The biggest change in the new Common Agricultural Policy, which will come into force on 1 January 2023, is the so-called eco-schemes. This is different for every country and every agricultural entrepreneur can draw up their own package. But, how exactly does it work, and how can points be earned? Aard Mulders and Eefke Peeters explain the system.
"The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will focus more specifically on sustainability. We want to do this through so-called eco-regulations," said Aard Mulders of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality during the online conference 'I'm in'. on the renewal of the CAP. "All Member States in the European Union are obliged to set up eco-schemes, but farmers are not obliged to participate. In this way, every farmer can independently see what is feasible for his/her company in terms of sustainability."
Basic premium is getting stricter
Although you are therefore not obliged to participate in one or more eco-schemes, a means of pressure is unconsciously exerted. The conditions for the basic premium are becoming stricter. In short: if you don't want to lose out financially, you still have to make your company more sustainable. "The 'greening' component that previously came on top of the basic premium is now included in the basic premium," reports Eefke Peeters of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. "We hope that farmers will take the step towards sustainability after all. And if they are still working on greening, they might as well look at which eco-schemes suit them. It should be an incentive."
Yet there are also plenty of agricultural entrepreneurs who say 'there is enough to do' and who therefore look at these new eco-schemes with suspicion. "This is strange. After all, these farmers need to make less effort to improve financially. The moment you already comply with certain eco-regulations, you can include that in the points system that will come with this. But, when you If you are not yet doing anything in the field of sustainability, you may have to do quite a bit of work in the coming period to be eligible for a basic premium at all. All in all, you are doing more for the same money," says Peeters .
- Aard Mulders
How do I earn points?
Both Mulders and Peeters see it as a great advantage that the Netherlands will soon be able to decide for itself about the ecological measures. "The Netherlands scores the worst on biodiversity and nitrogen. We will soon be able to take the helm ourselves to take action in those areas," says Mulders. It is a performance-oriented model and the National Strategic Plan (NSP) is also committed to this. But with which measures can you exactly earn points? That question remains unanswered for now. "This can be very broad, from reducing the use of crop protection agents to applying emission-reducing measures. The implementation of the eco-schemes is still fully in the brainstorming process," says Mulders.
"The implementation of these eco-schemes is not as easy as people think," says Peeters. "The eco-schemes are also partly used to contribute to all other climate and/or nature-oriented goals in the Netherlands. You can think of goals in the field of nitrogen reduction, Natura 2000 and peat meadow areas." In addition, it concerns a land-based subsidy. This must also be taken into account when drawing up the list of eco-schemes.
Points system
What is already clear is that a points system is attached to it. "Every performance an agricultural entrepreneur does to promote biodiversity, the climate, the soil, the water and/or the air yields a certain number of points. The more points you earn on your company, the higher the subsidy can be. In our opinion, the great thing about a points system is that you can actually see that you are making steps. That may give you extra motivation," explains Peeters.
According to Peeters and Mulders, there will be a division between a bronze, silver and gold reward. "In this way we also reward the farmers who try, but in the end just don't make it." Market parties can also join the eco-schemes. "It should promote cooperation in the chain." It is important to know that you cannot eat from both sides. If your sustainability plan qualifies for both the ANLB and one or more eco-schemes, you can only receive a subsidy once.
It is striking that to date the Netherlands is the only country that seems to be working with a points system. "We are in any case the only country that is already developing this. Sweden and Germany are interested in it, but have not yet drawn up any concrete plans." In short: the elaboration of the eco-schemes, the National Strategic Plan (NSP) and the Common Agricultural Policy are still in a start-up phase. Next year will be very important and then little by little more will become clear about how exactly you can achieve a higher premium.
This is the fifth and final article in the series on the new Common Agricultural Policy. If you want to read articles or see everything about the CAP, click here.