Creation of a soil cover compensation payment for nitrate catch crops

Decree No. 2002-755 of 2 May 2002 creates the soil cover compensation payment, aid for farmers who plant nitrate catch crops during leaching-risk periods on their land in the additional action zones defined under the decree of 10 January 2001 (Nitrates Directive). The aid is annual: the area declared under catch crops multiplied by a flat amount set by order, capped at 30% of the holding's utilised agricultural area. It is refused to farmers convicted of certain environmental offences and reduced if discrepancies are found on inspection. Payment is made by CNASEA.