COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Czechia’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: Czechia, EU strategy, 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) 393 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Commission recommendations for Czechia’s CAP strategic plan Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Recommendations to the Member States as regards their strategic plan for the Common Agricultural Policy {COM(2020) 846 final} - {SWD(2020) 367 final} - {SWD(2020) 368 final} - {SWD(2020) 369 final} - {SWD(2020) 370 final} - {SWD(2020) 371 final} - {SWD(2020) 372 final} - {SWD(2020) 373 final} - {SWD(2020) 374 final} - {SWD(2020) 375 final} - {SWD(2020) 376 final} - {SWD(2020) 377 final} - {SWD(2020) 379 final} - {SWD(2020) 384 final} - {SWD(2020) 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) 394 final} - {SWD(2020) 395 final} - {SWD(2020) 396 final} - {SWD(2020) 397 final} - {SWD(2020) 398 final}  
 
 
Contents 

1. 

COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  CZECHIA’S  CAP 
STRATEGIC PLAN ........................................................................................ 2 

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

Foster  a  smart,  resilient  and  diversified  agricultural  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  knowledge, 
innovation and digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake ........ 4 

1.5 

Recommendations .............................................................................. 5 

2. 

ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN 
IN CZECHIA ................................................................................................... 7 

2.1 

2.2 

2.3 

2.4 

2.5 

2.6 

2.7 

2.8 

2.9 

Support  viable  farm  income  and  resilience  across  the  EU 
territory to enhance food security .................................................... 7 

Enhance  market  orientation  and  increase  competitiveness 
including  greater 
technology  and 
focus  on  research, 
digitalisation ....................................................................................... 8 

Improve farmers' position in the value chain ............................... 10 

Contribute  to  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation,  as 
well as sustainable energy ............................................................... 11 

Foster  sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of 
natural resources such as water, soil and air ................................ 13 

Contribute 
ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes ........... 15 

the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance 

to 

Attract young farmers  and facilitate business development in 
rural areas ........................................................................................ 17 

Promote  employment,  growth,  social  inclusion  and  local 
development  in  rural  areas,  including  bio-economy  and 
sustainable forestry ......................................................................... 19 

Improve  the  response  of  EU  agriculture  to  societal  demands 
on food and health, including safe, nutritious and sustainable 
food, as well as animal welfare ....................................................... 20 

2.10 

Cross-cutting  objective  on  knowledge, 
digitalisation ..................................................................................... 21 

innovation  and 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
1.  COMMISSION  RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  CZECHIA’S  CAP  STRATEGIC 

PLAN  

In  the  framework  of  the  structured  dialogue  for  the  preparation  of  the  common  agriculture 
policy  (CAP)  strategic  plan,  this  document  contains  the  recommendations  for  the  CAP 
strategic plan of Czechia. The recommendations are based on analysis of the state of play, the 
needs  and  the  priorities  for  agriculture  and  rural  areas  in  Czechia.  The  recommendations 
address the specific economic, environmental and social objectives of the future CAP and in 
particular the ambition and specific targets of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Biodiversity 
Strategy for 2030. As stated in the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission invites Czechia, 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 

Czechia’s agriculture sector is characterised by its dual structure where large holdings occupy 
more than 90% of agricultural land. Most of the land is rented and many original land owners 
are  no  longer  involved  in  farming  activities.  Entrepreneurial  agricultural  income  stands  at 
around 112% of the average national income. This is higher, than the EU average, although 
there are significant differences between farms. On the other hand, the average gross wages in 
agriculture  sector  reaches  only  80%  of  the  average  gross  wages  in  the  whole  national 
economy. Agriculture as such plays a modest role in total employment (2.4%). 

Czechia  has  an  agricultural  trade  deficit  in  sectors  such  as  poultry,  pork  and  fruit  and 
vegetables, these being the main imported commodities. 

Czech  agriculture  is  facing  major  challenges  in  terms  of:  (i)  the  level  of  innovation;  (ii) 
cooperation between farmers; (iii) offsetting up producer organisations in certain sectors; and 
(iv)  creating  short  supply  chains.  The  use  of  EU  quality  and  organic  schemes  should  be 
explored as they could help improve the position of farmers in the value chain and increase 
their added value. Despite the efforts of the national authorities, cooperation among farmers 
and  between  farmers  and  other  market  players  in  the  agri-food  chain  is  insufficient.  In 
addition,  the  support  available  under  the  current  rural  development  programme  to  develop 
short supply chains was hardly used. 

1.2  Bolster  environmental  care  and  climate  action  and  contribute  to  the 

environmental and climate-related objectives of the Union 

Under  the  European  Green  Deal,  Czechia’s  agricultural  sector  is  encouraged  to  take  urgent 
action on to the management of natural resources and on climate change mitigation.  

Although  the  agricultural  sector’s  share  in  total  greenhouse  gas  emissions  remained  stable 
(and well below the EU average), net agricultural emissions have increased since early 2010. 
This  is  driven  by  increasing  non-CO2  emissions  from  livestock  (enteric  fermentation)  and 
from  agricultural  soils  combined  with  a  dramatic  decrease  in  CO2  removals  from  forests  in 
the land use, land use change and forestry  (LULUCF) sector  (in 2018, forests even emitted 

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 

 
 
                                                 
more CO2 than they absorbed). In terms of emissions per unit in non-CO2 sectors, Czechia is 
still  above  the  EU  average.  The  agricultural/forestry  sectors  are  relatively  energy  intensive 
but they are also relatively efficient in terms of energy production, and substantially above the 
EU  average  where  livestock  (anaerobic  fermentation)  energy  sources  are  concerned. 
Reducing  ammonia  emissions  from  agriculture  continues  to  be  an  important  goal  for  the 
Czech  farming  sector.  Around  90%  of  ammonia  emissions  come  from  agriculture  and 
Czechia  has  been  found  to  be  at  high-risk  of  non-compliance  with  the  emission  reduction 
commitment for ammonia, for both 2020-2029 and 2030 and beyond1. 

As  in  other  EU  countries,  Czechia’s  agriculture  and  forestry  sector  are  exposed  to  climate 
related  risks  due  to  a  substantial  change  in  weather  patterns  in  the  last  few  years,  typically  
taking the form of mild dry winters and hot summers with heavy rain. These are some of the 
factors causing droughts, which have major effects on the forestry sector where a large area 
of spruce forest is being felled due to the presence of bark beetles.  

Regarding  the  Water  Framework  Directive  (WFD),  some  water  bodies  do  not  have  good 
status and do not meet the EU objectives. Czechia has one of the highest portions in the EU of 
groundwater bodies failing to achieve a good chemical status. Nitrate pollution is particularly 
problematic  in  regions  with  high  a  surplus  of  nitrogen,  and  is  the  number  one  pollutant 
responsible  for  the  country’s  failure  to  achieve  good  chemical  status  in  groundwater. 
Agriculture is one of the biggest pressures affecting surface waters and is the biggest pressure 
affecting ground waters.  

The conservation status of agricultural habitats is broadly assessed as unfavourable. Natural 
habitats  are  usually  quite  small  and  fragmented,  occupying  mostly  marginal  areas,  with 
ongoing  degradation  and  loss.  The  biodiversity  situation  in  Czechia  is  continuously 
worsening across the board. 

A  substantial  proportion  of  productive  agricultural  land  is  managed  in  an  intensive,  profit-
oriented  way.  The  agricultural  sector  should  adopt  more  sustainable  management  practices 
such  as  conservation/zero  tillage  and  ensuring  soil  cover  during  winter.  Czechia  has  the 
highest average size of agricultural holdings in the EU and practising large-scale agriculture 
is a major cause of natural habitat decline. Extremely low coverage of agricultural land with 
landscape features like grass margins, shrub margins, single tree bushes, lines of trees, hedges 
and  ditches  has  a  negative  environmental  impact  on  habitats  and  on  low  water  retention  in 
such a large-scale agriculture. 

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

concerns 

Rural areas account for around 37% of Czechia’s total territory  and are home to 21% of its 
population.  The  rural  employment  rate  is  relatively  high  (73%),  through  with  a  substantial 
gender gap (82% for men and 66% for women). On the other hand, at 11,6%, the poverty rate 
in Czech rural areas is one of the lowest in the EU. Careful consideration should be given to 
the specific needs of women in agriculture and rural areas in order to ensure gender equality 
and close the gender gaps in employment, pay, pensions and decision making. 

As Czechia has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU, many  inhabitants in rural 
areas easily find work opportunities in sectors other than agriculture, which is reflected in the 
high  job  vacancy  rate  in  agriculture.  This  creates  further  demand  for  foreign  labour, 
especially for seasonal agricultural workers. Ensuring the protection of agricultural workers, 
especially the precarious, seasonal and undeclared ones, will play a major role in upholding 

3 

 
 
the rights enshrined in eu lawsthat are central to a fair EU food system envisaged by the Farm 
to Fork Strategy. 

Czechia’s agricultural sector is characterised by an ageing farming population. In 2016, more 
than half (58.8%) of all farm managers were aged 55 and older, while only 4.4% of farmers 
were younger than 35. 

Access  to  land  and  capital,  together  with  administrative  barriers  are  the  main  obstacles  for 
new entrants. Agricultural training especially for young farmers remains a challenge. 

