Current environmental concerns, translated through the current European farm model produced by recent reforms, is a clear signal that agriculture must increasingly consider the use of such important resources as soil and water through its activities, while focusing at the same time on rural development as a policy priority.

The post 2000 Common Agricultural Policy, in the main objectives of the “agenda 2000”, considers it fundamental that agricultural development be viewed from a perspective of sustainability and highlights the need to integrate the protection of natural resources and rural land management as essential conditions to farm, so that the award of subsidies and aid to farmers is dependent on the development of farming in harmony with good agricultural practices.

All farmers applying for aid such as Compensatory Payments and Agro-Environmental Measures must develop their activity so that the minimum environmental protection and natural resource, soil and water preservation requirements are complied with, in accordance with current good agricultural practices. An exception to this rule exists for the beneficiaries of Agro-Environmental Measures, which should go beyond current good agricultural practices and be committed to developing a more intensive relationship between agriculture and the environment.

The current good agricultural practices focus on concerns to have in the management of farming wastes, the correct choice of machinery and equipment, soil, water and aquifer conservation, and they should, in general, define the correct management and preservation of the rural area.

Summary of Good Agricultural Practices (as established in Annex IV to Ordinance no. 14/2006 of 26 January):

1. a) Except for terraced or steppe parcels or those with a large-scale and delimiting physiographical accident, or those flat parcels located between depressions, when the physiographical description rating (IQFP) is 4:

i)      Annual crops are not permitted;

ii)    The planting of new tree and bush or fodder crops is only permitted in situations deemed to be technically suitable by the Agricultural Development Services of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry.

b) Except for terraced or steppe parcels or those with a large-scale and delimiting physiographical accident, or those flat parcels located between depressions, when the physiographical description rating (IQFP) is 5:

i)   Annual crops or the planting of new pastures are not permitted;

ii)  The improvement of natural pastures, without soil turnover, is permitted;

iii)  The planting of new tree and bush crops is only permitted in situations deemed to be technically suitable by the Agricultural Development Services of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Forestry.

2. Fertilisers and phytopharmaceutical products must be stored in a sheltered, dry place over a waterproofed floor, more than 10 metres from watercourses, ditches and drainage channels, wells, bore holes or springs, except in relation to stored irrigation-borne fertiliser that has a leak protection system.

3. Apply only approved phytopharmaceutical products on each crop.

4. Do not apply phytopharmaceutical products, fertilisers or perform milking less than 10 metres from water lines.

5. Do not apply fertilisers during the rainy season in parcels when the IQFP is 4 or 5.

6. Carry out an irrigation water analysis every five years.

7. Carry out a soil analysis every five years, in the following situations:

a)    Crops semi-sheltered by greenhouse, on farms larger than 0.1 hectare;

b)    Horticultural and fruit crops on farms larger than 1 hectare, if the farm is continuous, or by blocks if discontinuous;

c)    Industrial crops on farms larger than 5 hectares, for every 5 hectares if the farm is continuous, or per block if discontinuous;

d)    Agro-livestock farms larger than 12 hectares, for every 5 hectares if the farm is continuous, or every 3 blocks if discontinuous.

8. Manage cattle in a manner compatible with the capacity of the natural surroundings, which ensures the regeneration of plant cover and contributes to soil conservation. Head of cattle never greater than 2.5 LU/ha of fodder area.

9. Stockpile plastics, tyres and oils from agricultural production processes.

10. Do not burn plastics, tyres and oils on the farm.

11. Maintain water supply or cattle drinking infrastructures (cisterns and tanks) in a good state of repair.

12. Comply with norms applicable to the management of areas set aside for nature conservation.

13. Maintain and care for hedges (trees and bushes) around parcel boundaries.

14. Possess a register of the livestock and silo effluent management system, on farms greater than 120 LU with animal grouping infrastructures, namely milking sheds, holding pens and feeding pens and/or farms with fodder storage facilities, namely trench silos.

15. Carry out the field register of fertilisers and phytopharmaceutical products used, maintaining the proof of purchase of phytopharmaceutical products.