Agricultural policy and rural development

Since the creation of the European Union (EU), the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been one of its central political tasks. Due to changing framework conditions and new challenges, it has gone through various phases in recent decades. Initially, agricultural policy was characterised by price support and market organisations. In the meantime, it has become increasingly clear that agriculture must provide social services alongside the production of agricultural goods. The tasks of agricultural policy therefore also include preserving cultural landscapes, protecting the environment, ensuring animal welfare and preserving cultural heritage.

Agricultural policy has been one of our core issues since the founding of our institute in 1956. In particular, we monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of policy instruments in the second pillar of the CAP. Our main focus is on measures for the environment friendly development of agriculture and the promotion of rural development. In addition, we deal with environmental aspects in the first pillar of the CAP and with concepts of how services in agriculture that go beyond agricultural production can be compensated in a fair manner.

Contact person/s at IfLS: Jörg Schramek (schramek[at]ifls.de, +49 (0) 69/9726683-14) und Simone Sterly (sterly[at]ifls.de, +49 (0) 69/9726683-15)

Projects in the field

Research and development

Tools4CAP: Support decision-makers with policy tools

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Tools4CAP - which stands for “Innovative Toolbox empowering effective CAP governance towards EU ambitions” - is a four-year project funded with 4 million Euros by the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation. It will support the…

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Pilot project - Establishing an operational programme: structuring the agri-food sectors to safeguard the handing-on of family farms and the sustainability of local agriculture

On behalf of DG AGRI (Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development), Ecorys is conducting a Europe-wide pilot project on the expansion of funding opportunities for operational programs of producer organizations. The IfLS is contributing…

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Evaluation of protected geographical indications (GI) and traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) in the EU

Since 1992 – and revised in 2012 – agricultural products and food can be protected in the European Union with the designation of origin Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) as well as the Qual-ity Seal…

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AGRI PO PSG - Study on economic value of EU quality schemes, geographical indications (GI) and traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG)

The IfLS is a contributing national expert for Germany and Austria to the study by AND International on behalf of the European Commission - Directorate General Agriculture and Rural Development.

The aim of the study is to collect and/or estimate…

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Evaluation

External review of the premium calculation for Pillar 2 measures according to Art. 82 of the CAP Strategic Plan Regulationg

The new funding period of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) begins in 2023. Agri-environmental and climate measures as well as compensatory payments within the framework of rural development (EAFRD) are to continue to be important instruments for…

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Premium verification of CAP measures of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg

The new funding period of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) begins in 2023. Agri-environmental and climate measures as well as compensatory payments within the framework of rural development (EAFRD) are to continue to be important instruments for…

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Consulting

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Cross Compliance and advancement of agri-environmental schemes

The integration of nature and environment issues constitutes a focal point within the frame-work of agricultural policy’s reorientation. On the one hand, Council Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes and…

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Concept and strategy development

Re-calculation of the premium payments for agri-environmental measures of the rural development program of Slovenia

The IfLS has been commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia to recalculate the agri-environmental premiums. Agri-environmental premiums are paid to participating farmers as remuneration for ecological…

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Cross compliance indicators in the context of consultation systems for agricultural enterprises – CIFAS

Based on Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003, EU member states are obliged to define Cross Compliance (CC) requirements and standards which must be fulfilled by farmers receiving direct payments. Additionally, an establishment of agricultural consultation…

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Development of a set of criteria for the assessment of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) with respect to biodiversity conservation and landscape

The study dealt with the interrelationships between farming and biodiversity, the question of the integration of agricultural and environmental goals, and the definition of codes of ‘Good Agricultural Practice’ (GAP). The starting point is the term…

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