KT&I Gateway

Farm Advisory System (FAS)

Institution overall role: An EU initiative, the Farm Advisory System (FAS) aims at helping farmers to better understand and meet the EU rules for environment, public and animal health, animal welfare and to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental conditions (GAEC). From 2007, national authorities are obliged to offer their farmers advice under a FAS, applying certain priority criteria if needed. The EU Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) supports farmers to make use of advisory services and supports Member States in setting up new farm advisory services where needed. The Farm Advisory System covers the overall organisation and the various public and/or private operators that deliver farm advisory services to a farmer in a Member State.

Period of the initiative: 2007-2013

Role and priorities/objectives in knowledge transfer & innovation: Having a national FAS guarantees that each farmer can access advice on at least the basic cross-compliance requirements including environment, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and GAEC. A farm advisory service assesses the specific situation of the farmer and gives appropriate advice.

Knowledge transfer & innovation links: An evaluation of the implementation of the FAS was conducted in 2009 and can be viewed here: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eval/reports/fas/index_en.htm

A 2010 report on the application of the FAS can be accessed here [PDF ]

Homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/direct-support/cross-compliance/farm-advisory-system/index_en.htm

Contact details:
European Commission,
DG Agriculture and Rural Development
Unit L1
130, Rue de la Loi
B – 1049 Brussels
Belgium
Fax: +32 (0) 2-295.01.30.