of the expenditures and performance achieved.
Timeline
29 November 2023
The Commission approved Germany’s first amendment to the CAP Strategic Plan.
21 November 2022
The Commission approved Germany’s CAP Strategic Plan.
14 October 2022
Germany submitted a revised proposal, addressing the Commission’s observations on the first draft.
9 June 2022
Germany’s comments on Commission observation letter.
20 May 2022
Commission sent an observation letter on Germany’s CAP Strategic Plan.
21 February 2022
Germany submitted its first proposal for a CAP Strategic Plan.
18 December 2020
Commission issued a Staff Working Document containing recommendations for Germany’s CAP Strategic Plan.
Legal basis
Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by EU countries under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans).
Documents
Specific requests to review the CAP Strategic Plan
20 JULY 2023
Art. 120 letters – Assessment of the impact on the CSP of changes to Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry, and the Effort Sharing Regulations
Implementing decision
23 NOVEMBER 2022
Germany's CAP Strategic Plan – implementing decision
23 NOVEMBER 2022
Germany's CAP Strategic Plan – annex to the implementing decision
Observation letters
12 JULY 2022
Commission observation letter on Germany's CAP strategic plan
12 JULY 2022
Commission observation letter on Germany's CAP strategic plan – annex
12 JULY 2022
German's comments on Commission observation letter
Staff Working Documents
Commission Staff Working Document SWD2020 (373) – Germany
30 MARCH 2021
Arbeitsunterlage der Kommissionsdienststellen SWD2020 (373) – Deutschland
Related links
National level CAP Strategic Plans combine a wide range of local and EU-level objectives to deliver targeted, tangible results.
Overview of aims, history and current rules of the common agricultural policy, supporting EU farmers and Europe’s food security.
Key elements of the common agricultural policy for the period from 2023 to 2027.
Information on the delivery and application of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in each EU country.