The  forestry  sector  has  been  substantial  logging  of  spruce  forestsdue  to  the  bark  beetle 
calamity of the last years. This is a major environmental concern. It is therefore essential to 
encourage  sustainable  long  term  forest  management  and  afforestation,  and  enhance 
multifunctional  management,  forest  protection  and  the  restoration  of  forest  ecosystems  to 
improve the condition of forest habitats and species, in order to enhance ecological services 
and biodiversity and to build resilience to threats arising, for example, from climate change. 

Sales  of  antimicrobial  veterinary  products  have  steadily  decreased  and  are  below  the  EU 
average. However, e certain animal welfare shortcomings that are related to farm conditions 
remain, for example the continued practice of pig tail docking. Improving farm biosecurity is 
important  to  protect  against  the  risk  of  African  swine  fever  (ASF).  Overall,  the  risks 
associated with pesticide use are decreasing, but the volumes of sales of the more hazardous 
pesticides as a proportion of total pesticide sales remains high. More should also be done to 
ensure  that  all  professional  users  of  plant  protection  products  apply  integrated  pest 
management. Furthermore, Czechia has a very high rate of non-communicable diseases due 
to dietary risk factors and efforts are needed to support the shift a more healthy sustainable 
diet in line with national recommendations. 

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

digitalisation, and encouraging their uptake 

A  well-functioning  agricultural  knowledge  and  innovation  system  (AKIS)2  is  key  to 
structuring knowledge flows to respond to the growing information needs of farmers. Such a 
system can speed up innovation and increase the value of existing knowledge to achieve all 
CAP objectives. 

The  Czech  AKIS  is  relatively  strong.  Yet  its  full  potential  to  stimulate  innovation  on  the 
ground,  and  therefore  support  the  transition  to  a  more  sustainable  food  production  is 
hampered  by  the  slow  roll-out  of  interactive  innovation  projects  that,  aim  to  fully  involve 
farmers in the knowledge building, exchange and innovation process. 

Advisory services in Czechia are currently financed exclusively from national sources. There 
is a need for stronger3 and interconnected advisory services, better links between public and 
private advisers and investment in their training and skills, and the involvement of farmers in 
developing  innovation  projects  that  help  them  meet  their  needs.  The  future  role  of  farm 
advisers  should  therefore  include  providing  tailored  advice  on  sustainable  management 
choices, including support for preparing and implementing European Innovation Partnership 
(EIP) projects. 

While  rural  development  programme  funding  planned  for  knowledge  transfer,  advisory 
services and cooperation (EIP) was just above the EU average, the uptake is rather low. 

4 

 
 
The digitalisation of rural areas is key for preventing further population movements to cities, 
improving the quality of life in rural areas and preventing the negative consequences of the 
COVID-19  crisis.  It  is  also  important  for  the  green  transition  to  more  sustainable  and 
competitive  agricultural  practices.  Broadband  coverage  of  rural  areas  in  Czechia  remains  a 
challenge. 

1.5  Recommendations 

To address the above interconnected economic, environmental/climate and social challenges, 
the Commission considers that the Czech CAP strategic plan needs to focus its priorities and 
concentrate its interventions on the following points: 

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

  Strengthening  the  competitive  position  of  the  agri-food  sector  by  improving  the 
access to land and support processing and marketing of agricultural products with high 
added value (for example organic products or under EU and national quality schemes) 
and  encouraging  producer  groups  and  co-operatives  to  seek  recognition  in  sectors 
where  there  are  currently  no  recognized  producer  groups  established.  In  doing  so  it 
will be important to ensure synergies with other EU and national funds. 

  Fostering  the  development  of  short  supply  chains,  by  supporting  projects  to 
facilitate  marketing  through  digital  platforms,  direct  home  delivery  from  the  farms 
and local open markets.  

  Improve  the  viability  of  farms  through  better  addressing  the  income  gaps  among 
farm  sizes,  sectors  and  territories.  Recommended  approaches  include:  strengthened 
redistribution  by  applying,  for  example,  the  complementary  redistributive  income 
support for sustainability, the round sum payment for small farmers and the reduction 
of payments, which reflect  actual  support needs  in  light  of the economic, social  and 
territorial objectives. 

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 accelerating the 
conversion  of  conventional  farming  to  organic  through  adequate  conversion  and 
maintenance schemes. 

  Step up efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by supporting 
practices to improve soil management e.g. retaining crop residues on fields, reduce till 
of  arable  land,  diversify  and  prolong  crop  rotations,  and  stimulate  a  more  efficient 
input  use.  Enteric  fermentation  of  livestock  should  be  addressed  by  adopting  low 
emission feeding strategies, in line with the EU Methane Strategy. Integrated land use 
systems  such  as  agroforestry  and  carbon  farming  approaches  to  increase  carbon 
sequestration  should  be  promoted.  Also,  efforts  to  reduce  energy  reliance  of 
agricultural sector should be strengthened. 

  Promoting  the  development  of  agricultural  practices  that  limit  substantially  NH3 
emissions  from  agriculture  and  that  improve  the  management  of  nitrogen  fertilizers 
and organic manures, including in view of improving groundwater and surface water 
quality and thereby contributing to the EU Green Deal target on nutrient losses.  

5 

 
 
  Enhancing biodiversity conservation, improving the conservation status of farm 
and  forest  habitats  in  line  with  the  priorities  defined  in  the  Prioritised  Action 
Framework and contributing to the EU Green Deal target on farm high-diversity 
landscape features by introducing those elements in the areas where they are lacking 
and maintaining them where they already exist. 

  Contributing  to  resilient  farming  systems,  in  particular  by  using  varieties  and 
species more resilient to pests, by using risk management tools such as crop insurance 
and  by  increasing  the  organic  matter  in  soils  (retaining  crop  residues  on  fields, 
mulching,  ridge  and  furrow,  an  appropriate  timing  of  field  operations  to  avoid  soil 
compaction, etc.) to protect the soil from erosion and to retain water in soils. 

  Contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation in forests  by applying 
sustainable  forest  management  adapted  to  current  and  projected  climate  change 
impacts to strengthen the resilience of forest ecosystems in general and reforest felled 
spruce forest due to bark beetle calamity. Enhance the resilience of forest to climate 
change  (e.g.  by  supporting  the  use  of  species  and  provenances,  in  particular  native 
broadleaf species to be planted in diverse mixture).  

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

  Contributing  to  the  EU  Green  Deal  targets  on  pesticides  by  strengthening  the 
efforts  to  decrease  the  quantities  and  risks  of  most  hazardous  used  pesticides  and 
promoting  the  sustainable  use  of  pesticides,  in  particular  by  ensuring  the  uptake  of 
integrated pest management practices. 

  Promoting best livestock management practices in animal welfare, especially for pigs, 

as well as better farm biosecurity measures. 

  Promoting  the  socio-economic  development  of  rural  areas  by  supporting  the 
development of economic activities in rural areas through mobilisation of activities in 
new  sectors  (i.e.  developing  the  bio-economy)  with  an  appropriate  mix  of 
interventions. 

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

  Increase  the  sustainability  and  economic  performance  of  rural  areas  and  offer 
more  opportunities  for  rural  economy  and  communities  by  stimulating 
the 
development  of  high-speed  broadband  facilities  in  rural  areas  to  achieve  the  2025 
objective of 100% fast  broadband coverage, in  line with  the  EU Green Deal  target 
on broadband. In doing so it will be important to ensure synergies with other EU and 
national funds.  

  Strengthen  AKIS  integration  and  encourage  the  emergence  of  interactive 
innovation projects,  by  fully  using  the  opportunities  of  EU  support  for  knowledge, 
innovation  and digitalisation, with particular focus on incentivising well performing, 
advisory and innovation support to develop emerging innovative ideas into solutions. 
Improve the links between public and private advisors and invest in their training and 
skills.  

6 

 
 
 
 
2.  ANALYSIS  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND  RURAL  DEVELOPMENT  IN  IN 

CZECHIA 

Total utilised agricultural area is around 3,5 Mio ha of which 57% (2 Mio ha) is located in the 
areas with natural or specific constrains. Rural areas cover 37% of the territory with 21% of 
the population. However, these areas still face certain socio-economic problems such as lack 
of  basic  infrastructure,  insufficient  offer  of  job  opportunities  and  therefore  moving  of 
population from small villages to large cities or their surroundings. Investment in processing 
of  agricultural  products  and  better  broadband  coverage  of  rural  areas  are  elements,  which 
could decelerate this trend. The Czech agriculture is typical by large ownership fragmentation 
and high share of rented land. Distinct dual  structure of the holdings can be identified with 
large cooperatives on one side and smaller private holdings on the other. The average size of 
the holding 130.2 ha belongs among the largest in the EU. Around 96 thousands employees in 
agriculture represent  2.4% share on total  employment. The main produced commodities are 
cereals, milk, oilseeds and meat (poultry, pork, beef). Czechia is a net importer of agricultural 
products (mainly pork, poultry, fruit and vegetables and dairy processed products). 

