Territorial Distribution of CAP Payments in the Netherlands and Present and Future Environmental Policy Targets

B. Elbersen, A. van Doorn and H. Naeff, University of Wageningen, 2009

Content

• Fine-grained analysis of the spacial distribution of first and second pillar payments
• Distinguishes between four types of sensitive areas (vulnerable to nitrogen, ammonia, drought and biodiversity loss) and different farm intensities.

Findings

• High-intensity farming obtains more first pillar payments per hectare.
• First pillar payments per hectare are greatest for high-intensity farming in sensitive areas.
• More than 80% of the CAP expenditures went to farms "that were likely to deliver little environmental benefit."

Comment

• Another blow to the myth that the Single Farm Payment has a 'close-enough' link to the provision of public goods.