Regulations on conditions for implementing the CAP reform set the rules applying to all the systems of direct support under the terms of the Common Agricultural Policy. The French version and French choices under the subsidiarity available with the compromise of September 29, 2003, were eagerly awaited. A clarification on the implementation of the CAP in France was given on May 18, 2004, at a meeting of the CSO chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Hervé Gaymard.
Aid Conditionality
There was keen interest in seeing the French version of aid conditionality as discussions had been difficult and substantial pressure had been exerted by environmentalists (lobby groups and political movements). Some elements have not been finalised on the best farming and environmental practices, and AGPM is watching this closely to ensure there is no stigmatisation of single crop maize farming and irrigation.
Conditionality applies to 3 types of measure
1) Compliance with environmental directives 2) Best farming and environmental conditions 3) Maintaining permanent grassland for grazing For each of these, and specifically the first two, most work with the French authorities has involved setting points for checks and controls.
For field crops, conditionality on the relevant directives came into force on January 1, 2005; other elements will be added in January 2006, in particular for the European directive on the marketing of plant protection products and more specifically on their use by farmers.
Directive Reference
Indicators Proposed
Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds, and Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora
Expert study currently being carried out on the possibility of including the following indicator: non-destruction of habitats
Directive 80/68/EECon the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances(OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43)
Observation/recording of pollution incidents with evidence proving liability with intent by the farmer. Only if proven evidence of pollution of groundwater.
Directive 86/278/EEC on the protection of the environment, and in particular of the soil, when sewage sludge is used in agriculture (OJ L 181, 4.7.1986, p. 6.)
Presentation of the written agreement (or spreading contract) between the farmer and sludge producer, as required by the regulations
Council Directive 91/676/EEC of December 12, 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p. 1.)
For farms in vulnerable areas, there are obligations on the future manuring plan and the fertilisation log book: - Existence and compliance of both documents (proper spreadsheet with lines and columns) - Reporting data for the following lines and columns: forecast yield, type and quantity of fertiliser inputs etc.
For farms in vulnerable areas, maximum of 170kg nitrogen content in animal farming effluent for spreading per hectare to be spread.
In mixed development zones, compulsory soil cover of utilised agricultural area in winter when fertilisation registered
The parameters selected for the best farming and environmental conditions are as follows:
Parameter
Indicators under discussion
Soil Erosion (Soil Protection)
An area equivalent to 3% of the acreage of oil & protein seed crops and set-aside to be allocated for separation strips planted with grass or an environmentally-friendly cover. Priority locations for these strips would be along water courses on the farm (strips 5 to 10 metres wide)
Organic matter in soil (maintaining)
No burning of straw or oil & protein seed crop stubble, unless special exemption granted. Cropping program criteria: 3 crops or a minimum of 2 crop families. Single crop farming possible only if winter ground cover or best crop residue management
Compliance with current conditionality requirements for irrigating farmers growing oil and protein seed crops (declaration/authorisation for water use, with measurement or estimation facilities in place)
Minimal level of maintenance
Minimal levels of maintenance as per land categories - All land: absence of weeds - Farmed land, compulsory set-aside: maintenance rules as set by the prefectoral authorities - Grassland (temporary or permanent): set by the “département” - Unfarmed land: ban on bare soil; planting environmentally friendly soil cover
Maintenance of land cover
Health status and brush cover assessment (absence of weeds, young brush regrowth, recovery procedures for wasteland as per legislation applying to rural areas)
France has chosen some measures which can cover a number of parameters at the same time.
Parameters Measure
Soil Erosion
Organic matter in soil
Soil Structure
Minimum maintenance level
Grass strips
X
X
Ban on burning straw
X
Crop Diversity
X
X
Eco-conditionality -irrigating farmers
X
Rules on land maintenance
X (for land not being farmed, soil cover all year)
X
To deal with soil erosion and ensure minimum maintenance levels, it was decided that a general rule should be applied to all farms (with the exception of recognised "small producers"); this requires grass strips or environmentally-friendly land cover calculated as 3% of the oil and protein seed crop acreage, with a minimum width of 5 metres and a maximum of 10 metres (5 metres being sufficient for compliance). If, with grass strips located along water courses, and with no other useful location available (eroding slopes), the compulsory level of 3% has still not been reached, plots of fallow land are added to make up the difference. No fertilizers or plant protection products can be applied to any of this 3%. Grass strips along water courses can be registered as CAP set-aside, provided that they are at least 5 metres wide for 500 square metres. Any land in industrial set-aside is exempted from the compulsory requirement beyond the watercourses.
For organic matter in soil, the initial indicator is that straw must not be burnt, but there is now an additional criterion on crop rotation diversity: a minimum of three different crops, or two different crop families (e.g. small grains, maize, oilseed and vegetables) must be grown on the farm. The smallest crop must cover at least 5% of the land under crop (utilised agricultural area minus permanent grassland and perennials). Single crop farming (95% of the utilised agricultural area on the farm for one crop only) is allowed provided there is: - winter soil cover or - management of crop stubble and residue (a measure that suits maize as winter cover cannot always be provided, because of the pressure of harvest dates and weather conditions).
