What is the purpose of introducing GAEC 2 according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development?
The introduction of GAEC 2 is aimed at protecting carbon-rich soils and wetlands.
The obligation to designate areas covered by this standard stems from Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and the Council, and applies only to land used for agriculture.
Scientists from the Institute of Fertilization and Soil Science – National Research Institute (IUNG-PIB) participated in the process of designating land covered by GAEC 2, and conducted an inventory of carbon-rich soils and wetlands in 2021-2023.
The following is an example of the process.
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Norm GAEC 2 bans plowing, peat extraction and construction of new drainage ditches
GAEC 2 requirements include, among other things, a ban on plowing and peat extraction and a ban on construction of new ditches and drainage facilities. Consultations with agricultural and environmental organizations took place in October 2024.
The requirements of this standard will take effect on January 1, 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Restoration of drained peatlands under GAEC 2
The GAEC 2 standard does not apply to the restoration of drained peatlands, as this issue is the subject of another Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2024/1991 on the restoration of natural resources (NRL). At the national level, the leading and coordinating institution for the implementation of these regulations is the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
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Protection of permanent grassland
Also, we would like to inform you that farmers applying for area payments are bound by EU regulations, including those concerning the protection of permanent grassland (TUZ).
One of the requirements is the obligation to keep TUZ in Poland at a stable level. The obligation is to monitor nationwide changes in the ratio of TUZ to the total area of agricultural land (the so-called GAEC 1). If the area of TUZ is reduced by more than 5%, corrective measures will have to be taken.
Additionally, on environmentally sensitive TUZ (including peat soils and wetlands (so-called GAEC 9)) in Natura 2000 areas, including those not yet covered by conservation task plans and protection plans – it is mandatory to prohibit their conversion and plowing. Within the 2023-2027 programming period, the area of such valuable TUZs is almost 400,000 hectares, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stresses. – In addition, farmers who farm in Natura 2000 areas where conservation task plans or protection plans have been designated are required to comply with the requirements under these plans (so-called conditionality requirements: SMR 3 (protection of wild birds) and SMR 4 (protection of natural habitats and wildlife)).
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Farmer-paid interventions from CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027
Since joining the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been implementing a series of interventions to encourage farmers to properly manage and protect permanent grasslands through financial support.
In the current programming period, within the framework of area-based ecoschemes, farmers can, for example, apply for payments for the ecoscheme “Water retention on permanent grassland” and the practice “Extensive use of permanent grassland with stocking rate”. – emphasizes the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Poland is also implementing agri-environmental-climate payments to encourage pro-environmental practices that go beyond current legal requirements. These are measures aimed at protecting valuable grasslands and pastures, including hydrogenic, i.e. water-dependent, habitats. It is important that farmers participating in these activities, in addition to having to comply with a number of requirements to protect valuable habitats, are required not to interfere with water conditions. This is essential for preserving the natural values of these areas.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
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