COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Luxembourg's CAP strategic Plan Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Recommendations to the Member States as regards their strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy
Date: 2020-12-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Subjects: EU strategy, Luxembourg, agricultural policy, climate change policy, common agricultural policy, cooperation on agriculture, digitisation, food security, innovation, rural development

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 18.12.2020  SWD(2020) 385 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Luxembourg's CAP strategic Plan Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Recommendations to the Member States as regards their strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy {COM(2020) 846 final} - {SWD(2020) 367 final} - {SWD(2020) 368 final} - {SWD(2020) 369 final} - {SWD(2020) 370 final} - {SWD(2020) 371 final} - {SWD(2020) 372 final} - {SWD(2020) 373 final} - {SWD(2020) 374 final} - {SWD(2020) 375 final} - {SWD(2020) 376 final} - {SWD(2020) 377 final} - {SWD(2020) 379 final} - {SWD(2020) 384 final} - {SWD(2020) 386 final} - {SWD(2020) 387 final} - {SWD(2020) 388 final} - {SWD(2020) 389 final} - {SWD(2020) 390 final} - {SWD(2020) 391 final} - {SWD(2020) 392 final} - {SWD(2020) 393 final} - {SWD(2020) 394 final} - {SWD(2020) 395 final} - {SWD(2020) 396 final} - {SWD(2020) 397 final} - {SWD(2020) 398 final}  
 
 
Contents 

1.  COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LUXEMBOURG'S CAP 

STRATEGIC PLAN ................................................................................................. 2 

1.1  Foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food 

security ................................................................................................................ 2 

1.2  Bolster environmental care and climate action and contribute to the 

environmental- and climate-related objectives of the Union ......................... 3 

1.3  Strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas and address societal 

concerns ............................................................................................................... 4 

1.4  Modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation 

and digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake ............................................ 5 

1.5  Recommendations .............................................................................................. 6 

2.  ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 

LUXEMBOURG ....................................................................................................... 9 

2.1  Support viable farm income and resilience across the EU territory to 

enhance food security ......................................................................................... 9 

2.2  Enhance market orientation and increase competitiveness, including 

greater focus on research, technology and digitalisation.............................. 10 

2.3  Improve farmers' position in the value chain ................................................ 12 

2.4  Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as 

sustainable energy ............................................................................................ 13 

2.5  Foster sustainable development and efficient management of natural 

resources such as water, soil and air .............................................................. 15 

2.6  Contribute to the protection of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services 

and preserve habitats and landscapes ............................................................ 16 

2.7  Attract young farmers, and facilitate business development in rural areas 18 

2.8  Promote employment, growth, social inclusion, and local development in 

rural areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry ...................... 19 

2.9  Improve the response of EU agriculture to societal demands on food and 
health, including safe, nutritious and sustainable food, as well as animal 
welfare ............................................................................................................... 21 

2.10  Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation ........ 22 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  LUXEMBOURG'S  CAP 

STRATEGIC PLAN 

In  the  framework  of  the  structured  dialogue  for  the  preparation  of  the  common 
agricultural policy (CAP) strategic plan, this document contains the recommendations for 
the CAP  strategic plan of  Luxembourg. The recommendations are based  on analysis of 
the  state  of  play,  and  the  needs  and  priorities  for  agriculture  and  rural  areas  in 
Luxembourg.  The  recommendations  address  the  specific  objectives  of  the  future 
Common Agricultural  Policy (CAP), and in  particular the ambition and specific targets 
of  the  Farm  to  Fork  Strategy  and  the  Biodiversity  Strategy  for  2030.  As  stated  in  the 
Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission invites Luxembourg, in its CAP Strategic Plan, 
to set explicit national values for the Green Deal targets1, taking into account its specific 
situation and these recommendations. 

1.1  Foster  a  smart,  resilient  and  diversified  agricultural  sector  ensuring  food 

security 

The  economic  development  of  Luxembourg’s  agriculture  over  the  past  decade  reflects 
some  progress  in  consolidation.  However,  Luxembourg  also  faces  challenges  with 
respect to prospects for maintaining productivity growth so as to increase farm incomes, 
while improving competitiveness. 

As  in  most  EU  countries,  Luxembourg’s  agricultural  sector  is  undergoing  a  farm 
consolidation  process,  characterised by  a reduction in  the number of small-sized farms, 
and an increase in the average size of medium-sized and large farms. As a result of the 
number  of  holdings  decreasing  and  the  size  of  the  agricultural  area  slightly  increasing, 
average  holding  size  in  Luxembourg  increased  from  59.6 hectares  in  2010  to 
70.3 hectares  in  2019,  making  this  average  area  one  of  the  largest  in  the  EU-27.  The 
same applies to the average economic size of holdings, which reached EUR 197 360 in 
2019. Despite this upward trend in the economic results of farms, data show a growing 
gap between farm income and income from the rest of the economy over time. This gap 
is even larger for small- and medium-sized farms (less than 50 hectares), which represent 
47% of the entire population of agricultural holdings, and cover about 10% of the total 
agricultural land. In particular, the agricultural income of farms between 30 and 50 and 
between 50 and 75 hectares is, respectively, 30% and 71% of the national average. 

In  2019,  the  livestock  sector  (milk,  cattle  and  forage  plants)  represented  no  less  than 
76.3%  of  the  agricultural  production  value  in  Luxembourg.  This  narrow  focus  of 
Luxembourg’s  agriculture  is  confirmed  by  the  high  degree  of  specialisation  of 
agricultural holdings in livestock farming, and dairy farming in particular. Contributing 
to  the  transition  to  sustainable  modes  of  production  in  the  EU  will  be  particularly 
challenging  for  Luxembourgish  dairy  farmers.  In  terms  of  productivity,  Luxembourg’s 
specialised  agriculture  now  seems  to  be  stabilising,  after  having  undergone  constant 
improvement. This is mainly due to the relative increase in labour costs in recent  years. 
Similarly, investments in the agricultural sector decreased between 2014 and 2017, even 
though they remain high compared to the EU average.  

At the same time, the share of the value added for  Luxembourgish  farmers in  the food 
chain  has  fluctuated  by  around  10%  over  the  years,  and  decreased  to  8.6%  in  2017, 
which is the lowest share of the value added captured by primary producers in the EU-27. 

1   It  concerns  the  targets  related  to  the  use  and  risk  of  pesticides,  sales  of  antimicrobials,  nutrient  loss, 
areas under organic farming, high diversity landscape features and access to fast broadband internet. 
2 

 
 
                                                           
This weak economic position of farmers in the food chain is also characterised by a total 
absence  of  recognised  producer  organisations  and  inter-branch  organisations  that  could 
help strengthen the farmers’ position. In addition, the consumption of food products from 
organic  farming  (12%  private  food  expenditure  in  2020)  or  under  quality  schemes 
remains relatively low, and has been stagnant for almost 10 years. In this respect, it could 
be worthwhile to explore the potential of EU quality schemes. 

In  this  context,  Luxembourg  should  ensure  that  it  maintains  conditions  that  encourage 
innovation  and  investment  in  agriculture  and  strengthens  the  position  of  farmers  in  the 
food  chain,  especially  given  the  environmental  challenges  that  have  to  be  faced 
(described  in  the  next  section).  This  can  be  achieved  through  a  range  of  approaches 
aimed  at  jointly  ensuring  improved  production  efficiency  and  the  sustainable  use  of 
resources, and at addressing the challenges created by climate change. 

1.2  Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and  contribute  to  the 

environmental- and climate-related objectives of the Union 

The  climate  and  environmental  transition  for  agriculture  in  Luxembourg  is  particularly 
important due to the specialisation of the agricultural and agri-food sectors, particularly 
the high share of livestock in farm production. 

Although  the  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  of  Luxembourg’s  agricultural  sector 
account for only a very small share of the GHG emissions of the EU agricultural sector 
(0.2%  in  2018),  its  evolution  contrasts  with  EU  developments,  and  further  efforts  are 
necessary to ensure that it contributes to the achievement of EU targets. While emissions 
of methane and nitrous oxide have decreased substantially in the EU over the past three 
decades, they remained stable in Luxembourg, even recording an upward trend in recent 
years. Measured per hectare of agricultural land, these emissions account for more than 
twice  the  EU  average,  mostly  due  the  enteric  fermentation  of  ruminants  and  manure 
management.  Luxembourg  should  therefore  focus  on  decreasing  its  emissions  from  the 
livestock  sector,  for  instance  by  investing  in  anaerobic  digestion  or  improved  feed  and 
manure management in line with the EU’s methane strategy. In Luxembourg, forestland 
and  permanent  grassland  are  important  carbon  sinks.  However,  outgoing  carbon  flows 
have been greater than incoming flows in permanent grassland in recent years.  

As  regards  the  negative  effects  of  climate  on  agriculture,  and  as  is  the  case  for  other 
countries in the same climatic region, Luxembourg is and will be confronted with more 
extreme  and  frequent  weather  events  such  as  heavy  rainfall,  increased  heatwaves  and 
short  episodes  of  drought,  as  well  as  higher  incidence  of  animal  disease  and  pests. 
Droughts in recent years have had an increasing impact on agricultural yields. Native and 
invasive  vector-borne  diseases  represent  one  of  the  major  impacts  on  livestock. 
Luxembourg’s  agriculture  cannot  escape  the  need  to  fundamentally  adapt  to  climate 
change. 

Moreover, the livestock sector is responsible for the largest share of ammonia emissions 
in Luxembourg (94% of all ammonia emissions in 2018 are from agriculture; 82% from 
livestock),  affecting  air  quality  and  causing  nitrogen  deposition  into  water,  which  is 
affecting ecosystems and biodiversity. Following a gradual downward trend since 1995, 
emissions  have  stabilised  in  recent  years.  Luxembourg  is  among  the  Member  States 
considered  at  high  risk  of  non-compliance  with  emission  reduction  commitments  for 
ammonia for the 2020-2029 period, as well as for 2030 and beyond. 

3 

 
 
In addition, the latest evaluations of water quality show that Luxembourg still has a long 
way to go to achieve the good status/potential objectives set out in the Water Framework 
Directive, and agriculture is identified as generating the most significant pressure. Both 
the nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses in Luxembourg remain high compared to the EU 
average,  impacting  water  resources.  Better  integration  of  water  resource  protection 
objectives into other policy areas such as agriculture is needed, and synergies should be 
optimised with policies, including the CAP. 

