Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1235 of 12 March 2024 amending Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/126 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the rules on the ratio for the good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) standard 1

‘1a Where the area of permanent grassland referred to in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, point (a), has decreased due to structural changes in the farming systems of a Member State caused by a significant reduction in the production of livestock resulting in a significant reduction in the need for feed and grazing of livestock in that Member State, the Member State concerned may, once in the programming period 2023-2027, adjust the reference ratio established pursuant to paragraph 1 to take into account the decrease in the size of the area of permanent grassland. The adjustment of the area of permanent grassland referred to in the first subparagraph, shall correspond to the decrease of the area of permanent grassland which is attributable to the structural changes in the farming systems at the level at which the GAEC standard 1 is implemented in the Member State concerned. A Member State shall assess the decrease in the size of the area of permanent grassland and the structural changes in the farming systems on the basis of a period of 5 consecutive years starting no earlier than in 2019.’

‘4 Paragraph 3, first subparagraph shall not apply where the decrease below the threshold of 5 % is the result of: (a) commitments undertaken or obligations, as referred to in Article 4(4), points (b) and (c), of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 due to which an agricultural activity is no longer performed on the areas in question, and which do not include plantations of Christmas trees or cultivation of crops or trees for energy production; or (b) conversion of an area of permanent grassland to other uses than agricultural activity, as defined in the CAP Strategic Plans, and the area concerned no longer constitutes agricultural area as defined in the CAP Strategic Plans.’

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Article 1, point (2) and (3) shall apply from 1 January 2024.