(1)

Following the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, a European CAP network is to be established for the networking of national networks, organisations, and administrations in the field of agriculture and rural development at Union level. The European CAP network should replace the European network for rural development (ENRD), put in place in accordance with Article 52(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) and the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) network, put in place in accordance with Article 53(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013.

(2)

With a view to achieve the objectives of the networking in the field of agriculture and rural development at Union level set out in Article 126(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and to carry out the tasks provided for in Article 126(4) of that Regulation, it is necessary to adopt rules setting out the organisational structure and operation of the European CAP network.

(3)

Commission Implementing Decision 2014/825/EU (3) provides for the organisational structure and operation for the ENRD and for the EIP networks consisting of the operational structure: Assembly, Steering Group and Assembly’s permanent sub-groups. For reasons of efficiency, it is appropriate to use a similar organisational structure for the European CAP network.

(4)

In accordance with Commission Decision 2013/767/EU (4), a new framework for civil dialogue groups dealing with matters covered by the common agricultural policy (CAP) is to be set up. Membership in the European CAP network organisational structure by the Union-wide non-governmental organisations, who have been appointed members of the civil dialogue groups, needs to be updated in accordance with the new framework.

(5)

The European CAP network’s Assembly should be established and its tasks defined in accordance with the horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups set out in Commission Decision C(2016)3301 (5).

(6)

The Assembly should notably promote exchange and networking among public and private entities active in the CAP and provide the strategic framework for their activity, including the thematic work, and ensure appropriate monitoring and assessment of the same activity. It should propose the members of the Steering Group.

(7)

The Assembly should be composed of the CAP Strategic Plans national managing authorities and paying agencies, national CAP networks, organisations active in the field of agriculture and rural development at Union level, organisations representing regional or local authorities active in agriculture and rural development at Union level, LEADER local action groups, farm advisory services, innovation support services linked to EIP operational groups’ projects and research institutes active in innovation activities linked to EIP operational groups’ projects.

(8)

With a view to ensure an effective and efficient organisation of the activity of the European CAP network, in accordance with the opinions of the Assembly, it is necessary to set up a European CAP network’s Steering Group and to define its tasks and its structure.

(9)

The Steering Group should prepare and follow-up the activities of the European CAP network. It should coordinate the thematic work of the network and its activity strands related to the CAP Strategic Plans, innovation, and monitoring and evaluation and ensure coordination of the work of the Assembly with that of other expert groups and committees established in the context of the CAP.

(10)

The Steering Group should be composed of representatives from the European CAP network’s Assembly and its permanent sub-groups established in accordance with this Decision.

(11)

With a view to maintain an open and regular exchange between the European CAP network and the civil dialogue groups on the CAP, representatives of the civil dialogue groups should be enabled to take part in the meetings of the Steering Group as observers.

(12)

Rules on disclosure of information in accordance with Article 339 of the Treaty by members of the Assembly and of the Steering Group should be laid down.

(13)

Since this Decision replaces Implementing Decision 2014/825/EU, Implementing Decision 2014/825/EU should be repealed.

(14)

Membership in the European CAP network organisational structure implies a prior designation of the national managing authorities for the CAP Strategic Plan, accreditation of paying agencies, establishment of national CAP networks, selection of local action groups (LAGs) in accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6) and establishment of farm advisory services.

(15)

To enable the European CAP network to start carrying out its tasks before the bodies and entities of its Assembly or Steering Group have been established, the respective members of the organisational structure of the ENRD and the EIP networks, as designated or appointed pursuant to Implementing Decision 2014/825/EU, should be members of the European CAP network until its new members are established and are subsequently designated or appointed pursuant to this Decision.

(16)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Common Agricultural Policy Committee,