Overview of the evolution of agricultural and rural policy in EU from 2004 to 2040

The fourth period of the European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is currently being implemented since Lithuania’s accession to the EU. All these periods have features, objectives, priorities that are unique to themselves, and their formation, maintenance and modification took place each time for different reasons, the analysis of which is significant, in order to identify the problematic places in the evolution of the EU’s agricultural and rural development policy. The targeted and effective implementation of the CAP depends on proper analysis, preparedness, planning, engagement and a vision and foresight for the future. The article aims to identify the reasons for the changes that influenced the strategic planning of the CAP, why the objectives of the programming periods were not achieved, what planning challenges were faced, how much and how member states were involved in the preparation and planning of programming periods.