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

food security  

The  average  agricultural  income  per  worker  more  than  doubled  between  2005  and  2018, 
reaching  EUR  16 900  per  worker,  which  slightly  exceeds  the  EU  average.4  Besides,  it  also 
exceeds, by 12%, average wages in the Czech economy, which is much more favorable than 
the EU average (i.e. -53%).5 Similarly, the agricultural factor income almost doubled between 
2005 and 2018 (from EUR 10 500 to EUR 18 600 per worker), slightly over (+11%) the EU 
average.6 On the other hand, the average gross wages in agriculture sector reaches only 80% 
of the average gross wages in the whole national economy.7 

EU subsidies play a key role in the farm income and thus in the viability of most farms. On 
average,  around  77%  of  the  factor  income  came  from  subsidies  in  2018:  37%  from  direct 
payments,  17%  from  rural  development  payments  and  further  24%  from  other  subsidies.8 
However, the variation is substantial, in particular for smaller holdings below 20 hectares that 
exhibit lower ratios, and for large farms with higher ratios.  

The unit amount of direct payments (EUR 238 per hectare in 2018) show narrow dispersion 
per hectare9 since the Single Area Payment Scheme, representing 55% of the direct payments 
envelope, practically covers the whole utilized agricultural area and pays a uniform rate (EUR 
132 per hectare in 2018).10  

There are only few and relatively weak measures aiming at the redistribution to smaller-sized 
than  average  farms.  At  the  same  time,  their  limited  impact  is  in  fact  neutralized  by  other 
support  decisions.11  The  highly  concentrated  distribution  of  direct  payments  (20%  of  the 
farms receive 89% of direct payments) mirrors the similarly high concentration of land (also 
20% / 89%, which is in fact the 2nd highest in the EU).12 

Nonetheless,  an  analysis  of  the  factor  income  shows  varying  needs  for  income  support, 
depending on the following factors: 

  Farm  size:  Disregarding  intensive  types  of  farming  with  no  or  minimal  land 
(granivores  in  particular)  with  high  factor  income,  farms  up  to  30  hectares  display 
quite low values (often below EUR 5 000 per worker). The factor income per worker 
increases  with  the  farm  size;  the  holdings  above  150  hectares  (or  EUR  250 000  in 
7 

 
 
 
economic size13) already generate relatively stable high values (EUR 23 000 to EUR 
30 000 per worker). To note, these farms represent 11% of all farms, but cover 76% of 
the agricultural areas, 85% of the standard output, and are also substantial employers 
(with 2-3 times higher working units per farm than the EU average in comparable size 
classes).14  

  Agricultural sector / type of farming: Sheep and goat, horticulture and fruits generate 
on  average  the  lowest  income  levels.  In  contrast  the  arable  crops  sector  show  the 
highest  factor  income.  Taking  up  15%  of  the  direct  payment  envelope,  voluntary 
coupled  support  is  granted    in  8  sectors  (besides  sheep  and  goat  and  fruit  and 
vegetables,  also  in  the  beef,  dairy,  protein  crop,  sugar  beet,  starch  potato,  and  hop 
sectors). Some of these sectors (starch potato, protein crop, certain vegetables) already 
show  signs  of  recovery,  whereas  in  others  (e.g.  sheep  and  goat,  fruits)  the  factor 
income remains low.15 

  Regional differences: 57% of the agricultural area are located in areas facing natural 
or  specific  constraints  (including  15%  in  mountain  area),  whereas  increased  support 
(under rural development) does not fully compensate for their handicap, especially in 
the mountain areas. These areas predominantly produce livestock.16 

Risk  management  instruments  and  strategies  are  deployed,  but  with  limitations.  The 
(voluntary)  indemnity  based  multiple-peril  crop  insurance  against  climatic  risks  shows 
relatively high (60-80%) uptake. Subsidized crop insurance contracts (financed from national 
budget)  are  also  available.  The  supply  of  insurance  products  is  relatively  broad  with  7 
insurers.  Insurance  schemes  covering  phyto-sanitary  risks  exist  against  pests  and  diseases, 
voluntary public support livestock insurance is also available. The use of forward or futures 
contracts is marginal.17 

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

Agricultural factor income per AWU in real terms  

Agricultural income as % of average wage in the economy  

Agricultural income as % of average wage in the economy – EU-27 

Source: DG AGRI, based on EUROSTAT18 

2.2  Enhance  market  orientation  and  increase  competitiveness  including  greater 

focus on research, technology and digitalisation  

Agricultural  output  in Czechia amounted to  almost  EUR 5.1 billion  in 2018 (an increase of 
4% compared to 2017), representing about 2.2% of the county’s gross value added and 2,7% 
of its total employment19. After a slight drop in 2015, agricultural output increased steadily in 
Czechia. 

8 

 
 
The  total  number  of  farms  declined  between  2005  and  2016  from  about  42 250  to  26 530 
farms. The average farm size increased from 85 hectares to 130.2 hectares over the same time 
period  (partial  impact  of  the  change  in  the  methodology  of  data  collection).  While  almost 
90% of the farms are considered to be very small to medium-sized, large-sized farms manage 
70%  of  the  UAA.  Czechia  has  the  highest  average  farm  size  in  the  EU,  at  130.2  ha20. 
Therefore, like several other Central and Eastern Member States, Czech agriculture has a dual 
structure. Land ownership is strongly fragmented. 

The agricultural area declined from 3.6 million hectares in 2005 to 3.455 million hectares in 
201621.  More  than  45%  of  the  total  value  of  agricultural  production  came  from  cereals, 
industrial crops and forage plants, while milk and livestock accounted for 36%. The volume 
of production of cereals in Czechia stood on average at 7.997 million tonnes during the 2014–
2018  period22,  which  fully  covers  domestic  consumption.  However,  the  harvested  area  of 
cereals is in decline since the early 2000s and the cereals yield, although increasing over the 
long  run,  has  been  declining  since  2016.  The  number  of  livestock  units  (LU)  decreased 
between 2005 and 2016 from 2.07 million to 1.76 million  LU.  In terms of the main animal 
products  sectors,  beef  production  in  Czechia  has  increased,  the  number  of  dairy  cows 
declined but milk yield continued to increase. Cereals (22.7%), milk (20.5%), industrial crops 
(15.4%) and forage plants (10%) are the most important sectors in terms of production value 
in Czechia in 2017. 

The  total  factor  productivity  (TFP)  is  increasing  in  Czechia.  Labour  productivity  increases 
mainly  due  to  the  outflow  of  labour  (-25%  between  2005  and  2017)23.  The  capital 
productivity (returns on investments) and land productivity (developments in land rents and 
yields) have been relatively stable over the past decade (although increase of land rents has 
been recorded in particular during 2008-2018 period).  

The acquisition of new machinery and equipment in the primary sector has increased by 27% 
from 2012 to 2017. Investments of Czech farmers are driven by technological modernization, 
the  construction  or  re-construction  of  technical  facilities,  the  purchase  of  farmland  (prices 
have more than doubled over the last decade) and climate change adaptation measures. The 
estimated  needs  for  credit  for  the  agricultural  sector  that  has  not  been  met  is  estimated  in 
Czechia at EUR 326 million.24 

Czechia runs a significant trade deficit in agriculture, which has been increasing since 2014. 
In 2018, the deficit amounted to EUR 1.7 billion, which was more than double the 2014 level. 
Intra-EU trade is largely predominant,  accounting for 96% of the trade deficit in 2018. The 
deficit  is  driven  by  the  import  of  key  primary  products,  such  as  poultry,  pork,  fruits  & 
vegetables and processed dairy products. Spring malting barley is one of the most important 
Czech export commodity (malt, beer and grain for malting) representing 5% share of the total 
world export of malt. 

9 

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

Crop output 

Agricultural services output 

Fertilisers 

Rents 

Entrepreneurial income 

Animal output 

Non-agricultural secondary 

Plant/animal protection 

Interest 

Product subsidies 

Seeds 

Feeding stuffs 

Taxes 

Other subsidies 

Energy 

Labour 

Other costs 

Source: EUROSTAT [Economic Accounts for Agriculture]  

2.3  Improve farmers' position in the value chain  

The  share  of  the  value  added  generated  by  the  food  supply  chain  captured  by  primary 
producers fluctuated between 22.1% in 2009 to 29.4% in 201425. This share is a little higher 
in  Czechia  than  the  EU-average.  In  2015,  27.6%  of  the  value  added  in  the  food  chain  was 
captured by primary producers in Czechia.  

There  are  43  recognized  producer  organizations  (POs)  in  Czechia  and  no  recognized  inter-
branch  organization26.  The  relative  importance  of  recognized  POs  in  Czechia  is  one  of  the 
highest in the EU in term of entities recognized per million of holdings (third after Germany 
and France). Recognized POs in Czechia are operating in six sectors, most of them in F&V 
(22) and dairy (19) sectors. The vast majority of the POs have been recognized after 2010 and 
are  co-operatives.  The  economic  importance  of  cooperatives  per  sector  expressed  by  their 
market  share  in  the  relevant  domestic  market  are  the  following:  cereals,  wine  below  10%, 
fruit  and  vegetables,  milk  between  60  and  70%.  The  benefits  stemming  from  a  POs 
membership in terms of bargaining power would be particularly evident in the case of Czech 
small farmers. The RDP has not been used to support producers’ organizations. 

In  2016,  3/5  of  the  producers  co-operatives  involved  in  “crates  delivery”  provided  home 
delivery of their products, directly to consumers27. The major part of deliveries were realized 
in Prague and the surrounding of the Central Bohemia Region and in other urban areas. Co-
operatives,  which  did  not  offer  direct  sale  to  consumers  predominantly,  represented  small 
family farms unable to cover the costs of distribution. Product categories subject to direct sale 
covered fruits & vegetables, eggs, fruit juices, dairy products and meat. 

