Farmers who work up to 10 hectares and benefit from direct payments or interventions for rural development and those with exploitations of a maximum of 30 hectares, in case of application of the standard regarding crop rotation on arable land, will be exempted from controls and sanctions related to the conditionality norms, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) announced on Tuesday.
The institution, through the Managing Authority for the PNDR and the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, has developed a package of amendments regarding the conditionality norms, applicable starting with the 2026 campaign year, with the objective of simplifying the obligations for farmers and reducing the risk of administrative sanctions.
"One of the most important measures proposed by the Management Authority aims at exempting from controls and sanctions related to cross-compliance rules farmers who work up to 10 hectares and benefit from direct payments or rural development interventions, as well as those with farms of a maximum of 30 hectares, in the case of applying the GAEC 7 standard [Crop rotation on arable land, with the exception of crops that grow under water]. These measures aim to reduce the administrative pressure on small and medium-sized farmers, who represent an essential component of Romanian agriculture", a press release from the MADR states.
At the same time, farms certified in organic farming, including those in conversion, will be automatically considered compliant with GAEC 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 standards, eliminating additional controls and simplifying administrative procedures.
Adjustments to some GAEC standards were also proposed, so that they would be better correlated with the specifics of Romanian agriculture, including: updating GAEC 5 requirements regarding soil work, clarifying the application of GAEC 6 for greenhouses, solariums and permanent crops, completing GAEC 4 regarding buffer strips in the area of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, coherence between conditionality and eco-schemes.
The proposals were formulated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2025/2469 and with the amendments to the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and will be transmitted to the European Commission through the notification procedure.
"We have asked that European rules be applied with common sense and adapted to the realities on the ground. Through these amendments, we reduce bureaucracy for farmers, protect small farms and recognize correct agricultural practices, without putting unnecessary pressure on those who work the land. The Management Authority has had an essential role in this simplification and balance approach", declared Florin-Ionut Barbu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, quoted in the press release.
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