COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Spain'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, Spain, 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) 374 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Spain'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) 375 final} - {SWD(2020) 376 final} - {SWD(2020) 377 final} - {SWD(2020) 379 final} - {SWD(2020) 384 final} - {SWD(2020) 385 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}  
 
 
 
 
 
1. 

2. 

Contents 

2.2 

1.3 

1.4 

1.2 

and 

innovation 

digitalisation, 

COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  SPAIN’S  CAP 
STRATEGIC PLAN ........................................................................................ 2 
Foster  a  smart,  resilient  and  diversified  agricultural 
1.1 
sector ensuring food security ............................................................ 2 
Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and 
contribute  to  the  environmental-  and  climate-related 
objectives of the Union ...................................................................... 2 
Strengthen  the  socio-economic  fabric  of  rural  areas  and 
address societal concerns .................................................................. 3 
Modernising  the  sector  by  fostering  and  sharing  of 
knowledge, 
and 
encouraging their uptake .................................................................. 4 
Recommendations .............................................................................. 5 

1.5 
ANALYSIS  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  IN 
SPAIN ............................................................................................................... 8 
Support viable farm income and resilience across the EU 
2.1 
territory to enhance food security .................................................... 8 
Enhance market orientation and increase competitiveness 
including  greater  focus  on  research,  technology  and 
digitalisation ....................................................................................... 9 
Improve farmers position in the value chain ................................ 10 
Contribute  to  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation, 
as well as sustainable energy .......................................................... 12 
Foster sustainable development and efficient management 
of natural resources such as water, soil and air ............................ 14 
Contribute  to  the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance 
ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes ........... 16 
Attract 
and 
development in rural areas ............................................................. 19 
Promote  employment,  growth,  social  inclusion  and  local 
development  in  rural  areas,  including  bio-economy  and 
sustainable forestry ......................................................................... 20 
Improve  the  response  of  EU  agriculture  to  societal 
demands  on  food  and  health,  including  safe,  nutritious 
and sustainable food, as well as animal welfare ............................ 22 
 Cross-cutting  objective  on  knowledge,  innovation  and 
digitalisation ..................................................................................... 23 

facilitate 

business 

farmers 

2.3 
2.4 

young 

2.10 

2.5 

2.6 

2.7 

2.8 

2.9 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
1.  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  SPAIN’S  CAP  STRATEGIC 

PLAN  

In the framework of the structured dialogue for the preparation of the CAP strategic plan, 
this  document  contains  the  recommendations  for  the  CAP  strategic  plan  of  Spain.  The 
recommendations are based on analysis of the state of play, the needs and the priorities 
for  agriculture  and  rural  areas  in  Spain.  The  recommendations  address  the  specific 
economic, environmental and social objectives of the future common agricultural policy 
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 Spain, 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  transition  towards  a  sustainable  food  system  presents  significant  economic 
opportunities as well as challenges for the Spanish agricultural sector. 

Spanish agriculture recorded a positive economic performance, in terms of both income 
developments and behaviour in the international markets. However, the high volatility in 
some  sectors  and  the  concentration  of  exports  in  certain  markets  make  Spanish 
agriculture  more  vulnerable  and  affects  its  long-term  resilience,  in  particular  in  some 
sectors and territories.  

At the same time, the Spanish farming sector faces low productivity growth. It has a low 
level of investment in research and innovation, a low level of investment by farmers and 
weak  uptake  of  new  technologies.  The  sector’s  high  fragmentation,  both  in  terms  of 
economic  size  and  concentration  of  supply,  can  also  jeopardise  its  long-term 
competitiveness.   

Despite the crucial role of common agricultural policy (CAP) support in stabilising farm 
income  and  helping  Spanish  farmers  be  competitive,  current  patterns  in  support 
distribution  can  hamper  its  effectiveness.  In  particular,  on  direct  support,  the  level  of 
support varies greatly from farmer to farmer. This shows that there is still a strong link to 
individual historical references, based on past characteristics of production rather than on 
objective  criteria.  There  is  therefore  a  need  to  significantly  advance  the  internal 
convergence process for more fairness and better targeting of direct support. 

1.2  Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and  contribute  to  the 

environmental- and climate-related objectives of the Union  

Spanish  agriculture  needs  to  make  progress  on  the  future  CAP’s  specific  objectives  on 
the  environment  and  climate.  Taking  into  account  the  climate  and  environmental 
ambition  promoted  by  the  European  Green  Deal,  action  needs  to  be  taken  to  reverse 
some trends and guarantee the sustainability of natural resources against the background 
of growing challenges arising from climate change. 

1

   It  concerns  the  targets  related  to  use  and  risk  of  pesticides,  sale  of  antimicrobials,  nutrient  loss,  area 

under organic farming, high diversity landscape features and access to fast broadband internet. 

2 

 
                                                 
In  recent  years,  both  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  and  ammonia  emissions  have 
increased more than the EU average, confirming the need for ambitious actions to enable 
Spain  to  meet  the  targets  set.  The  challenge  of  climate  neutrality  and  the  effects  of 
climate change in the country mean increased attention on the sustainable management of 
forests  and,  in  particular,  the  prevention  of  forest  fires  as  well  as  measures  to  further 
promote afforestation and reforestation in order to make forests more resilient to climate 
change. In addition, improving the protection of wetlands would contribute to the climate 
agenda. 

Spain  faces  major  challenges  in  relation  to  water  quantity  and  quality.  In  terms  of  the 
Water Framework Directive (WFD), not all water bodies have achieved good status yet, 
with  agriculture  identified  as  the  most  significant  pressure.  The  quality  of  groundwater 
has  deteriorated  recently,  and  there  is  a  need  to  reduce  the  surplus  of  nitrogen  and 
phosphorus  coming  from  agriculture.  Also,  Spain  is  among  those  EU  countries  where 
water  abstraction  is  under  high  pressure  in  large  parts  of  the  country  and  where  water 
scarcity  is  projected  to  be  intensified  with  global  warming.  Despite  efforts  done  to 
modernise  irrigation  systems,  pressure  on  water  availability  is  still  a  challenge  and 
requires particular attention. At the same time, analysis points to the high risk of water 
soil erosion, a low level of mean soil organic carbon content in arable land (the lowest in 
the EU) and the high risk of desertification, in particular in certain regions. 

The process of intensification has also increased the pressure on farmland biodiversity in 
the country, with a high share of agricultural land under Natura 2000. The extension of 
organic farming methods, which already show a positive trend in Spain (in terms of both 
supply and demand), would significantly help the country better cope with the on-going 
challenges associated with the loss of biodiversity. Spain needs to expand agro-ecology, 
as well as promote crops, forests and shrubs that are adapted to climate change to halt the 
biodiversity decline and fight against desertification. The conservation status of protected 
farmland habitats, in particular grasslands, needs to be improved. Measures are needed to 
improve landscape connectivity and achieve a  greater diversity in  landscape features  in 
order to contribute to the European Green Deal target on bio-diversity. 

The  Commission  believes  that  Spanish  agriculture  needs  to  improve  its  ecological  and 
climate  transition  in  line  with  the  objectives  of  the  Farm  to  Fork  Strategy  and  the 
Biodiversity  Strategy.  The  new  CAP  strategic  plan  is  an  opportunity  for  Spain  to 
combine the whole variety of types of interventions offered by the first and second pillars 
of  the  CAP,  and  mobilise  both  resources  and  actors  towards  these  priorities  in  a  more 
effective and consistent way. 

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

concerns  

The shift  towards a  greener and more modern agricultural  sector needs to be done in  a 
way that preserves the territorial balance, stimulates generational renewal and generates 
growth  and  employment  in  rural  areas.  As  highlighted  in  the  Farm  to  Fork  Strategy,  it 
will also be particularly important to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-
19 crisis on the food chain.   

The  proportion  of  young  farmers  is  one  of  the  lowest  in  the  EU.  It  also  has  a  low 
entrepreneurial activity rate and social imbalances in its rural areas. The major challenge 
of rural  depopulation  in  Spain,  together with  the high rate of social  exclusion,  calls  for 
ambitious action in order to reverse the current trends and ensure that young people have 

3 

 
better  employment  opportunities  in  rural  areas,  in  particular  in  the  most  disadvantaged 
territories and social groups.  

Against  this  background,  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, pay, and pensions, care and decision-making. Ensuring the 
protection  of  agricultural  workers,  especially  those  in  precarious,  seasonal  and 
undeclared  employment,  will  play  a  major  role  in  delivering  on  the  respect  of  rights 
enshrined  in  legislation.  This  is  an  essential  element  of  the  fair  EU  food  system 
envisaged in the Farm to Fork Strategy. 

When  developing  its  strategic  plan,  Spain  should  consider  the  diversity  and  specific 
situation of different areas across the country. This is in particular true and relevant for 
areas with specific needs and vulnerabilities, such as the outermost regions referred to in 
Article  349  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union.  These  should  be 
appropriately addressed with relevant CAP instruments. 

In line with the new societal demands presented in the Farm to Fork Strategy, important 
changes will also be needed in animal and crop production. Even though there have been 
improvements  in  recent  years,  animal  welfare  and  antimicrobials  use  in  Spain  is  not 
satisfactory,  in  particular  in  the  pig  sector.  Furthermore,  Spain  has  the  second  highest 
usage of plant protection products in the EU. Major efforts are needed to fully implement 
the  Sustainable  Use  of  Pesticides  Directive,  including  making  sure  that  the  general 
principles  of  integrated  pest  management  are  implemented.  Spain  should  also  make  an 
effort  to  shift  towards  healthier  sustainable  diets,  in  line  with  national  dietary 
recommendations. 

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

and digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake 

The transition of the Spanish agricultural sector towards a sustainable knowledge-based 
model  is  a  key  challenge  for  the  future.  It  will  require  renewed  efforts  by  both  public 
authorities and private actors. The low level of investment in research and innovation, the 
low  uptake  of  new  technologies  and  low  level  of  digitalisation  are  key  challenges  that 
currently hamper both the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Spanish farms.  

This process needs to be supported by an acceleration of the broadband coverage and an 
increase in basic digital skills. This will not only benefit the farming sector, but also the 
general economic development of Spanish rural areas.  

innovation  system  (AKIS)  as  well  as  reduce 

At the same time, there is potential to address the current fragmentation of the Spanish 
agricultural  knowledge  and 
the 
administrative  burden  and  improve  the  performance  of  the  existing  farm  advisory 
services. This would include in particular a better coordination and cooperation between 
its  actors  and  organisations,  strengthening  the  impact  of  EU  and  national/regional 
research and innovation funding. This can be achieved through better interaction between 
information,  knowledge,  advice,  innovation,  training,  education  and  research.  It  is 
essential to support better links between public and private advisers and investing in their 
training and skills to cover economic, environmental and social aspects.  

