COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY MEASURES REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. GENERAL PRINCIPLES, MEASURES TYPES AND APPLICABILITY

Abstract

The European Union (EU) applies agri-environmental measures to protect de environment. The measures are specifically designated to farming practice. The measures are designated to productive and non-productive land management. Agri-environmental practices are in concordance to particular farming system and environmental conditions. The objectives are focused on two main branches: reducing the environmental risk associated with modern farming techniques and the second one preserving nature and cultivated landscape. It is very important to mention that agri-environmental practices have to be set up beyond Good Farming Practice (GFP). Agri-environmental measures are not meant to solve pollution problems that are the subject of mandatory subjects (European Commission, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004). The applied measures could have majors or minors impacts on water quality, soil quality and quantity, biodiversity and genetic diversity, landscapes, prevent soil erosion, prevent forest fires. The measures related to productive land management are: input reduction, organic farming, extensification of livestock, conversion of arable to grassland and rotation measures, undersowing and cover crops, strips and preventing erosion and fire, actions in are of special biodiversity/nature interest, genetic diversity, maintenance of existing sustainable and extensive systems, farmed landscape and water reduction measures. The measures related to non-productive land management are: set aside areas, upkeep abandoned farm land and woodland, maintenance of the countryside and landscape (European Commission, Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, 2005). These measures are very flexible, are not compulsory for the farmers and was observed that they have a very good results comparative with many other measures of EU policy.