In exchange for the billions of euros paid annually in taxes, Europeans were promised a green and more sustainable CAP reform. But now the reform is over and greener and more sustainable farming is unlikely to take form because exemptions from green measures have become the rule rather than the exception. Even worse, in some countries this so called “green” reform will constitute a step backwards on previous environmental achievements through disproportionate cuts to the much greener Rural Development Fund and a decrease in environmental requirements.
Over one third of farmland in the EU will not be required to include natural elements that protect biodiversity, such as buffer strips between fields, trees, hedges and ponds. This will make it even more difficult for animals such as birds, insects, butterflies, bees and small mammals to survive in farmland areas. Less space for nature has further negative impacts on water and soil quality. Over a quarter of the arable land in the EU will not be required to do a three crop diversification. The EU is thereby allowing large monocultures to perpetuate biodiversity loss, soil depletion and increased pesticide and fertilizer use. This results in irreversible and damaging consequences for the climate as well as air and water quality. Disproportionate cuts to the more conditional and environmentally focused Rural Development Fund means that there will most likely be less money available for green farmers, who are applying better farming practices to their everyday work.
Source (Contact):
Trees Robijns, BirdLife Europe: trees.robijns@birdlife.org, tel: +32 (0)2 2385091
Faustine Defossez, EEB: faustine.defossez@eeb.org, tel: +32 (0)2 7908814
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