EU-level agricultural policies
Agriculture is a key land use for much rural land across Europe and North Africa. It is crucial that desertification and land degradation are avoided so that farmers can continue to produce food and deliver biodiversity benefits.
Here, we provide an outline of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, which is responsible for providing farmers with government payments, eco-schemes, and standards achieving ‘Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions’ (GAECS).
CAP is the main funding instrument influencing farm management practices, with eco-schemes supporting soil and water resilience.
Relevant objectives & targets:
- GAEC 6: Minimum soil cover to prevent erosion.
- GAEC 7: Crop rotation to protect soil fertility.
- GAEC 8: Retention of landscape features for biodiversity and water retention.
- Minimum 25% of direct payments ringfenced for eco-schemes (soil, climate, biodiversity).
Wider Policy resources
Pilot area sites: In addition to examining efforts to combat desertification on an EU-level, policy-related work is also happening in the TERRASAFE pilot areas. Here, we are examining the national and regional policies addressing the drivers and impacts of desertification in their area, and the enablers required to scale up our innovations and ensure their broader adoption. Stay tuned for more findings.
