Annual Performance Plans (APPs) are essential tools used by governments, organisations, and institutions to set objectives, track progress, and ensure accountability in policy implementation. These plans outline key priorities, funding allocations, and expected outcomes, making them crucial for managing complex programs such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans in the European Union.

The CAP Strategic Plans serve as blueprints for each EU country to implement agricultural and rural development policies, while the Annual Performance Reports (APRs) evaluate their progress, ensuring that funding is effectively used for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, and sustainable land management among other things.

2023 APRs play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, allowing policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to track how funds are being utilised. They also facilitate adaptive management by assessing progress and identifying gaps, delays, or inefficiencies, enabling governments to adjust policies accordingly. Performance tracking supports evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that interventions effectively achieve environmental, social, and economic goals. Additionally, these plans justify funding allocations, as countries must demonstrate progress to continue receiving CAP funding from the EU for agriculture, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.

FACE analysed some APPs to understand how they report on CAP Strategic Plans.

Czechia’s CAP plan prioritises halting biodiversity loss and strengthening ecosystem services. Beekeeping interventions are emphasised, with support for laboratories and the rationalisation of bee colony movements. The country also focuses on preserving arable fallow land and supporting non-productive landscape elements. Organic farming is promoted to reduce chemical dependencies and encourage biodiversity-friendly agriculture. However, challenges such as funding adjustments and high compliance requirements have slowed the adoption of certain eco-payments.

France’s CAP Strategic Plan prioritizes biodiversity and small game conservation through measures such as eco-schemes, agro-environmental and climate measures (MAEC), and organic farming support. The plan promotes reducing pesticide dependency, improving soil and water management, and enhancing agroecological infrastructure. Key efforts include incentives for landscape preservation, habitat restoration, and sustainable farming techniques to support small game populations and broader ecosystem services. Additionally, investments in biodiversity-focused projects and sustainable agricultural practices contribute to reversing biodiversity loss while ensuring agricultural resilience

Germany’s CAP Strategic Plan encountered funding and administrative delays in biodiversity-related interventions, slowing implementation. Despite these challenges, the beekeeping sector showed positive progress in maintaining and even exceeding the expected number of beehives. Efforts were also made to preserve valuable fallow land, contributing to biodiversity conservation. However, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and bureaucratic hurdles impacted the timely rollout of various projects.

Ireland’s CAP plan incorporates several biodiversity-friendly initiatives, including the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), which supports biodiversity through traditional orchard planting and non-productive investments. Eco-schemes promote habitat restoration, nitrogen use reduction, and tree planting, while the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) encourages reduced chemical input for greater sustainability. The country also implements European Innovation Projects (EIPs), focusing on biodiversity-related themes such as breeding vulnerable bird species and improving water quality.

Italy’s CAP Strategic Plan integrates biodiversity conservation by promoting eco-schemes that support landscape features like hedgerows and wildlife corridors. The reduction of chemical inputs such as pesticides contributes to healthier ecosystems, while sustainable forestry and grassland management ensure the protection of various habitats. Although the plan does not focus specifically on small game, its biodiversity-related measures indirectly benefit these species by improving habitats and ecosystems. The plan includes a significant financial commitment, with €10.5 billion allocated to biodiversity measures.

Netherlands’ CAP Strategic Plan includes key measures to support biodiversity and small game conservation. The eco-scheme and Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management (ANLb) were launched in 2023 with higher-than-expected participation, aiming to restore biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and maintain habitats. Efforts to correct miscalculations in biodiversity targets were approved by the European Commission. Additionally, interventions focused on sustainable land and water management, reducing reliance on chemical inputs while promoting efficient use of natural resources such as soil, water, and air. Specific actions included sustainable pesticide use across 2,632 hectares and soil improvement efforts on 287 hectares, contributing to wildlife-friendly farming and better conditions for small game populations​.

Poland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 includes several measures to support biodiversity and small game conservation by promoting sustainable land use, habitat protection, and agroecological practices. Key interventions focus on reducing dependence on chemical inputs, improving soil and water management, and increasing landscape diversity. The plan emphasizes eco-schemes, agro-environmental and climate measures (MAEC), and afforestation initiatives to protect natural habitats and enhance small game populations. Additionally, investments in organic farming, agroforestry, and wildlife-friendly farming techniques contribute to reversing biodiversity loss while maintaining agricultural productivity​.

Romania’s CAP Strategic Plan includes measures to enhance biodiversity and support small game by promoting habitat restoration, sustainable land management, and ecosystem conservation. Key initiatives such as the eco-scheme and Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management (ANLb) focus on reducing chemical inputs, improving soil health, and creating wildlife-friendly landscapes. These efforts aim to preserve biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem services, and support small game populations through sustainable agricultural practices​.

Spain’s CAP Strategic Plan places significant emphasis on biodiversity conservation through various interventions. Financial support is provided for the maintenance of habitats in protected areas under the Natura 2000 Network. Sustainable agriculture and forestry practices are encouraged, with a focus on reducing pesticide use and maintaining wildlife corridors. The plan also includes measures for small game and wildlife protection, ensuring regulated hunting practices, habitat restoration for species such as partridges and hares, and the protection of migratory birds.

Sweden’s CAP Strategic Plan prioritises biodiversity conservation by enhancing landscape variation in agricultural and forested areas to support species diversity. Key strategies include maintaining flowering fields and field edges, which provide essential resources for pollinators and create migration corridors. Additionally, under GAEC 8, Sweden enforces strict protections on key landscape elements such as solitary trees, small water bodies, and stone walls, preventing their removal or degradation in intensive agricultural areas to preserve habitats and enhance ecological resilience​

Across Europe, Annual Performance Plans highlight common challenges in biodiversity and agricultural policy implementation. Many interventions faced rollout delays due to regulatory transitions and economic factors. Farmers and stakeholders often struggle with compliance requirements, leading to lower adoption of eco-payments and biodiversity-friendly measures. Some plans lack effective tracking systems to measure biodiversity gains, making it harder to assess and adjust strategies. Despite these challenges, CAP Strategic Plans provide a solid framework for improving biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable rural development. As countries refine their policies and funding mechanisms, Annual Performance Plans remain a key tool for driving progress and accountability.