Recital (19)

GAEC standard 2, listed in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, aims to protect carbon-rich soils. GAEC standard 9, listed in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, aims to protect habitats and species through a ban on converting or ploughing permanent grassland designated as environmentally-sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites. Experience has shown that, while guaranteeing the protection of carbon-rich soils and environmentally-sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites, respectively, the requirements set out in the CAP Strategic Plans under GAEC standards 2 and 9 have created challenges for farmers and Member States, particularly as regards the economic viability of the farmers concerned. Compliance with certain requirements established under GAEC standards 2 and 9, such as those involving production limitation or a ban on converting or ploughing environmentally-sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites, can be costly for farmers or significantly limit their capacity to change or adjust the use of their land. Moreover, GAEC standards 2 and 9 impact farmers in some Member States more than in others due to the varying proportions of wetlands and peatlands or environmentally-sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites within their territories. While maintaining the existing requirements under GAEC standards 2 and 9, where appropriate, set out consistently with mandatory national requirements, as introduced by this Regulation, it should be possible to compensate farmers for the compliance with the obligations resulting from those standards. It should, therefore, be possible for Member States to exclude GAEC standards 2 and 9 from the requirement laid down in Article 31(5), point (a), of that Regulation. This should enable Member States to provide support in their CAP Strategic Plans under the eco-schemes referred to in Article 31 of that Regulation in order for active farmers concerned by GAEC standards 2 or 9 to meet the requirements of those standards while maintaining a high level of protection of wetlands and peatlands, in particular the carbon sequestration potential of those areas, and a high level of protection of environmentally-sensitive permanent grasslands in Natura 2000 sites, respectively.