The  situation  of  biodiversity  in  agricultural  areas  is  also  critical.  According  to  the 
reporting  on  the  conservation  status  and  trends  of  species  and  habitats  under  the  EU 
Habitats  Directive  (2013-2018),  only  16%  of  grassland  habitat  types  present  in 
Luxembourg currently have a favourable conservation status; the remaining 84% have a 
bad  status  and  are  further  declining.  This  finding  is  corroborated  by  the  decline  of  the 
farmland bird index from 100 in 2010 to 66 in 2018. In addition, the density of landscape 
features  in  cropland  and  permanent  crops  has  remained  very  low  in  recent  years.  Not 
surprisingly, the prioritised action framework for Natura 2000 in Luxembourg indicates 
that  both  in  and  outside  Natura  2000,  there  is  a  need  to  prioritise  financial  support  to 
protect  and  preserve  grasslands  and  arable  land,  wetlands  and  aquatic  habitats.  In  this 
respect, 
importance.  In 
Luxembourg, it currently occupies 4.6% of utilised agricultural area, which is below the 
EU average of 8%. However, a national action plan for the promotion of organic farming 
‘PAN-Bio  2025’,  issued  in  March  2020,  aims  to  improve  this  situation  and  includes  a 
target to have 20% of Luxembourg’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2025. 

the  development  of  organic  farming 

is  of  paramount 

Currently,  Luxembourg’s  rural  development  programme  places  great  importance  on 
environmental  and  climate  aspects.  It  already  has  89%  of  its  agricultural  land  under 
contracts  to  protect  biodiversity  and  improve  water  and  soil  management,  but  their 
results appear to be insufficient. The impact of soil management practices may be further 
increased,  for  example  by  linking  them  to  research,  innovation  and  demonstration 
activities available under the forthcoming Horizon Europe mission on soil health. 

1.3  Strengthen  the  socio-economic  fabric  of  rural  areas  and  address  societal 

concerns 

By seeking balanced territorial development, the CAP contributes to reducing the gap in 
standard  of  living  between  rural  and  other  areas  in  the  EU.  Luxembourg’s  situation, 
however,  is  special.  It  is  one  of  the  smallest  countries  in  Europe  but  its  total  GDP  per 
capita is 2.5 times higher than the EU average. From a statistical point of view, given its 
size and population density, Luxembourg is classified as one intermediate urban region1. 
Luxembourg is also one of the Member States with the lowest levels of rural poverty and 
the lowest rate of youth unemployment (10%), which is still high compared to the total 
rural unemployment. Access to services in rural areas, and the availability and quality of 
infrastructure, are not a major concern in Luxembourg.  

Luxembourg  has  the  fifth  highest  share  of  young  farmers  in  the  total  number  of  farm 
managers  in  2016,  with  its  figure  of  8.1%  being  well  above  the  5.1%  EU  average. 
Whereas the EU trend fell between 2010 and 2016, Luxembourg experienced an increase 
over the same period. However, only 13% of  young farmers were women in 2016, and 
access  to  factors  of  production  is  challenging  for  new  young  farmers  outside  family 
businesses;  this  is  mainly  due  to  the  high  price  of  land  and  labour.  Currently, 
Luxembourg annually spends 1.8% of its direct payment allocation on support for young 
farmers. It has earmarked 2% of the rural development budget for business start-up aid 

4 

 
 
under rural development for the current programming period, well below the EU average 
of 3.8%. 

Women in  rural  areas constitute 25% of the agricultural  labour force but  only 17%  are 
farm managers, well below the EU average of 28%. There must be careful consideration 
of the specific needs of women in agriculture and rural areas in order to deliver on gender 
equality and close the gender gaps in employment. Furthermore, in rural areas there may 
be  other  groups  with  specific  needs.  Ensuring  the  protection  of  agricultural  workers  – 
especially seasonal and undeclared workers, and those who face a precarious existence – 
will play a major role in delivering on human rights as enshrined in legislation. This is an 
essential element of the fair EU food system envisaged by the Farm to Fork Strategy. 

Rural  areas  in  Luxembourg  have  unutilised  capacity  for  the  production  of  wood, 
renewable  energy,  and  the  development  of  the  bio-economy.  Moreover,  Luxembourg’s 
agricultural sector has the great advantage of outstanding research institutes in composite 
plastics, as well as world-leading corporations on composite materials. This comparative 
advantage  must  be  exploited  to  the  fullest  to  generate  business  opportunities  in  rural 
areas. 

When it comes to responding to societal demands on food and health, two key challenges 
must  be  met  by  Luxembourg’s  agriculture:  the  sustainable  use  of  pesticides,  and  better 
consideration  of  animal  welfare.  The  use  and  risk  from  pesticides  declined  in 
Luxembourg by 38% over the period 2011-2018, compared to a 17% decline in the EU. 
However, implementation of the general principles of integrated pest management could 
be better promoted. Likewise, certain practices, such as the tail docking of pigs, are still 
routine although prohibited by EU rules, showing that there is still room for improvement 
in  animal  welfare.  It  might  be  advisable  to  put  in  place  more  ambitious  measures  to 
promote  the  best  livestock  management  practices  in  animal  welfare,  using  all  available 
tools, including CAP  policy instruments to  support farmers.  Furthermore, the transition 
towards healthier and sustainable diets needs to be actively encouraged to ensure they are 
adopted by as many people as possible. 

1.4  Modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation 

and digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake 

Knowledge  and  innovation  have  a  key  role  to  play  in  helping  the  farmers  and  rural 
communities  meet  the  challenges  of  today  and  tomorrow.  Even  though  Luxembourg 
chose not to finance any measure linked to knowledge sharing and innovation through its 
rural development programme, its agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) 
is considered to be well-integrated and pluralistic. National funds also contribute to the 
creation  of  knowledge  by  public  research  centres,  together  with  a  technical  college  for 
agriculture. 

Luxembourg is currently not participating in the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) 
networking  activities  to  connect  across  borders  and  learn  about  other  Member  States’ 
innovative practices and knowledge, as the measure for operational groups under the EIP 
has  not  been  included  in  Luxembourg’s  2014-2020  rural  development  programme.  It 
would be highly advantageous to improve links between public and private advisors and 
to  invest  in  their  training  and  skills.  Advisors  should  be  supported  to  help  capture 
individual  grass  roots  innovative  ideas  and  to  develop  them  by  setting  up  and 
implementing  EIP  operational  group  projects.  Such  ‘innovation  support  services’  will 
become obligatory for Member States post-2020. 

5 

 
 
Such  an  orientation  should  benefit  from  the  fact  that  Luxembourg  is  among  the  EU 
leaders in digital performance and competitiveness – almost 100% of rural households in 
Luxembourg have  access  to  broadband,  although there has been a slight  drop in  recent 
years. A digital innovation hub for Agriculture, hunting and forestry is fully operational. 
Together, this can significantly contribute to supporting farmers in the challenges related 
to sustainable farming.  

The country could capitalise on its existing capacities in digital infrastructure to promote 
the  agricultural  sector,  and  the  transition  towards  sustainable  agriculture  and  digital 
innovation  in  a  tailored  way.  Luxembourg  should  also  use  the  potential  data  and  data 
technologies offered in a systematic way (by linking up to European initiatives). 

1.5  Recommendations 

The  Commission  recommends  addressing 
environmental/climate  and  social  challenges,  which  requires  concentrating 
interventions of the Luxembourgish CAP strategic plan on the following actions: 

interconnected  economic, 
the 

the  above 

Foster a smart, resilient and diversified agricultural sector ensuring food security 

  Enhancing the resilience of farms (in particular farms between 30 and 75 ha) by 
improving fairness of income support towards smaller farms, which have a lower 
income  level  than  the  agricultural  average  by  applying,  for  example,  the 
complementary redistributive income support for sustainability and the reduction 
of payments. 

  Continuing the modernisation or transformation of farms, particularly in the 
livestock  sector  in  compliance  with  environmental,  climate  and  animal 
welfare standards, and by supporting initiatives of groups of farmers in terms of 
adding  value  at  farm  level.  This  involves,  in  particular,  developing  and 
recognising  producer  organisations,  reinforcing  the  position  of  farmers  in  the 
value chain, and tackling unfair trading practices in the food chain. 

  Improving  the  share  of  the  added  value  of  agricultural  production  for 
farmers by supporting quality schemes, and increasing consumer interest in such 
quality aspects and in organic food. 

Bolster environmental care and climate action, and contribute to the environmental- and 
climate-related objectives of the Union 

  Reducing non-CO2 emissions from the livestock sector and soil fertilisation, 
and  maintaining  and  improving  the  carbon  storage  capacity  of  forests  and 
permanent  grasslands,  to  further  contribute  to  the  EU’s  2050  climate 
neutrality  objective  by  reversing  intensification  of  grassland  and  arable  land 
through  an  appropriate  blend  of  voluntary  interventions  and  obligations.  In  this 
regard,  carbon  farming  approaches  could  be  designed  to  remunerate  carbon 
sequestration or the protection of existing carbon storage in forests and grassland. 

  Increasing  the  adaptive  capacity  of  the  agricultural  sector  in  the  face  of 
climate  change  by  improving  crop  pest  management,  using  more  resistant 
varieties and species, applying minimal tillage to protect soils and to reduce soil 
erosion, and appropriate timing of field operations to avoid soil compaction. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
  Improving  air  quality  by  reducing  ammonia  emissions.  To  that  end,  it  is 
necessary  to  apply  recommended  low-emission  production  systems,  such  as 
livestock  feeding  strategies,  low-emission  manure  spreading  techniques  and 
storage  systems,  and  including  developing  biogas  production  where  feasible. 
Particular attention will have to be paid to supporting the investments needed for 
the implementation of these techniques. 

  Improving  water  quality,  and  protecting  wetlands  and  aquatic  habitats  by 
minimising  the  impact  of  agriculture  on  the  water  environment  through  the 
definition  of  appropriate  requirements  and  voluntary  schemes.  Optimised 
fertilisation  and  better  nutrient  management  should  lead,  in  particular,  to  a 
reduced nitrogen and phosphorous surplus, thus  contributing  to the EU Green 
Deal target on nutrient losses. 

