July 19, 2023 | European Commission | Source
A recent study by the European Commission highlights the importance of support from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in maintaining farming activities in areas with natural constraints (ANC). These areas, characterized by unfavorable conditions such as high altitudes, steep slopes, dryness, low temperatures, and poor soil quality, account for 59% of the EU's agricultural land.
The study reveals that farms in ANC areas tend to be less economically viable, with lower incomes and smaller economic sizes compared to farms in more favorable regions. Despite receiving higher subsidies per hectare, the income gap between farms in ANC and non-ANC areas remains significant, with a 20.4% income difference in mountain areas and 26.5% in non-mountain ANC regions. Without public support, many of these farms would struggle to continue their operations.
From an environmental perspective, farms in ANC areas use fewer inputs like mineral fertilizers and pesticides, reducing their environmental impact. These farms also allocate larger portions of land to beneficial land uses, such as protein crops, grassland, and fallow land, which have positive effects on soil fertility, biodiversity, and landscape preservation.
The study emphasizes the vital role of CAP income support in preventing land abandonment and maintaining food production in the EU. Allowing farms in ANC areas to cease production would likely result in reduced food production and greater intensification of already heavily managed farmland in more favorable regions.
In addition, the study highlights the ecological significance of agricultural activities in ANC areas, where the maintenance of traditional landscapes and habitats protected under the Habitat Directive is closely linked to farming practices. The cessation of agriculture in these areas would have adverse effects on ecosystems and cultural heritage.
Overall, the study underscores the need for continued support for farms in areas with natural constraints through the CAP to ensure both the economic viability of these farms and the preservation of valuable landscapes and ecosystems.