4 

 
1.5  Recommendations 

To  address  the  above  economic,  environmental/climate  and  social  challenges,  the 
Commission believes that the Spanish CAP strategic plan needs to focus its priorities and 
concentrate  its  interventions  on  the  following  points,  taking  into  account  also  the  high 
territorial diversity of the Spanish agriculture and rural areas: 

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

  Encouraging  business-oriented  farm  management  and  boosting  farm 
competitiveness  by 
future  public  support  on  achieving  and 
consolidating  viable  market-oriented  farms  and  stimulating  farm  capital 
investments,  notably  in  new  technologies  and  more  environmentally  friendly 
farming practices. 

focusing 

  Encouraging  greater  integration  of  primary  producers,  by  increasing  the 
economic  scale,  concentration  and  range  of  services  of  Producer  Organisations 
(POs),  in  particular  the  smallest  ones,  and  fostering  the  recognition  of  POs  in 
sectors where they are not yet recognised yet or where their penetration is low. 

  Improving  the  viability  of  farms  through  improving  the  effectiveness, 
targeting  and  distribution  of  direct  income  support.  Spain  should  advance 
significantly  on  the  internal  convergence  process  and  distributing  direct  income 
support  towards  homogenous  groups  of  territories,  taking  into  consideration 
agronomic  conditions  as  well  as  the  differences  observed  based  on  notably 
physical  and  economic  size  of  farms  and  eliminating  the  link  to  historical 
references. Income gaps among different farm sizes should be addressed by using, 
for example, the complementary redistributive income support and the reduction 
of payments. 

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

  Contributing to the EU Green Deal  target on organic farming by enhancing 
the currently increasing trend of areas under organic farming through appropriate 
conversion and maintenance schemes and incentivising increased organic demand 
in the food chain and market organisation. 

  Mitigating  climate  change  and  reducing  GHG  emissions  from  agriculture, 
through an appropriate mix of suitable tools under the new Green architecture in 
order  to  meet  the  established  national  targets.  These  interventions  shall  support 
improved crop rotations, precision farming, carbon farming and improvement of 
manure  management.  Particular  attention  needs  to  be  paid  on  reducing  GHG 
emissions  from  enteric  fermentation  in  line  with  the  Methane  Strategy,  by 
providing  support  for  advice,  innovation,  land  management  practices,  biogas 
production  (anaerobic  digestion),  as  well  as  adoption  of  low  emission  feeding 
strategies. 

  Enhancing climate change adaptation by, in particular, supporting measures to 
decrease  the  impacts  of  extreme  weather  events,  switch  to  less  water  intensive 
crops  and  drought  resilient  crop  varieties,  conserving  and  restoring  existing 
grasslands (for carbon sequestration and overall resilience of these ecosystems). 

5 

 
  Contributing  to  the  EU  Green  Deal  target  on  nutrient  losses  by  taking 
appropriate actions to reduce the surplus and leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus 
originating  from  agriculture,  especially  in  the  regions  with  poor  groundwater 
quality by promoting innovative environmentally friendly farming practices (e.g. 
more environmentally friendly manure and fertiliser management). 

  Continuing  the  efforts  to  ensure  a  sustainable  use  of  irrigation,  by 
modernising  existing  water 
systems 
(conveyance,  distribution  and  application)  and  controlling  sectoral  demand  in 
river basins with  reduced water availability while exploring production methods 
and crop types that would relieve pressure on the resource. High soil erosion (by 
water  and  wind)  and  desertification  of  arable  land  and  permanent  crops  areas 
must also be addressed. 

infrastructures  and 

irrigation 

  Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity, including protected species and 
habitats, farmland birds and wild pollinators, by enhancing the efforts to improve 
the conservation status of protected farmland habitats, in line with the Prioritized 
Action Framework for CAP funding. Particular attention will be paid on fostering 
landscape  connectivity  and  greater  diversity  in  landscape  features,  in  order  to 
contribute to the EU Green Deal target on bio-diversity. 

  Fostering  sustainable  forest  management,  enhancing  multifunctionality, 
forest protection and restoration of forests to reach good condition of habitats 
and  species  linked  to  the  forests  in  order  to  enhance  ecological  services  and 
biodiversity  to  build  resilience  to  climate  change  impacts  on  forests  and  agro-
forestry  systems  such  as  the  “dehesa”.  Improving  forest  fire  prevention  and 
restoration from forest fires, enhancing adaptation to climate change. 

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

  Contributing  to  the  achievement  of  the  EU  Green  Deal  target  on 
antimicrobials.  Considering  that  sales  of  antimicrobials  are  above  the  EU 
average,  Spain  is  recommended  to  put  in  place  sizeable  efforts  to  significantly 
reduce  its  use  of  antimicrobials  in  agriculture  by  using  all  available  tools, 
including instruments under the CAP to support farmers, e.g. by promoting best 
practices  on  reduced  and  prudent  use  of  antimicrobials,  together  with  improved 
livestock management, biosecurity, infection prevention and control. 

  Improving  animal  welfare  by  promoting  and  supporting  best  practices, 

knowledge and investments, especially for pigs and laying hens.  

  Making  significant  efforts  to  reduce  the  use  and  risks  of  pesticides  in  line 
with the EU Green Deal target, by supporting schemes that foster a switch away 
from  the more hazardous  plant protection products,  towards sustainable  farming 
practices such as integrated pest management. 

  Reducing the depopulation trend in rural areas and strengthening efforts to 
meet the challenge of the generational renewal in agriculture by reducing the 
entry barriers in the sector, mainly regarding access to land and finance as well as 
taking specific measures to reduce the gap between male and female employment 
in rural areas.  

6 

 
  Strengthening efforts to create opportunities for employment and economic 
activity  in  rural  areas  as  well  as  promoting  social  inclusion,  with  specific 
attention to vulnerable groups such as seasonal workers as well as EU and third-
country migrants, in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy.  

Fostering  and  sharing  of  knowledge,  innovation  and  digitalisation  in  agriculture  and 
rural areas, and encouraging their uptake 

  Expanding  broadband  in  rural  and  remote  areas  to  achieve  the  EU  Green  Deal 
Target of 100% fast broadband coverage by 2025 and accelerating the digital 
transition of the Spanish farming sector through large-scale training efforts and 
by  exploiting  the  most  advanced  technology  to  better  monitor  and  optimise 
agricultural  production  processes.  In  doing  so  it  will  be  important  to  ensure 
synergies with other EU and national funds. 

  Improving  the  access  to  knowledge  and  innovation  by  the  farming 
community, by fostering the integration and organisation of advisers  within the 
agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS), improving the interaction 
of  research  with  farmers  and  advisors,  and  better  integrating  farmers’  needs  in 
research and innovation projects.  

7 

 
 
 
2.  ANALYSIS  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  IN 

SPAIN 

The population in Spain is 46.94 million inhabitants and is divided in 17 regions. Around 
3.4% of the population live in predominantly rural areas and 33.3% live in intermediate 
regions. Altogether, these two territories cover 388 thousand km2, the largest share of the 
country’s territory, and employ around 6.8 million people1.  

Spain had around 945 thousand active farms in 2016, which covered 23 million hectares 
of utilised agricultural  area. Half of those were small  sized farms of 5 hectares or less, 
and  family-operated  farms  were  dominant.  Less  than  4%  of  farm  holders  were  young 
farmers  (less  than  35  years  old)2.  From  those,  more  than  one  third  possessed  basic 
training only. Overall, the majority of Spanish farmers relies on practical experience3. 

Spanish  agriculture  is  highly  diverse,  resulting  from  a  great  diversity  in  climate, 
topography, and soil conditions, and leading to significant differences in types of farming 
between territories. Spanish agriculture shows a positive trade balance with both EU and 
non-EU countries4, with large exports of olive oil, pork meat and wine.  It’s diversity is 
also reflected in the great variety of the  359 products registered in EU quality schemes 
(GIs, PDOs and PGIs)5. 

Rural areas in Spain are facing the major challenge of depopulation as well as important 
social  challenges,  with  an  employment  rate  below  the  average  rate  in  Spain  and  below 
the EU rural employment rate6.  

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

enhance food security 

In  Spain,  the  agricultural  entrepreneurial  income  was  on  average  about  94%  of  the 
average  wage  in  the  whole  economy  between  2005  and  2018  (higher  than  the  EU 
average), increasing from 76% in 2009 to 119% in 2018. During that period, the average 
wage  in  the  economy  stagnated  due  to  the  economic  crisis,  illustrating  the  relative 
resilience of the farming sector.7  

The  average  factor  income  fluctuated  around  the  double  of  the  EU  average  over  the 
period  2005-2018.  Income  increases  regularly  with  farm  economic  size  up  to  a  certain 
size  (EUR  1  000  000  standard  output)  and  tends  to  decrease  slightly  above  this  figure. 
The increasing trend is less clear by physical size (ups and downs).  

Average income is significantly higher for granivore farms, regularly lower for cattle and 
sheep and goat farms, but in general, the national average incomes for the sectors do not 
show  such  high  differences  as  in  other  Member  States.  However,  within  each  region, 
there tend to be differences in levels of income between types of farming. Farm income 
has  important  differences  across  the  territory,  with  on  average  higher  income  levels  in 
Andalucía,  Aragon,  La  Rioja  and  Navarra,  and  lower  income  levels  in  Cantabria, 
Canarias and Madrid. Despite the differences across sectors and territories, farm income 
levels in Spain show a greater variability across different groups by economic size than 
by sector or region.  

Direct EU support represented about 18% of the factor income in Spain in 2017, which is 
less than the EU-average (24%). Rural Development support (except investment support) 
represents  about  an  additional  5%.  The  level  of  support  per  hectare  (unit  amount) 

8 

 
 
decreases  with  the  increase  of  the  physical  size.  However,  this  unit  amount  tends  to 
increase  with  economic  size8.  As  well,  the  unit  amount  per  hectare  varies  greatly  by 
individual  farmer,  illustrating  the  still  high  link  to  individual  historic  references.  Here 
again, the national averages appear to hide significant differences between homogenous 
groups  of  territories  and  types  of  farming  within  each  of  them.  In  2018,  20%  of  the 
beneficiaries  received  80%  of  direct  payments  in  Spain  (close  to  the  EU  average)9. 
Concentration  seems  to  be  diminishing,  potentially  due  to  a  rise  in  the  minimum 
requirements  over  recent  years.  There  is  a  high  rate  of  multi-activity  on  farms,  with 
smaller  farms  being  less  dependent  on  agricultural  income10.  For  29%  of  the 
beneficiaries, agricultural income was less than 20% of their total income, and for 16%, 
less than 10%11. 