  Reinforcing  protection  of  biodiversity,  and  contributing  to  the  EU  Green 
Deal  target  on  high-diversity  landscape  features  with  a  view  to  maintaining 
and restoring favourable conservation status  of protected habitats  and species in 
line  with  the  prioritised  action  framework  for  Natura  2000.  This  should  also 
address  the  decline  in  farmland  birds  and  wild  pollinators.  Particular  attention 
should be given to increasing incentives to farmers to ensure their engagement for 
biodiversity  in  arable  areas.  This  includes  reinforcing  knowledge  transfer  and 
advice towards farmers in areas such as increasing the density and maintenance of 
beneficial  landscape  features,  encouraging  pest  management  beneficial  for 
pollinators, and prioritising non-chemical methods. 

  Increasing the surface area under organic farming, and contributing to the 
corresponding  EU  Green  Deal  target,  through  appropriate  incentives  for  the 
conversion of  farmers to organic farming.  In this respect,  Luxembourg needs to 
seek  the  best  synergies  between  the  national  plan  "PAN-Bio  2025"  and  the 
interventions financed by the CAP. 

  Enhancing  multifunctional  and  sustainable  forest  management,  protection 
and restoration of forests ecosystems to maintain good condition of habitats and 
species linked to  the  forests, as well as preserving stocks  and increasing carbon 
sinks in forests. 

Strengthen the socio-economic fabric of rural areas and address societal demands 

  Enhancing  the  conditions  for  new,  young  farmers  to  start  agricultural 
activity  outside  the  family  setting,  including  young  female  farmers,  by 
combining interventions to facilitate access to factors of production. 

  Creating  employment  opportunities,  and  improving  conditions  for  business 
development  in  rural  areas,  through  targeted  investments  in  biodiversity  and 
climate  actions  on  forests  and  forestry,  as  well  as  investments  in  the  increased 
circularity  of  material  from  biomass,  harvested  wood  products  and  the  bio-
economy. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foster  and  share  knowledge,  innovation  and  digitalisation  in  agriculture  and  rural 
areas, and encourage their uptake 

  Reinforcing  the  AKIS 

to  enhance 

the  sustainability  performance  and 
competitiveness  of  the  agricultural  sector,  and  to  support  Green  Deal  priority 
actions on climate change, circular economy, zero-pollution, and biodiversity. A 
well-functioning  AKIS  encourages  knowledge-building  and  knowledge 
exchange, investment in innovation support services, and training of advisors and 
farmers. The European Innovation Partnership can be exploited to connect across 
borders,  and  to  learn  about  other  Member  States’  innovative  practices  and 
knowledge. 

8 

 
 
 
 
2.  ANALYSIS  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  IN 

LUXEMBOURG 

Among  the  European  Member  States,  Luxembourg  had  the  smallest  number  of 
agricultural  holdings  (1 872  in  2019).  Although  15%  of  farms’  activities  have  ceased 
over  the  past  decade,  the  utilised  agricultural  area  experienced  a  different  trend, 
increasing  by  2.9%  between  2000  and  2010,  and  then  stabilising  at  just  over  131 000 
hectares in  2019, or roughly half the  country’s territory, one of the highest  proportions 
recorded  in  the  EU-27.  Likewise,  forest  area  has  increased  in  recent  decades  and  now 
represents  nearly  37%  of  the  country's  surface  area,  which  means  that  the  CAP  can 
potentially intervene on more than 87% of Luxembourg's territory. Moreover, 95% of the 
total area in agricultural use is classified as mountainous or with natural constraints, and 
the Natura 2000 areas cover 21% of the agricultural and forest areas. 

Luxembourg’s agriculture is highly specialised in cattle and dairy farming and, to a lesser 
extent,  wine-growing.  This  specialisation  of  farms  is  also  reflected  in  the  use  of 
agricultural  land,  which  is  dominated  by  permanent  grasslands  and  meadows  (51%, 
fourth  largest  share  in  the  EU-27),  followed  by  arable  land  (47%),  mainly  for  the 
production of feeding stuffs and fodder. Luxembourg is among the Member States with 
the  highest  average  area  and  livestock  per  farm.  Dairy  cows  are  predominant  in  the 
livestock herd (54 000 livestock units in 2019), and their numbers have been increasing 
since 2013.  

The  importance  of  agriculture  and  forestry  in  the  Luxembourgish  economy  is  low 
compared to the EU average. In Luxembourg, both sectors employed 3 700 people, i.e. 
0.8% of the working population in 2018. The agri-food sector provided jobs to 2% of the 
Luxembourgish active population, one of the lowest proportions among the EU Member 
States. 

Over  the  last  30  years,  there  has  been  a  continual  internal  migration  away  from  the 
countryside to  urban areas, and the growth  of  Luxembourg’s service sector has been at 
the  expense  of  heavy  industry  and  agriculture.  The  overall  economic  and  specific 
demographic context has changed agriculture into peri-urban agriculture, and resulted in 
very  high  land  prices  for  taking  over  farms  or  for  new  farmers  to  set  up.  Meanwhile, 
Luxembourg  is  one  of  the  Member  States  with  the  lowest  levels  of  rural  poverty,  and 
neither access to services in rural areas nor the availability and quality of infrastructure is 
difficult. 

2.1  Support  viable  farm  income  and  resilience  across  the  EU  territory  to 

enhance food security  

In Luxembourg, agricultural income was approximately 28% of the average wage in the 
whole economy between 2005 and 2019. This share fell from 41% in 2007 to just 19% in 
2009,  and  is  in  general  lower  than  the  EU  average2.  Despite  an  overall  increase  of  the 
agricultural  entrepreneurial  income  over  time,  the  gap  with  the  national  average  wage 
tends to increase (the average wage increases faster). 

The  average  factor  income  fluctuated  at  around  EUR  22 000  between  2005  and  2019, 
which is higher than the EU average3. On average, direct payments formed 34% of the 
agricultural  factor  income  in  20184.  Payments  under  rural  development  (except 
investment  support)  bring  on  average  an  additional  27%5.  In  Luxembourg,  rural 
development  support  is  significant  for  certain  sectors,  notably  for  cereals,  oilseed  and 
protein crop farmers, milk and cattle6. 

9 

 
 
The agricultural factor income broadly increases with physical farm size (except for the 
smallest farms which are mainly wine producers), whereas the direct payment per hectare 
is  stable.  The  differentiation  of  direct  payments  per  hectare  is  light7,  and  there  are  still 
large differences in income between medium-sized farms (below 75 hectares) and large 
farms. In particular, the agricultural factor income of farms between 30 and 50 hectares 
and  between  50  and  75  hectares  is,  respectively,  30%  and  71%  of  the  country  average 
(wine  growers  excluded)8. To be noted that  the farm accountancy data network sample 
for farms of less than 30 hectares lacks representativeness. 

Income  increases  consistently  with  economic  farm  size,  while  the  direct  payment  per 
hectare  is  again  rather  stable9.  The  income  per  worker  varies  between  the  different 
sectors  with  higher  income  for  the  milk  and  wine  sectors  in  recent  years,  and  lower 
income  in  other  grazing  and  mixed  sectors.  However,  all  sectors  went  through 
fluctuations  in  income  over  time.  The  direct  payment  per  hectare  is  also  comparable 
between different sectors, although the wine sector has a slightly higher direct payment 
per hectare than average.10 

Farm  incomes  fluctuate  greatly  due  to  climate  change  and  other  issues.  This  leads  to  a 
need  to  deploy  risk  management  instruments  and  strategies.  As  far  as  crop  insurance 
covering  climatic  risks  is  concerned,  uptake  in  Luxembourg  is  higher  than  50%  of 
farms11. 

Trend in agricultural income (versus average wage in the economy) in Luxembourg 

Agricultural factor income per AWU in real terms  
Agricultural income as % of average wage in the economy  
Agricultural income as % of average wage in the economy – EU-27 
Source: DG AGRI based on EUROSTAT12 

2.2  Enhance  market  orientation  and  increase  competitiveness,  including 

greater focus on research, technology and digitalisation 

The importance of agriculture in the Luxembourgish economy has gradually diminished 
over the years. The gross value added of the agricultural sector was EUR 117.4 million in 
2019,  down  slightly  compared  to  2017  and  201813.  Its  share  of  the  total  gross  value 
added of the Luxembourgish economy represented less than 0.2% in 2019, lower than the 
EU average (1.8%) and that of neighbouring countries. It has steadily decreased over the 
decades from 0.7% in 2000 to 0.3% in 2010. 

Milk and forage plants are the sub-sectors with the largest output value in Luxembourg, 
followed by cattle, pigs and wine. In 2019, the livestock sector (milk, cattle and forage 
plants)  represented  not  less  than  76.3%  of  the  agricultural  production  value  in 

10 

 
 
Luxembourg. This focus of Luxembourg's agriculture is confirmed by the high degree of 
specialisation  of  agricultural  holdings  in  livestock  farming  and  dairy  farming  in 
particular. In terms of both the number of holdings and the standard output14, dairy farms 
were  the  most  common;  they  accounted  for  39%  of  the  country's  farm  population  and 
47%  of  the  standard  output  in  201815.  The  second  highest  proportion  according  to  the 
number of farms was those specialised in cattle-rearing and fattening (18%), followed by 
vineyard holdings (16%), and those dedicated to sheep, goats and other grazing livestock 
(12%). 

As  in  most  EU  countries,  the  Luxembourgish  agriculture  sector  is  undergoing  a  farm 
consolidation  process  characterised  by  a  reduction  in  the  number  of  small-sized  farms 
and increase in the average size of medium and large-sized farms. In 2019, farms with at 
least 50 hectares of agricultural land were the most common; they represented about half 
(53%) of the entire population of agricultural holdings, and covered around 90% of the 
country’s agricultural land. Between 2010 and 2019, only farms larger than 100 hectares 
increased in number, by nearly 17%16. 

In terms of agricultural productivity, Luxembourg, after experiencing an increase, seems 
to  be  stabilising.  Agricultural  productivity  in  Luxembourg,  measured  by  total  factor 
productivity, increased by 8% between 2012 and 2018, close to the average agricultural 
productivity growth in the EU 27 over the same period. This is mainly due to an increase 
in labour productivity. In 2019, there were 2 278 full-time farmers in Luxembourg. When 
adding to these the family members, part-time farmers, and agricultural workers, the total 
agricultural  employment  in  Luxembourg  reached  5 616  individuals  in  2019.  Available 
national  statistics17  indicate  that  while  the  family  labour  force  has  slightly  decreased 
during  the  last  decade,  the  number  of  agricultural  workers  has  increased  by  58%.  This 
explains why the relative share of labour costs slightly grew in the overall cost structure 
of the sector between 2005 and 201918. 

