Glossary:Good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC)

Good agricultural and environmental conditions, abbreviated as GAEC, refers to a set of European Union (EU) standards (described in Annex II of Council Regulation No 1306/2013 defined at national or regional level), aiming to achieve a sustainable agriculture. Keeping land in good agricultural and environmental conditions is directly related to issues such as:

• minimum level of maintenance;
• protection and management of water;
• soil erosion;
• soil organic matter;
• soil structure;

These standards are to be respected by European farmers receiving direct payments or some of the rural development payments.

Further information

• Cross Compliance
• Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC)

Related concepts

• Agri-environmental indicator (AEI)
• Biodiversity
• Common agricultural policy (CAP)
• Farm structure survey (FSS)
• Permanent grassland
• Single payment scheme (SPS)

Source

• JRC - MARS WikiCAP