THE CHALLENGE OF AGRICULTURE

SUCCESS STORIES

“Cross compliance” in agriculture

Project: Cross compliance in Germany.

Location: Germany

Objective: Define "cross compliance" parameters for German agriculture.

Solution: Select three priority parameters covering erosion, the use of fertilizers with nitrogen contents and the prevention of the filtration of dangerous substances to ground water.

Description:

• Nitrates: Implementation of minimum safety distances from lakes and rivers for the use of fertilizers.
• Filtration: Prohibition or limitation of discharges and the handling of certain substances (pesticides, oil derivatives....) at farms.
• Erosion: At least 40% of the land of each farm must remain unploughed once the crop has been harvested until 15th February (unless a new crop is planted before 1st December).

Achievements: Farmers, stock-breeders and authorities can meet cross compliance protocols by making sure the CAP funds are only distributed to environment-friendly farms. The CAP helps achieve the objectives set out in the Water Frame Directive.

Success stories:

• Treated water reuse models
• Saving water from mobile phones
• Healthy lands – Creation of marshlands
• The European Maritime Safety Agency - EMSA
• Ground water protection in sensitive areas