Concerning resilience and risk management, Spanish agriculture has a high percentage of 
farms  with  income  losses  of  over  30%  of  the  average  for  the  previous  three  years, 
although  there  are  significant  differences  between  the  different  subsectors.  Spain  has  a 
strong  and  well-recognised  agricultural  insurance  system  since  40  years–  achieving 
record rates of participation in 2018 - that strengthens farms by reducing the volatility of 
their  incomes.  At  present,  almost  all  production  is  insurable  against  almost  all  risks 
caused by adverse natural events12. Spain also benefits from a varied market in terms of 
private insurance suppliers and has implemented phytosanitary insurance that is offered 
as a complement to climatic coverage13.  

EUR/AWU 

DP/ha 

Income (FNVA/AWU) and DP/ha by economic size 

Income other than operating subsidies (C26 FNVA/AWU) 

DP*/AWU 

Other operating subsidies /AWU 

DP*/ha 

Source: FADN 2018 provisional results. NB: FADN does not cover farms below a minimum; *DP may include some national aids. 

Farm economic size classes 

2.2  Enhance market orientation and increase competitiveness including greater 

focus on research, technology and digitalisation  

Spain’s  agri-food  trade  balance  is  positive  with  a  steady  upward  trend.  Intra-EU  trade 
accounts  for  most  of  this  behaviour,  due  to  the  high  share  of  exported  products  to  EU 
countries. Extra-EU trade balance has been positive in recent years, although decreasing 
since 201614, showing Spain’s high dependence on commodity imports from outside the 
EU, especially animal feeds15. The main export products to non-EU countries in terms of 
value  are  olive  oil  (10.8%),  pork  meat  (10.6%)  and  wine,  vermouth,  cider  and  vinegar 

9 

 
 
 
 
(10.1%)16. Spain’s exports and imports show a current trend of concentration on specific 
sectors and destinations/origins17.The total number of farms is falling steadily in Spain, 
keeping  stable  the  average  farm  size  between  24  and  25  hectares18.  The  number  of 
livestock  units  is  rather  stable  over  time  in  Spain,  at  around  14.5  million  Livestock 
Units19.  The  livestock  density  has  slightly  increased  since  2005  and  the  area  share  of 
extensive grazing has remained stable, accounting for around 33% of the total UAA20. As 
to  their  economic  size,  Spain’s  agricultural  sector  is  fragmented  into  a  high  number  of 
small farms (half of the Spanish farms have a Standard Output of less than 8000 EUR), 
in particular in sectors such as olive oil, wine, and sheep and goat21. 

The total factor productivity (TFP) and its three components (labour, capital, land) have 
been  steadily  increasing  since  1995  in  Spain  (though  slowing  in  recent  years)22. 
However, this varies among sectors, farm size typology, and regions. Farms’ investments 
(gross  fixed  capital  formation)  dropped  after  2009,  due  to  the  financial  crisis,  steadily 
increasing since then and now recovered23. On average, the level of farms investments is 
rather  low  in  Spain  (just  15%  of  their  marketed  value,  well  below  the  EU  average  of 
around  31%)24,  which  could  compromise  their  competitiveness  in  the  long-term.  This 
investment indicator varies highly between sectors (though below the EU average for all 
sectors) and the farm size25. 

Structure of Agri-food trade with all countries in millions of EUR 

Commodities 
Beverages 

Other primary 
Non-edible 

Processed 
Balance 

Food preparations 

2.3  Improve farmers position in the value chain  

Source: COMEXT 

The  share  of  the  value  added  in  the  food  chain  for  primary  producers  is  slightly 
increasing over time in Spain, from 30% in 2008 to 33% in 2016, above the EU average 
(23% in 2016).  Moreover, the agri-food chain represents around 10% of the value added 
of  the  whole  economy  in  Spain,  also  above  the  EU  average  (6%)26.  Vegetables  and 
horticulture,  fruits,  pigs,  wines  and  olive  oil  are the  most  important  sectors  in  terms  of 
production value27. 

Spain  has  a  high  number  of  recognised  Producers  Organisations  (PO),  although  almost 
all concentrated in the fruits and vegetables sector. PO of fruits and vegetables have high 
economic relevance in Spain, as PO accounts for around 70% of the marketed value of 
the sector, but their average marketed value of EUR 11 million is below the EU average 
(13  million),  showing  that  they  might  be  too  many  and  of  small  size,  and  requiring 

10 

 
efforts  of  further  integration.  Other  sectors  with  recognised  POs  are  milk  and  dairy 
products,  hops  and  tobacco.  Producers  in  other  sectors  are  already  structured  through 
producers  organisations  and  farmers’  associations,  in  particular  cooperatives28,  but  the 
latter have not been recognised so far as POs in line with the 2018 legislative changes29.  

In  Spain,  primary  production  is  organised  through  a  large  number  of  multi-level 
cooperatives,  accounting  for  a  market  share  around  40-50%  across  sectors  (70%  for 
wine). Despite this market share, there is a high fragmentation, since a large part of the  
cooperatives  are  small  entities  with  few  members  and  low  marketed  value  (42%  of 
cooperatives  below  EUR  1  million);  this  results  in  a  low  marketed  value  average  of 
Spain’s cooperatives of EUR 8.5 million.30 As to vertical integration, Spain numbers 26 
Interbranch Organizations.  31 Shorter supply chains have grown in prominence recently, 
with a sale value of EUR 774 million in 2017. 32  

With regard to bargaining power of primary producers and transparency along the food 
chain,  Spain  has  recently  developed  policies  to  increase  both,  in  particular  promoting 
written contracts between relevant actors. The level of compliance of the contract clauses 
has  improved  over  time,  and  the  payment  times  shortened.  33  Effective  implementation 
and  enforcement  of  the  Unfair  Trading  Practices  Directive  will  further  improve  the 
protection afforded to primary producers.  

Spain has 359 entities of differentiated quality (PDO, PGI and TSG), with a sale value of 
over EUR 6.1 billion and with an increased trend. External markets are main outlets as 
exports accounts for about 45% of the economic value in spirits, 40% in wines, and 15 % 
in the rest. 

Important  developments  are  taking  place  in  the  market  of  organic  production,  which 
reached  a  retail  sale  value  of  EUR  2  133  million  in  2018,  representing  4  %  of  Spain’s 
agricultural  production.34  Despite  the  still  low  integration  of  organic  products  in  the 
Spanish  market  (2.8% in 2017)35, organic consumption is  growing  at  a very significant 
pace (EUR 46.5 per habitant in 2018, doubling 2015 figure of EUR 21.85)36. This steady 
increase  in  the  demand  has  changed  the  pattern  of  the  organic  trade  balance  in  Spain, 
which  is  not  any  more  a  net  exporter  on  organic  production  and,  since  2018  shows  a 
negative  trade  balance.37  The  large  size  and  competitiveness  of  the  Spanish  fruit  and 
vegetable  sector  should  provide  a  solid  basis  to  exploit  the  growing  trends  towards 
organic products and more plant based food consumption.  

Value added for primary producers in the food chain in Spain (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 

11 

 
 
Source: EUROSTAT  

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

sustainable energy  

In 2018, agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) – i.e. without LULUCF, see 
below – in Spain amounted to 39.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. These emissions 
had fallen by 7%  from  1990 to  2013 but  then increased by 9.3% to  current  levels.  Net 
agricultural emissions (including LULUCF) represent 11.3% of total GHG emissions in 
Spain (slightly below the EU average share of the sector) and 10% of the total EU GHG 
emissions  from  agriculture.  44.6%  of  agricultural  emissions  in  Spain  relate  to  enteric 
fermentation  of  livestock  (mainly  due  to  high  share  of  cattle  production),  31.1  %  to 
agricultural  soils,  22%  to  manure  management  and  1.1%  to  rice  cultivation.  Emissions 
from enteric fermentation, agricultural soils and manure management between 2013 and 
2018  have  all  increased  above  the  EU-27  trend,  especially  in  the  field  of  manure 
management, which rose by 15.5%.38  

In Spain, the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector is a net remover of 
GHG  (-38  096  million  tonnes  of  CO2  equivalents  in  2018),  largely  due  to  the 
contribution of forestland. While croplands have been a sink of GHG since 2014 (-3 645 
million  tonnes  of  CO2  equivalents  in  2018),  grasslands  and  wetlands  have  switched  to 
slight  emitters  in  more  recent  years39.  The  mean  soil  organic  carbon  content  in  arable 
land  is,  as  in  all  Mediterranean  Member  States,  low  in  Spain  (14.90  gC.kg-1  in  2015), 
slightly  increasing  by  3.4%  since  200940  and  the  country  has  almost  no  peatland  (peat 
cover is 0.1% only)41.  

In 2018, the share of agriculture in the total production of renewable energy in Spain was 
9.8%,  while  the  share  of  production  from  forestry  constituted  29%  of  the  total. 
Renewable energy production in  both agriculture and forestry in  Spain  remained above 
the  EU  average  for  these  sectors42.  The  share  of  energy  consumption  in  Spanish 
agriculture  and  forestry  in  the  total  final  consumption  in  2018  was  3%  (slightly  higher 
than the EU-27 average of 2.9%), while the use of energy for food processing was 2.9% 
of  the  total  final  consumption43.  The  final  energy  consumption  by  agriculture  and 
forestry has fallen by 13.3% between 2013 and 201844.  

The National Energy and Climate Plan of Spain sets up measures for the achievement of 
the  overall  goal  of  a  23%  reduction  of  GHG  by  2030  and  climate  neutrality  by  2050. 
According  to  the  Plan,  the  agriculture  and  livestock  farming  sector  will  have  to 
contribute  to  a  reduction  of  18%  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  in  respect  to  the  2005 
level. It is important that the agriculture sector meets this target to ensure its contribution 
towards the national climate change mitigation efforts. Specific measures established in 
that Plan include: the promotion of arable crop rotations on unirrigated land, adjustment 
of the application of nitrogen to  the crop´s  needs, emptying of slurry from  pig housing 
(reduction  of  emissions  within  stables),  cover  of  slurry  ponds  (reduction  of  ammonia 
emissions  during  storage),  measures  for  the  reduction  of  stubble  burning,  solid-liquid 
separation  of  slurry  and  production  of  compost  from  the  solid  fraction.  Promoting 
renewable  energies  is  also  part  of  the  strategy  for  decarbonisation  in  the  Plan,  which 
predicts  about  a  two-fold  increase  in  installed  capacity  of  electricity  from  biomass  for 
2030 in  relation  to  2015. Further measures  for the  LULUCF sector were also  specified 
including, among others, regeneration of silvo-pastoral systems, prevention of forest fires 
or promotion of agroforestry45.  

