Ecological Focus Areas – Crucial for biodiversity in the agricultural landscape! | Umweltbundesamt

With its reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU Commission strives for not only a fairer distribution of agricultural funds but, in particular, for a more environmentally friendly, a “greener” CAP. The dramatic decline in farmland biodiversity, persistently high nutrient deposition in soils and watercourses, and European as well as global biodiversity targets demonstrate the need for a stronger “greening” of the CAP. The core measure designed to meet this objective is the introduction of a “greening” component. Thirty percent of Pillar 1 supports are to be made conditional on compliance with these “agricultural practises beneficial for the climate and the environment”.