The report shows that EFAs, introduced in the rules governing direct payments to farmers in 2013, can contribute to addressing the impact of some farming practices on the environment by bringing potential positive effects for biodiversity and for soil, water and climate. According to the rules on EFAs, farmers with arable land above 15 hectares must ensure that at least 5% of this land is an ecological focus area.
In 2015, 10% of the land under the obligation was declared as EFA, and data for 2016 shows very similar results.
More information is available in a news item online.
