GAEC definitions by Member States Situation 2009 GAEC Workshop 2010 Rome 6 October 2010

Transcription

1 GAEC definitions by Member States Situation 2009 GAEC Workshop 2010 Rome 6 October 2010 DG Agriculture and Rural Development Inge Van Oost - Unit AGRI D3 Cross compliance

2 Remember: Definition of GAEC: Clear obligations ( farmer shall ) No recommendations ( should, encourage,.. ) Should in particular address the content of the GAEC standard and the framework in Annex III (need to clarify) Repetition of defined requirements for different standards only if the content of each Annex III standard is really addressed Update needed, e.g. in case of set aside 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 2

3 Definition of GAEC: The definition of a GAEC requirement should aim at clarity for the farmer and avoid doubts, e.g. during the rainy period, suitable maintenance, applicable areas, avoid overgrazing, no unwanted vegetation, on the majority of the parcel etc. In case choices are left to the farmer (alternative obligations depending on the circumstances), all should lead to the objective of the standard GAEC should not simply repeat SMR 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 3

4 What did Member States define in 2009? A whole range of farmers obligations Here s the 2009 state of play of possible approaches per standard: 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 4

5 GAEC 1 - Minimum soil cover Issue: Protect soil from erosion What? Various approaches (more than one per MS are applied): Measures ensuring a minimum level of soil cover: no fallow for more than two/three months, obligatory winter plant cover not to be ploughed in before a fixed date or more than two weeks before the date of sowing of spring crops, minimum cover 5-10 m near bordering water. - Obligation to have a permanent soil cover (grasses, grass/clover, clover, other leguminous crops, wildlife fallow,..) or a crop with limited vulnerability to erosion (all cereals except maize, grass/clover, clover and lucerne) 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 5

6 GAEC 1 - Minimum soil cover Issue: Protect soil from erosion What? Various approaches (more than one per MS are applied): - Types of cover: intermediate crops, a mulch e.g. grain maize, stubbles, even rough surface(??) (ploughed not tilled). - Ban on the cultivation of certain listed crops, e.g. row crops, root crops, (e.g. maize, potatoes, beet, sown beans, soy or sunflower, fodder beet, fodder carrots, potatoes, sugar beet, chicory, and outdoor vegetables) unless a grass strip of 6 m at the bottom of the plot. - No overgrazing, follow specifications of commonage plans 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 6

7 GAEC 1 - Minimum soil cover Issue: Protect soil from erosion Where? Often implemented by Member States on sloped areas (e.g. above a specified slope e.g. 10% or 6 ) or within limits of designated erosion vulnerable zones. However, many MS apply a general cover obligation not focusing on areas under risk of erosion, sometimes focusing on non productive areas (former set aside obligations) GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 7

8 What? GAEC 2 - Minimum land management reflecting site-specific conditions Issue: Protect soil from erosion Various erosion limiting management techniques on areas under risk of erosion / sloped areas 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 8

9 GAEC 2 - Minimum land management reflecting site-specific conditions Issue: Protect soil from erosion What? Various approaches (more than one per MS are applied): - Ploughing along contours - Reduced tillage practices / conservation tillage - General ban on ploughing / cultivation as from a certain slope % - Ban on cultivation of broad row crops / limitation of permitted crops (e.g. grassland only) - Minimum cover obligation, sometimes in specific (winter) months - (Untilled) buffer strips (at the bottom of parcels) or deep furrows along slopes: to retain water streaming downhill - Stocking rate limitation 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 9

10 GAEC 2 - Minimum land management reflecting site-specific conditions Issue: Protect soil from erosion Examples: Ban on cultivation of root crops if 50% of the field or over 50 ares are at a gradient of 10% or more (clarity for the farmer?) The field should a) not be ploughed at all, or b) lightly tilled, not turned over, or c) have a bufferstrip of 10m3 or a barrier of 0,5m height at the bottom of the field On slopes above 20 either cultivate permanent plants, or mulch, or keep permanent plant cover, or cultivate with terracing Plough parallel to the contours if the parcel measures more than 100 m in that direction 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 10

11 What? GAEC 3 Retain terraces (optional) Issue: Protect soil from erosion In general a rather homogeneous implementation among MS: Ban on removing or damaging (actively destroying) terraces / obligation to retain terraces Terraces may be dry-stone walls and manmade natural slopes Sometimes MS add complementary obligations, e.g. land laid out in terraces must have a vegetation on the embankment during the period between 15 November and 1 March; vegetation control without turning the soil 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 11

