“The Implementation of Cross-compliance in Spain”

1. “The Implementation of Cross-compliance in Spain” Condizionalità degli aiuti in agricoltura… Videoconferencia for Carrefour Sicilia, 20th of February 2008 Ignacio Atance (iatancem@mapa.es) Unidad de Análisis y Prospectiva (UAP) Ministry of Agriculture, Spain The Cross-Compliance in Spain

2. Contents 1.- The Context of Cross-Compliance 2.- The GAEC in Spain 3.- Initial results from CC inspections 4.- Conclusions The Cross-Compliance in Spain

3. 1.- The context of cross-compliance • CAP context • Introduced by the 2003 CAP Reform • Legitimating SFPs: social contract between society & SFP receptors • Re-adjusting in 2007 and 2008 (Health Check) • Spanish Agri-Environmental context • Extreme climatic conditions • Water management • High risk of erosion. • Natural Protected Area: 23 % UAA under Natura 2000 • Environmental risks associated with land abandon of less productive areas • Political-administrative context • 17 Regional Governments with transferred responsibilities The Cross-Compliance in Spain

4. 1.- The contents of cross-compliance • Statutory management requirements (Annex III) • Environmental Directives • Zoo-sanitary, animal welfare and animal identification requirements • Public health requirements • Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (Annex IV) • The Farm Advisory System The Cross-Compliance in Spain

5. 2.- The aims of GAEC in SPAIN 1.- Soil protection 2.- Minimum level of maintenance for agricultural lands. 3.- Avoiding damage to habitats The Cross-Compliance in Spain

6. 2.1.- Soil protection • Fight against Erosion • Slope: 10% for herbaceous and 15 % for woody crops. • Minimum soil cover. • Between harvest date and sowing time • Olive trees: vegetable cover (avoiding the stripped soil) • Specific requirements. • for set-aside, fallow land and uncultivated lands • for areas with high risk of erosion, • Retain terraces • Organic matter • Burning of stubble forbidden. • Requirements for eliminating the remain of harvest and pruning • Soil structure • Waterlogged soils • Indicator: machinery's track depth The Cross-Compliance in Spain

7. 2.1.- Soil protection: stonewalls and plots The Cross-Compliance in Spain

8. 2.2.- Minimun level of maintenance of agricultural lands. • Permanent pastures • Prohibition of burning and plugging • Minimum stocking density of 0,1 LU/Ha • Prevention of spread of spontaneous unwanted vegetationin thecroplands/farm lands • Each agronomic region has to have a closed list with plants which have to be uprooted. The Cross-Compliance in Spain

9. 2.2.- Olive tres • Olive trees • Banning of uprooting (except for agronomic reasons). • Maintenance ofthe olive trees in good conditions (pruning). The Cross-Compliance in Spain

10. 2.3.- Avoid damage to habitats • Irrigation system • Aquifers overexploited • Maintenance of water measuring equipment. • Manure management on animal farms • Waterproof pools with suitable storage capacity • Application of fertilizers, manure, swage sludge in waterlogged and snowed lands The Cross-Compliance in Spain

11. 3.- Initial Results from CC inspections • Data from the first year of application (2005): • Number of controls: 8831 (1.69% SFP applic.) • Number of infractions: 949 (10.75% controls) • 74% implied no sanction or <1% payment • 11% implied sanction > 5% payment The Cross-Compliance in Spain

12. 4.- Some conclusions • A un-renounceable principle of the CAP (legitimation) • A transitory period of time is necessary • Assessment of the cost of cross-compliance and generating clear and easy indicators at European level. • European marketing plan to deliver to society the effort of the farmer to fulfill the requirements of the European society. • The LEADER approach can be useful also for CC: • Analyzing links between LEADER approach and Farm Advisory System. • Exchange ofbest practices (CC and Farm Advisory System) The Cross-Compliance in Spain