12 

 
In  the  context  of  Spain´s  National  Climate Change  and  Adaptation  Plan (NCCAP),  the 
assessment  of  the  impacts,  vulnerability  and  adaptation  to  climate  change  in  the 
agricultural sector has identified that the rise in temperatures and atmospheric CO2 and 
changes  in  the  precipitation  patterns  may  have  different  effects  across  the  Spanish 
territory. In the south and southeast regions, water demands are projected to further rise 
due to heat stress and extreme weather events, requiring among others to change to other 
crop varieties, or even species, better suited to high temperatures. Diseases and pests can 
increase or spread to higher latitudes, and livestock production may also be affected by 
heat  stress  and  increasing  diseases.  Furthermore,  conditions  for  production  might 
deteriorate for ruminants due to decreasing availability of pastures due to the tightening 
of the drought regime and/or an increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy rain that 
increases the erosive influence, lower pasture productivity resulting in a need for lower 
livestock  density46.  However,  agricultural  productivity  may  even  see  an  increase  in 
regions where water is not scarce.47  

Specific  vulnerabilities  to  climate  change  for  Canary  and  Balearic  Islands  as  well  the 
Cantabrian coast relate to sea-level rise, although this will affect the whole Atlantic coast. 
Rising  sea  levels  can  cause  the  intrusion  of  seawater,  affecting  irrigation  and  causing 
salinization. In the Canary Islands and Cantabria, increases in torrential rain may lead to 
damages  in  crops  and  affect  harvests.  The  islands  will  experience  greater  decreases  in 
rainfall than the rest of Spain48,49.  

Spain’s  draft  NCCAP  includes  adaptation  objectives  such  as  to  increase  knowledge  on 
climate  change  impacts,  promote  development  of  adaptation  instruments  through  the 
CAP  post-2020,  and  adaptation  of  agriculture  and  livestock  to  already  verified  climate 
changes.50 

The  CAP  is  one  of  the  mechanisms  that  is  used  to  implement  measures  addressing 
climate change mitigation as well as adaptation. Spain has programmed various measures 
to  address  climate  related  needs,  in  line  with  regional  specificities.  At  the  end  of  2018 
however,  the  state  of  achievements  of  specific  climate  targets  set  for  the  programming 
period  (until  2023)  is  unbalanced:  while  for  agricultural  land  under  management 
contracts addressing reduction of GHG and/or ammonia emissions, the programme target 
set for 2023 is reached at already 63%, results are less positive in the case of Livestock 
Units  concerned  by  investments  in  view  of  reducing  GHG  and/or  ammonia  emissions 
(only 13% of the 2023 target achieved in 2018). Nevertheless, measures programmed for 
the  objective  of  ecosystem  services  (which  in  many  cases  contribute  also  to  climate 
change objectives), have made much greater progress until now.51 

13 

 
Total Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture (including and excluding LULUCF) in Spain                                                         

(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] 

2.5  Foster  sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of  natural 

resources such as water, soil and air  

The Spanish agricultural sector was responsible for nearly 97% of ammonia emissions in 
2018, mainly from livestock (76%) but also from crops (24%). The swine sector (17.5%), 
cattle (14.5%) and the use of synthetic N-fertilisers (18.7%) are the most relevant source 
of these emissions. After a decreasing trend since 1990, emissions have increased since 
2013,  in  particular  in  some  regions.  Based  on  a  joint  analysis  of  the  quality  of 
projections,  the  credibility  of  the  policies  and  measures  selected  for  adoption  in  the 
National  Air  Pollution  Control  Programmes,  and  the  projected  margin  of  compliance, 
Spain  would  be  at  medium-risk  of  non-compliance  with  the  emission  reduction 
commitment  (under  NEC  Directive),  for  ammonia  for  both  2020-29  and  for  2030  and 
beyond. 

Spain is subject to a high risk of water soil erosion, with a rate of soil loss in agriculture 
estimated to be above 3.9 t ha-1 yr-1 in 2016, above the EU average (about 2.5 t ha-1 yr-1)52. 
More than 9.8% of the Spanish UAA (about 2.7 million ha) is at risk of severe erosion, 
which is above the EU average (6.6%). The UAA at risk of erosion is mainly arable and 
permanent  crops  (91%  of  the  total  agricultural  area  affected)53.  País  Vasco,  Andalucía, 
Cataluña,  Cantabria  and  Asturias  are  the  regions  with  the  highest  share  of  estimated 
agricultural area affected. Wind erosion is also relatively high in North East part of the 
country. 

The  mean  soil  organic  carbon  content  in  arable  land  in  Spain  is  around  15  g/kg,  the 
lowest  level  across  the  whole  EU54.  Spain,  like  other  southern  countries  (Italy,  Greece 
and Portugal), has lower values compared to northern countries due to the faster organic 
carbon  mineralisation.  Higher  stocks  are  found  on  hilly  and  mountainous  areas  of  the 
northeast while lower carbon stock are present in southern and central regions as well as 
the  Ebro  valley.  About  74  %  of  Spain  is  at  risk  of  desertification,  with  18  %  being  at 
“high”  or  “very  high”  risk.  The  situation  is  particularly  concerning  in  the  Region  of 
Murcia, the Valencian Community  and the Canary  Islands.55  In 2016, 75%56 of tillable 
area was tilled conventionally and 23%57 of arable land was left bare during the winter 
months.  A  shift  to  more  sustainable  agricultural  management  practices  would  be 
beneficial. In the future, Spain can address these key soil-related issues in synergy with 
activities under the Horizon Europe mission on soil health. 

14 

 
The situation of water quality in Spain is not satisfactory for surface and ground waters. 
Diffuse  agricultural  pollution  is  the  most  significant  risk  on  groundwaters  and  second 
most significant risk on surface waters and abstraction or flow diversion for agriculture is 
also a significant risk for both58. 

During  the  period  2012-2015,  69%  of  groundwater59  were  in  good  chemical  condition 
and  21.5  %  of  monitoring  stations  in  groundwater  were  impacted  by  pollution  from 
nitrates  (>50  mg  Nitrate/l)60.  The  total  number  of  groundwater  bodies  concerned  by 
nitrates pollution fell gradually since 2004 but Spain was in 2012 the Member State with 
the  lowest  share  of  stations  in  good  quality  and  the  highest  share  of  stations  with  poor 
quality61. In addition, the nitrates concentration has increased with respect to the previous 
reporting period in 34% of the stations in groundwater bodies.  

The  average  concentration  of  nitrates  in  surface  water  shows  no  clear  trends  between 
1992 and 201762 and 87% of surface waters63 were in good chemical condition in 2015. 
Nearly  1%  were  impacted  by  pollution  from  nitrates  (>50  mg  Nitrate/l)64  during  the 
period 2012-2015 and the total  number of watercourses concerned by nitrates pollution 
descended  since  2004.  However,  the  concentration  has  increased  with  respect  to  the 
previous  reporting  period  in  16%  of  the  stations  in  surface  water  bodies.  Phosphates 
concentration  in  rivers  shows  a  decreasing  trend  during  the  period  1992-2016  but  the 
average value is increasing since 2008. 

The (estimated) nitrogen balance has increased by 3 kg/ha/year of agricultural land over 
the  last  twenty  years  (36  kg/ha/y  over  1996-2005  and  39  kg  N/ha  over  2014-2016). 
Spain’s gross nitrogen balance is lower than the European average (49 kg/ha). From 2000 
to 2015, the phosphorus balance has declined from 6 to 4 kg P/ha/y but the average 2000-
2015 (4 kg P/ha/y) is higher than the EU average (1kg P/ha/y). Spain has 80,702 km2 of 
Nitrates Vulnerable Zones (NVZ), which represent 16% of the national territory and 35% 
of the agricultural  area.  In the last reporting period (2012-2015) changes were made in 
the  designations  of  NVZs  in  Aragón,  Catalonia,  Madrid,  and  Pais  Vasco.  Compared  to 
the previous period (81,699 km2), the area had decreased by 997 km2.65 

The decreasing availability of water is a severe problem in Spain and agriculture is the 
biggest  pressure  to  the  water  resources.  The  volumes  of  water  for  irrigation  represent 
around 80% of all the freshwater volumes withdrawn in Spain66. Farming activity under 
irrigated  land  represents  more  than  50%  of  the  final  crop  output  in  the  country67. 
Between 2005 and 2016, the share of irrigated areas in respect to the UAA remains stable 
in  Spain68,  where  today  around  13.2%  of  the  UAA  is  irrigated.  It  is  estimated  that  the 
irrigated  area  has  been  steadily  growing  during  the  last  decade  (+  1%  per  year  as 
average), reaching 3.83 million ha in 2019. This increase is accompanied by an evolution 
in irrigation systems (+18.7% of localised systems)69. Currently, the Rural Development 
Programmes  (RDP)  of  Spain  are  contributing  to  support  the  conversion  of  7.2%  of  the 
total irrigated land towards more efficient irrigation systems. By the end of 2018, 36% of 
this target had been met (completed projects), representing 2.6% of the irrigated land70.  

The  Water  Exploitation  Index  (WEI+)  has  not  been  showing  a  favourable  trend  during 
this  decade  reaching  23.7%  in  201771  with  some  variability  mainly  because  of  the 
variability in weather conditions. The data available at river district scale72 indicated that 
70% of the river districts monitored are in risk (WEI over 20%), with some districts73 in 
a situation of severe scarcity (WEI over 40%) and agriculture is one of the main users of 
water in  all these districts.  Spain  is  among those EU  countries where water abstraction 
levels are under high pressure, in which prolonged periods of water scarcity under global 

15 

 
warming  are  projected  to  intensify.  Without  sufficient  water,  crops  such  as  maize  may 
collapse by 2050, with yield decreases larger than 80%74. 

Important efforts have taken place to improve water efficiency in the irrigation systems 
so  that  today  53%  of  the  irrigated  land  uses  localised  systems  while  24%  use  the 
traditional gravity method75. 

Kg N/ha/year 

Potential surplus of N and P on agricultural land in Spain 

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] 

2.6  Contribute  to  the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance  ecosystem  services 

and preserve habitats and landscapes 

The farmland bird index in Spain decreased from 100 in 2000 to 77 in 201776, close to 
the EU-27 average decline to 76 for the same year. For the reporting period 2013-2018, 
the  indicator  on  conservation  of  agricultural  habitats  show  that  in  Spain,  only  9.4%  of 
grassland  habitats  were  in  a  favourable  status,  whereas  62.5%  had  an  unfavourable-
inadequate  and  15.6%  even  an  unfavourable-bad  conservation  status  and  the  trend 
remains  negative.  Compared  to  the  reporting  period  2007-2012,  this  represents  a 
decrease  from  15%  in  the  best  category  ‘favourable’  as  well  as  a  significant  increase 
from 42% in the unfavourable-inadequate category, whereas only the share of grassland 
in  the  unfavourable-bad  category    shows  a  positive  trend  by  a  cut  in  half  from  30.3%. 
Looking at the period 2013-2018 only, these figures are better than the EU-27 averages 
for the category ‘unfavourable-bad’ (42.6%), but far lower in the categories ‘favourable’ 
(20%) and ‘unfavourable –inadequate’ (34.6%)77.  