12 What? GAEC 4 - Arable stubble management Issue: Maintain soil organic matter level In general a rather homogeneous implementation among MS: Ban on burning stubble, sometimes a general ban with specific derogations, e.g. «Stubble-burning is only allowed with a license from the local authority, under technical supervision and outside the critical period provided that the fire risk is below the "high" level» Some MS add complementary obligations, e.g. Ban on burning crop residues, hay, straw, grass, reed, green cover on all land or on land set-aside or edges of fields 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 12

13 GAEC 5 - Standards for crop rotation (optional) Issue: Maintain soil organic matter level Definition of crop rotation Crop rotation is a planned and ordered sequence of cultivated species of different botanical families that are grown on a same field. It involves a succession of crops, with a first sequence that is often used to prepare and regenerate the soil (e.g. legumes and grasslands), and a second sequence that benefits from the fertility of the regenerated soil. This succession aims to ensure positive conditions for the development of crops, by promoting soil fertility and minimising the development of pests and weeds, and also by ensuring better nutrient management 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 13

14 GAEC 5 - Standards for crop rotation (optional) Issue: Maintain soil organic matter level What? 4 main approaches by MS: - Crop sequences (e.g. maximum 3 years potato, max 5 years cereals, or e.g. max 2 years sunflower) - Crop diversification, not rotation, but controllable with existing regulatory means (e.g. minimum 3 crops, each min 5% of the holding) - Maintaining soil organic matter levels by means of obligations for humus balances or soil analysis (i.e. definition of the standard according to the objective in the issue) together with corrective measures e.g. incorporate straw, apply compost/farmyard manure, cover crop or specific rotation - Obligation to establish a cover crop (efficient as crop sequence for organic matter maintenance but may overlap with the GAEC standard on minimum cover) 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 14

15 GAEC 6 Appropriate machinery use (optional) Issue: Maintain soil structure through appropriate measures What? 2 main approaches : - Avoid compactation or rutting of land through appropriate machinery use and when soil conditions are suitable (controllability problems mentioned) - No machinery / no agricultural activities allowed in the field when soil is flooded / snow covered, or waterlogged or on excessively humid soils Example: Fields must not be cultivated during periods when machinery leaves traces deeper than cultivation depth: ruts deeper than 30 cm are not allowed GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 15

16 GAEC 7 - Retention of landscape features, including, where appropriate, hedges, ponds, ditches, trees in line, in group or isolated and field margins Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats The list laid down in Annex III to R. 73/2009 ("... including, where appropriate, hedges, ponds, ditches trees in line, in group or isolated and field margins") requires the national authorities to consider retaining the listed features, nevertheless without necessarily concluding that all these features shall be retained under the GAEC. The list of Annex III is not exhaustive and Member States may decide retaining landscape features not pertaining to this list GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 16

17 GAEC 7 - Retention of landscape features, including, where appropriate, hedges, ponds, ditches, trees in line, in group or isolated and field margins Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats The decision regarding landscape features to be retained or not shall anyhow be carried out taking into consideration the purpose of this standard which is to "ensure a minimum level of maintenance and avoid the deterioration of habitats" GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 17

18 GAEC 7 - Retention of landscape features, including, where appropriate, hedges, ponds, ditches, trees in line, in group or isolated and field margins Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches : - Ban on destruction and on altering small landscape features and, in case of permission granted, follow the conditions from competent authority - Retain protected natural monuments such as tree groups, tree avenues and grassy thalwegs, hedgerows, etc (see list on slide 20) - 2 meter bufferzone around protected features: no planting, tilling, fertilising - Hedgerows may only be removed unless replanted in advance, no closing of open ditches, no tree felling without approval 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 18

19 Example: The removal of certain landscape elements is prohibited, i.e landscape features within the meaning of Law Z: 1. hedgerows or hedges measuring at least 20 metres in length; 2. rows of trees: at least five trees arranged in a line, at least 50 metres in length; 3. field copses: areas predominantly covered with woody plants, measuring between 100 m² and m²; 4. wetlands: biotopes which are protected under Law X on nature conservation, are included in biotope mapping, and have a maximum size of m²; 5. individual trees: free standing trees which are protected under Law Y provisions as natural monuments 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 19

