Impact of agri-environmental and climate protection measures in Lower Saxony and Bremen's Rural Development Programme 2014-2022

The evaluation analysed the agri-environmental and climate protection measures of the RDP in Lower Saxony and Bremen from 2014-2022, focusing on their impact on lowering pollution from nutrient surpluses.

Data from nutrient comparisons according to the German Fertiliser Ordinance were utilised, comparing participating holdings with a control group of similarly structured non-participating holdings.  

All types of projects analysed achieve measurable mitigation effects compared to the respective control groups. The effects are significant in the cultivation of hardy catch crops, in the absence of tillage after maize, in the low-emission application of farm fertilisers, and on organic farming. 

These effects were primarily achieved through stringent nitrogen content considerations in farm fertilisers. The evaluation contributes to the European Commission's programme impact indicators, assessing RDP’s water and climate impacts. 

Rural Development Programme: DE – Saxony-Bremen

Programming period: 2014-2022

Original publication date: 2021