Investments  in  the  Luxembourgish  agricultural  sector,  measured  by  gross  fixed  capital 
formation,  decreased  between  2014  and  2017,  and  amounted  to  EUR  111  million  in 
2018.  Nevertheless,  this  represents  89.8%  of  the  gross  value  added,  the  third  highest 
share  in  the  EU-27,  and  it  is  significantly  above  the  EU-27  average  (around  31%), 
indicating  an  overall  positive  investment  attitude  among  the  Luxembourgish  farmers 
compared to their European peers. Under the current rural development programme, 16% 
of EU rural development support is dedicated to restructuring and modernisation. 

The sector is well integrated in European markets. Although agriculture is a minor part of 
the  Luxembourgish  economy,  exports  from  the  agricultural  sector  account  for  8.1%  of 
Luxembourgish  exports19.  However,  the  negative  agricultural  trade  balance  has 
deteriorated over the last decade. 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost and revenue structure of agricultural income (real prices in million EUR) in Luxembourg 

Crop output 
Agricultural services output 
Fertilisers 
Rents 
Entrepreneurial income 

Animal output 
Non-agricultural secondary 
Plant/animal protection 
Interest 

Product subsidies 

Seeds 
Feeding stuffs 
Taxes 

Other subsidies 
Energy 
Labour 
Other costs 

Source: EUROSTAT. [aact_eaa01] 

2.3  Improve farmers' position in the value chain 

The  share  of  the  value  added  for  primary  producers  in  the  food  chain  is  fluctuating  at 
around 10% in Luxembourg. It decreased to 8.6% in 2017 while there was a significant 
increase  of  the  total  value  added  of  the  agri-food  sector  at  that  time.  The  food  and 
beverage  distribution  services  get  the  lion's  share20.  The  share  of  the  value  added  that 
goes to Luxembourg’s farmers is the lowest in the EU. Two third of Luxembourg’s farms 
are run by a farm manager working more than 50% of his/her working time on the farm 
and  without  other  income  activities.  Dairy  farms  represent  the  bulk  of  professional 
enterprises in Luxembourg21. Agriculture in Luxembourg is specialised in dairy (34.5%), 
forage  plants  (25.4%)  and  cattle  (17.3%),  which  represented  more  than  75%  of 
Luxembourg’s agricultural output in 2017. Wine (5.1%), pigs (6.8%) and cereals (5.5%) 
represented  above  5%  in  the  agricultural  output.  Vegetables,  horticulture  and  fruits 
represented less than 2%.  

Luxembourg is one of the three EU countries that do not have any recognised producer 
organisations  (PO).  Luxembourg  has  no  inter-branch  organisations  (IBOs)  either. 
However,  more  than  85%  of  cow  milk  deliveries  in  Luxembourg  were  managed  by  a 
processing cooperative in 201622. Luxembourg is one of the few Member States that have 
only  recently  started  to  transpose  legislation  against  Unfair  Trading  Practices23  or  to 
create a national voluntary framework to address such practices24. 

Luxembourg is among the EU countries with the highest population density and has, by 
far,  the  highest  GDP  per  capita  in  the  EU25.  Luxembourg’s  consumers  express 
expectations  in  terms  of  local  and  quality  food  products26.  There  are  five  registered 
protected quality signs (PDO/PGI) in Luxembourg, among which one in wine and four in 
animal products (butter, honey, and two related to pig meat). Further development of EU 
quality  schemes  would  strengthen  the  farmers’  position  in  the  value  chain,  generating 
more  value  added.  In  2018,  the  share  of  total  organic  area  in  total  utilised  agricultural 
area  (UAA) was  about  4.6% in  Luxembourg, well  below the EU average of 8%. Since 
2011,  the  share  of  private  food  expenditure  devoted  to  organic  products  has  stagnated 
12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
between  10  and  14%  of  total  grocery  spending  with  no  real  boom  lately27;  more  than 
EUR  200  is  spent  per  capita  per  year  on  organic  products.  Currently,  Luxembourg  has 
only  148  organic  farmers,  including  19  beekeepers,  15  vegetable  growers,  15  wine 
growers,  11  fruit  growers,  and  164  operators  in  organic  food  chains.  The  figures  show 
only  a  minimal  increase;  the  organic  farming  sector  continues  to  stagnate  in 
Luxembourg28.  

Value added for primary producers in the food chain in Luxembourg (in million EUR) 

Primary production 
Food and beverage consumer services 

Food and beverage manufacturing 
% for primary producers (right axis) 

Food and beverage distribution 
% for primary producers – EU-27 

Source: CAP Result indicator RPI_0329  

2.4  Contribute  to  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation,  as  well  as 

sustainable energy 

In  2018,  the  share  of  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  from  the  agricultural  sector 
(mostly  non-CO2  emissions)  was  5.7%  of  total  GHG  emissions  in  Luxembourg, 
representing  less  than  0.2%  of  GHG  emissions  in  the  EU  agricultural  sector30.  These 
agricultural  emissions  remained  stable  (-0.7%)  between  1990  and  2018,  while  they 
decreased by 20.6% during the same period in the EU. They even have an upward trend 
in  recent  years  (+  7%  between  2013  and  2018).  Measured  per  hectare  of  agricultural 
land, they are more than twice the EU average31, and the fourth highest in Europe due to 
the large livestock sector and the level of intensity (45% of agricultural area under high 
farming  intensity  in  201732).  Most  of  the  non-CO2  emissions  are  from  enteric 
fermentation of ruminants (58%) and agricultural soils (27%)33. Manure management is 
responsible for 13% of GHG emissions. 

As  regards  the  Land  Use,  Land  Use  Change  and  Forestry  (LULUCF)  sector,  the  high 
share of permanent grasslands (51% of total agricultural area in 2017) explains the high 
level of carbon storage in the country’s soils. The sequestration of carbon by grassland is 
higher than the emissions from croplands. However, grassland sinks decreased between 
2013  and  2018.  Peatlands  cover  only  0.1%  of  soils34.  Forests,  counting  for  37%  of  the 
country’s  total  area,  constitute  the  main  carbon  sink35.  Since  2013,  net  LULUCF 
removals have fallen by 62%36. 

Overall,  in  2018,  the  share  of  combined  emissions  from  agriculture,  cropland  and 
grassland in Luxembourg was 5.6%, lower than the EU average (12.6%) due to the small 
dimension of agriculture. 

13 

 
 
Luxembourg shows an upward trend in the production of renewable energy from forestry 
biomass per hectare. The share of production of renewable energy from forestry (52% in 
2018)  is  higher  than  the  EU  average.  Moreover,  11.5%  of  the  total  renewable  energy 
production comes from agricultural biomass. The use of renewable energy in agriculture 
and  forestry  was  11%  in  201637.  Energy  consumption  in  agriculture,  forestry  and  food 
industry  has  the  lowest  share  in  total  final  energy  consumption  (0.6%)  in  the  EU. 
However,  between  2009  and  2015,  the  consumption  of  energy  in  the  food  industry 
increased by more than 8% annually. 

Luxembourg’s  integrated  national  energy  and  climate  plan  for  the  period  2021-2030 
stresses  different  mitigation  measures  such  as  reducing  the  use  of  nitrogen  fertilisers, 
promoting  environmentally-friendly  techniques  for  spreading  manure,  as  well  as 
covering  slurry  containers.  The  plan  also  promotes  biogas  as  an  energy  source, 
extensification of agricultural land use, and the development of organic farming. 

The national climate adaptation strategy and action plan points to the following threats: 
invasive alien species, increase in extreme weather events, increase in domestic harmful 
organisms,  extension  of the  growing  period,  deterioration  of  soil  fertility,  soil  structure 
and  stability  and  soil  erosion.  For  forestry,  tree  species  composition,  modification,  and 
the  acceleration  of  forest  soil  transformation  are  pointed  out.  The  strategy  proposes  to 
implement several adaptation measures, such as developing insurance services.  

Luxembourg’s  Rural  Development  Programme  places  great 
importance  on 
environmental  aspects  and  already  has  87%  of  the  agricultural  land  under  contracts  to 
protect biodiversity, 16% of agricultural land to improve water management, and 20% of 
agricultural  land  to  improve  soil  management.  This  is  done  through  agri-environment 
climate  measures  (AECM),  organic  farming,  payments  under  the  Water  Framework 
Directive,  and  payments  for  areas  facing  natural  constraints.  However,  Luxembourg’s 
planned expenditure on investments in livestock management in view of reducing GHG 
and/or ammonia emissions will not be met during this programming period38. 

Total Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture (including and excluding LULUCF) 
in Luxembourg (in million tonnes of CO2 equivalents) 

Grassland 
Cropland 
Agriculture 
% of agriculture in total GHG emissions (exc. LULUCF) 
% of agriculture (incl. emissions from cropland and grassland) in total GHG emissions (incl. LULUCF) 
EU-27 % of agriculture (incl. Emissions from cropland and grassland) in total GHG emissions (incl. LULUCF) 

Source: European Environmental Agency. As in EUROSTAT [env_air_gge] 

14 

 
 
 
 
2.5  Foster  sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of  natural 

resources such as water, soil and air 

Luxembourg’s  agricultural  sector  was  responsible  for  nearly  94%  of  the  country’s 
ammonia  emissions  in  2018,  mainly  from  livestock  (82%).  Following  a  gradual 
downward trend since 1995, emissions have stabilised in recent  years39. Luxembourg is 
among  the  Member  States  considered  at  high-risk  of  non-compliance  with  emission 
reduction commitments for ammonia, for 2020-2029  (1% reduction as compared to  the 
2005 level), as well as for 2030 and beyond (need for reduction of 22% compared with 
2005 level)40. 

The quality of soil, expressed as the soil organic carbon content in soils, is low compared 
to  the  EU  average.  The  mean  soil  organic  carbon  content  in  arable  soils  is  24.2g/kg 
(2015),  compared  to  43.1g/kg  for  EU-2841.  According  to  the  RUSLE2015  model, 
Luxembourg  has  an  average  soil  loss  rate  by  water  of  2.1  tonnes  per  hectare  per  year, 
compared to the EU average of 2.5. This indicates that soil erosion is medium to low on 
average42. The estimated agricultural area affected by severe water erosion is moderate to 
low in  Luxembourg43. Conventional  tillage is  practiced on 66% of arable land, and the 
share of maize in arable land is increasing, which increases the risk of soil erosion and 
surface run-off44. 

