Abstract:
Starting with the reform of
1999 (named Agenda 2000), the Common
Agricultural Policy has two main directions:
market policy and sustainable development
of rural zones. Since 2003, the
environmental aspects were better integrated
into the agricultural policy that included
new measures or improvements of the
existing ones, in order to promote the
environment protection (new concept of the
‘sustainable agricultural development’).
The main instrument of market policy is
eco-conditioning. Agenda 2000 has
introduced the requirement for all EU
member states to apply measures for the
environment protection, in order to assure
the quality of agricultural soils and
production. If these measures are not
observed, sanctions are applied that include
reduction or even non-approval of direct
subsidies for farmers. Thus, a minimum
level of environment standards should be
observed and the best agricultural practices
should be applied so that the eco-efficiency
and eco-equity be maintained and driven
into the right direction for future generation
and environment protection.
