It is an inherent part of the EU CAP that in order to receive the single farm payment a farmer must meet (amongst other thing) a minimum environmental standard (cross compliance) and to keep land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). The GAEC conditions are set by the EU but the actions to achieve them are defined by Member States, the conditions include; standards related to soil protection, maintenance of soil organic matter and soil structure, and maintenance of habitats and landscape, including the protection of permanent pasture.