The gross nutrient balance provides an estimate of the potential water pollution. The past 
trends  for  nitrogen  (N)  and  phosphorus  (P)  surplus  are  shown  in  the  graph  below.  The 
estimated  nitrogen  and  phosphorus  surplus  in  Luxembourg  of  100.0 kg/N/ha  and 
5.0 kg/P/ha  in  2015  remains  high  compared  to  the  EU  average  of  46.5 kg/N/ha  and 
0.5 kg/P/ha45.  Half  of  the  groundwater  stations  in  Luxembourg  in  2017  were  of  poor 
chemical  quality46.  In  2017,  the  Environmental  Implementation  Review  (EIR)47 
identified improving water quality and reducing nitrate pollution as the main challenges 
for  Luxembourg  in  implementing  EU  environmental  legislation  (Water  Framework 
Directive and Nitrates Directive). Over the period 2012-15, 87.5% of monitoring stations 
of  surface  water  were  reported  as  being  eutrophic  and  hypertrophic.  The  proportion  of 
river  water  bodies  in  good  ecological  status/potential  decreased  from  7%  in  the  first 
River  Basin  Management  Plans  to  3%  in  the  second.  97%  of  surface  waters  had  less-
than-good  ecological  status,  and  all  surface  water  bodies  are  failing  to  achieve  good 
chemical status. For groundwater, all water bodies are in good quantitative status, while 
50%  are  failing  to  achieve  good  chemical  status.  Diffuse  agricultural  pollution  is  the 
most significant pressure on groundwater bodies, and is among the pressures on surface 
water. 

As  regards  fresh  water  abstraction,  Eurostat’s  (ESTAT)  estimate  shows  very  low 
quantities compared with other Member States48. 

15 

 
 
Kg N/ha/year 

Potential surplus of N and P on agricultural land in 
Luxembourg 

Kg P/ha/year 

Potential surplus of nitrogen on agricultural land (in kg N/ha/year) 
EU-27 GNB for Nitrogen 

Potential surplus of phosphorus on agricultural land (in kg P/ha/year) 

Source: EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb]49 

2.6  Contribute  to  the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance  ecosystem  services 

and preserve habitats and landscapes 

Luxembourg’s  farmland  bird  index  shows  a  decline,  with  a  value  of  66  in  2018  (as 
compared to the baseline of 100 in the year 2010), slightly below the EU average of 70 in 
201850.  For  cropland,  a  key  biodiversity  indicator  is  the  skylark  (Alauda  arvensis); 
between  1980  and  2018,  its  national  population  decreased  by  around  50%,  while  its 
population  fell  by  around  30%  between  2007  and  2018.  For  tree  orchards,  a  key 
biodiversity  indicator  is  the  little  owl  (Athene  noctua);  between  1980  and  2018,  its 
national  population  decreased  by  around  60%,  while  strong  nature  conservation  efforts 
have resulted in a small increase in more recent years. 

The  share  of  agricultural  areas  in  Natura  2000  is  important  in  Luxembourg  (21%  in 
2016), compared to an EU-28 average of 11% (the share of forest area in Natura 2000 is 
42% compared to  an EU average of 23%)51. This means that the impact  of agricultural 
activities on biodiversity has to be followed very closely. Natura 2000 covers 27% of the 
national territory. 

The conservation of agricultural habitats in grassland is unsatisfactory, which is a matter 
of concern in view of the large proportion of permanent grassland areas in Luxembourg. 
According  to  reporting  on  the  conservation  status  and  trends  of  species  and  habitats 
under  the  EU  Habitats  Directive  (2013-2018),  only  16%  of  grassland  habitat  types 
present  in  Luxembourg  are  currently  in  favourable  conservation  status;  the  remaining 
84% are in “bad” status and are further declining. 

Moreover, species in cropland and tree orchards are on a continuously decreasing trend 
(1980-2018), with a small increase in the short term for orchards following strong nature 
conservation efforts. 

As regards Ecological Focus Areas (EFA), the share is around 18% of arable land (2019), 
which  is  above  the  minimum  5%  required.  But  Luxembourg  also  heavily  uses  catch 
crops  (81%)  and  nitrogen  -fixing  crops  (11%)  for  fulfilling  EFA  requirements  (as  the 
majority of Member States do)52. The percentage of non-productive is still very limited, 
even if the share of buffer strip (1.3%) is above the EU average (0.9%). 

16 

 
 
 
The share of land under contracts supporting biodiversity and/or landscape and forest is 
high  (89%  in  2020),  indicating  good  farmer  awareness  of  biodiversity.  However,  the 
Luxembourgish authorities indicate a lack of analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness 
of  these  contracts,  and  a  clear  risk  of  too  little  effort  by  agricultural  stakeholders  to 
support environmental policy53.  

The Prioritised Action Framework (PAF) for Natura 2000 in Luxembourg identifies the 
major challenges facing Luxembourg’s agriculture with regard to biodiversity:  

  For  grasslands,  the  main  pressures  identified  are  land  use  intensification 
(fertilisation,  early  and  too  frequent  mowing,  overgrazing)  and  abandonment 
(followed  by  shrub  encroachment);  measures  to  maintain,  manage,  restore  and 
extend  the  area  of  species-rich  grasslands;  measures  to  preserve  and  protect 
wetlands,  aquatic  habitats,  and  groundwater.  The  area  of  grassland  that  is 
managed for conservation purposes is considered to be insufficient to ensure the 
maintenance of sufficiently robust populations of typical grassland species (birds, 
invertebrates,  etc.).  Substantial  areas  of  dry  grasslands  and  hay  meadows  have 
been lost in recent decades. Outside Natura 2000, the same measures are needed 
to restore the favourable conservation status of these habitats and their species at 
a national level. Species -specific measures are needed in agricultural areas, both 
inside and outside Natura 2000, to restore their favourable conservation status e.g. 
dry-wall  restoration  measures  for  reptiles  or  pond  creation  and  wetland 
restoration 
governance/administration, 
capacity/training support is needed for forest and agricultural advice. 

amphibians. 

terms 

for 

of 

In 

  For cropland and permanent crops, the main pressures identified are excessive use 
of  pesticides;  high  sowing  densities;  lack  of  landscape  features;  removal  of 
permanent crops (tree orchards); land consolidation and increasing farm sizes, all 
impacting  on  the  populations  of  common  farmland  birds.  The  intensification  of 
arable land is also one of the main challenges. 

 

In  addition,  the  PAF  indicates  the  need  to  devote  significant  resources  to 
monitoring/reporting  and  communication  with  stakeholders.  It  also  reveals  a 
monitoring objective for pollinating insects. 

  Lessons learned from the past54 include the fact that current incentives to farmers 
are insufficient to ensure their engagement, at a sufficient scale, to preserve and 
bring  back  biodiversity  in  arable  areas.  Recurrent  issues  include  a  lack  of 
communication  of  monitoring  data  from  biodiversity  studies;  biodiversity 
contracts  towards  agricultural  stakeholders  (advisers,  unions),  and  coherence  of 
agri-environment-climate  measures  /  biodiversity  related  actions.  A  clear  risk  is 
linked to the poor incentive to create new biotopes, combined with the risk of a 
decrease of ecological corridors due to increased farm size.  

Luxembourg  organic  farming  areas  (4.6%)55  are  below  the  EU-27  average  (8%). 
Therefore,  Luxembourg  initiated  (in  early-2020)  its  ambitious  PAN-Bio  2025  plan,  a 
national  action plan to promote the visibility of organic food to  society, to  increase the 
interest of farmers to convert to organic production, and to develop market measures to 
increase organic supply and demand. The final objective is to achieve 20% of agricultural 
land  under  organic  farming  by  202556.  ESTAT  data  on  the  area  under  conversion  as  a 
percentage  of  the  total  organic  area  can  give  an  indication  of  potential  growth  in  this 
sector  in  the  years  to  come.  It  shows  that  Luxembourg  has  one  of  the  lowest  growth 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
potentials in this regard with a share of around 11% under conversion in 2018. As a share 
of total UAA, the area under conversion is below 1%57. 

Area under organic farming in Luxembourg 

Hectares under organic farming 
% of area under organic farming in the EU-27 

% of agricultural area under organic farming 

Source: EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar]58 

Share of agricultural area covered by high-diversity landscape 
features in the EU 

Fallow land as % of agricultural area 
Source: EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar]59 
*  Linear  elements  considered  here:  Grass  margins,  shrub  margins,  single  trees  bushes,  lines  of  trees,  hedges  and 
ditches. This estimation is to be taken with caution because of methodological caveats. 

Landscape features as % of agricultural area* 

2.7  Attract young farmers, and facilitate business development in rural areas  

Luxembourg  has  the  fifth  highest  share  of  young  farmers  in  the  total  number  of  farm 
managers  in  2016  at  8.1%,  well  above  the  5.1%  EU  average60.  Whereas  the  EU  trend 
decreased between 2010 and 2016, the numbers for Luxembourg increased over the same 
period.  The  ratio  of  young  managers  to  elderly  is  double  that  of  the  EU  average. 
However, only 13% of young farmers were women in 2016.  

In the period 2005-2016, the number of holdings of young farmers has decreased (-7%), 
while  the  land  area  has  increased  (25%),  and  standard  output  has  more  than  doubled 
(112%)61. This trend is more positive than in the majority of Member States. This means 
that  in  Luxembourg,  each  young  farmer  has  on  average  an  87  ha  farm  with  a  standard 
output of more than EUR 270 000, which places Luxembourg considerably above the EU 
average62. Moreover, the average economic farm size in Luxembourg is the highest in the 

18 

 
 
 
 
age class of 25 to 34 years old. In view of its well-developed financial services, access to 
capital is not a huge problem for young farmers.  

The  large  majority  of  holdings  in  Luxembourg  are  family-type  farms,  and  therefore 
access  to  land  is  not  a  major  constraint  to  those  who  take  over  the  family  farm63. 
Nevertheless,  access  to  factors  of  production  is  challenging  for  the  installation  of  new 
young farmers outside the family, mainly due to the high prices of land and labour. Farm 
sector  attractiveness  is  also  challenged  by  significantly  higher  income  levels  in  other 
sectors. 

The share of farm managers below the age of 35 with at least a basic level of agricultural 
training is above average in in EU. Moreover, several specific training opportunities exist 
for those intending to setup as a young farmer.  

