To access level 2 of Eco-scheme 1 of the CAP 2023-2027 it is necessary to adhere to one of the SQNBA specifications that provide for grazing , i.e. those drawn up for cattle farms with a production orientation for milk, meat or dual purpose and for pig farms.On June 27, Agea published a specific circular on this topic, the main points of which are reported below.
Submission of membership
In order to join Eco-scheme 1, level 2, it is necessary to place a “flag” in the specific section of the Unified Application.Please note that this request does not constitute membership of the Certification Body, but simply represents a request for payment of the aid in question .
Therefore, anyone wishing to obtain the compensation provided for by the CAP must simultaneously submit an application for membership to a specification that provides for the possibility of grazing, to the chosen Certification Body (CB), among those accredited by the national accreditation body Accredia.
For 2025, farmers must submit the application for membership to the chosen Certification Body no later than August 11, 2025 .
For the 2026 and subsequent campaigns, the application for membership in the Odc must be submitted by the final deadline – even late – for submitting the unified application for the campaign year.
Prerequisites for access to SQNBA
For the bovine species, the prerequisites to be met for access to the National Animal Welfare Quality System concern regulatory compliance in terms of animal welfare, pharmacosurveillance and biosecurity, as well as the Classyfarm self-monitoring verification within the 12 months preceding the certification request.Satisfaction of the access prerequisites is evident from the green traffic light indicator on the Classyfarm dashboard , which can be consulted by both the farmer and the Certification Body, and allows the certification process to be started.
During the initial checks, compliance with all SQNBA requirements is then assessed .
For the requirement relating to the consumption of the veterinary medicine , the Certification Body must verify on ClassyFarm that the farm falls within the thresholds (DDD) set by the specification.
Certification release
When the conformity of the breeding is recognized and the certification is issued, the company is registered in the list of controlled breedings and is required to maintain unchanged all the conditions and requirements foreseen by the specific specification and by the Control Plan of the OdC.Grazing checks must be carried out, in the first year of membership, on 100% of SQNBA members and certification of compliance with this obligation is a condition for the payment of the Eco scheme 1, level 2 premium.
The execution of the checks by the Certification Bodies must respect specific time deadlines in order to allow the advance or the balance of the premium to be paid by the Paying Bodies:
- if the checks are carried out by 30 September 2025 , breeders will be able to benefit from the advance payment of the contribution foreseen for Eco-scheme 1, level 2 starting from 16 October 2025, in the manner defined by Agea coordination with a subsequent circular;
- if the checks are completed in the period 30 September – 31 December 2025 , the breeders will receive the contribution relating to the same Eco-scheme 1, level 2 in full, within the timeframes and methods established by Agea Coordinamento with a subsequent circular.
Exceptions
Adherence to the SQNBA system, required for Level 2, is not mandatory for:- organic farms , whose commitments are established by the relevant regulations and controlled and certified by the respective control bodies;
- small-scale cattle farms , i.e. farms with a maximum of 20 UBA based on the average stable size of the previous year, subject to authorization from the competent Region or Autonomous Province . In this case, the grazing obligation will be verified by the body that authorized the derogation. Without an official derogation, even small farms must adhere to the SQNBA. (Source: https://www.ruminantia.it/ )