The  above-mentioned  values  are  average  values  for  the  whole  Spanish  territory.  When 
examining the situation at regional level, we can see that the more favourable areas are 
located in the north of Spain, whereas the dehesas in the southwest of Spain are indicated 
as more unfavourable.  

As  a  total  share  of  utilised  agricultural  land,  the  share  of  permanent  grassland  in  total 
UAA is at 29% in 2018 (below the EU 27 average of 31%) with a slight increase from 
27% in 201478. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
In Spain, the average number of linear elements (identified based on the LUCAS survey 
2015)  is  above  the  EU  average.  At  national  level,  13.2%  of  the  UAA  are  covered  by 
landscape elements (0.2%) and fallow land (13%)79. Spain has generally high variations 
at  regional  level,  and  many  regions  show  a  rather  low  density  of  those  elements 
important for the preservation of biodiversity.  

In  2018,  the  share  of  agricultural  area  in  Natura  2000  stood  at  almost  17%  (including 
natural  grassland),  compared  to  11%  at  EU-27  average  (rang  7)  and  for  forestland  at 
slightly  above  40%  (including  transitional  woodland-shrubs),  however  decreasing  from 
43,3%  in  2010  (30.4  %  for  EU  27)80.  As  to  the  share  of  Natura  2000  areas  at  EU-28 
level, it should be noted that Spain has the biggest contribution on Natura 2000 land area 
(138.311 km2, 17.6% of EU Natura2000 land area).81  

The  Prioritised  Action  Frameworks  (PAF)  indicate  the  need  to  support  the  following 
measures in Natura 2000 sites. Spain establishes it at regional level (19 regional PAFs). 
However, a plan at the level of the national general administration summarises the main 
targets  for  action,  such  as  a  focus  on  connectivity,  resilience  and  knowledge  gaps.  It 
emphasises  the  restoration  of  the  ecological  connectivity  and  coherence  of  the  Natura 
2000 network, by among others, addressing a package of measures for implementation of 
the  State  strategy  for  Green  Infrastructure82.  Good  coordination  between  the  structural 
funds for its implementation is certainly desirable. 

As regards the status  of species associated with  agricultural  areas, the main threats  and 
pressures  identified  in  the  Spanish  regional  PAFs  are:  abandonment  of  traditional 
farming  practices,  intensification  agriculture,  use  of  pesticides,  homogenisation  of  the 
landscape,  transformation  of  rain  fed  cultivation  into  irrigated  cultivation,  habitat 
fragmentation and, increase of infrastructures for the tertiary sector.83 

As regards grassland habitats, supporting extensive livestock and traditional management 
is  a  general  priority  measure  included  in  most  regional  PAFs;  for  croplands  and 
agroecosystems,  measures  to  improve  knowledge  of  these  ecosystems  and  their  correct 
management  are  proposed.  Many  regions  have  included  management  measures  to 
improve  the  habitat  quality  for  steppe  birds,  ensuring  the  compatibility  of  agricultural 
practices  with  farmland  birds’  conservation  and  improving  habitat  heterogeneity  in 
agricultural  land.  A  number  of  measures  are  also  for  the  maintenance  of  agricultural 
practices  in  rice  fields  to  promote  the  presence  of  waterfowl.  The  PAF  also  include 
specific measures for forests, such as promotion of a more traditional forest management 
(e.g. for wood extraction), afforestation and substitution of non-native species by native 
ones.84 

Based  on  the  Commission’s  analysis  of  the  current  Rural  Development  Programmes  in 
Spain  (2014-2020),  the  allocation  of  funding  for  the  environment  and  especially  for 
Natura 2000 was not properly justified in most of the programmes. Excluding support for 
organic farming, the allocation for agro-environmental measures was rather low for some 
regions  and  not  clearly  linked  to  Natura  2000  objectives.  Some  regions  (but  not  all) 
included in their RDPs support for preventive measure for damage caused by wildlife to 
agricultural  production, livestock and beehives,  which targeted protected species.85 The 
selection  criteria  for  investments  in  irrigation  projects  in  RDPs  did  not  ensure  that 
negative environmental effects of such projects would be avoided. 

As  to  farming  intensity,  on  a  country  average,  Spain’s  figures  do  not  differ  very  much 
from the EU-27 average in terms of land managed by farms with low input intensity per 

17 

 
ha (27% of UAA for ES and EU-27), but has a higher share of land managed intensively 
(41.9% compared to 36.6 % at EU-2786). However, Spain is characterized by a high share 
of  agricultural  area  used  for  extensive  grazing  (29.4%  compared  to  19.8%  at  EU-27 
average).  The  data  on  High-nature-value  farming  (HNV  farming)  indicates  that  only 
some  regions  in  the  centre  and  north  of  Spain  have  an  established  approach  for 
monitoring  and  assessing  of  HNV  farming,  of  which  some  approaches  need  further 
development87. 

During the current programming period, the share of agricultural land under management 
contracts  supporting  biodiversity  and/or  landscape  features  is  relatively  high  for 
agricultural land and Spain, by the end of 2018, had slightly exceeded its target for 2023 
of 19.45 % of agriculture area (UAA).  In  contrast, this share is very low for forestland 
(1%)88.  No  use  has  been  made  of  the  possibility  to  introduce  landscape  elements  as 
Ecological Focus Areas under greening89.  

Organic management practices can also be beneficial for soils and biodiversity. The share 
of organic farming area in Spain reached 9.3% of the total agricultural area in 2018 (EU-
27 average 8.0%)90, which represents 17% of the organic farming surface in the EU. The 
share  of  organic  area  shows  a  positive  trend  (with  a  significant  increase  by  28%  since 
2012)  as  well  as  the  number  of  farmers,  which  reached  39  500  in  2018.  However,  the 
share of UAA under conversion to organic farming has decreased in recent years which 
indicates  that  the  positive  development  of  organic  area  risks  to  stagnate91.  Despite  an 
increase  in  recent  years,  the  share  of  animals  held  by  organic  farmers  remains  very 
modest (3% of cattle and 4% of sheep). In 2018, around 1 million hectares (representing 
46% of the total organic area) were under organic production commitments supported by 
the CAP, showing a positive trend. 92 

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

20

15

10

5

0

7
2
U
E

E
B

G
B

Z
C

K
D

E
D

E
E

E
I

L
E

S
E

R
F

R
H

T
I

Y
C

V
L

T
L

U
L

U
H

T
M

L
N

T
A

L
P

T
P

I

O S
R

I

K F
S

E
S

fallow land as % of agricultural area
Fallow land as % of agricultural area 

landscape elements as % of agricultural area*
Landscape features as % of agricultural area 

Source: DG AGRI based on Eurostat and JRC based on LUCAS survey93 

* 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. 

18 

 
 
 
 
Area under organic farming in Spain 

Hectares under organic farming 

% of agricultural area under organic farming 

% of area under organic farming in the  
EU-27 

Source: EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar] 

2.7  Attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas  

In  2016,  Spain  had  one  of  the  lowest  shares  of  young  farmers94  (3.8%95)  in  the  total 
number  of  farm  managers.  This  was  below  the  EU-28  average  (5.1%)  and  trending 
downward  since  2005  (-36.8%)  even  if  the  last  available  data  seems  to  indicate  some 
stabilisation.  The  ratio  of  young  managers  to  elderly96  follows  the  same  pace  (-38.4%) 
and  remains  among  the  lowest  in  the  EU  (6.73%).  This  illustrates  the  challenge  of 
generational renewal in agriculture in Spain, including the gender aspect. Only 19.2% of 
young farm managers in Spain in 2016 were female (vs 23.3% in the EU97). 

Younger  farm  managers  tend  to  have  larger  farms,  higher  standard  output,  are  better 
trained  and  invest  more  in  their  businesses.  They  are  therefore  leading  the  structural 
change.  Farm  managers  between  25  and  44  years  old  have  the  largest  economic  farm 
size98. The share of young farmers increases with holding size, reaching 12.7% on farms 
of more than 100 ha of UAA. They are also more likely to have, at least, a basic level of 
agricultural  training  compared  to  other  farm  managers  in  Spain.  The  share  of  farm 
managers who have been through agricultural training is trending up but remained below 
the EU average (39% vs 43%) in 201699.  

CAP payments are of particularly high relevance to young farmers, as they can contribute 
to reduce the entry barriers to the sector, in particular for new entrants without land or an 
inherited  family  farm,  or  any  credit  history.  In  this  sense,  when  expressed  as  total 
EAFRD funding, Spain shows one of the highest concentration of funds (8.5%, EUR 0.7 
billion) for the setting up of 21,000 young farmers. Regarding direct payments, in 2018, 
farmers under 40 years old received 37% of the share of direct payments (including some 
national aids)100.  

Access to land and finance is one of the main obstacles to setting-up in agriculture. The 
rented UAA rate for young people is higher than the average of other age groups (56% vs 
39%)  and  existing  data  indicates  that  overall  land  mobility  in  Spain  is  low,  especially 
land ownership. Young farmers might  represent  approximately 35% (between EUR 1.3 
billion and EUR 2 billion) of the overall financial gap in the agricultural sector in Spain. 
Between  55%  and  76%  of  the  rejected  and  non-viable  loan  applications  (rejection  rate 
varies with the maturity of the loan) came from applicants below 40 years of age101. 

19 

 
In 2019, the low entrepreneurial activity rate observed in Spain in general, below the EU 
average  (6.1%  vs  9.6%)102  is  more  pronounced  in  rural  areas  (access  to  finance, 
connectivity, gender gap, training… ), while the development of new business initiatives 
in a rural environment is key against depopulation and generational renewal. 

Share of farm managers < 35 years by gender in Spain 

Share of male farm managers below 35 years 

Share of farm managers below 35 years – EU-27 

Share of female farm managers < 35 years 

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

Source:  EUROSTAT. [ef_m_farmang] 

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

rural areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry 

Predominantly Rural  areas accounted for 16.9%  of land in  Spain in  2018 (compared to 
the 45% that rural areas represent across the whole EU27) and 3.4% of the population in 
2018103.  The  definition  of  rural  population  by  degree  of  urbanisation104,  defines  that 
73.7% of the territory is rural and 14,0% of the population lives in these areas.  

Between 2001 and 2018, 63% of municipalities lost population, with those of less than 
1000  inhabitants  being  particularly  affected105.  According  to  national  authorities,  in 
Spanish rural areas, almost half of all municipalities are considered to be at risk (10.3%) 
or  at  high  risk  (38.1%)  of  depopulation106.  It  must  be  underlined  that  the  challenge  of 
depopulation is localised and does not affect all of the Spanish territory in the same way.  