Luxembourg  annually  spends  1.8%  (close  to  the  2%  ceiling)  of  the  direct  payment 
envelope on support for young farmers (above the EU average of 1.3%)64. Luxembourg 
also  earmarked  2.2%  of  the  rural  development  budget  for  business  start-up  aid  under 
rural  development  for  the  current  programming  period,  well  below  the  EU  average  of 
3.8%65. Additionally, there are several national measures for generation renewal, mainly 
to  support  the  takeovers  of  farms  by  young  people  (bonuses,  reimbursement  of 
registration fees, favourable tax framework and top-up in investments, etc.).  

Share of farm managers < 35 years by gender in Luxembourg 

Share of male farm managers below 35 years 

Share of female farm managers < 35 years 

Share of farm managers below 35 years – EU-27 

Ratio < 35 y.o />= 55 y.o. (right axis) 

Source: EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 66 

2.8  Promote  employment,  growth,  social  inclusion,  and  local  development  in 

rural areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry 

In order to achieve balanced territorial development, the CAP aims to reduce the gap in 
the standard of living between rural and other areas in the EU. Luxembourg’s situation, 
however, is special as it is one of the smallest countries in Europe but its total GDP per 
capita is 2.5 times higher than the EU average67.  

Between  2014  and  2017,  Luxembourg  was  the  only  Member  State  where  the 
employment rate declined after the 2010 financial crisis68. The employment rate in rural 
areas is equal to the average employment rate in Luxembourg, and is slightly below the 
EU-average  rural  employment  rate  (66.3%  vs  68.4%  in  2019)69.  However,  in  2017 
Luxembourg had one of the lowest rates of youth unemployment: 10.2% in rural areas, 

19 

 
 
below the EU average of 14.6%70. Concerning the situation of women in rural areas, they 
constitute  one  quarter  of  the  agriculture  labour  force  but  only  17%  are  farm  managers, 
well below the EU average of 28%71. 

The  poverty  rate  in  rural  areas  is  17.4%,  below  the  total  poverty  rate  and  shows  a 
decreasing  trend  of  1.2pp  since  2017/1872.  Luxembourg  remains  one  of  the  Member 
States with the lowest levels of rural poverty. The percentage of 0.9% of the population 
working in the primary sector is one of the lowest in the EU73. People at risk of poverty 
or social exclusion in rural areas in 2018 was lower than in cities and towns but has been 
slightly increasing since 2005 (14.5-18%)74. 

In terms of education, the situation in Luxembourg is very positive as more than half of 
farm managers have completed their studies75. The percentage of young people in neither 
employment nor education and training is 6.3%76. 

Luxembourg is among the MS with the highest foreign-born population percentage in the 
rural  area.  It  is  the  highest  if  only  the  EU-national  population  is  considered  at  34%, 
which is well above the EU average of 2.5% in 201977. In addition, the risk of poverty of 
migrants compared with the native population is higher (2017, 14% vs 6%)78 but this is 
not a pressing issue, considering the situation in other Member States with high migrant 
populations.  

Rural  areas  in  Luxembourg  have  unutilised  capacity  for  the  production  of  wood, 
renewable energy, and the development of the bio-economy and tourism. Its forest area 
represents 36.5% of the territory; of around 88 000 hectares, almost 100% is available for 
wood  supply79.  However,  the  extent  of  forest  and  other  wooded  land  remained  almost 
unchanged  (-0.2%)  between  1990  and  2015.  As  regards  tourism,  the  majority  of 
accommodation  is  located  in  rural  areas,  however,  the  total  number  decreased  by  10% 
between  2012  and  201780.  From  2008  to  2018,  Luxembourg’s  share  of  renewables  in 
total primary energy supply more than doubled from 3.3% to 7.5%. In 2018, around 60% 
of  the  total  renewable  energy  production  in  Luxembourg  came  from  agriculture  and 
forestry, and this share is slowly growing since 201581. The turnover in bio-economy per 
person employed is slowly increasing, and was higher than the EU average in 2015 (EUR 
184 502 vs EUR 119 000)82. In terms of turnover per sector, the largest share was in food 
and beverages at 63% in 2015, with agriculture coming second at 23%. 

In Luxembourg, there are five LEADER groups, which cover practically the whole rural 
area  of  the  country.  In  the  2014-2020  programming  period,  LEADER  has  been  co-
financing  several  projects,  totalling  EUR  7  million  (7%  of  total  RDP),83  mainly  to 
maintain  social  cohesion,  create  new  jobs,  and  support  social,  cultural,  tourism  and 
economic initiatives to benefit rural areas.  

An important feature of the Luxembourgish political system is its commitment to social 
dialogue. The role of social partners is enshrined in legislation. Policy dialogue is made 
easier  by  the  small  size  of  the  country  and  its  resulting  close  proximity  between 
policymakers and leaders of labour and management. It thus contributes to the economic 
and social stability of the country. Moreover, Luxembourg has one of the lowest levels of 
distrust in the EU84. 

20 

 
 
2.9  Improve  the  response  of  EU  agriculture  to  societal  demands  on  food  and 
health,  including  safe,  nutritious  and  sustainable  food,  as  well  as  animal 
welfare 

Luxembourg  already  shows  a  decreasing  trend  with  regard  to  the  use  of  a  number  of 
inputs that are targeted in the Farm to Fork Strategy. 

As  regards  pesticides,  a  national  action  plan  on  their  sustainable  use  has  been  in  place 
since  the  end  of  2017.  Luxembourg  will  be  the  first  Member  State  to  ban  the  use  of 
glyphosate (as from 31/12/2020). The data published by the Luxembourg authorities for 
Harmonised  Risk  Indicator  185,  monitoring  pesticide  use  for  2018,  show  a  decrease  of 
38%  compared  to  the  reference  period  2011-2013.  Although  this  is  better  than  at  EU 
level (- 17%), Luxembourg can do more in enforcement to ensure the implementation of 
integrated pest management by all professional users. Most of the reduction appears to be 
in  the  use  of  herbicides  but  further  details  as  to  the  type  of  pesticides  or  the  required 
analysis have not been published. The trend for EU Harmonised Risk Indicator 2 reflects 
the overall number of emergency  authorisations  granted since 2011, which is  reducing, 
though individual emergency authorisations (such as in 2018), make it difficult to discern 
a clear trend.  

Animal welfare is another priority area for the Farm to Fork Strategy, which is also vital 
for the sustainability of food systems. The main issue already identified in a Commission 
letter to the responsible services86 was that tail docking of pigs is still a routine practice, 
although  this  is  prohibited  as  a  routine  measure  by  EU  rules.  The  percentage  of  pigs 
reared  with  intact  tails  has  barely  changed  since  2016,  and  conditions  on  farm  must 
improve  if  the  number  of  tail-docked  pigs  is  to  start  to  decrease.  The  challenge  for 
Luxembourg will be to make significant efforts to comply with these rules. 

Antimicrobial  resistance (AMR)  is  a priority area for the  Farm to  Fork  Strategy  with  a 
50% target reduction in sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 
2030.  A  2014  law  makes  the  provision  of  data  on  antimicrobial  sales  to  the  competent 
authority mandatory87. The tenth ESVAC Report in 2020 shows a downward trend in the 
use  of  Veterinary  Medicinal  Products  in  Luxembourg  with  33.6  mg/PCU  (2018)  being 
well below the EU average88.  

Although  available  data  suggest  that  the  use  of  antimicrobials  in  animals  is  relatively 
low,  this  may  be  an  underestimation  of  total  use  given  that  antimicrobials  supplied  to 
farmers by veterinarians based in neighbouring Member States are not included in these 
data. However, in 2018 Luxembourg has implemented a national strategy for the use of 
antibiotics in relation to the one health strategy. This 2018-2022 national plan89 focuses 
on  the  principle  of  prevention,  monitoring  and  recommendations  for  the  use  of 
antimicrobials in animal productions. This plan will contribute to raising awareness about 
AMR. It should also improve AMR surveillance data, which was rather limited90. 

Luxembourg’s eating habits do not seem to correspond to national recommendations for 
a  healthy  diet91.  The  consumption  of  meat92,  in  particular  red  and  processed  meat93, 
remains  high,  and  that  of  fruits  and  vegetables  rather  low.  In  addition,  a  significant 
percentage of the Luxembourgish population is overweight or obese94. 

A  shift  towards  healthy  diets  in  Luxembourg,  in  line  with  national  recommendations, 
would therefore be likely  to  help  reduce rates of people with  overweight or obesity,  as 
well  as  the  incidence  of  non-communicable  diseases,  while  simultaneously  seeking  to 
reduce the overall environmental impact of food systems. 

21 

 
 
Luxembourg  has  a  new  national  waste  and  resource  management  plan  to  reduce  food 
waste  by  at  least  50%  by  2022,  which  will  require  a  commitment  from  private 
households, gastronomy and all food chain actors.95 In this plan, not enough attention is 
given  to  food  loss  and  waste  occurring  at  the  primary  production  level  and  the  early 
stages of the supply chain  (including lack of data). This  could be tackled by  extending 
the new national food waste prevention programme (as required by Article 29(2a) of the 
Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC) to be prepared after 2022. 

Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents marketed 
mainly for food-producing animals in Luxembourg 

Harmonised Risk Indicator 1 for pesticides in 
Luxembourg - (2011-2013 = 100) 

Sales in mg/PCU 

EU-27 

HRI 1 

HRI 1 for EU-27 

Source: DG AGRI after ESVAC, Tenth ESVAC Report (2020)96 

Source: EUROSTAT [aei_hri]97  

2.10  Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation 

Luxembourg  has  chosen  not  to  finance  its  needs  in  terms  of  knowledge  sharing  and 
innovation via its Rural  Development Programme but through national funds. The Law 
of 17 June 201698 on support to sustainable development of rural areas complements the 
RDP.  Chapter  17  specifies  the  financial  support  linked  to  knowledge  sharing  and 
advisory  services.  The  agricultural  chamber  coordinates  the  training  and  advisory 
programmes.  Luxembourg  does  not  take  part  in  the  European  Innovation  Partnership 
Network.  

The Chamber of Agriculture coordinates the different AKIS actors. Luxembourg’s AKIS 
has  been  described  as  relatively  integrated  in  the  Country  Report99  from  the  ProAkis 
project  (2014).  The  main  actors  are  the  public  sector  (Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  its 
agencies,  providing  advisory  services),  public  research  centres,  the  technical  college  of 
agriculture  for  research  and  education,  the  agricultural  chamber.  Several  farmers’ 
organisations  such  as  Convis  (a  farming  association  specialised  in  plant  and  animal 
production),  Biog  (organic  farming  association)  and  FILL  (Fördergemeinschaft 
Integrierte  Landbewirtschaftung  Luxembourg,  the  association  to  promote  integrated 
agriculture) are also involved. Private companies also act as providers of product-related 
advisory services. In 2014, there were 30 advisors in Luxembourg. 

