Support for Organic Farming

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Who is funded

This funding program is aimed at farmers in North Rhine-Westphalia who wish to introduce or maintain organic farming practices. The goal is to compensate for the additional expenses associated with this environmentally friendly agriculture through grants.

What is funded

The program subsidizes additional expenses incurred through the introduction or maintenance of organic agricultural management practices. This includes various arable, grassland, and special crops. Landscape elements are excluded from funding. Support applies to both the conversion and ongoing organic farming.

Type and Extent of Funding

Funding is provided as a grant in the form of fixed-rate financing per hectare per year, with varying rates depending on the type of area and the stage of conversion. There is a de minimis threshold of 500 Euros per year and a flat rate for transaction costs. Reductions may occur if other eco-regulations are claimed simultaneously.

Conditions and Requirements

For funding, farmers must meet comprehensive conditions, including granting control possibilities, adhering to specific management standards, and reporting changes in area. There are detailed regulations on area deviations and violations, which can lead to reductions or exclusion from funding. Cases of force majeure are recognized under certain conditions.

Application Procedure

The application for the grant must be submitted annually by June 30th via the electronic application portal of the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture. Grant payments are also made annually upon application. The approving authority decides on the granting of the subsidy within the framework of its dutiful discretion and available budget funds, as there is no legal entitlement.

Legal Basis

The promotion of organic farming in North Rhine-Westphalia is based on detailed guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection. These guidelines link European agricultural regulations, such as the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation and the Organic Production Regulation, with national laws and state-specific budget regulations to create a coherent legal framework.