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Good agricultural and environmental conditions

  • Glossary item | 19 Mar 2025
Good agricultural and environmental conditions, abbreviated as GAEC, refers to a set of European Union (EU) standards (described in Annex II of Council Regulation No 1306/2013 defined at national or regional level), aiming to achieve a sustainable agriculture. Keeping land in good agricultural and environmental conditions is directly related to issues such as:
  • minimum level of maintenance;
  • protection and management of water;
  • soil erosion;
  • soil structure.
These standards are to be respected by European farmers receiving direct payments or some of the rural development payments.
 
 
Source category: EC Technical Documents
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EU Agri-food days 2026
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