Paludi4All project publishes new report on EU CAP 2023-2027 support for peatland and paludiculture
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the European Union’s main framework for planning agriculture and rural development. For the 2023–2027 period, around €387 billion is being channelled through national CAP Strategic Plans across the Member States.
The current CAP 2023–2027 creates more opportunities than previous funding periods for peatland protection, rewetting and paludiculture, as shown in the new Paludi4All report. Paludi4All, along with PaluWise, is one of our sister projects.
The extent to which paludiculture opportunities can be realised in practice, still depends on how member states reflect the CAP framework in their national strategic plans, the report points out. The current CAP creates, for the first time, a clearer framework for peatland and paludiculture. It sets a minimum protection standard for peatland and wetland protection, addresses eligibility for direct payments and opens the door for eco-schemes to support paludiculture and peatland rewetting. Beyond this, the CAP toolbox offers further opportunities to advance paludiculture through agri-environment-climate schemes, investment support, cooperation, advice and training.
Direct payment eligibility remains a key challenge for paludiculture. Important paludiculture crops such as reed, cattail and sphagnum moss are still classified as non-agricultural products, and so far only six of the 27 member states have implemented the new derogation rule that can maintain payment eligibility. Wet grassland paludiculture may still qualify as permanent grassland, but this status can be lost if non-fodder plants become dominant. For farmers and land managers, this creates ongoing uncertainty when considering a transition to paludiculture.
Even so, the current CAP is becoming more supportive for peatlands and paludiculture. Countries including Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom already provide useful examples of how different national instruments and policy approaches can work together within and beyond the CAP. Looking ahead, a policy mix could help support the transition. This would include positive incentives for paludiculture and peatland ecosystem services, while gradually phasing out support for drainage-based use. Longer-term planning security could be further strengthened by additional instruments such as a CO₂ tax.