A CAP on ambitions: Power, fragmentation, and the struggle for transformative policy in the post-2022 common agricultural policy debates

NJAS Impact in Agricultural and Life Sciences, vol. 97

Abstract

In recent years, academics and practitioners have questioned whether the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the best instrument to deal with social and environmental transformations. Stakeholders have faced stagnating policy debates and have seen ambitious plans being watered down. In this article, we analyse the post-2022 CAP policy debates regarding policy configurations and content. It provides insights into the key policy topics discussed during the debates, stakeholder interactions, and patterns of inclusion and exclusion. The results show that the agri-food policy community did not change its status quo despite efforts to include new actors and meanings. Four patterns of exclusion stand out: (1) fixed rules of interaction, (2) disqualification of actors and meanings, (3) ideational deadlock, and (4) restrictive language. Hence, the post-2022 CAP debates did not differ much from previous debates, blocking systemic changes.

Authors 3

1. Shana L. Hepping corresponding Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

2. Gerard E. Breeman Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

3. Martina G. Vijver Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University