Czechia  supported  the  development  of  short  supply  chain  from  the  RDP  budget  during  the 
2014-2020 period (sub-measure 16.4  — support for horizontal and local  marketing, and for 
promotion  activities  in  a  local  context).  The measure  aimed  at  supporting  cooperation  of  at 
least  two  entities  leading  to  the  creation  and  development  of  short  supply  chains  and  local 
markets.  However,  the  implementation  of  this  measure  is  very  marginal  (with  an  allocated 
budget of EUR 400 000) due to mainly administrative barriers and low interest from the side 

10 

 
 
of  farmers.  Within  next  programming  period  Managing  authority  will  receive  higher 
flexibility on the design of this measure.  

Czechia has adopted national legislation to address unfair trade practices (UTP). The Czech 
legislation on UTPs  is  applicable on retailers in  the agri-food sector, essentially prohibiting 
the abuse/exploitation  of superior/significant  bargaining power of a  retailer against a Czech 
supplier.  Compliance  of  the  Czech  national  legislation  with  the  UTP  directive  is  to  be 
verified. 

Further development of EU quality schemes would allow strengthening farmers’ position in 
the value chain, and therefore generating more value added. 

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

Primary production 

Food and beverage consumer services 

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

Food and beverage distribution 

% for primary producers – EU-27 

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

energy  

In  2018,  agriculture  non-CO2  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  in  Czechia  totalled  8,6 
million  tonnes  of  CO2  equivalent,  which  represented  some  7%  of  total  national  GHG 
emissions28. 

While the emissions decreased by 45% from 1990 levels (-21% for EU), they have been on 
the  upward  trend  since  the  early  2010s  (increase  of  some  +5%  between  2005-2018  against 
EU’s  -0.74%, and by some +8% in  the period 2013-2018 compared to  EU’s  +2% approx.). 
Some 49% of emissions relate to agricultural soils while 35% come from enteric fermentation 
of livestock, primarily cattle, and another 12% from manure management 29.  

Soil non-CO2 emissions have driven the increase of agricultural GHG emissions since 2010. 
The  emissions  per  livestock  unit  (LU)  and  utilised  agricultural  area  (UAA)  of  these  three 
categories  put  Czechia  above  the  EU  average:  2016:  2.77  TCO2  eq/LU  for  enteric 
fermentation  (EU: 2.67); 2016:  0.58 TCO2 eq/LU for manure  (EU: 0.48);  2018:  1.20 TCO2 
eq/ha for agricultural soils (EU: 0.94). 

Considering the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, the role of forests 
as  a  CO2  sink,  declining  since  early  2010s,  reversed  in  2018  when  it  became  a  significant 
source of CO2 emissions. In terms of agricultural soils, cropland and grasslands have acted as 
a source and a sink of CO2, respectively30. While emissions from croplands decreased by 46% 

11 

 
 
 
in the period 2013-2018 in contrast to EU average (EU: +12%), grasslands’ removals reduced 
by 24% (higher than EU average reduction of 9%). 

Following  an  increase  during  the  2000s  and  early  2010s,  in  2018  the  share  of  permanent 
grassland  in  UAA  levelled  around  28%,  below  the  EU-27  average  of  31%31  (the  share  is 
similar  for  areas  under  the  direct  payment  system32).  Peatlands  cover  about  0.9%  of  Czech 
soils33 and their restoration (together with wetlands and floodplains) can contribute to retain 
water in soil and prevent floods. 

In  2018  16.6%  of  renewable  energy  in  Czechia  came  from  agriculture  (EU:  12.1%)  and 
67.2% from forestry (EU: 41.4%), bringing the total to 84.8% of all renewable energy (87% 
in 2015). Production of energy  from forest and agriculture increased by 11% between 2013 
and  2018  (EU:  0.13%)  with  an  increase  in  several  related  agricultural  sources.34  Per  unit 
production  of  energy  exceeds  EU  average  both  as  regards  vegetal  materials  and  residues 
sources  (1,58  Gigajoule/ha,  EU:  1,04)  and  especially  biogases  from  anaerobic  fermentation 
(12,73 Gigajoule/LU, EU: 3,93).  

Energy  consumption  in  Czech  agriculture  and  forestry  (2018  data)  as  a  share  of  total  final 
energy consumption stands at 2.6%, below EU average of 2.9% (EU MS ranging from 0.6% 
to about 8%). In 2018, final energy consumption by agriculture/forestry per hectare of UAA 
amounted to 176 kg oil eq. above EU average of 168 kg oil eq. The consumption increased 
from 2013 by 1.5%. The energy use in food production (2018 data) of 2.4% is also below EU 
average (2.9%)35 36. 

In  2018  Czechia  dedicated  some  0.3%  of  Rural  Development  Programme  expenditure  for 
support under Priority 5 promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low 
carbon and resilient economy, much below the EU average of 5%.37 

In  terms  of  climate  adaptation,  like  other  countries  in  the  continental  region  of  the  EU, 
Czechia  is  expected  to  face  changing  weather  patterns  (wet,  warmer  winters  followed  by 
spring  frost,  and  hotter,  drier  summers,  with  more  violent,  localised  heavy  rain  events  and 
floods),  and  increasing  risk  of  soil  erosion.  This  makes  Czechia’s  agriculture  vulnerable  to 
higher yield variability (negative impact of droughts on arable farming, especially in lowland 
regions, and on the yields of spring barley and wheat, as well as for grassland productivity, 
spring  frost  induced  damage  to  fruits  and  vine)38,  increased  heat  stress  for  dairy  cows,  and 
risks  of  new/more  pests/diseases/weeds  due  to  higher  temperatures  and  longer  vegetation 
period.  In  contrast,  opportunities  could  come  from  new  crops/varieties,  longer  vegetation 
period’s  positive  impact  on  grasslands  and  tuber  crops  and  reduction  of  moisture  loving 
pathogens39.  

Based on current policies and measures, the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of the 
Czech Republic40 projects an increase by some 12% of emissions from agriculture by 2040, 
especially  in  manure  management  and  enteric  fermentation  categories  due  to  the  expected 
increase in livestock population. For LULUCF, the projections show some 70%-100% loss of 
CO2  removal  capacity  by  2040  depending  on  the  age  and  composition  of  forests,  and  the 
NECP  signals  likely  temporary  emissions  due  to  extraordinary  logging  to  eradicate  bark 
beetle pest.  

The NECP notes that additional area for energy biomass may be limited given the projected 
decrease of agricultural (mainly arable) areas and the production variability by 2030. It also 
highlights the need to find a balance with higher demand for livestock feed and bedding, and 
recommends  instead  a more efficient use of land for energy production. Examples to  foster 

12 

 
 
this shift  include bio-methane production, the replacement of biomass  in  biogas plants  with 
biodegradable waste. Wood biomass production by 2030 is also expected to be volatile due to 
the bark beetle pest and processing capacities. The NECP notes that it is desirable to develop 
the biogas plant sector especially in regions with low livestock intensity so that to contribute 
to  the  return  of  organic  matter  to  the  soil  through  digestate  applied  to  agricultural  land. 
Considering biodiversity and ecosystems, the NECP recommends prioritising protecting and 
restoring natural and near-natural ecosystems with high carbon-binding potential for climate 
objectives and indigenous/ecosystem-neutral species for renewable biomass.  

The  RDP  support  is  mentioned  in  the  context  of  2014-2020  programming  for  organic 
farming, land management targeting nitrogen retention capacity and transition to cultures of 
higher retention potential, afforestation, permanent grasslands management, forest protection 
(fires, natural disasters).  

The  2015  Czech  National  Adaptation  Plan  recognises  agriculture  and  forestry  as  priority 
areas and lists several adaptation measures for both41.  

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

Agriculture  represents  around  90%  of  total  ammonia  (NH3)  emissions  in  Czechia42.  CZ 
annual emissions of NH3 from agriculture dropped significantly in the period 1990–2010 from 
annual 129 000 tonnes to around 70 000 tonnes. This is mainly attributed to the decrease in 
pigs fattening during this period. However, since 2010 the level of emission has been stable 
and oscillates significantly between 65 and 85 000 tonnes over the period 2010-2018.  

Within agriculture, around 60% of emissions comes from  animal  production and 40% from 
crop  production.  The  National  Emission  Ceiling  (NEC)  Directive43  emission  reduction 
commitment for Czechia is to reduce ammonia by 7% compared to 2005 levels for the years 
2020-2029 and to reduce ammonia by 22% compared to 2005 level for 2030 and beyond. The 
Commission has undertaken an assessment of the risk of non-compliance with the emission 
reduction commitments under the NEC Directive, 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. This assessment 

13 

 
 
 
concluded that, for both 2020-29 and for 2030 and beyond, Czechia would be at high-risk of 
non-compliance with the emission reduction commitment for ammonia. 

Further reduction of animal production (numbers of animals) is difficult to foresee due to  a 
need to ensure certain level of food security (beef, pork, poultry) and the number of animals 
have  already  stabilised  during  the  last  years.  In  addition  according  to  the  Strategy  of  the 
Ministry  of  Agriculture  by  2030  (2016  report)44,  the  number  of  animals  are  expected  to 
further increase (+20% of pigs and poultry by 2030). 

