Compensations for catch cropping, intermediate cropping and spring processing

The 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan provides three support measures for carbon storage and reduced nitrogen leakage: compensation for catch crops, compensation for intermediate crops and compensation for spring tillage.

This report, published in 2023, analyses the application pattern for these three payments in the 2014-2022 Rural Development Programme (RDP).

Therefore, the report represents how support has been implemented in relation to the targets set.

In particular, the analysis shows to what extent the measures have been applied so far and how the applications are distributed geographically. Based on the analysis of the application pattern, the report answers whether there are any deviations from the planned implementation or achievement of the objectives. It also includes proposals for communication activities aimed at farmers and other actors in the sector.

The analysis is based on data from applications available in the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s system. Simple econometrics and maps have been elaborated on based on this data.

In terms of limitations, the report does not analyse the extent to which the area applied for spring tillage overlaps with the area applied for catch crops and intermediate crops.

The report highlights the following main findings. First, the area applied for all three compensations deviates from the target values planned for 2023. The compensation for catch crops does not reach the target value, while both intermediate crops and spring tillage significantly exceed target values.

Secondly, compared to the five-year agri-environmental payments for reduced nitrogen leakage that could be applied during the 2014-2022 RDP, the area has increased in 2023 for both catch crops and spring processing.

The new compensation for intermediate crops includes an area of more than 77 400 hectares applied for. It is almost at the same level as the area that has applications for compensation for catch crops (85 900 hectares).

Land in and outside nitrate-vulnerable zones are eligible for compensation for intermediate crops. Out of the area with applications for compensation for intermediate crops in 2023, 86% is located in nitrate-vulnerable areas.

Finally, the proportion of agricultural land covered by the compensation varies between counties.