Agriculture & Land Management

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A solid evidence base on the impacts of different policy measures on the environment is essential to underpin arguments for further integration of environmental concerns into agricultural and land management policies. To contribute to the development of this evidence base, a core part of the Agricultural and Land Management Programme’s work involves undertaking technical evaluations of a range of policies for the Commission.

We have undertaken evaluations of the environmental impacts of a whole range of policy measures under both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP for DG Agriculture and Rural Development, including the following:

The economic, social and environmental impacts of compulsory modulation (2009) The aim of this study was to explore what the economic, social and environmental effects of introducing compulsory modulation are, both under current rates and rules, and a potential future scenario, based on the Commission’s proposals for increasing modulation as part of the CAP Health Check.

The application of cross-compliance as foreseen under Council Regulation 1782/2003 (2007)
IEEP led an evaluation of cross compliance for the European Commission (DG Agriculture) as part of the Alliance Environnement consortium. The evaluation includes the first full description of implementation of the policy and an assessment of its environmental and other impacts. IEEP co-ordinated a team of over 20 experts for this project and produced national reports for the EU-25 as well as more targeted case studies in selected Member States.

Since January 2005, EU farmers receiving the Single Farm Payment have been required to respect certain environmental and other standards or face reductions in their payments - a policy known as cross compliance. All Member States have an obligation to define and enforce standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) and Member States have developed GAECs which seek to protect certain unfarmed features such as boundary features. In addition farmers in the EU-15 plus Malta and Slovenia farmers must also comply with Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) based on EU legislation such as the wild birds and habitats Directives.
Evaluation of the application of Cross Compliance Part 1
Evaluation of the application of Cross Compliance Part 2

Evaluation of the Less Favoured Area (LFA) Measure in the 25 Member States of the European Union (2007)
This evaluation for DG Agriculture concludes that the policy, although regarded by some as anachronistic, is effective in addressing the current needs of rural areas across Europe. LFA payments make an important contribution to farm incomes in central and eastern European Member States in areas where depopulation is significant, and have been effective in sustaining farming systems in which 'high nature values' are most prevalent.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Measures

A greener CAP: still within reach?

The greening of the CAP hangs in the balance in the final negotiations; a synthesis of key issues and requirements.
Principles of Double Funding

This briefing explores the issue of double funding in relation to the CAP reform debate and considers the implications for delivering added value for the environment.
Systemic approach to adaptation to climate change and renewable energy harnessing (Biomass and Mini-hydro)

Biochar has the potential to both mitigate greenhouse gases, and to act as an adaptation measure in terms of responding to the impacts of climate change. Based on its compatibility with the appropriate soil properties, it could increase the resilience of soil to erosion.
European Parliament report on sustainable competitiveness and innovation

The CAP could, and should, be primarily to assist EU agriculture to become more internationally competitive and sustainable and to achieve this by innovation. It already has many instruments to do this, and the reforms could further assist. However the resources deployed could be far better used.
Addressing the EU’s biodiversity goals through the CAP

What is the relationship between the management of agricultural land and biodiversity? To what extent are the EU’s biodiversity goals addressed through the CAP?
Delivering environmental benefits through entry-level agri-environment schemes in the EU

A new study of the 2007-13 agri-environment schemes across the whole of EU-27 provides the first typology of ‘entry-level’ agri-environment management and environmental objectives, plus a detailed insight into the design of entry-level agri-environment schemes and calculation of payment rates in seven Member States.
Delivering Environmental Benefits through Ecological Focus Areas

IEEP workshop on 6 March brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss possible environmental benefits through Ecological Focus Areas.
Evaluation of Cross Compliance in the EU 25

IEEP's two-part evaluation of Member State approaches to cross compliance implementation in the EU 25 is now available.Under Regulation 1782/2003 Cross Compliance was introduced as a compulsory measure ...
Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of CAP Measures Related to the Beef and Milk Sectors

This evaluation seeks to determine the extent to which price support and direct payments applied in the beef and veal and dairy sectors since 1988 are in coherence with obligations for environmental protection ...
Europe's Rural Futures: The Nature of Rural Development II, Rural Development in an Enlarging European Union

A study on the planning and implementation of rural development programmes under the Rural Development Regulation and SAPARD, drawing on eight national reports and a European Round table. ...
Environmental Integration and the CAP: A Report to the European Commission

This study- conducted on behalf of the European Commission- aims to identify the principal environmental concerns related to agriculture in Europe. It also develops an informed ...
Preparing for the Implementation of Agri Environment Schemes in Central and Eastern Europe: Seminar Proceedings of 8th/9th December 2000, Bratislava

Agri-environment schemes have become a key part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), covering about 20% of utilisable agricultural area (UAA) in the EU. Their development has been quite ...

Highlights

Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of CAP Measures Related to the Beef and Milk Sectors

This evaluation seeks to determine the extent to which price support and direct payments applied in the beef and veal and dairy sectors since 1988 are in coherence with obligations for environmental protection ...