This study discussed current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) measures and reform proposals for the post-2013 period with respect to EU semi-subsistence farms (SSFs).
Based on country case studies and interview evidence, the study assessed the values of SSFs for rural areas and the obstacles faced in using Pillar 1 and 2 measures. It concluded that the fundamental issue of income support to semi-subsistence producers was inadequately addressed by any set of CAP instruments, and put forward a set of recommendations for strengthening the CAP approach, especially via Pillar 2, for SSFs.
The research was requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and was undertaken by the CCRI (Professor Janet Dwyer) in collaboration with the Universities of Kent, Ljubljana, Newcastle and Aberdeen.
Research took place between December 2012 and April 2013.