New rules simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) through a series of technical improvements to the four CAP Regulations on direct payments, rural development, common market organisation and horizontal aspects have recently been agreed by the EU institutions.

The agreed rules are part of the so-called Omnibus Regulation which, following adoption, will amend the Financial Regulation on the EU budget and a wide range of related legislation. Discussions on other parts of the Omnibus package are continuing.