Sustainable agricultural development –concepts, principles, eco-efficiency, eco-equity, eco-conditioning

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.