Little  information  is  available  about  networking  activities  organised  at  the  national  or 
regional  level  to  connect  research  actors,  such  as  universities  and  partners  of  Horizon 
2020  projects  with  farmers,  advisors  and  rural  businesses.  The  future  national  CAP 
network  can  play  a  much  bigger  role  in  promoting  synergies  between  the  CAP  and 
European Research Area (ERA). The best way to do this is to keep in close touch with 
the Horizon National Contact Point and to intensify the dissemination of information on 
the  EIP  website.  Moreover,  when  collecting  and  sharing  information,  the  CAP  can 
finance  interventions  that  help  to  make  use  of  up-to-date  scientific  information  for 
agricultural practices. This could be done, for example, through the CAP network and its 

22 

 
 
 
knowledge  platforms  and  knowledge  reservoirs  or  by  setting  up  advisory  back  offices 
where the latest knowledge and innovation is collected and shared with field advisors and 
farmers. 

In  Luxembourg  in  2016,  53%  of  farm  managers  had  a  full  agricultural  training,  which 
represents  a rise of  almost  10 percentage points  over the past  decade. This  share is  the 
highest  in  the  EU-27,  and  is  also  very  high  for  farmers  under  35  years  old  (69%  vs 
21.69% in the EU). Luxembourg also has the fourth highest training rate in the EU with a 
total  of  64%  of  farmers  that  have  received  at  least  basic  agricultural  training100. 
Moreover, farmers who are pursuing their studies in agronomy abroad bring a very wide 
range of knowledge in the agricultural sector101. Training in digitalisation could also be 
developed for both supply and demand. 

The  percentage  of  rural  households  in  Luxembourg  with  access  to  fast  broadband  is 
almost 100%102 and therefore the internet is accessible. Furthermore, in rural areas, more 
than 70% of the population has at least basic digital skills, if not more advanced, which 
places  Luxembourg  in  the  top  five  in  the  EU103.  Overall,  Luxembourg  performs  well 
when it comes to the digital transition.  

Digitalisation  in  rural  areas  could  enable,  among  other  things,  precision  farming  and 
modern methods to reduce the use of fertiliser and phytosanitary products as well as the 
increased  use  of  drones  and  robots.  Luxembourg  is  among  the  EU  leaders  in  digital 
performance  and  competitiveness104,  especially  in  connectivity,  integration  of  digital 
technologies  and human capital,  use of internet  services, integration of digital  services, 
and  digital  public  services.  In  Luxembourg,  there  is  one  fully  operational  Digital 
Innovation Hub in the area of agriculture, hunting and forestry105. 

There is room for improvement in some aspects of digitalisation106. Luxembourg has not 
yet  opted  for  the  use  of  satellite-based  means  to  monitor  CAP  implementation107,  even 
though  the  Luxembourgish  data-driven  innovation  strategy108  refers  to  how  space 
technologies, data and services could help agriculture to benefit from improved land use. 
At farm level, Luxembourg has witnessed rapid development of digitalisation, but there 
are certain weaknesses, such as a lack of data networking109.  

As regards the bioeconomy, Luxembourg’s agricultural sector has the great advantage of 
outstanding  research  institutes  in  composite  plastics,  as  well  as  world  leading 
corporations on composite materials. One of the areas worthy of additional research and 
analysis  is  to  determine  the  added  value  for  farmers  in  cultivating  feedstock  and/or 
gathering a percentage of residues for use in the bioplastic materials industry. 

23 

 
 
Agricultural training of farm managers below 35 years (left) and total farm manager population (right) in Luxembourg 

Managers with full 
agricultural training 

Managers with 
basic agricultural 
training 

Full training EU 
average 

Basic training EU 
average 

Source: EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training]110 

Broadband coverage in Luxembourg 

NGA broadband (% of rural households) 

Broadband access (% of rural households) 

NGA broadband (% of total households) 

Source: DESI individual indicators [desi_1b1_fbbc]111 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
1   Please  note  that  there  are  different  ways  to  define  “rural  areas”.  The  text  above  is  based  on  the  so-called 
“urban-rural  typology”  in  line  with  the  CAP  common  context  indicators.  However,  according  to  the 
definition based on the  “degree of urbanisation  typology”, in  Luxembourg 77.8% of the territory are rural 
areas and 32.4% of the population lives in rural areas. Source: Eurostat 

2   European  Commission.  Common  Agriculture  Policy  context  indicator  C.26  Agricultural  entrepreneurial 
income.  Income  based  on  EUROSTAT  [aact_eaa04],  [aact_ali01]  and  [aact_eaa06],  adding  back  the 
compensation  of  employees  to  the  entrepreneurial  income  and  divided  by  the  total  number  of  annual 
working  units.  Note:  2019  data  estimated.  The  Average  wage  in  the  economy  based  on  EUROSTAT 
[nama_10_a10_e]  thousand  hours  worked  using  employees’  domestic  concept  and  [nama_10_a10],  item 
wages and salaries. 

3   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.25  Agricultural  factor  income.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01] and [aact_eaa06] 

4   European  Commission.  CAP  indicators  –  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  RPI_  01  Share  of  direct 

support in agricultural income. 

5   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own  calculations  based  on  FADN  2017  data 

(C26) – reworked FADN standard report 

6   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on  FADN data (up to 

2018). 

7   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own  calculations  based  on  FADN  (Farm 
Accountancy  Data  Network)  data  (2015)  and  CATS  (Clearance  of  Accounts  Trailing  System)  data  (up  to 
2017) 

8   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on  FADN data (up to 

2018) 

9   Farm Accountancy Data Network. FADN Standard reports.  YEAR.COUNTRY.SIZ6 and own calculations 

(up to 2018 

10   Farm Accountancy Data Network. FADN Standard reports.  YEAR.COUNTRY.TF14 and own calculations 

(up to 2018) 

11   ECORYS and Wageningen Economic Research  Study on risk management in EU agriculture  2017, p. 141 
12   Same as endnote 2 
13   EUROSTAT. [aact_eaa06]. 
14   The  standard  output  of  an  agricultural  product  (crop  or  livestock),  abbreviated  as  SO,  is  the  average 
monetary value of the agricultural output at farm-gate price, in euro per hectare or per head of livestock. 

15   FADN 2018 
16   SER, Enquête structure des exploitations, 2019 
17  SER, Enquête structure des exploitations, 2019 
18   Eurostat  and  Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development,  2019,  Statistical  factsheet 

Luxembourg 

19   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, based on COM EXT data. 
20   Directorate  General 

Rural  Development 

for  Agriculture 

based 

and 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-
fisheries/by_country/documents/analytical_factsheet_lu.pdf  

on 

Eurostat. 

21   Ministère  de  l'Agriculture,  de  la  Viticulture  et  de  la  Protection  des  consommateurs,  L’agriculture 
luxembourgeoise 
2016. 
https://statistiques.public.lu/fr/publications/thematique/entreprises/agriculture-en-chiffres/lux-landwirtschaft-
fr.pdf  

chiffres 

22   Jo  H.M. Wijnands,  Jos  Bijman,  Tanja Tramnitzke,  European  Commission,  Analyses  of  the  Functioning  of 
Milk  Package  provisions  as  regards  Producer  Organisations  and  collective  negotiations,  JRC  technical 
reports, 2017. 

 en 

23   Ministère  de  l’Économie,  Projet  de  loi  portant  transposition  de  la  directive  (UE)  2019/633  du  Parlement 
européen  et  du  Conseil  du  17  avril  2019  sur  les  pratiques  commerciales  déloyales  dans  les  relations 
interentreprises 
et 
alimentaire.https://www.cc.lu/uploads/tx_userccavis/5588_PL_Pratiques_deloyales_dans_le_secteur_alimen
taires_PL_5588SMI.pdf  

d’approvisionnement 

agricole 

chaîne 

sein 

au 

24   European Commission.  Commission Staff Working Document – Initiative to improve the food supply chain 

de 

la 

(unfair trading practices) SWD(2018) 92 final. 

25   EUROSTAT. [TEC00114], [demo_r_d3area], [TPS00001]. 

25 

 
 
 
                                                           
26   Le Portail des Statistiques du Grand Duché du Luxembourg, 25 Joer Biolandwirtschaft  zu Lëtzebuerg 2013, 

https://statistiques.public.lu/fr/actualites/entreprises/agriculture/2013/11/20131120/20131120.pdf  

27   Ministère  de  l'Agriculture,  de  la  Viticulture  et  de  la  Protection  des  consommateurs,  Bilan  2014  de 
2015. 
l’agriculture 
https://statistiques.public.lu/fr/actualites/entreprises/agriculture/2015/03/20150311/index.html and STATEC. 
Les ménages octroient 12% de leurs dépenses alimentaires aux produits bio, Regards, N° 12, August 2020. 
https://statistiques.public.lu/catalogue-publications/regards/2020/PDF-12-2020.pdf 

biologique, 

28   Gouvernement.lu,  Présentation  du  plan  d'action  national  de  promotion  de  l'agriculture  biologique  "PAN-
https://gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2020/03-mars/06-pan-

Bio 
bio.html  
https://statistiques.public.lu/fr/actualites/entreprises/agriculture/2015/03/20150311/index.html  

2025". 

29   European  Commission.  CAP  indicators  –  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  RPI_03  Value  for  primary 

producers in the food chain. 

30   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.45  Emissions  from  agriculture.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[env_air_emis], original source European Environmental Agency (UNFCC_v22). 

31   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.18 Agricultural area. Based on EUROSTAT [apro_cpsh1] 
and CAP context indicator C.45 Emissions from agriculture. Based on EUROSTAT [env_air_emis], original 
source European Environmental Agency (UNFCC_v22). 

32   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.33  Farming  intensity.  Based  on  FADN  –Agri-

environmental indicator “Intensification/Extensification” 

33   Same as endnote 30 
34   International  Mire  Conservation  Group  and  International  Peat  Society,  Mires  and  Peat,  Volume  1,  Article 
2006. 

01, 
https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ESDB_Archive/octop/Resources/Peatland_Per_Country.pdf. 

