Farm fields – Photo by J.M Read on Unsplash
(BRUSSELS) – The European Commission proposed Wednesday to allow EU farmers to make use of derogations for 2024 from Common Agricultural Policy rules which oblige them to keep certain areas non-productive.
The proposal, sent to EU Member States for a committee vote, responds to farmers’ income concerns, and follows requests outlined by several states.
“Today’s measure offers additional flexibility to farmers at a time when they are dealing with multiple challenges,” said Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. “We will continue to engage with our farmers to ensure the CAP strikes the right balance between responding to their needs while continuing to deliver public goods for our citizens.”
To receive the CAP support, farmers need to respect an enhanced set of nine standards beneficial to the environment and climate. The condition – known as GAECs, or ‘good agricultural and environmental conditions’ – applies to close to 90% of the utilised agricultural area in the EU.
The GAEC 8 standard requires, among other things, devoting a minimum share of arable land to non-productive areas or features – usually land lying fallow but also features such as hedges or trees. Farms with fewer than ten hectares of arable land are typically exempted from this obligation. All EU farmers would be able to be exempt from this requirement while still being eligible for their CAP basic direct payment.
Instead of keeping the land fallow or unproductive on 4 % of their arable land, EU farmers growing nitrogen fixing crops (such as lentils, peas, or favas) and/or catch crops on 7% of their arable land will be considered as meeting the requirement. Catch crops are plants that grow between two main crops. These crops can serve as fodder for animals, or as green manure. The use of nitrogen-fixing crops and catch crops brings a range of environmental benefits for soil health, including for soil biodiversity and for limiting nutrient leaching. The crops are to be grown without plant protection products to maintain the environmental ambition of the CAP.
The Commission says itrs proposal is carefully calibrated to provide the right balance between offering appropriate relief to farmers facing numerous crises on the one hand, and protecting biodiversity and soil quality on the other hand.
The measure will be voted in the coming days by Member States in committee meeting. After that, the Commission will proceed with formal adoption. The Regulation will apply retroactively from 1 January 2024. Member States who wish to apply the derogation at national level need to notify the Commission within 15 days so that farmers can be informed as soon as possible.
