The Environmental Role of Protein Crops in the New Common Agricultural Policy

Studiu 15-05-2013

This study provides an overview of the development and environmental effects of protein crop production in Europe. Nine policy options for supporting protein crops are presented: six inside the CAP, and three outside. We recommend an integrated policy approach combining the inclusion of protein crops into greening measures, investment in research and constraints on the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. We conclude that increasing the production of protein crops would be an important contribution to the sustainable development of European agricultural and food systems.