The year 2014 has to be considered as a transitory year with full implementation of the new system of direct payments as of 1 January 2015. While the existing structure of policy instruments was broadly maintained, the reformed CAP provides greater emphasis on environmental issues, and more flexibility in the reallocation of funds between the two pillars (Pillar I: direct payments and market measures, Pillar II: rural development programmes) as well as on the implementation of its instruments at member state level. This constitutes a decrease in real terms in the total agricultural budget compared to the previous funding period. The costs that these programmes may incur, especially if stocks have to be released at below acquisition prices, question their sustainability in the long run.