The European Commission made a proposal this Wednesday: one year repeal from the rules Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) obliging farmers hold certain territory fallow In response to the concerns of many member states, such as France, they will continue to be able to access aid. To receive the CAP support to which they are entitled, farmers must comply with an enhanced set of nine environmentally and climate-beneficial standards known as ‘BCAM’, a cross-compatibility principle that applies to around 90% of used agricultural land in the EU. It plays an important role in the integration of sustainable agricultural practices.
These standards include, among other things, Allocating a minimum amount of arable land areas or features unproductiveThis requirement, which normally refers to fallow fields, is a requirement that Brussels has proposed repealing so that farmers remain eligible to receive basic direct payments from the CAP.
“Today’s precautionary proposals additional flexibility for At a time when farmers are facing many challenges. “We will continue to work with our farmers to ensure that the CAP strikes the right balance between responding to their needs and continuing to provide public goods to our citizens,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. EU farmers who grow 4% of their arable land, nitrogen-fixing crops (such as lentils, peas or broad beans) or game crops on 7% of their arable land will be considered eligible.
The measure will be voted on by member states in the coming days, after which the Commission will proceed to formally adopt the regulation for retroactive application from 1 January 2024.
Member states wishing to apply the derogation at national level must notify the Commission within 15 days so that farmers can be informed as soon as possible.