1819-754X, 

ISSN 

35   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.31 Land cover. Based on European Environmental Agency, 

Corine Land Cover 2018 

36   Same as endnote 30 
37   European Commission.  CAP  context indicator C.43 Production of renewable energy  from agriculture and 

forestry. Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_c] and [nrg_cb_rw], and Strategie Grains 

38   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development,  Annual  Implementation  Report  of  Rural 

Development Programmes, 2019. 

39   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.45  Emissions  from  agriculture.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[env_air_emis], original source European Environmental Agency (UNFCC_v22). 

40   European Environmental Agency (EEA). National Emission Ceilings Directive emissions data viewer 1990-

2018. https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/dashboards/necd-directive-data-viewer-3  

41   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.41  Soil  organic  matter  in  arable  land.  Joint  Research 

Center (JRC) based on LUCAS Land Use Survey 2015  

42   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –The  EU  Environmental  Implementation 

Review 2019. SWD(2019) 126 final. 

43   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.42 Soil erosion by water.  Original source: Joint Research 

Center https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/themes/indicators-soil-erosion  

44   EUROSTAT. [ef_mp_prac] and [ef_lus_main]. 
45   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.40 Water quality. Based on EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] and 
European  Environmental  Agency  as  in  Waterbase  –  Water  Quality,  CSI020,  based  on  data  reported  to 
EIONET.  

46   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –  Second  River  Basin  Management  Plans  - 

Member State: Luxembourg. SWD(2019) 44 final. 

47   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –The  EU  Environmental  Implementation 

Review 2019. SWD(2019) 126 final. 
48   European  Commission.  CAP  context 

indicator  C.08  GDP  per  capita.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[nama_10r_3gdp] and [nama_10r_3popgdp]. 

49   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.40 Water quality. Based on EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] 
50   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.35  Farmland  birds  index  (FBI).  As  in  EUROSTAT 

[env_bio2], original source: EBCC, BirdLife, RSPB and CSO. 

51   NATURA 2000 Barometer Statistics Reports, NATURA 2000 data and CORINE Land Cover (CLC) 
52   European  Commission.  CAP  indicators  –  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  RPI_13  Share  of  EFA  in 

arable land. 

53   Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Viticulture et du Développement rural, Projet Analyse Forces et Faiblesses, 

Menaces et Opportunités Analyse des besoins du secteur agricole luxembourgeois, March 2020. 

26 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
54   Prioritised  action  framework  for  Natura  2000  in  Luxembourg  for  the  Multiannual  Financial  Framework 

period 2021 – 2027 

55   Gouvernement.lu,  Présentation  du  plan  d'action  national  de  promotion  de  l'agriculture  biologique  "PAN-
Bio  2025",  https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2020/03-mars/200306-PAN-Bio-2025-
A4.pdf 

56   Gouvernement.lu,  Présentation  du  plan  d'action  national  de  promotion  de  l'agriculture  biologique  "PAN-
Bio  2025",  https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2020/03-mars/200306-PAN-Bio-2025-
A4.pdf 

57   EUROSTAT. [org_cropar]. 
58   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.19  Agricultural  area  under  organic  farming.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar] 

59   Directorate General for Agriculture and  Rural Development. Based on EUROSTAT for land laying fallow 

and Joint Research Center based on LUCAS survey for estimation of landscape elements. 

60   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.23 Age structure of farm managers. Based on EUROSTAT 

[ef_m_farmang] 

61   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang]. 
62   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang]. 
63   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.22 Farm labour force. Based on EUROSTAT [ef_lf_main] 
64   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on CATS (Clearance of 

Accounts Trailing System) data  

65   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development,  Annual  Implementation  Report  of  Rural 

Development Programmes, 2018. 

66   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.23 Age structure of farm managers. Based on EUROSTAT 

[ef_m_farmang] 

67  European  Commission.  CAP  context 

indicator  C.08  GDP  per  capita.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[nama_10r_3gdp] and [nama_10r_3popgdp]. 

68   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.05 Employment rate. Based on EUROSTAT [lfst_r_ergau]. 
69   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.05 Employment rate. Based on EUROSTAT [lfst_r_ergau]. 
70   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.07  Unemployment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_lfu3rt]. 

71   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang]. 
72   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.09 Poverty rate. Based on EUROSTAT [ilc_peps11]. 
73   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.13  Employment  by  economic  activity.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [lfst_r_lfe2en2]. 

74   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.10  Structure  of  the  economy.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

75 

[nama_10r_3gva]. 
 European Commission. CAP context indicator C.15 Labour productivity in forestry. Based on EUROSTAT 
[for_eco_cp] and [for_awu]. 
76   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang].  
77   EUROSTAT [lfst_r_pgauwsc] 
78   Natale,  F.,  Kalantaryan,  S.,  Scipioni,  M.,  Alessandrini,  A.  and  Pasa,  A.,  Migration  in  EU  Rural  Areas, 

79   FAO. 

Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2019. 
Forest 
platform.herokuapp.com/AUT/assessment/fra2020/extentOfForest/. 

Resources 

Global 

Assessment. 

2020. 

https://fra-

80   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.30  Tourism  infrastructure.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[tour_cap_nuts2d]. 

81   European Commission.  CAP  context indicator C.43 Production of renewable energy  from agriculture and 

forestry. Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_c]  

82   DATAM bio economy, JRC. https://datam.jrc.ec.europa.eu/datam/mashup/BIOECONOMICS/index.html  
83   Rural Development Programme of Luxembourg, 2014-2020, Version 5.1 
84   Dijkstra  Lewis,  Poelman  Hugo  And  Rodríguez-Pose  Andrés,  Directorate-General  for  Regional  and  Urban 

Policy, The geography of EU discontent, 2018. 

85   Ministère  de  l’Agriculture,  de  la  Viticulture  et  du  Développement  rural,  Harmonisierte  Risikoindikatoren 
https://agriculture.public.lu/de/agrarstatistik/landwirtschaft-umwelt/harmonisierte-

2020, 
risikoindikatoren.html 

86   European Commission, Letter from Commissioner Kyriakides to Luxembourg on the farm to fork strategy, 

(Ares(2020)2643693 - 20/05/2020) 

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87   European  Medicines  Agency,  European  Surveillance  of  Veterinary  Antimicrobial  Consumption  (ESVAC). 
Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 countries in 2017 – trends from 2010 to 2017 Ninth ESVAC 
Report. EMA/294674/2019. 

88   European  Medicines  Agency,  European  Surveillance  of  Veterinary  Antimicrobial  consumption  (ESVAC). 
Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 countries in 2018  – trends from 2010 to 2018 Tenth ESVAC 
Report. EMA/24309/2020. 

89   Sante.lu,  Plan  National  Antibiotiques  2018-2022,  https://sante.public.lu/fr/publications/p/plan-national-

antibiotiques-2018-2022/plan-national-antibiotiques-2018-2022.pdf 

90   European  Commission,  Directorate-General  for  Health  and  Food  Safety,  Final  Report  of  a  one  health 
country visit to Luxembourg with ECDC from 29 May 2017 to 02 June 2017 to discuss Policies relating to 
Antimicrobial 
https://ec.europa.eu/food/audits-
analysis/audit_reports/details.cfm?rep_id=3893  
Commission, 

91   European 

Luxembourg 

Resistance, 

basket, 

2017. 

2016 

food 

The 

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=7874&furtherPubs=yes 

92   Le  Portail  des  Statistiques  du  Grand  Duché  du  Luxembourg,  Bilan  d'approvisionnement  des  bovins  et 
2020 

porcins 
https://statistiques.public.lu/stat/TableViewer/tableViewHTML.aspx?ReportId=13371&IF_Language=fra&
MainTheme=4&FldrName=2&RFPath=7276#WDS_table_summary 

2019, 

1999 

93   defined as beef, lamb and pork, 140,82g/per capita/d,  net of waste in the EU 2010, GBD study 2017 and M. 

– 

Springmann 

94   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_02_10/default/table?lang=en,  obesity  rates  are  above 

EU27 average 

95   https://environnement.public.lu/dam-assets/documents/offall_a_ressourcen/pngd/plan/PNGD.pdf 
96   European  Medicines  Agency,  European  Surveillance  of  Veterinary  Antimicrobial  consumption  (ESVAC). 
Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 countries in 2018  – trends from 2010 to 2018 Tenth ESVAC 
Report. EMA/24309/2020. 

97   European Commission. Harmonised Risk Indicator for pesticides (HRI 1), by group of active substance. As 

in EUROSTAT [SDG_02_51] 

98   Loi  du  27 

juin  2016  concernant 
http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2016/06/27/n7/jo  

le  soutien  au  développement  durable  des  zones 

rurales. 

99   Paul Caroline, Ndah Hycenth Tim, Knierim Andrea, AKIS and advisory services in Luxembourg. Report for 
the 
https://430a.uni-
hohenheim.de/fileadmin/einrichtungen/430a/PRO_AKIS/Country_Reports/Country_report_Luxembourg16_
05_2014.pdf  

inventory 

project, 

(WP3) 

2014. 

AKIS 

AKIS 

PRO 

the 

100  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.24  Agricultural  training  of  farm  managers.  Based  on 

of 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

101  Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Viticulture et du Développement rural, Projet Analyse Forces et Faiblesses, 

Menaces et Opportunités Analyse des besoins du secteur agricole luxembourgeois, March 2020. 

102  European  Commission.  Digital  Economy  and  Society  Index.  DESI  individual  indicators  –  1b1  Fast  BB 

(NGA) coverage [desi_1b1_fbbc]. 

103 EUROSTAT. [isoc_sk_dskl_i]. 
104 European Commission, Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) report, 2020. 
105 European Commission, Digital Innovation Hubs. 2020 https://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/digital-innovation-

hubs-tool  

106  European Commission, Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) report, 2020. 
107  Directorate-General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development,  Internal  information  resulting  of  notification 

from MS and/or informal exchanges with MS. 

108  Ministry  of  Economy,  The  Data-Driven  Innovation  Strategy  for  the  Development  of  a  Trusted  And 

Sustainable Economy in Luxembourg, May 2019. 

109  Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Viticulture et du Développement rural, Projet Analyse Forces et Faiblesses, 

Menaces et Opportunités Analyse des besoins du secteur agricole luxembourgeois, March 2020. 

110  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.19  Agricultural  area  under  organic  farming.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar]. 

111  European Commission. Digital Economy and Society Index. DESI individual indicators – 1b1 Fast BB (NGA) coverage 

[desi_1b1_fbbc]. 

28