Open Letter to Ursula von der Leyen: Concerns about Commission’s proposal to extend Derogations to GAEC 8 under CAP
27 NGOs have aligned to publish an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The organisations express their serious concerns regarding commission’s proposal to extend derogations to GAEC 8 under CAP.
The Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GEAC) mandates that farmers allocate 4% of their land to nature conservation, commonly referred to as leaving land fallow. This practice prohibits crop cultivation and pesticide use, fostering an environment conducive to pollinators and natural predators essential for pest control. Additionally, it aids in safeguarding farmland against floods and droughts by facilitating water retention and mitigates soil erosion.
The signatories of the open letter, including Wetlands International, warn that granting a derogation to GAEC 8 cannot be justified by market conditions or any other rationale and it will seriously harm ecosystems. Therefore they collected their concerns to directly address the Parlament President and urge to prevent any further weakening of the CAP rules, recognizing that such actions will only hinder the transition to a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system.