Why Ex-Post Evaluations in the Common Agricultural Policy Do Not Inform Subsequent Policy Reforms

Ex-post evaluations in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are intended to drive evidence-based policy reforms, but their delayed delivery reduces their impact. While existing literature critiques evaluation shortcomings, the temporal dimension, along its institutional and political drivers, remains overlooked. Our analysis reveals such misalignment is not merely a design flaw but arises from the coexistence of competing timelines, reinforced by the politics of evaluation, EU governance complexity, and constrained by ritualized practices prioritizing accountability over learning. To address this, we propose four discussion-starters: redefining the evaluation scope, reshaping its governance, aligning knowledge needs, and clarifying its political and legal purposes.