The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) represents one of the most enduring and significant policy frameworks within the European Union (EU), reflecting both the Union’s historical priorities and its contemporary role in world affairs. The CAP was formally introduced in 1962, during a period when the European Economic Community (EEC) sought to unify the agricultural sectors of its member states. At its core, the CAP was designed to increase agricultural productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for farmers, stabilize markets, guarantee food supplies, and maintain reasonable prices for consumers. The policy was driven by the recognition that agricultural stability was foundational to economic growth, social cohesion, and political unity in post-war Europe. The development of the CAP has been closely intertwined with the broader integration process of the EU. Initially, the CAP focused primarily on price supports and market interventions. Guaranteed prices for key crops and livestock were established, accompanied by mechanisms to manage surplus production, such as intervention buying. These measures aimed to secure farmers against market volatility while promoting self-sufficiency in food production, which was seen as crucial in the context of post-war reconstruction and the lingering memory of food shortages. Over time, the policy evolved to accommodate a growing membership and to respond to internal and external economic pressures, technological advancements, and shifting societal expectations. A critical aspect of CAP development was the introduction of direct payments to farmers. These payments emerged as a tool to stabilize farmers’ incomes independently of market fluctuations, and they gradually became