The employment rate in rural areas in Spain went up from 51% in 2013 to 61% in 2019 
but remains below the EU-27 average (approx. 68%)107. A significant gap exists in rural 
areas between the male employment rate (approx. 68% in 2019), which is on par with the 
EU average, and the female employment rate (approx. 55% in 2019)108. This gap is even 
more  pronounced  for  individuals  with  lower  levels  of  education109.  The  unemployment 
rate for 20-64 year olds in Spanish rural areas fell from 28.2% in 2013 to 13.6% in 2019 
(compared to an EU-28 average of 5.6% for 20-64 year olds)110. The unemployment rate 
of 20-24 year olds in rural areas is much higher than any other age group (from 53% in 
2013  to  28.3%  in  2019)111.  The  female  youth  unemployment  rate  of  20-24  year  olds 
(16.5% in 2019) has dropped from its 2013 level of 30.1% and is below the average for 
20-24  year  olds  in  rural  areas,  which  is  an  encouraging  sign112.  The  share  of  young 
people neither in employment nor in education or training in rural areas went from19.3% 
in 2009 to 12.1% in 2018, thus converging with the total national share of 12.4%113.  

The  agricultural  sector  accounted  for  4%  of  employment  in  2017  in  Spain  showing  a 
slight increase from 2016 (3.9%)114. The share of women in the agricultural labour force 
was 24.3% in 2016, compared to 24.6% in 2013, while 23% of all farm managers were 
women in 2016, below the EU average of 28%115. 

20 

 
The  GDP  per  inhabitant  in  Spanish  rural  areas  stagnated  at  80%  of  the  EU-27  average 
between 2011 and 2016116. This  is  close to  the figure for intermediate regions (approx. 
83%) but  far below the  figure in  urban  areas (approx. 97%) over the same period. The 
contribution in gross value-added of rural areas to the Spanish economy was 3% between 
2005 and 2016117. The number of bed places for tourism in rural areas was just below 1.5 
million  between  2012  and  2016,  it  then  fell  sharply  to  862  292  in  2017  and  has  been 
rising since, reaching 880 939 in 2019118. 

In 2018, the median income in rural areas was 12 751 euros (below the EU-27 average of 
14 950 euros) significantly below the median income in urban areas, which was 16,292 
euros119. It must also be noted that the rate of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
remains  slightly  higher  in  rural  areas  (28.8%  compared  to  a  22.7%  EU-27  average  in 
2019) than in towns and suburbs (25.6%) and cities (23.3%)120.  

In 2017, over 50% of third country migrants  and over 55% of EU-27 migrants  in  rural 
areas  were  at  risk  of  poverty  (compared  to  approx.  25%  for  natives)121.  This  situation 
also affects those migrants working in the primary sector.  The share of migrants working 
in the agricultural sector in Spain is 9% higher than the share of migrants working in all 
other sectors. A significant number of these workers are temporary workers122 as Spain is 
the  Member  State  that  has  the  highest  share  of  temporary  workers  among  its 
workforce123. 

The endogenous development potential of rural areas is ensured by more than 250 local 
action  groups  in  the  framework  of  LEADER,  which  cover  more  than  12  million 
inhabitants in rural areas. Together with a significant 10% EAFRD budget allocation, this 
translates  the  commitment  of  Spain  towards  the  approach,  even  if  some  delays  in  its 
implementation have been observed. The development of territorial instruments such as 
Integrated  Territorial  Investments  and  Community  Led  Local  Development,  pooling 
resources among different sources of EU funding could be further explored by Spanish 
authorities. 

The share of land cover under forestry (forest and other wooded land) in Spain in 2020 
was approx. 55% (EU-27 average 45%)124. The number of persons employed in forestry 
in  1000  annual  working  units  went  from  29  in  2005  to  17  in  2017,  illustrating  the 
increasing mechanisation of the forestry sector125. The gross added value per hectare of 
forestry,  68  €/ha  available  for  wood  supply,  is  among  the  lowest  in  the  EU.  Labour 
productivity  in  forestry  went  from  approx.  EUR  25  000  GVA  per  employed  person  in 
2005 to approx. EUR 55 000 in 2017 (EU-27 average went from EUR 30 000 to EUR 55 
000).  The  total  output  of  the  sector  (forestry  and  logging)  was  EUR  2.105  million  in 
2018126. 

The total growing stock (“standing trees”) in forests almost doubled since 1990. In 1990 
it was 560 million m3 over bark and it is 1108 million m3 in 2020. In the same period the 
forest and other wooded land area increased from 25.98 million hectares to 27.95 million 
hectares. 

Spain  has  developed  a  dedicated  national  bioeconomy  strategy.  In  2015,  the  sector 
employed  1  286  867  people,  slightly  more  than  the  previous  year.  The  sector  is  still 
struggling  to  recover  from  the  effects  of  the  financial  crisis  (1.5  million  employees  in 
2008).  The  production  of  renewable  energy  from  agriculture  and  forestry  as  a  share  of 
total  primary  energy  production  was  below  19%  in  Spain  in  2015,  which  was  slightly 
above  the  EU-28  average  and  represented  41%  of  all  renewable  energy  production127. 

21 

 
The sectors  with  the highest share in  the bioeconomy’s turnover in  2015 were in  order 
food,  beverage  and  tobacco  (56%),  agriculture  (22%)  and  bio-based  chemicals  and 
pharmaceuticals (5%). 

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 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a priority area for the Farm to Fork strategy. The sales 
of veterinary  antimicrobial  agents  in mg  per population  correction unit (PCU) in  Spain 
increased  until  2014,  before  falling  to  219.2  in  mg/PCU  in  2018128  (see  graph  below). 
The sales in Spain in 2018 were nearly two times higher than the EU-average (which is 
weighted for those MS that provide data on a yearly basis and stands at 118.3 mg/PCU). 
Moreover,  the  estimated  PCU  (in  1  000  tonnes)  of  the  population  of  food-producing 
species is the highest at EU level for pigs (4,024) due to the biggest EU pig population 
(more than 31 mio heads129) since 2015 but it is moderate for cattle (894) and for poultry 
(870) in comparison with other Member States.130 

Regarding  the  standards  on  animal  welfare  in  primary  production,  the  main  issue  in 
Spain  is  tail  docking  of  pigs  as  a  routine  practice.  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  decrease131.  In  addition,  a  large  majority  of  the  egg 
production  (more  than  75%)  is  still  in  cage  systems  and  alternative  systems  could  be 
promoted. 

One  of  the  most  important  challenges  in  the  transition  towards  a  healthy  and 
environmentally-friendly food systems is the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, as 
reflected in  new reduction targets  established at EU level  at  the Farm to Fork strategy. 
The Harmonised Risk  Indicator 1 for pesticides shows a decreasing trend of 22% from 
the  2011-2013  baseline.132  At  the  same  time,  Spain  is  one  of  main  users  in  the  EU  of 
pesticides classified as so-called ‘candidates for substitution’.  

In order to advance towards the EU Green Deal targets on pesticides reduction, the first 
priority for the Commission will be to ensure full implementation of existing provisions 
of  the  Sustainable  Use  of  Pesticides  Directive  (SUD).  In  that  domain,  Spain  needs  to 
improve  the  systems  in  place  for  training  and  certification  of  professional  operators  by 
including additional training for up-to-date knowledge of proper handling of pesticides to 
avoid risks to human health and the environment. Spanish authorities also need to put in 
place effective implementation of the general principles of IPM133.  

Spain  is  currently  implementing  its  second  National  Action  Plan  (PAN  2018-2022), 
which outlines goals for promoting integrated pest management (IPM) and for reducing 
the  risks  and  impacts  associated  with  the  use  of  plant  protection  products  (PPP).134 
Spanish  society  is  experiencing  important  changes  concerning  food  consumption 
patterns, evolving from the traditional Mediterranean diet that still characterises dietary 
habits in this country135. In that context, the consumption of fruit and vegetables does not 
currently  meet  the  recommended  intake  levels  for  a  significant  part  of  the  population 
(defined as ≥ 5 portions consumption)136; also, Spain has a high estimated consumption 
of red meat137. Efforts should focus on shifting towards healthy sustainable diets, in line 
with  national  recommendations,  in  order  to  contribute  to  the  incidence  of  non-
communicable  diseases  while  simultaneously  improving  the  overall  environmental 
impact of the food system. This would include moving to  a more plant based diet with 

22 

 
less  red  meat  and  more  fruits  and  vegetables,  whole  grains,  legumes,  nuts  and  seeds. 
Consumption of organic products is growing very fast138.  

Concerning food waste, in 2018 Spanish households throw away 1.34 million tonnes of 
food and drinks. These data show an increase in the volume of food waste in 2018 of 8.9 
%. Spanish authorities have identified legislative measures to facilitate food donation as 
well  as  other  measures  to  reduce  food  waste  at  consumer  level,  such  as  national 
communication campaigns and education campaigns for students. According to the same 
analysis, in Spain 51.2 % of consumers would buy products if offered close to the end of 
their shelf life.139  

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

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

Sales in mg/PCU 

EU-27 

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

HRI 1 

HRI 1 for EU-27 

Source: EUROSTAT [aei_hri] 

2.10  Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation 

Investment  in  Research  and  Innovation  in  the  agri-food  sector  is  low  in  Spain:  It 
represents  less than 4% of total  Spain’s R&I investments,  and has fallen  by 9% during 
the period 2008-2016 (while it increased around 33% at EU level).140 At the same time, 
Spain  will  dedicate  4.3%  of  the  total  public  expenditure  of  the  current  Rural 
Development Programmes in knowledge transfer, advisory services and cooperation. 

The functioning of the agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS) in Spain 
has  been  characterized  as  relatively  strong  but  fragmented,  with  a  lack  of  links  among 
actors,  with  several  independent  knowledge  networks  operating  in  parallel  and  a  low 
level  of  cooperation.141  The  participation  in  the  Horizon  2020  projects  like  FAIRshare 
and  i2connect  that  focus  on  the  study  and  promotion  of  AKIS,  are  examples,  among 
other initiatives, of the on-going work carried out in Spain to reinforce AKIS. 

Spain has embraced the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and set up until now 270 
EIP  Operational  Groups  (OG)142  with  an  overall  budget  of  more  than  €72.8  million 
(13.3% of the EU overall budget), ranking among the highest number of OG per country 
in the EU. These OGs involve more than 1 300 partners, including SMEs (335), Research 
Institutes (253), Farm holders (132), NGOs (36), Advisors (24) and other partners (536). 
It is important to highlight the choice of having both national and regional EIP OGs, so 
that  national  as  well  as  local  problems/opportunities  can  be  tackled.  The  approach 
towards implementing between regions has been very diverse and cooperation dynamics 
to stimulate best practices between regions can be encouraged through the EIP. 

