Funding for particularly sustainable methods in connection with the implementation of the Habitats and Birds Directives (FöRL Compensation for Disadvantages in Plant Protection) Open
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports agricultural holdings through the "Plant Protection Disadvantage Compensation" program, aiming to offset additional expenses incurred due to pesticide bans in nature conservation areas. This program, financed by the joint task "Improvement of Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection", promotes the productive management of arable and permanent crop areas in Habitats and Birds Directives sites. The objective is to compensate for financial disadvantages and support biodiversity protection.
Who is Funded?
The Plant Protection Disadvantage Compensation funding program targets operators of agricultural holdings in North Rhine-Westphalia. It aims to support farmers who incur higher additional expenses or costs in managing their land due to bans on certain plant protection products in sensitive natural areas, such as Habitats and Birds Directives sites. The goal is to offset these financial disadvantages and thereby promote biodiversity protection and the preservation of habitats and species.
What is Funded?
The program supports agricultural holdings that incur higher costs due to the ban on certain plant protection products in protected areas. The funding focuses on compensatory support for the productive use of arable and permanent crop areas in these specific funding areas to support environmental and nature conservation goals.
Type and Scope of Funding
The program offers financial support to farmers in North Rhine-Westphalia in the form of grants. The amount of funding is standardized and depends on the type of agriculturally used land. A de minimis threshold is set, and the program runs until the end of 2028.
Conditions and Requirements
To be eligible for funding, applicants must meet certain criteria, including the productive use of land in the defined funding areas. Double funding is excluded, and control and reporting obligations apply. The program is subject to specific EU state aid regulations.
Application Procedure
The application procedure for Plant Protection Disadvantage Compensation in North Rhine-Westphalia is digitized and linked to the submission deadlines of the collective application. Approval is granted by the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture, with applications to be submitted electronically, and consent to early commencement of measures being granted upon receipt of the application.
Legal Basis
The funding program is based on the Guideline on the Granting of Subsidies for the Promotion of Particularly Sustainable Methods (FöRL Plant Protection Disadvantage Compensation). This guideline is embedded in a comprehensive legal framework that includes European and national laws and regulations concerning the Common Agricultural Policy, plant protection, and budgetary regulations.
Funding Overview
Maximum Amount:
382.00 € per hectare of productively used arable land; 1,527.00 € per hectare of productively used permanent crops
Open Until:
31.12.2028
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany)
Sectors:
Agriculture and Agribusiness, Environmental and Climate Protection
Beneficiaries:
Agriculture & Rural Development, Environmental & Nature Conservation
Funding Stages:
Other
Funding Provider
Program Level: Regional
Funding Body: Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia
Managed By: North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture
Additional Partners: Federal-State Joint Task 'Improvement of Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection'