All to play for as battle over CAP funds escalates

These coming weeks will see something of a battle playing out in the corridors of power, both at home and in Brussels.

The reduced CAP budget or MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework) will be pored over and fought over to determine the who, what, when and where of the distribution of monies.

One key aspect of the upcoming horse-trading is in relation to the allocation of money between Pillar 1 (direct payments or subsidies) and Pillar 2 (rural development and agri-environment/ organic). The structure of the new CAP allows for the transfer of up to 15% of funds between Pillars 1 and 2. This transfer will be left up to member states and can go either way, so money can be moved from Pillar 1 to 2 and vice versa.