23 

 
As  regards  Farm  Advisory  System,  there  are  significant  variations  across  the  Spanish 
territory and high administrative burden which is hindering its implementation. The main 
methods  used  for  providing  advice  are  “One-to-one  on  the  farm”,  “One-to-one  outside 
the  farm”  and  “Telephone  helpdesk”  consultations.143  The  support  from  the  rural 
development  programme  in  the  period  2014-2020,  has  been  focussed  mainly  on  giving 
advice to farmers and (to a lesser extent) on the training of advisers. 

In  2016,  78%  of  farm  managers  in  Spain  had  practical  experience  only,  while  1.9%  of 
farm managers completed full agricultural training. Farm managers with full training in 
Spain  remain  well  below  the  EU  average  of  8.9%  of  total  managers.  The  highest 
percentage of fully trained farm managers in Spain is within young farmers (less than 40 
years  old)  with  4.4%  of  them  being  fully  trained.  In  addition,  although  the  number  of 
farm managers who attained basic or full agricultural training is increasing over time, this 
share is still lower in Spain than in the EU144.  

The current Rural Development Programmes have already supported 207 800 farmers in 
training activities during 62 453 training days, and expects to support more than 324 600 
farmers145 by 2023.  

Regarding digitalisation, the situation of Spain is not satisfactory: it ranks 35 (4.8 points) 
among the 139 assessed in the Country Connectivity Readiness Index (NRI), prepared by 
the  World  Economic  Forum.146  Taking  into  account  the  countries  of  the  EU-15, 
according to this classification, Spain is only ahead of Italy and Greece. According to the 
DESI (The Digital Economy and Society Index Report), in 2019, Spain ranks 11 out of 
the  28  Member  States  of  the  EU,  with  a  gradual  improvement  in  its  score  since  2017 
thanks  to  advances  in  connectivity  and  digital  public  services.  Some  analysis  highlight 
that agriculture in Spain has a technical automation potential of 57% (fourth place behind 
the  hospitality  industry,  the  manufacturing  industry  and  the  transport  and  logistics 
sector),  especially  in  activities  related  to  physical  practice  and  capture  and  handling  of 
data147.  Broadband  coverage  in  rural  areas  rose  from  60%  of  households  in  2013  to  its 
current level of 76% in 2016. NGA broadband coverage in rural areas went from 23.1% 
in 2013 to 47.6% in 2018 (compared to over 88% at national level). The share of people 
with basic digital skills in rural areas in Spain (approx. 50%) in 2019 was comparable to 
the EU average148.  

Finally, regarding the use of digital technologies in the CAP, Spain has opted for the use 
of  satellite-based  means  to  monitor  CAP  implementation  and  Spanish  governmental 
organisations  are  currently  part  of  several  EU  projects  dealing  with  the  uptake  of  new 
technologies  for  the  modernisation  of  CAP  administrations,  CAP  controls  and 
interactions with farmers. 

24 

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

Managers with full 
agricultural training 

Managers with basic 
agricultural training 

Full training EU average 

Basic training EU 
average 

European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 
EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

Broadband coverage in Spain 

NGA broadband (% of rural households) 

Broadband access (% of rural households) 

NGA broadband (% of total households) 

European Commission. Digital Economy and Society Index. DESI individual indicators – 1b1 Fast BB 
(NGA) coverage [desi_1b1_fbbc] 

25 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1   EUROSTAT. [urt_gind3], [urt_lfe3emp] and [urt_d3area]. 
2   EUROSTAT. [ef_m_farmang]. 
3   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training]. 

4    European Commission. CAP indicators – Data explorer.  CAP Impact indicator I.06, Agricultural trade 

balance, based on EUROSTAT Comext 
5   European  Commission.  eAmbrosia  – 

the  EU  geographical 

indications 

register.  2020. 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/food-safety-and-quality/certification/quality-
labels/geographical-indications-register/# 

6   European  Commission.  CAP  Indicator  -  Data  explorer.  CAP  impact  indicator  IMP_14  Rural 

employment rate. 

7   European Commission. CAP 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. 

8   European Commission.  Directorate  General  for  Agriculture and  Rural Development own  calculations 

based on FADN data (up to 2018). 

9   European Commission. Directorate  General  for  Agriculture and  Rural Development own calculations 
based  on  FADN  (Farm  Accountancy  Data  Network)  data  (up  to  2018)  and  CATS  (Clearance  of 
Accounts Trailing System)  data (up to 2018) 

10   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 1, based on data obtained from 
AEAT 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-
especificos.aspx 

financial 

(IRPF). 

income 

on 

11   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 1, based on data obtained from 
AEAT 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-
especificos.aspx  

financial 

(IRPF). 

income 

on 

12   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
1. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

13   European  Commission.  Directorate-General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  (European 
Commission),  ECORYS,  Wageningen  Economic  Research.  Study  on  risk  management  in  EU 
agriculture. Final report. [https://op.europa.eu/s/omTz] 

14   European Commission. CAP indicators – Data explorer.  CAP Impact indicator I.06, Agricultural trade 

balance, based on EUROSTAT Comext. 

15   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 2, based on data from Informe 
anual 
2018. 
forestal 
agroalimentario 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ministerio/servicios/analisis-y-prospectiva/Informe_anual.aspx. 

comercio 

pesquero 

exterior 

de 

16   European Commission. CAP indicators – Data explorer.  CAP Impact indicator I.06, Agricultural trade 

y 

balance, based on EUROSTAT Comext. 

17   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 2, based on data from Informe 
anual 
2018. 
forestal 
agroalimentario 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ministerio/servicios/analisis-y-prospectiva/Informe_anual.aspx. 

comercio 

pesquero 

exterior 

de 

18   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.18  Agricultural  area.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

y 

[apro_cpsh1]. 

19   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.21  Livestock  units.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[ef_lsk_main], [ef_lsk_poultry], [ef_lsk_bovine] and [ef_lus_main]. 

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

environmental indicator “Intensification/Extensification”. 

21   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 2, based on data from Spain’s 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-
Farm 
especificos.aspx. 

Accountancy 

Network. 

Data 

26 

 
 
                                                 
 
22   European Commission. CAP result indicators C.27, Total factor productivity in agriculture. Based on 
EUROSTAT [aact_eaa05], [aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01], [apro_cpsh1] and [ef_mptenure] and FADN. 
23   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.28  Gross  fixed  capital  formation.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [nama_10r_3gva] and [nama_10r_2gfcf]. 

24   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
2. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

25   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
2. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

26   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

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

primary producers in the food chain. 

28   European Commission. (2019). Study of the best ways for producer organisations to be formed, carry 

out their activities and be supported. 

29   The  2018  legal  changes  on  the  CMO  Regulation  clarified  the  benefits  of  being  a  recognised  PO  in 

terms of legal certainty. 

30   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

31   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

32   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

33   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

34   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación.  
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

35   European  Commission.  (2019).  Organic  farming  in  the  EU  –  EU  Agricultural  Markets  Briefs. 

de 

de 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/farming/documents/market-brief-
organic-farming-in-the-eu_mar2019_en.pdf  

36   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación. 

(2019).  Agricultura  Ecológica  2018.  

https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/prensa/190814avancedatosproduccionecologica2018_tcm30-512382.pdf 
37   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
3. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

38   European  Environmental  Agency 

(EEA).  EEA 

greenhouse 

gas 

– 

data 

viewer. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/greenhouse-gases-viewer.  

39   European  Environmental  Agency 

(EEA).  EEA 

greenhouse 

gas 

– 

data 

viewer. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/greenhouse-gases-viewer. 

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

Center (JRC) based on LUCAS Land Use Survey 2015. 

41   Joint Research Centre (JRC)  – European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC). Relative cover (%) of peat soils 

(0–30cm), per country. 
 https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ESDB_Archive/octop/Resources/Peatland_Per_Country.pdf.  

42   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. 

43   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.44  Energy  use  in  agriculture,  forestry  and  food 

industry. Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_s]. 

44   EUROSTAT. [nrg_bal_s]. 
45   Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021 - 2030. 

https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/es_final_necp_main_en.pdf.  

27 

 
                                                                                                                                                 
 
 
 
46   Ministerio  para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico.  Plan  Nacional  de  Adaptación  al 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-

Cambio  Climático 
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/pnacc-2021-2030_tcm30-512163.pdf. 

2021-2030 

conocimiento 

y  prácticas  de  gestión 

47   Medina  Martín,  F.  Impactos,  vulnerabilidad  y  adaptación  al  cambio  climático  en  el  sector  agrario: 
en  España.  Madrid,  2015. 

Aproximación  al 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-
adaptacion/impactos_vulnerabilidad_adaptacion_cambio_climatico_sector_agrario__tcm30-178448.pdf 
48   Medina  Martín,  F.  Impactos,  vulnerabilidad  y  adaptación  al  cambio  climático  en  el  sector  agrario: 
en  España.  Madrid,  2015. 

Aproximación  al 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-
adaptacion/impactos_vulnerabilidad_adaptacion_cambio_climatico_sector_agrario__tcm30-178448.pdf 
49   Ministerio  para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico.  Plan  Nacional  de  Adaptación  al 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-

y  prácticas  de  gestión 

Cambio  Climático 
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/pnacc-2021-2030_tcm30-512163.pdf  

conocimiento 

2021-2030 

50   Ministerio  para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico.  Plan  Nacional  de  Adaptación  al 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-

Cambio  Climático 
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/pnacc-2021-2030_tcm30-512163.pdf 

2021-2030 

51   Annual Implementation Reports (AIR) of Rural Development Programmes of Spain, 2018.  
52   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.42  Soil  erosion  by  water.  Original  source:  Joint 

Research Center. 

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

Research Center. 

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

Center (JRC) based on LUCAS Land Use Survey 2015. 

55   Ministerio  de  Medio  Ambiente  y  Medio  Rural  y  Marino.  Programa  de  Acción  Nacional  Contra  la 

Desertificación. 2008.  
56   EUROSTAT. [ef_mp_prac]. 
57   EUROSTAT. [ef_mp_soil]. 
58   European Commission. Commission Staff Working document “Second River Basin management Plans 

– Member State: Spain. SWD(2019)42 final. 

59   European  Environment  Agency 

(EEA).  Groundwater  quantitative  and  chemical 

status. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/european-waters/water-quality-and-water-assessment/water-
assessments/groundwater-quantitative-and-chemical-status 

60   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –  Report  from  the  Commission  to  the 
Council  and  the  European  Parliament  on  the  implementation  of  Council  Directive  91/676/EEC 
concerning  the  protection  of  waters  against  pollution  caused  from  agricultural  sources  based  on 
Member State reports for the period 2012-2015. SWD/2018/246 final 

61   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
5. 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 
in 
Agency 

Environment 

Nutrients 

trabajo 

(EEA). 

