ANNEX III
Good agricultural and environmental condition referred to in Article 6
| a Note: The GAEC buffer strips must respect, both within and outside vulnerable zones designated pursuant to Article 3(2) of Directive 91/676/EEC, at least the requirements relating to the conditions for land application of fertiliser near water courses, referred to in point A.4 of Annex II to Directive 91/676/EEC to be applied in accordance with the action programmes of Member States established under Article 5(4) of Directive 91/676/EEC. | ||
| Issue | Compulsory standards | Optional standards |
|---|---|---|
| Soil erosion: Protect soil through appropriate measures | —Minimum soil cover | —Retain terraces |
—Minimum land management reflecting site-specific conditions | ||
| Soil organic matter: Maintain soil organic matter levels through appropriate practices | —Arable stubble management | —Standards for crop rotations |
| Soil structure: Maintain soil structure through appropriate measures | —Appropriate machinery use | |
| Minimum level of maintenance: Ensure a minimum level of maintenance and avoid the deterioration of habitats | —Retention of landscape features, including, where appropriate, hedges, ponds, ditches trees in line, in group or isolated and field margins | —Minimum livestock stocking rates or/and appropriate regimes |
—Establishment and/or retention of habitats | ||
—Avoiding the encroachment of unwanted vegetation on agricultural land | —Prohibition of the grubbing up of olive trees | |
—Protection of permanent pasture | —Maintenance of olive groves and vines in good vegetative condition | |
| Protection and management of water: Protect water against pollution and run-off, and manage the use of water | —Establishment of buffer strips along water coursesa | |
—Where use of water for irrigation is subject to authorisation, compliance with authorisation procedures | ||