Instead, more investment in modern technologies is needed in particular in the light of very 
low  (negligible)  contribution  of  the  Rural  Development  Programme  to  priority  5  – 
“promoting  resource  efficiency  and  supporting  the  shift  towards  a  low  carbon  and  climate 
resilient economy”. Czechia is  among 5 Member States with  the lowest contribution  within 
whole EU-27.  

On the side of crop production, a pattern of increased consumption of nitrogen fertilisers is 
also obvious from 2010 (270 000 tonnes) to 2018 (352 000 tonnes of nitrogen)45.  

At the EU level, around 25% of the groundwater bodies are of poor chemical status primarily 
due to nitrates and/or pesticides concentration. According to the assessment of the 2nd River 
Based Management Plan (RBMP) 63% of groundwater bodies are in less than good chemical 
status.  According  to  the  European  Environment  Agency  (EEA),  the  lowest  groundwater 
quality is concentrated in areas where there is intensive agricultural production and, in some 
cases, heavy industry. 

Nitrates  are  the  pollutants  that  most  commonly  cause  poor  chemical  status;  they  are  the 
predominant  groundwater  pollutant  throughout  the  EU  (reported  by  24  Member  States  and 
causing  failure  of  18%  of  the  groundwater  body  area).46  In  Czechia,  for  the  period  2012–
2015, 11.6% of groundwater bodies were polluted with nitrates above 50 mg/litre.  

In relation to the WFD around 78% of surface waters are failing to achieve good ecological 
status and approximately 31% of surface waters are failing to achieve good chemical status. 
For  groundwater  10%  are  failing  to  achieve  good  quantitative  status  although  21%  have 
unknown status and around 63% of groundwater bodies are failing to achieve good chemical 
status. 

Agriculture is indicated as exerting a significant pressure on the water resources in Czechia. 
The country has reported diffuse source pollution from agriculture as a significant pressure.47 
Nitrates are the most significant pollutants causing failure of good chemical status in Czechia 
(followed by Alachlor, Metolachlor and Ammonium).48 

In terms of the level of ambition, for groundwater, the number of groundwater bodies failing 
to  achieve  good status  due to  nitrates is  expected to  decrease by 2021 from  26 to  24 in  the 
Danube, from 47 to 35 in the Elbe and from 8 to 2 in the Oder. The number of groundwater 
bodies failing to achieve good status due to pesticides is expected to decrease from 30 to 14 in 
the  Danube,  from  50  to  25  in  the  Elbe  and  from  13  to  8  in  the  Oder  by  2021.  For  surface 
waters, nitrogen loads are expected to decrease by about 50% in the Danube and the Elbe and 
75% in the Oder by 2021.  

For  surface  waters,  the  number  of  water  bodies  failing  environmental  quality  standards  for 
pesticides originating from diffuse agricultural sources are expected to decrease from five to 
three in the Danube and remain unchanged in the Oder (three water bodies) by 2021. 

14 

 
 
High surplus of nitrogen has been identified within nutrient balance in Czechia. According to 
Eurostat data the average surplus was 79 kg N/ha of UAA (2013-2015) while EU average was 
46.6  kg  N/ha  of  utilised  agricultural  area  (UAA).  This  puts  Czechia  well  above  all  other 
“new”  MS  (EU-12)  and  on  the  6th  place  within  EU-27  in  2015  (after  Belgium,  Cyprus, 
Luxembourg, Malta and Netherlands). In 2016 and 2017 the potential surplus of nitrogen on 
agricultural land further increased to 91 kg N/ha and 101 kg N/ha respectively.49 

The quality of soil, expressed as the soil organic carbon (SOC) in soils, is low compared to 
the EU average. The mean SOC in arable land is 20,6 g per kg (2015), compared to 43,1 g per 
kg for EU-2850. The average soil loss by water erosion is 1.6 t/ha per year against EU average 
2.5 t/ha51. Around 1.5% of the agricultural soils in Czechia suffer from severe erosion (above 
11 t/ha/year). The agricultural practices need to change to address these issues; 24% of arable 
land  is  without  soil  cover  during  winter52,  and  67%  of  tillable  land  is  under  conventional 
tillage53.  In  the  future,  such  soil  quality  aspects  can  be  addressed  in  synergy  with  activities 
under the Horizon Europe mission on Soil Health. 

Kg N/ha/year 

Potential surplus of N and P on agricultural land in Czechia 

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]54 

2.6  Contribute  to  the  protection  of  biodiversity,  enhance  ecosystem  services  and 

preserve habitats and landscapes  

The  enhancement  of  biodiversity  protection  and  preservation  of  habitats  and  landscapes  in 
Czechia remains a key challenge on farmland. 

The  Farmland  bird  index  has  strongly  decreased  from  157.4  in  1995  to  71.3  in  201855, 
following EU trends and linked inter alia to the increases in agricultural production intensity.  

Natura 2000 covers 14.1 % of Czechia’s territory, which is below the EU average (19.8%)56. 
In  Czechia,  6.6%  of  agricultural  land  and  27.5%  of  forest  areas  are  included  in  the  Czech 
Natura  2000  sites.  Within  the  current  CAP,  above  40%  of  Czechia’s  permanent  grasslands, 
including  all  permanent  grasslands  within  Natura  2000  areas  but  also  twice  as  big  area  of 
permanent  grasslands  outside  the  network,  are  designated  as  environmentally  sensitive 
permanent  grasslands  meaning  that  they  cannot  be  ploughed  or  converted  (EU:  18%  of  all 
permanent grasslands; 55% of permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 areas)57. Natura 2000 has 

15 

 
 
 
 
reverted  abandoned  pastures  and  meadows  back  into  forests  with  a  different  species 
composition.  

The conservation status of agricultural habitats is largely assessed as unfavourable-inadequate 
(57.1%) or bad (33.3%). The assessment over the period 2013-2018 shows that only 9.5% of 
agricultural habitats were in a favourable status58. The situation has deteriorated compared to 
the previous evaluation period (2007-2012) and remains worse than the EU average. 

The Prioritized Action Framework indicates that for permanent semi-natural grasslands only 
7 out of 23 habitat types are in a favourable conservation status, in 10 unfavourable types the 
trend is decreasing. For croplands, there are 7 bird species directly bound to them (Emberiza 
hortulana). Major threats are intense farming, biocides use, lack of winter and fodder crops, 
lack of bio-belts and fallow lands. RDP 2014  – 20 supports a measure “Bio-belts on arable 
land”.  However,  the  biggest  challenge  remains  the  size  of  cropland  plots  and  lack  of  green 
infrastructure  elements  within  them  (including  basic  baulks  removed  during  collectivisation 
of countryside as early as in 1950s – 1980s). 

In Czechia, the area with “low input intensity” per hectare decreased between 2004 and 2017 
from  40%  to  28%,  whereas  the  area  with  “high  input  intensity”  has  considerably  increased 
from 13% to 47.6% in 2017 (above the EU average or 36%). Agricultural area of extensive 
grazing  (grazing  livestock  production  below  1  livestock  unit  per  hectare  of  forage  area) 
covers 39.9% of the total agricultural land. This share is higher than EU average (29%).  

Substantial  percentage  of  productive  agricultural  land  is  managed  in  an  intensive,  profit 
oriented manner. The average size of Czech agricultural holdings is the highest in the EU and 
practising  large  scale  agriculture  is  a  major  cause  of  natural  habitat  decline.  The  uptake  of 
ecological measures depends on the willingness of farmers. Up to 80% of agricultural land is 
leased,  which  means  that  it  is  usually  managed  by  farmers  with  short-term  contracts,  who 
may be less directly inclined to sustainability objectives.  

There is very limited coverage of agricultural land by landscape features like grass margins, 
shrub margins, single tree bushes, lines of trees, hedges and ditches in Czechia (close to 0% 
of the UAA vs. 0.5% in the EU). In addition, 0.8% of the UAA is fallow land which is also 
far from the EU average at 4.1%59.  Within the current CAP, Czechia activated six types of 
landscape  features  under  GAEC  (ponds,  ditches,  trees  in  line,  group  of  trees,  isolated  trees 
terraces)  and  specific  to  Czechia  also  grassed  thalweg,  boundary  strips  and  wetland,  which 
guarantee a way of maintaining them. These features can also be declared by farmers under 
the  CAP  greening’s  Ecological  Focus  Area  (EFA)  obligation.  EFA  obligation  in  2019 
translated into some 250 ha of landscape features/terraces which accounts for 0.01% of arable 
area  under  EFA  obligation  (EU:  0.23%)  and  fallow  land  accounting  for  0.35%  of  that  land 
(EU: 2.55%). As in several other Member States the EFA obligation is largely fulfilled with 
productive areas of catch crops and nitrogen fixes crops60. As the biodiversity strategy aims to 
have at least 10% of agricultural area under high-diversity landscape features, there remain a 
significant gap to bridge up to 2030. 

Forest areas account for around 35% of Czechia’s total area, which is below the EU average 
(42%). Forested areas are steadily growing, 15% of Czech forests are in protected areas and 
almost 60% of the forested areas belong to the state61. 

The  total  area  under  organic  farming  is  increasing  in  Czechia,  covering  almost  536 000 
hectares in 2019. With 15.2% of the total utilized agricultural area under organic farming in 
2019, Czechia has doubled the organic area since 2007 and is well above the average share of 

16 

 
 
agricultural land under organic farming in the EU in 2018 (8%)62. Based on the EU27 target 
of 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 set in the Farm to Fork strategy, 
Czechia  still  needs  to  continue  increasing  the  area  under  organic  farming  in  the  coming  10 
years. 

