Farmers in Central and West Brabant may, under certain conditions, use Brabantse Delta locks to apply for a subsidy. This concerns income support through the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
To meet the water board’s CAP subsidy conditions, the farmer must make a significant contribution in return for improving biodiversity next to the ditch. This is what Brabantse Delta reports. This involves creating a widened herbaceous, flowery field edge or a nature-friendly bank. This also has positive effects for the water board: water quality and biodiversity improves and/or more water can be retained.
4 percent ruling
The new European Common Agricultural Policy came into effect on January 1, 2023. One of the conditions for farmers to qualify for their basic premium is that they are not allowed to cultivate 4 percent of their acreage. To arrive at this 4 percent, farmers may also include landscape elements from third parties, if this meets the conditions. Landscape elements can also include ditches and banks of water board ditches.
Written agreement
In order to be allowed to fill the water board’s ditch when applying for the subsidy, a written agreement is made between the farmer and the water board. This agreement is valid for four years (current CAP period).
Existing strips
Companies that already participate in field margins from agricultural nature management (ANLB) are not immediately eligible, because compensation is already provided for this. They can contact the water board to see whether the scheme can be converted.
Farmers who want to take advantage of the scheme can call (076) 564 1000 or complete the contact form.
Tags: Brabant Delta farmers ditches subsidies conditions StalenAkker .nl
