BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — E.U. member states have to publish the list of beneficiaries of CAP payments as of June 1. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform from 2013 introduced new rules on transparency on beneficiaries of the CAP.

Each member state's ministry of agriculture is in charge of publishing the required information, including the name of the beneficiary, amount and nature of the measure.

This fits in with the broader objective of the European Commission to improve and maintain a high level of transparency on how the E.U. budget is managed. Transparency needs to be balanced with respect for the private lives of beneficiaries and protection of personal data. The new rules enhance transparency regarding the use of E.U. funds in the CAP and improve the sound financial management of these funds by reinforcing public control of the money used.

"It is important that taxpayers appreciate the important work that farmers do in providing steady supplies of safe, high quality food produced respecting environmental, animal welfare and social standards that are stricter than those faced by their competitors outside the E.U.,” said Phil Hogan,  E.U. Agriculture and Rural Development commissioner. “I hope that these new transparency rules will help the wider public better understand how the CAP is helping to address society's concerns – whether through the direct payments system, or via individual investment projects, such as to help young farmers to set up, to modernize farm machinery, to apply additional environmental measures, or for projects benefitting the wider rural economy."

Under these rules, member states shall ensure annual ex-post publication of the beneficiaries of CAP payments.

The publication shall contain:
• The name of the beneficiary. Exceptions are however made for beneficiaries of very small payments.
• The municipality where the beneficiary is resident or is registered.
• The breakdown of the amounts of payments for each individual measure, as well as the sum of those amounts received by each beneficiary in the financial year.
• A description of the measures financed by the Funds, including the nature and the objective of each measure.

The information shall be published by May 31 each year for the preceding financial year and remain available for two years from the date of the initial publication.