The upcoming discussions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) once again highlight the importance of addressing the benefits of 10% landscape features at the farm level in the EU. While often viewed as a political target, there has been some confusion as to whether this percentage, mentioned in the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, was meant to be achieved at the farm or at a higher level. The 2020 CAP reform did not enshrine this 10% figure, instead referring to a more modest 4% under GAEC 8, with some variations that could increase the total to 7%, especially when combined with ecoschemes. Amid farmers’ concerns over excessive regulations, the CAP’s targeted review made GAEC 8 and the modest 4% no longer compulsory, further distancing us from the politically ambitious target of 10%.

Recent studies confirm not only that landscape features like hedgerows, flower strips, and wetlands significantly enhance biodiversity, improve pest control and pollination, and reduce pesticide use, all of which support both sustainable farming and game species habitats, but also that a percentage of around 10%-15% dedicated to landscape features provided the most significant benefits to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and agricultural production. Studies by Kleijn et al. (2009) and Seiter et al. (2021) show that integrating semi-natural habitats into agricultural land at this scale yields positive ecological and economic outcomes, reinforcing the need for a higher threshold of landscape features in EU farming systems.

In light of this, the next CAP must address this gap by considering the establishment of a more ambitious target for landscape features at the farm level, such as a minimum of 10% of agricultural land dedicated to biodiversity-enhancing elements. This would not only support the EU’s broader environmental goals but also foster more resilient, productive, and sustainable farming practices that benefit both nature and farmers. A balanced approach that combines mandatory targets with financial incentives and flexibility for farmers is essential to achieving these objectives, ensuring that the CAP contributes meaningfully to both the EU’s sustainability targets and the livelihoods of those who manage the land.