Extra payments in 2023 for farmers who do more for the environment and climate

All farmers must undertake additional environmental measures to maintain their payments.

European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and German Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Julia Klockner at the 4 am, Tuesday press conference after a marathon two-day EU-27 agriculture ministers council to agree their CAP reform requirements. Picture: European Union

Mandatory environmental schemes as part of direct payments to farmers moved closer when EU farm ministers agreed on the shape of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy.

These proposed eco-schemes are a major issue for member states, because if insufficient farmers sign up for them, and qualify for eco-payments, the foregone funding could be lost to the member state, reverting back to the EU.