Green component

13.1.2015

Question for written answer E-000315-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE)

In December 2014 the Spanish Government approved Royal Decrees 1075/2014 and 1076/2014 on the application of the new common agricultural policy (CAP).

Amongst the provisions approved by the Spanish Government and published in the royal decrees on the CAP, of particular concern is the interpretation on the ways of implementing aid under the green component of the CAP, for which Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture is responsible. This is expected to involve a cut in the production potential of cereals and oilseed, as 5% of arable land will have to be set aside as ecological offset land (i.e. biodiversity conservation areas relatively unaffected by agriculture). Furthermore, Member States will not be allowed to include terraces, landscape features, or buffer strips under that definition, as that is against EU regulations.

1. What does the Commission think will be the impact of failing to include within the definition terraces, landscape features, areas with fast-growing coppice, areas with catch crops or sown green cover?

2. Can the Commission calculate the impact that this change will have on the incomes of farmers in Spain?