Canary Islands adjusts the guidelines for rural development aid under the CAP Strategic Plan (PEPAC)

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands has approved an order modifying the regulatory bases for rural development subsidies of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) 2023-2027. The regulation, signed on September 2, 2026, by the Minister Alejandro Narvay Quintero Castañeda, is published in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands number 184, dated September 14, 2026, and will enter into force the day following its publication.

The order reforms the text approved by the Order of February 5, 2024 (BOC no. 32, of 13.2.2024), already modified by the Order of December 16, 2024 (BOC no. 256, of 23.12.2024). The adjustment responds to the need to correct terminological inaccuracies, adapt the content to current labor regulations, and improve the practical application of the aid valuation criteria.

Changes in the definition of preferred agricultural holding

The main novelty is the replacement of the expression “permanent staff workers,” which does not correspond to any recognized contractual modality, with the correct term “workers with an indefinite contract.” This modification affects the definition of a preferred agricultural holding (letter f of base 3.1) and the valuation criteria for investments in the modernization of holdings and in the transformation and marketing of agri-food products.

• It is required that at least 50% of the personnel be registered with an indefinite contract in agricultural activity.
• Increases in indefinite staff relative to the average of the last three years are valued, with scores ranging from 1 to 5 points.
• A reward of 3 points is given if at least 25% of the people with a recent indefinite contract are women.
• The indefinite hiring of people with disabilities in the agricultural category is recognized.

Removal of the SME criterion and reinforcement of PDO/PGI

The valuation criterion that rewarded investments by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), provided for in letter h) of point 3 of Annex 2, is removed due to its limited application. European Union agricultural policy requires prioritizing investments oriented toward technological modernization, environmental sustainability, and resilience to climate change—cross-cutting criteria applicable to all companies regardless of their size.

In parallel, the criterion in letter i) is reinforced, granting 6 points to companies, producer organizations, cooperatives, and agricultural transformation societies whose facilities are registered under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) recognized by the Canary Islands and located within its protected geographical area.

Gender equality and documentary simplification

Letter q) is amended to reinforce effective equality between women and men in the agri-food sector, where female representation has traditionally been low. 7 points are awarded to entities that, upon submitting the application, have at least 25% of their female workers with indefinite contracts affiliated with the Social Security in the subsidized activity.

To reduce administrative burdens, the accreditation of this criterion is simplified: it is sufficient to present a list with the name and NIF (Tax ID) of the female workers with indefinite contracts. Additionally, the reference “eligible budget” is replaced by “requested budget” in letter p), and a section is added to Annex 3 regulating the pro-rating of premiums for agri-environmental commitments, with a minimum eligible amount of 10% of the approved area or Livestock Unit.

The modification, promoted by the Directorate General of Agriculture with the validation of the Vice-Ministry of the Primary Sector, is limited to technical adjustments and legal precision without introducing new burdens for applicants. It directly affects farmers and agri-food companies applying for these subsidies, who will see clearer criteria aligned with European strategic priorities, while ensuring SMEs maintain full capacity to compete and access funds.

Source: Official Gazette of the Canary Islands, no. 184, of September 14, 2026, I. General Provisions, page 34512 (official reference: Order of September 2, 2026, BOC no. 184).