Area under organic farming in Czechia 

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

% of agricultural area under organic farming 

Source: EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar] 

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

Fallow land as % of agricultural area 

Landscape features as % of agricultural area 

Source: DG AGRI based on Eurostat and JRC based on LUCAS survey. 
* 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. 

2.7  Attract young farmers and facilitate business development in rural areas  

The  agricultural  sector  in  Czechia  is  characterised  by  an  ageing  farming  population.  The 
share of farm managers below 35 years is 4.4% and is below the EU-average of 5.5%. Like in 
the EU, the share of farm managers below 35 years has decreased after 2010. In 2016, more 
than half (58.8%) of all farm managers are older than 55 years in Czechia. The ratio of young 
to elderly farmers is 0.08, meaning that for each young farmer, there are 13 farmers older than 
55 years. The number of female young farmers remains quite limited in Czechia, with a ratio 
of young female managers to male managers at 16% in 201663.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Access to land is one of the main obstacles faced by Czech young farmers. Land prices have 
more than doubled over the last decade and this has made access to land difficult even if the 
prices  stabilised  within  last  two  years.  The  increased  demand  for  land  together  with  the 
decrease of productive land is contributing to high land prices. The average size of a young 
farmer's  farm  (below  25  year)  is  of  58  ha  and  increases  up  to  127  ha  for  the  age  category 
between 25 to 34, and closer to the total average of 130 ha beyond.64  

Low attractiveness of the farming sector together with administrative barriers stemming from 
national  legislation  that  create  difficulties  in  the  setting  up  business  act  as  an  obstacle  for 
young farmers.  

Young farmers are significantly constrained in accessing finance. In addition to lacking credit 
history, young farmers also lack sufficient levels of collateral assets to secure a loan. They are 
often  also  charged  higher  interest  rates  compared  to  farmers  that  have  been  in  business 
longer. For young farmers and new entrants, a lack of credit history has particularly negative 
consequences.  It  is  considered  an  asset  when  a  client  can  demonstrate  their  repayment 
capacity based on the previous loans they have received65.  

Young  farmers  also  face  difficulties  due  to  issues  concerning  access  to  knowledge  and 
experience.  In  Czechia,  the  share  of  young  farm  managers  with  at  least  a  basic  level  of 
agricultural  training  has  been  over  60%  in  the  latest  years  and  is  above  the  EU  average, 
especially when referring to full agricultural training66.  

Czechia  is  already  implementing  different  instruments  under  the  CAP  to  encourage 
generational renewal in the agricultural sector. Under the first pillar, CZ earmarked between 
0.2% of the annual financial envelopes for 2015-2020 to the payment for young farmers. The 
Czech Rural Development Programme is supporting young farmers via Measure 6.1 with an 
allocation  of  1.5%  of  total  public  amounts.  The  target  of  supporting  the  start-up  of  1.250 
young  farmers  in  this  programming  period  seems  to  be  achieved  since  already  1 537  aid 
applications have been lodged by 31/08/2020. 

In  2016,  16 913  new  businness  were  created  in  the  rural  area.  This  figure  has  mantained 
similar during the latest years.67  

Share of farm managers < 35 years by gender in Czechia 

Share of male farm managers below 35 years 

Share of female farm managers < 35 years 

Share of farm managers below 35 years – EU-27 

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

Source: EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 

18 

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

areas, including bio-economy and sustainable forestry  

Czechia covers an area of 78 871 km2 with a population of around 10,7 million inhabitants. 
Rural areas represent around 37% of the area (while EU-27 average is 45%)  68 with a stable 
share of 21% of the population (which corresponds to EU-27 average).69 

The employment rate is relatively high in rural areas (73%) and higher than EU-27 average 
(68%).70  Substantial  difference  is  however  in  the  employment  of  man  (82%)  and  women 
(66%). The employment rate in agriculture is lower (2.2%) than the EU average (3.8%).71 In 
respect of job vacancy rate, agriculture represented a third highest sector with a rate of 11.3% 
(after building industry and real estate services) in 2019.72  

GDP per inhabitant (in purchase power standard) is stable in long term  development and in 
urban areas is reaching 132% of the EU-27 average while in rural and intermediate areas is 
reaching  75%  and  74%  respectively.  This  approximately  corresponds  to  EU-27  average 
(125%, 71%, 88%).73 

The proportion of farm managers who are women is very low in Czechia reaching 12% while 
EU-27 average is 28% (2016)74.  

The poverty rate is the lowest in the EU – average 13.3% and 11.6% in rural areas while EU 
average is 23.5% and 24.4%.75 

Community local development has been supported by measure M19 Leader (RDP) where 180 
Local Action Groups have been established with available EU budget 115 Mio EUR. 

Agriculture areas represent around 53% of the territory while forest covers around 35%.76  

Forestry  areas  available  for  wood  supply  represent  86%  of  the  forest  areas  (2,3  Mio  ha).77 
Number of persons employed in the forestry decreased between 2005 and 2017 for about 20% 
while  output  of  forestry  (in  current  prices)  more  than  doubled  between  2005  and  201978. 
Within the last 3  years substantial bark beetle calamity has caused increased logging which 
causes  increased  emissions  in  LULUCF  sector  especially  after  2017  when  forest  land 
category  switched  from  net  removal  to  net  emitter.  According  to  the  statistical  data,  spruce 
represents around 50% of the forest areas (1 mio hectares) of which 50% is invaded by bark 
beetle and will probably not  survive the next  years.79 Substantial  state aid has  already been 
granted  to  the  forest  owners  as  compensation  for  damages  since  rural  development 
programme  does  not  allow  appropriate  financing.  However,  large  reforestation/restoration 
will be needed with new resistant species within the next years.  

Rural areas have potential in development of bioeconomy, which is still not sufficiently used. 
Turnover per person employed in bioeconomy has slightly increased between 2008 and 2017 
(+7%)  but  is  only  around  67%  of  the  EU  average  in  2017.  However,  contribution  of 
agriculture  to  the  bioeconomy  in  turnover  increased  significantly  between  2008  and  2017 
(+25%).  Agriculture  and  food  industry  remain  the  main  sectors  in  the  bioeconomy, 
representing 2/3 of employment as well as turnover in 2017.80 

19 

 
 
2.9  Improve the response of EU agriculture to societal demands on food and health, 

including safe, nutritious and sustainable food, as well as animal welfare 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spread is significantly increased by the use of antimicrobials 
in human and animal healthcare. Minimising the use of antimicrobials as well as avoidance of 
its inappropriate and excessive use is therefore a priority area in the Farm to Fork Strategy.  

The sales of antimicrobial agents in Czechia showed decreasing trend in the years 2010-2018 
(94.3  mg/PCU  (population  correction  unit)  in  2010,  57.0  mg/PCU  in  2018  entailing  a 
reduction of 40%)  and remain well below the EU average of 118 mg/PCU.  Czechia should 
continue  to  implement  measures  to  maintain  its  downward  trend  for  the  overall  sales  of 
antimicrobials  to  contribute  to  the  overall  Farm  to  Fork  target  and  ensure  that  all  the 
necessary  measures  are  in  place  for  a  smooth  implementation  of  the  new  provisions  of 
Regulation (EU) No 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products applicable as from 2022. 

In terms of animal welfare, one of the main issues in Czechia is that the tail docking of pigs 
remains  routine  practice  despite  being  forbidden  by  EU  rules.  Tails  are  usually  docked  to 
prevent  pigs  from  stress-induced  tail  biting  in  response  to  negative  environmental  and 
management  factors.  The  percentage  of  pigs  reared  with  intact  tails  in  Czechia  has  barely 
changed  since  2016.  The  second  issue  concerns  transport  of  live  animals  where  exports  by 
road take place during the summer months in extremely high temperatures. In terms of farm 
biosecurity, African swine fever is not present in Czechia but there is an increased risk, hence 
the need for the prevention of further spread of ASF. Czechia is also among the countries that 
need  to  revise/upgrade  biosecurity,  registration  of  certain  farms,  animal  ID  and  animal 
movements. 

The  sales  of  pesticides  in  Czechia  fluctuated  between  2011  and  2017  with  the  majority  of 
pesticides sold being ‘herbicides, haulm destructors and moss killers’ followed by ‘fungicides 
and bactericides’81. Risk arising from pesticide use, based on the calculation of Harmonised 
Risk  Indicator  1  (HRI  1)82  showed  a  downward  trend  in  the  period  2011-2018  and  in 
particular  from  2015  onwards.  The  sale  of  low  risk  active  substances  has  been  on  the  raise 
though with some annual fluctuations. However, sales of the more hazardous pesticides i.e., 
the candidates for substitution remain high and stable in relation to total pesticide sales83. The 
HRI 1 figure, as in the graph below, shows a 39% reduction in the risk in the period (baseline 
2011-2013) / 2018 (EU: -17%). HRI 284 values indicating emergency authorisations showed 
substantial  year-to-year  fluctuations  with  an  overall  increasing  trend  against  the  baseline 
years  2011-2013.  The  Czech  authorities  singled  out  as  most  problematic  herbicides  used  to 
protect rape and maize85. 

the  market 

Where  placing  on 
in 
approval/authorisation  processes  for  plant  protection  products.  The  Regulatory  Fitness  and 
Performance programme (REFIT) survey revealed a limited availability in the Czech territory 
of  products  authorised  as  low-risk,  for  minor  uses  and  for  organic  farming.  There  is  also  a 
lack of pesticides for minor uses/specialty crops.  

is  concerned,  Czechia  experiences  delays 

Concerning the implementation of the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), Czechia submitted a 
revision  of  the  National  Action  Plan  (NAP)  covering  years  2018-202286.  According  to 
Commission  findings  on  the  implementation  of  the  SUD,  in  Czechia  there  is  insufficient 
enforcement  to  ensure  mandatory  implementation  of  Integrated  Pest  Management  general 
principles by all professional users of pesticides. The 2017 overview report on the SUD also 
indicated  delays  in  training  and  certification  of  operators  in  Czechia  and  difficulties  with 
ascertaining  the  area  under  exceptional  aerial  spraying87.  The  revised  NAP  recognised  the 
need for improving training, the duration of which is lower than in the vast majority of EU 
MS88. 