62   European 

Freshwater 

in 

Europe. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/nutrients-in-freshwater/nutrients-in-freshwater-
assessment-published-9 

63   European  Environment  Agency 

(EEA).  Chemical  Status  of  Surface  Water  Bodies. 

https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/european-waters/water-quality-and-water-assessment/water-
assessments/chemical-status-of-surface-water-bodies 

64   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –  Report  from  the  Commission  to  the 
Council  and  the  European  Parliament  on  the  implementation  of  Council  Directive  91/676/EEC 
concerning  the  protection  of  waters  against  pollution  caused  from  agricultural  sources  based  on 
Member State reports for the period 2012-2015. SWD/2018/246 final 

65   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –  Report  from  the  Commission  to  the 
Council  and  the  European  Parliament  on  the  implementation  of  Council  Directive  91/676/EEC 
concerning  the  protection  of  waters  against  pollution  caused  from  agricultural  sources  based  on 
Member State reports for the period 2012-2015. SWD/2018/246 final  

66   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
5. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

67   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación. 

https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/desarrollo-

rural/temas/gestion-sostenible-regadios/ 

28 

 
                                                                                                                                                 
 
68   EUROSTAT. [tai_03]. 
69   Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación. 
   https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/estadistica/temas/estadisticas-agrarias/regadios2019_tcm30-526243.pdf  
70   Annual Implementation Reports (AIR) of the regional Rural Development Programmes of Spain, 2018 
71   EUROSTAT. [sdg_06_60]. 
72   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 

Documento de partida del subgrupo de trabajo del Objetivo Especifico 5. 

   https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 
73   According to the 2nd assessment of the RBMP (SWD(2019) 42 final), the River Basin Districts with the 
most severe scarcity are Balearic Islands (97%), Segura (77%), Júcar (50 %) and Guadalquivir (45%), 
all of them beyond the risk threshold of 40%, and Ebro (39.4%) just below this threshold. 

74   JRC  PESETA  IV  Project.  Analysis  of  climate  change  impacts  on  EU  agriculture  by  2050. 

https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/sites/jrcsh/files/pesetaiv_task_3_agriculture_final_report.pdf 

75   Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
5. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

76   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.35  Farmland  birds  index  (FBI).  As  in  EUROSTAT 

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

77   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.36  Conservation  status  of  agricultural  habitats. 

Original source: European Environmental Agency  

78   European Commission. CAP Indicator - Data explorer. CAP Result indicator R.12 Share of permanent 

grassland in total UAA over time. 

   https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardIndicators/DataExplorer.html?select=EU27_FLAG,1  
79   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. 

80   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.34  Natura  2000  areas.  Based  on  NATURA  2000 

Barometer and European Environmental Agency, Corine Land Cover 2018 

81   European Environmental Agency (EEA). EEA natura 2000 barometer  

https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/dashboards/natura-2000-barometer 

la 

82   Ministerio  Para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico  (MITERD).  Marco  de  acción 
prioritatia  (MAP)  para  NATURA  2000  en  España,  Anexo:  Marco  de  acción  prioritatia  (MAP)  para 
2020 
NATURA 
https://www.miteco.gob.es/va/biodiversidad/temas/espacios-protegidos/01_map_age_tcm39-
509092.pdf  

administración 

general 

(AGE), 

estado 

2000 

83   Ministerio  Para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico  (MITERD).  Marco  de  acción 
prioritatia (MAP) para NATURA 2000 en España, Anexos MAP de las administraciones competentes 
en Red Natura 2000 en España, 2020 

del 

de 

84   Ministerio  Para  la  Transición  Ecológica  y  el  Reto  Demográfico  (MITERD).  Marco  de  acción 
prioritatia (MAP) para NATURA 2000 en España, Anexos MAP de las administraciones competentes 
en Red Natura 2000 en España, 2020 

85   Regional Rural Development Programmes of Spain, 2014-2020, latest adopted version as of November 

2020.  

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

environmental indicator “Intensification/Extensification” data for 2017 

87   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.37 High Nature Value farming 2017 update, no further 

update available.  

88   Annual Implementation Reports (AIR) of the regional Rural Development Programmes of Spain, 2018 
89   European  Commission.  CAP  Indicator  -  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  R.13  Share  of  EFA  in 

total arable land. 

   https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardIndicators/DataExplorer.html?select=EU27_FLAG,1 
90   EUROSTAT. [org_cropar]. 
   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/org_cropar/default/table?lang=en 
91   EUROSTAT.[org_cropar]. 
   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/org_cropar/default/table?lang=en 
92   Rural Development Programmes of Spain, 2014-2020, latest versions adopted in July 2020.  
93   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. 

94   Under 35 years  

29 

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

EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 

96   < 35/>= 55 years 
97   EU  Country  fiche. European  Commission. CAP  context  indicator  C.23  Age  structure  of  farm 

managers. Based on EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 

98   FADN Standard reports. YEAR.COUNTRY.SIZ6 and own calculations (up to 2018). 
99   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

100  European Commission. Directorate  General  for  Agriculture and  Rural Development own calculations 
based  on  CATS  (Clearance  of  Accounts  Trailing  System)  data  (2018).  It  is  important  to  note  that 
FADN covers only farms above a certain economic size, considered "professional farms" (about 3/4 of 
DP beneficiaries). 

101  fi-compass,  2020,  Financial  needs  in  the  agriculture  and  agri-food  sectors  in  Spain,  Study  report,  94 
https://www.fi-compass.eu/sites/default/files/publications 

Available 

pages. 
/financial_needs_agriculture_agrifood_sectors_Spain.pdf. 

at: 

102  Total  early-stage  Entrepreneurial  Activity  (TEA)  Rate,    Global  Entrepreneurship  Monitor  (GEM) 

España 2019-2020 

103  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.03 Territory. Based on EUROSTAT [reg_area3] and 

[urt_d3area] 

104  Degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA), at the Local Administrative Units (LAU) level (municipalities in 

Spain). Source: Eurostat. 

105  Estrategia  nacional  frente  al  reto  demográfico,  Ministerio  de  Política  Territorial  y  Función  Pública. 
Directrices 
Generales. 
https://www.mptfp.gob.es/dam/es/portal/reto_demografico/Estrategia_Nacional/directrices_generales_e
strategia.pdf. 

106  Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación.  Secretaria  General  de  Agricultura  y  Alimentación. 
8. 

Documento 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/pac/post-2020/objetivos-especificos.aspx 

del  Objetivo 

Especifico 

subgrupo 

trabajo 

partida 

del 

de 

de 

107  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.05  Employment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_ergau] 

108  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.05  Employment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_ergau] 

109  European Commission. EUROSTAT [lfst_r_erednu] 
110  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.07  Unemployment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_lfu3rt] 

111  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.07  Unemployment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_lfu3rt] 

112  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.07  Unemployment  rate.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[lfst_r_lfu3rt] 

113  European Commission. EUROSTAT [edat_lfse_29] 
114  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.13  Employment  by  economic  activity.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [lfst_r_lfe2en2] 

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

EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 

116  European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.08  GDP  per  capita.  Based  on  EUROSTAT 

[nama_10r_3gdp] and [nama_10r_3popgdp] 

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

[nama_10r_3gva]  

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

[tour_cap_nuts2d] 

119  European Commission. EUROSTAT [ilc_di17] 
120  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.09 Poverty rate. Based on EUROSTAT [ilc_peps11] 
121  European  Commission.    Migration  in  EU  Rural  Areas.  Natale,  F.,  Kalantaryan,  S.,  Scipioni,  M., 

Alessandrini, A. and Pasa, A. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2019   

122  European  Commission.    Migration  in  EU  Rural  Areas.  Natale,  F.,  Kalantaryan,  S.,  Scipioni,  M., 
Alessandrini,  A.  and  Pasa,  A.  Publications  Office  of  the  European  Union,  Luxembourg,  2019.  This 
analysis uses the definition of rural areas based on Degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA). 

123  European Commission. EUROSTAT. [lfsi_pt_a]  

30 

 
                                                                                                                                                 
 
124  Food and  Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations  (FAO).  FRA 2020 Database  Global Forest 

Resources Assessement. 2020. 

125  Food and  Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations  (FAO).  FRA 2020 Database  Global Forest 

Resources Assessement. 2020. 

126  European Commission. Eurostat [nama_10_a64]. 
127  European Commission. JRC – Jobs and wealth in the European Union Bioeconomy. JRC. 
128  European Medicines Agency, European Surveillance of Veterinary Antimicrobial Consumption, 2020. 

‘Sales of veterinary antimicrobial agents in 31 European countries in 2018’. (EMA/24309/2020) 

129  Eurostat, Pig population annual data 
130  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. 

131  Letter  from  Commissioner  Ms  Kyriakides  to  Spanish  Minister  for  Agriculture,  Fisheries  and  Food 

Ares(2020)2643693 - 20/05/2020 

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

As in EUROSTAT [SDG_02_51] 

133  Letter  from  Commissioner  Ms  Kyriakides  to  Spanish  Minister  for  Agriculture,  Fisheries  and  Food 

Ares(2020)2643693 - 20/05/2020 

134  https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/plant/docs/pesticides_sup_nap_esp-rev-2017_en.pdf 
135  Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación,  2020,  Informe  del  consumo  alimentario  en  España 
  https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/alimentacion/temas/consumo-tendencias/informe2019_vf_tcm30-

2019 
540250.pdf 

136  EUROSTAT (hlth_ehis_fv3e) 
137  Defined as beef, lamb and pork, 122,83 g/per capita/d,  net of waste in the EU 2010,  GBD study 2017 

and M. Springmann 

138  Ministerio  de  Agricultura,  Pesca  y  Alimentación, 

(2019).  Agricultura  Ecológica  2018. 

https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/prensa/190814avancedatosproduccionecologica2018_tcm30-512382.pdf 

139  El 

desperdicio 

2018 
https://menosdesperdicio.es/sites/default/files/documentos/relacionados/informe_desperdicio_2018.pdf 
140  2018  Report  of  the  Observatory  on  the  Spanish  agri-food  sector  in  the  European  context. 

alimentario 

españoles 

generado 

hogares 

los 

en 

https://www.cajamar.es/es/pdf/observatorio-sector-agro.pdf 

141  PRO-AKIS Overview 
142  Notification by Spanish authorities to the European Commission (SFC) as 25/08/2020 
143  FAS database https://marswiki.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gaec/fas/ 
132  European Commission. CAP context indicator C.24 Agricultural training of farm managers. Based on 

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

145  Output indicator, Rural Development Programmes 2014-2020. 
146  The Country Connectivity Readiness Index (NRI), prepared by the World Economic Forum,  evaluates 
themes.  
indicators, 

different 

grouped 

into 

10 

53 

7, 

1 

a 

scale 

on 
to 
https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ministerio/servicios/analisis-y-
prospectiva/informe_anual_indicadores2018__tcm30-513683.pdf 

of 

147  Report “Digital reinvention. An opportunity for Spain ” (Mckinsey and Cotec, July 2017) 
148  DESI – Key indicators – Degurba typology 

31