20 Listing some of landscape features mentioned in MS definitions: Ridges Blocks and enclaves of natural vegetation or rock, boulders Hedges, fences Public rights of way, paths, historical monuments Copses within the parcel, bushes Natural ponds, lakes, lagoons, watering places Riparian galleries located on farmland parcels Barrier trees in group, in line or alone Dry-stone walls, stone structures Old dovecotes or traditional architectural elements providing shelter for flora and fauna Untilled fire prevention ground streaks 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 20

21 GAEC 8 - Avoiding the encroachment of unwanted vegetation on agricultural land Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches : - A general obligation: protect agricultural area from invasion of unwanted vegetation: weeds / shrubs / trees and bushes, sometimes with a maximum allowed % and a height (e.g. as from 50 cm, max 1,5 meters height) Exceptions foreseen for agri-environment / nature management measures and buffer areas / conservation belts Sometimes focusing on non-productive land 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 21

22 GAEC 8 - Avoiding the encroachment of unwanted vegetation on agricultural land Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches : - Avoid encroachment of specific unwanted (or noxious) species, e.g. giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), wild oat (Avena sp.), thistles, nettles, ferns, brome (Bromus), or a list of specified species sometimes mentioning eradicating methods, areas and times 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 22

23 GAEC 8 - Avoiding the encroachment of unwanted vegetation on agricultural land Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches : - Expliciting the means to avoid encroachment, e.g. an obligation for grazing or mowing (and removing) at least once a (x) year(s), by a specific date e.g. 31 July 15 Oct, sometimes mentioning «before flowering / spreading of seeds» - Fields should be kept in agricultural condition ready to be cultivated, without additional costs for the next vegetation period 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 23

24 What? GAEC 9 - Protection of permanent pasture Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats Aiming at a minimum level of maintenance (issue) this standard should implement more than Article 6(2) requirements concerning the obligations due to the maintenance of the ratio of permanent pasture at Member States' level. This GAEC standard should be translated into farmers obligations addressing the quality of permanent pasture, not the quantity (amount of permanent pastures at national/regional level) as Art. 6(2) already does GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 24

25 GAEC 9 - Protection of permanent pasture Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? 4 main approaches - Minimum frequency and periods for grazing, mowing and/or minimum livestock - Removal of unwanted shrubs / plants - General ban of ploughing up at farmers level - Protection of specific types of valuable (biodiverse) pastures in specific zones 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 25

26 GAEC 10 Minimum livestock stocking rates or/and appropriate regimes (optional) Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? 2 main approaches : - Explicitly mentioning specific minimum livestock densities or more generally mentioning «avoiding undergrazing», sometimes a lower density on sloped areas - Obligation for grazing or mowing at least once a (x) year(s) by a specific date (most MS) These 2 approaches sometimes may be alternatives to choose from by the farmer Sometimes maximum livestock density are also set but a maximum density is not well matching the content of the Annex III standard 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 26

27 What? GAEC 12 Prohibition of the grubbing up of olive trees (optional) Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats Ban on uprooting of certain olive trees GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 27

28 GAEC 12 Prohibition of the grubbing up of olive trees (optional) Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches - Ban on uprooting olive trees older than 100 years, unless prior authorisation (CY) - Ban on uprooting olive trees without replacement in zones at risk of abandonment of agricultural production (ES) - Grubbing up of olive trees is subject to permission (PT) 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 28

29 What? GAEC 13 Maintenance of olive groves and vines in good vegetative condition (optional) Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats Minimum maintenance of vines and olive groves: as a minimum maintaining the vegetation, i.e. the trees. This standard should not only implement the standard on unwanted vegetation or the standard on minimum cover GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 29

30 GAEC 13 Maintenance of olive groves and vines in good vegetative condition (optional) Issue: Minimum level of maintenance avoiding deterioration of habitats What? Various approaches Pruning according to traditional frequencies in certain zones (ES) Pruning of olives at least once every 5 years (or more frequent in certain regions), vines every winter before 30 May (IT) Reducing foliage (size) to regularly eliminate old wood and promote fructification; no shrubs allowed and the soil to be cultivated, grazed or mowed before 30 June (FR-R) Satisfactory agronomic condition of vines, in particular by pruning (AT) 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 30

31 Conclusion from the 2009 implementation GAEC definitions in different MS: similar obligations are put under various Annex III standards Need to understand better what is expected under each GAEC standard Various definitions may serve the same objective according to local conditions Let s do the exercise on common understanding of GAEC standards 2009 GAEC Definitions by MS AGRI D.3 GAEC Workshop /10/10 31