EUSTAFOR contributes to Call for Evidence to the mid term evaluation of the 2023-2027 CAP

The European State Forest Association has contributed fresh evidence to the mid term evaluation of the 2023 to 2027 Common Agricultural Policy, offering a perspective grounded in the experience of public forest managers across Europe. Based on a 2025 member survey, the input highlights both the promise and the persistent shortcomings of the current CAP framework.

The shift toward a performance based delivery model is widely seen as a step in the right direction. Greater flexibility for Member States to design their own strategic plans has allowed for more tailored approaches, including the introduction of forestry related measures in many countries. These measures are generally viewed as relevant and impactful across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. At the same time, this flexibility has produced uneven results, with forestry often treated as a secondary priority.

A central concern is that forestry remains insufficiently integrated into the CAP despite its critical role in climate mitigation, biodiversity, and the broader bioeconomy. In practice, forest related measures are frequently difficult to access, inconsistently designed, or marginal in scope. This limits the policy’s ability to support multifunctional land use and weakens its contribution to long term sustainability goals.

Administrative complexity continues to be a major barrier. Forest managers report that CAP systems are still largely designed with agricultural beneficiaries in mind, creating mismatches in eligibility criteria and procedures. As a result, participation by forestry actors remains lower than expected and available funding is not fully utilised.

Looking ahead, EUSTAFOR stresses the need for meaningful simplification, clearer and dedicated funding streams for forestry, and stronger integration of forest management into the core of the CAP. Ensuring continuity and predictability of funding is also seen as essential for long term planning and resilience, particularly in the face of increasing natural disturbances.

Overall, the CAP retains strong added value as a common European policy. However, without addressing structural challenges and fully recognising the role of forests, its capacity to deliver on climate and sustainability objectives will remain constrained.