Payments for small farmers

Payments for small farmers is sponsored by European Commission. This is a simplified income support intervention under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), providing lump-sum payments to small farms to reduce administrative burden. It replaces other forms of income support.

Payments for small farmers - Agriculture and rural development Payments for small farmers EU support for small farms explained The payment for small farmers (PSF) is a simplified income support intervention under the common agricultural policy (CAP).

EU countries can implement this mechanism as follows: in the form of an identical lump sum for all farmers, or The PSF replaces all other forms of income support payment, including: the basic income support for sustainability (BISS), the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability (CRISS), the complimentary income support for young farmers (CISYF), and the coupled income support (CIS).

The maximum level for the payment is decided at national level but may not exceed €1,250. Income support in the CAP 2023-27 The new CAP 2023-27 income support system includes measures to ensure a fairer distribution of financial support for farmers and workers across the EU. Small farms remain a cornerstone of EU agriculture as they play a vital role in supporting rural employment and contribute to territorial development.

More than three quarters of farm holdings in the European Union are small – below 10 hectares – with a large number being below five hectares. The small size of these farms often increases the relative administrative burden of applying for income support. The payment for small farmers does not exempt farmers from conditionality controls.

However, EU countries may opt for a simplified control system for small farmers including for those farmers applying the PSF. The purpose of the payments for small farmers is: to promote more balanced distribution of support; to contribute to the vitality and dynamics of rural areas, where small farms play an important economic role; to reduce the administrative burden for both beneficiaries and managing authorities.

The payments for small farmers (PSF) replace the small farmer scheme (SFS) under Regulation (EU) 1307/2013 . Factsheet on PSF: Payments for small farmers (PSF) Why income support to farmers is important, different schemes for direct payments.

Direct payments to farmers (2015-20) Brochure focusing on a key element of the policy that provides income support for farmers and promotes competitiveness, sustainability and environmentally-friendly farming practices. The small farmers scheme (CAP 2014-22) Rules applicable during the 2014-2022 programming period under the common agricultural policy.

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