20 

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

200,0 

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

Sales in mg/PCU 

EU-27 

HRI 1 

HRI 1 for EU-27 

Source: DG AGRI after ESVAC, Tenth ESVAC Report (2020)             Source: EUROSTAT [aei_hri]  

Czechia has a very high burden from non-communicable diseases due to dietary risk factors 
expressed as Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALYs) per 100 000 population attributable to 
diet89 anda comparatively  medium  high incidence  and estimated mortality  rate  of colorectal 
cancer90, bothinfluenced by a number of dietary factors.  

Czech diets are, for example characterised by high levels of sodium, sugared drinks, red and 
processed  meat91,  and  very  low  consumption  of  fruit  and  vegetables92.  Some  46%  of  the 
population in  Czechia indicates not  to  include fruit and vegetable in  their daily diet, higher 
than  the  EU  average  (36%)93.  The  proportion  of  obese  persons  in  the  population  (21%  in 
2017) increased since 2008 (15% in the EU). The overweight rates reported in Czechia (62%) 
have also been on the increase and belong to the highest in the EU (52% in the EU)94.  

Efforts  should  focus  on  shifting  towards  healthy  sustainable  diets,  in  line  with  national 
recommendations,  in  order  to  contribute  to  reducing  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 less red meat and more 
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. 

No data is yet available on food loss and waste in primary production and processing of food. 
Czechia’s Waste Prevention Programme (2014-2020)95 gives little attention to food loss and 
waste occurring at the primary production level and the early stages of the supply chain. This 
could be tackled in the upcoming national food waste prevention programme, as required by 
Article 29(2a) of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC. 

2.10  Cross-cutting objective on knowledge, innovation and digitalisation  

The functioning of the  Agricultural  Knowledge  and  Innovation Systems  (AKIS) in  Czechia 
has been characterized as relatively strong. 96 97 

Under  the  programming  period  2014-2020,  Czechia  programmed  4.2%  of  its  total  rural 
development  envelope  (EAFRD  +  national  contribution)  under  knowledge  transfer  and 
information  actions  (measure  01),  advisory  services,  farm  management  and  farm  relief 
services (measure 02) as well as Co-operation-EIP (measure 16). This is higher than the EU-
28  average  of  3.6%.  However,  measure  02  (advisory  services)  has  not  been  finally 
implemented  and  according  to  its  EAFRD  declared  expenditure  (updated  25  August  2020), 
Czechia has largely underspent its respective budgets: 8% of its planned measure 01 budget 
and 35% of its planned measure 16 budget. 98 99 100 
21 

 
 
 
 
In December 2020, 14 Operational Groups under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP-
AGRI) were operating in Czechia, which quite low compared to the rest of the EU.101 

There is also one fully operational Digital  Innovation Hub in Czechia related to agriculture, 
hunting and forestry, in a total of 142 hubs amongst EU members.102 

Member  States  have  opted  for  different  ways  to  set  up  their  national  rural  network  (NRN) 
structures. Managing  authorities appear to  play the central  role in  Czechia.  In this case, the 
managing authority tends to be the overall supervisor of all bodies within the NRN structures, 
also developing and signing off the annual work plans. 103 There is little information available 
about networking activities organised at the national level to connect research actors, such as 
universities  and  partners  of  Horizon  2020  consortia  with  farmers,  advisors  and  rural 
businesses.  The  future  national  CAP  network  can  play  a  much  bigger  role  in  promoting 
synergies  between  the  CAP  and  European  Research  Area.  By  collecting  and  disseminating 
information, for instance through knowledge platforms and workshops, the CAP network will 
facilitate the implementation of relevant research and innovation results. Moreover, the CAP 
can  finance  interventions  that  help  to  make  use  of  up-to-date  scientific  information  for 
agricultural practices, such as advising, training of farmers and advisors, knowledge exchange 
events, on-farm demonstration, etc. 

In 2016, 42.8% of farm managers in Czechia had practical experience only, while 38.7% of 
farm  managers  completed  full  agricultural  training.  Farm  managers  with  full  training  in 
Czechia are well above the EU average of 8.9%. The highest percentage of fully trained farm 
managers  in  Czechia  is  within  young  farmers  (less  than  40  years  old)  with  49.1%  of  them 
being fully trained. 104  

Under the rural development programme, transfer of knowledge was to be provided through 
the training of more than 3 800 participants105.  

Regarding connectivity as a whole, Czechia is under the EU average. Broadband coverage of 
rural areas remains a challenge, as around 5% of Czech rural households are not even covered 
by  a  fixed  network.  Although  more  than  60%  Czech  rural  households  are  covered  by  Next 
Generation Access (NGA) technology, there is a gap between rural (64%) and national (92%) 
coverage.  This  may  have  negative  impact  on  development  in  rural  areas,  which  has  been 
further accentuated by current crisis. 106 107 

In  addition,  Czechia  has  not  yet  opted  for  the  use  of  satellite-based  means  to  monitor  CAP 
implementation.  Nevertheless,  governmental  organisations  from  Czechia  are  currently 
participating  in  EU  projects  dealing  with  the  uptake  of  new  technologies  for  the 
modernisation of CAP administrations, CAP controls and interactions with farmers.  

22 

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

Managers with 
full agricultural 
training 

Managers with 
basic agricultural 
training 

Full training EU 
average 

Basic training 
EU average 

Source: EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 

Broadband coverage in Czechia 

NGA broadband (% of rural households) 

Broadband access (% of rural households) 

NGA broadband (% of total households) 

Source: Digital Economy and Society Index report 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
1   European Commission, COM(2020) 266 final: REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT  AND  THE  COUNCIL  on  the  progress  made  on  the  implementation  of  Directive  (EU) 
2016/2284  on  the  reduction  of  national  emissions  of  certain  atmospheric  pollutants,  https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1596794534116&uri=CELEX:52020DC0266  

2   Brief “ What is AKIS?”:  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-

fisheries/key_policies/documents/building-stronger-akis_en.pdf  

3   European  Commission,  COM(2018)392final  of  01/06/2018:  Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council establishing rules on support for strategic plans under CAP - Art 13(2) (new 
obligation)  requests  that  all  advisors  are  integrated  within  the  AKIS  system  (not  in  a  separate  advisory 
system, but serving or making use of other interventions too).  

4   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development.  Common Agriculture Policy context indicator 
C.26  Agricultural  entrepreneurial  income.  Income  based  on  EUROSTAT  [aact_eaa04],  [aact_ali01]  and 
[aact_eaa06], adding back the compensation of employees to the entrepreneurial income. 

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

6   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. CAP context indicator C.25 Agricultural factor 

income. Based on EUROSTAT [aact_eaa04], [aact_ali01] and [aact_eaa06]. 

7   Czech Statistical Office, registered number of employees and their wages in the Czech Republic; 2018 data. 
8   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own  calculations  based  on  FADN  data  (up  to 

2018). 

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

2018). 

10   Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own  calculations  based  on  Member  State 

notifications via ISAMM. 

11   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on CATS (Clearance of 

Accounts trailing System) data (2015-2017). CAP result indicator R6 Redistribution to smaller farms. 

12   Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development own calculations based on CATS (Clearance of 

Accounts Trailing System) data (up to 2017) 

13   According to the FADN definition, the “economic size” of an agricultural holding is measured based upon its 

total Standard Output (expressed in euro), i.e. the standard value of its agricultural output. 

14   Data  with  regard  to  physical  size:  Directorate  General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development  own 
calculations based on FADN data (up to 2018); data with regard to economic size: Farm Accountancy Data 
Network. FADN Standard reports. YEAR.COUNTRY.SIZ6 and own calculations (up to 2018). 

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

(up to 2018). 

16   Farm Accountancy Data Network. FADN Standard reports. YEAR.COUNTRY.ANC3 and own calculations 

(up to 2018). 

17   Study  on  risk  management  in  EU  agriculture  (Directorate-General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural  Development 

(European Commission), ECORYS, Wageningen Economic Research; 24/08/2018). 

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

19   European Commission. Eurostat, Economic Accounts for Agriculture (values at real producer prices).  
20   European Commission, Eurostat, Farm Structure Survey 
21   European  Commission.  Eurostat,  Statistical  Books,  Agriculture,  Forestry  and  Fisheries,  2018  Edition. 

Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 

22   Czech Statistical Office. Statistical Yearbook of the Czech Republic 2019,  
23   European Commission. Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. 
24   Financial needs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors in the Czech Republic by fi-compass 
25   European Commission. Eurostat 

24 

 
 
 
                                                 
 
26   Arcadia  International,  DG  AGRI,  EY  and  independent  experts,  Study  of  the  best  ways  for  producer 

organisations to be formed, carry out their activities and be supported, May 2019 

27   Konečný et al. A few notes on the study of short food supply chains on the example of farm boxes in Czech 
Republic,  Conference:  International  Scientific  Days  2016  :  The  Agri-Food  Value  Chain:  Challenges  for 
Natural Resources Management and Society, June 2016 

28   European Environmental Agency (EEA). EEA greenhouse gas – data viewer. 
29   European Environmental Agency (EEA). EEA greenhouse gas – data viewer. 
30   European Environmental Agency (EEA). EEA greenhouse gas – data viewer. 
31   European Commission. CAP indicators – Data explorer. R.12_PI Share of grassland in total UAA 
32   European Commission, Directorate-General Agriculture and Rural Development. Analysis based on Member 

States’ notifications pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 

33   European Commission, Joint Research Centre. Relative cover (%) of peat soils (0–30cm), per country 
34   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 

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

Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_s] 

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

Based on EUROSTAT [nrg_bal_s] 

37   European  Commission.  CAP  indicators  –  Data  explorer.  CAP  Result  indicator  R.17  Percentage  of 
agricultural land under management contracts targeting reduction of GHG and/or ammonia emissions (focus 
area 5D) 

38   Ekotoxa, 2015: Komplexní studie dopadů, zranitelnosti a zdrojů rizik souvisejících se změnou klimatu v ČR.   
39   Among others, LIFE AgriAdapt project. https://awa.agriadapt.eu/en/ 
40   Czechia, National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of the Czech Republic, November 2019  
41   Czechia,  Ministry  of  Environment,  Strategy  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Czech  Republic, 

Executive summary 

42   European Environmental Agency (EEA). EEA National Emissions Ceilings Directive, emissions data viewer 

1990-2018 

43   Directive  (EU)  2016/2284  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  14  December  2016  on  the 
reduction  of  national  emissions  of  certain  atmospheric  pollutants,  amending  Directive  2003/35/EC  and 
repealing Directive 2001/81/EC 

44   Ministry of Agriculture, Czech Republic, Strategy till 2030, MA Report 2016 
45   EUROSTAT. [aei_fm_usefert] 
46   European  Environmental  Agency  (EEA).  European  waters.  Assessment  of  status  and  pressures,  2018 

Report. 

47   European Commission, Second RBMP, Brussels 26/02/2019 – SWD(2019)35 final, page 124 
48   European Commission, Second RBMP, Brussels 26/02/2019 - SWD(2019)35 final, page 92, Fig. 6.4 
49   EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] 
50   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.41  Soil  organic  matter  in  arable  land.  Joint  Research 

Center (JRC) based on LUCAS Land use Survey 2015  

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

Center 

52   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Agri-environmental_indicator_-_soil_cover  
53   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Agri-environmental_indicator_-_tillage_practices  
54   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.40 Water quality. Based on EUROSTAT [aei_pr_gnb] 
55   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.35  Farmland  birds  index  (FBI).  As  in  EUROSTAT 

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

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

Barometer and European Environmental Agency, Corine Land Cover 2018 

57   European Commission, Directorate-General Agriculture and Rural Development. Analysis based on Member 

States’ notifications pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 

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

source: European Environmental Agency 

59   European Commission. DG AGRI based on Eurostat and JRC based on LUCAS survey. 
60   European Commission, Directorate-General Agriculture and Rural Development. Analysis based on Member 

States’ notifications pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 

61   European  Commission.  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  –  The  EU  Environmental  Implementation 
Review 2019 Country Report  - Czech Republic https://ec.europa.eu/environment/eir/pdf/report_cz_en.pdf  

25 

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

EUROSTAT [org_cropar_h1] and [org_cropar] 

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

[ef_m_farmang] 

64   EUROSTAT. [ef_m_farmleg]  
65   fi-compass,  2020,  Financial  needs  in  the  agriculture  and  agri-food  sectors  in  the  Czech  Republic,  Study 
https://www.fi-compass.eu/sites/ 
pages. 

report, 
default/files/publications/financial_needs_agriculture_agrifood_sectors_Czech_Republic.pdf 

88 

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

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training] 
67   EUROSTAT. [urt_bd_hgn2].  
68   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.03  Territory.  Based  on  EUROSTAT  [reg_area3]  and 

[urt_d3area] 

69   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.01 Population. Based on EUROSTAT [demo_r_gind3] 
70   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.05 Employment rate. Based on EUROSTAT [lfst_r_ergau] 
71   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.13  Employment  by  economic  activity.  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [lfst_r_lfe2en2] 

72   Czech Statistical Office. Indicator of social and economic development in the Czech Republic - Job vacancy 

rate by CZ-NACE section, 2019 

73   EUROSTAT [urt_10r_3gdp] 
74   EUROSTAT [ef_m_farmang] 
75   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.09 Poverty rate. Based on EUROSTAT [ilc_peps11] 
76   European Commission. CAP context indicator C.31 Land cover. Based on European Environmental Agency, 

Corine Land Cover 2018. 

77   European  Commission.  CAP  context  indicator  C.29  Forest  and  other  wooded  land  (FOWL).  Based  on 

EUROSTAT [for_area], original source FAO, Forest Europe and Unece. 

78   EUROSTAT [for_awu]; [nama_10_a64] 
79   Czech Press Office, 26.07.2019 
80   European Commission. Jobs and wealth in the European Union Bioeconomy. 
81   EUROSTAT. [aei_fm_salpest09]  
82   http://eagri.cz/public/web/file/631646/Harmonised_Risk_Indicator_HRI_1.pdf  
83   EUROSTAT.  CZ  HRI1,  2011-2018  via  Ministry  of  Agriculture  of 
http://eagri.cz/public/web/file/631646/Harmonised_Risk_Indicator_HRI_1.pdf  
84   EUROSTAT.  CZ  HRI2,  2011-2018  via  Ministry  of  Agriculture  of 
http://eagri.cz/public/web/file/631626/Harmonised_Risk_Indicator_HRI_2.pdf 

the  Czech  Republic. 

the  Czech  Republic.  

Republic 
rev_en.pdf  

Republic 
rev_en.pdf  

Republic 
rev_en.pdf  

85   Czechia,  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  National  Action  Plan  (NAP)  on  the  Safe  Use  of  Pesticides  in  the  Czech 
for  2018–2022.  https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/plant/docs/pesticides_sup_nap_cze-

86   Czechia,  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  National  Action  Plan  (NAP)  on  the  Safe  Use  of  Pesticides  in  the  Czech 
for  2018–2022.  https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/plant/docs/pesticides_sup_nap_cze-

87   European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, Overview report Sustainable Use of 

Pesticides, October 2017 

88   Czechia,  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  National  Action  Plan  (NAP)  on  the  Safe  Use  of  Pesticides  in  the  Czech 
for  2018–2022.  https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/plant/docs/pesticides_sup_nap_cze-

89   https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/health-knowledge-gateway/societal-impacts/burden 
90   Incidence  and  estimated  mortality  rate  of  colorectal  cancer  per  100.000  inhabitants,  based  on  European 

Cancer Information System (ECIS) data from 2020 

91   Defined as beef, lamb and pork, 188,14 g/per capita/d,  net of waste in the EU 2010,  GBD study 2017 and 

M. Springmann 

92   Consumption  of  ≥  5  portions  is  below  EU27  average  and  one  of  the  2  additional  criteria  is  met:  a)  1-4 
average, 

portions 
average, 
https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=hlth_ehis_fv3c&lang=en 

portions 

below 

above 

EU27 

EU27 

b) 

0 

93   EUROSTAT.  [hlth_ehis_fv3e] 
94   EUROSTAT. [SDG_02_10] 
95   https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/predchazeni_vzniku_odpadu_navrh/$FILE/OO-

EN_WPP_Czech-20150407.pdf  

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96   European Commission. Preparing for future AKIS in Europe, 4th Report of the Strategic Working Group on 
Agricultural  Knowledge  and  Innovation  Systems  (AKIS).  Directorate-General  for  Agriculture  and  Rural 
Development, 2019 

97   University  of  Hohenheim.  Agricultural  Knowledge  and  Information  Systems  in  Europe:  Weak  or  strong, 

fragmented or integrated?  

98   European Commission. Czechia Horizon 2020 country profile  
99   Czechia notification to the European Commission in SFC (based on adopted programmes up to July 2019) 
100  European Commission, EIP Operational Groups (25 August 2020) 
101  Czech  Republic  Rural  Development  Monitoring  Committee  of  25th  November  2020,  background  data  – 

measure M16.1.1. 

102  European Commission. Smart Specialisation Platform. Digital Innovation Hubs 
103  European Commission, ENRD, Y5 RDP Screening on NRN programming and action plans. Working 

Document, final ver., 24 January 2020.  

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

EUROSTAT [ef_mp_training]  

105  Czech Republic. Annual Implementing report of RDP 2014-2020, ver. 2019.1, Monitoring annex.  
106  European Commission. Digital scoreboard, key indicators “Broadband take-up and coverage” and “Digital 

skills” 

107  European Commission. Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 

27