Eco-schemes in EU member states could benefit from more agroecology (Policy brief)

Charan Krishna (1) , Jesse Donham (2) , Alexander Wezel (3, 1)

1 Isara
2 Agroecology Europe
3 AGE - Agroécologie et Environnement

The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) entered into force at the beginning of 2023, which includes the new form of direct payment schemes for environmental, climate and animal welfare. AE4EU aimed to analyse each member state’s strategic plan to determine which eco-schemes they have adopted and then identify which practices are truly agroecological and represent real progress to reach EU Green Deal targets. Although the EC did not explicitly mention the need for member states to adopt agroecological practices (AEP), all the member states except Cyprus have included at least one AEP in one or more of their eco-schemes, accounting for more than 68% of the total eco-schemes (111). Nevertheless, it remains clear that many Eco-schemes have not been created with robust funding, clear targets or proven benefits, and risk to fall short of further Green Deal goals and not deliver environmental benefits. Therefore, the AE4EU project suggests recommendations for the future implementation of the Eco-schemes.

Domaines: Agriculture, économie et politique

Charan Krishna, Jesse Donham, Alexander Wezel. Eco-schemes in EU member states could benefit from more agroecology (Policy brief). Agroecology for Europe (AE4EU). 2023. ⟨hal-04122727⟩