Canals as landscape elements CAP
2023: Sloten HHNK in CAP subsidy application
Farmers participating in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) were able to include half of the ditch next to their plot in their subsidy application to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) in 2023. In this application, landscape elements could be declared as non-productive land. As the owner of the ditch, HHNK authorisation for this, considering that the adjacent owner is also responsible for maintaining the ditch, thereby preserving it as a valuable landscape element.
2024: HHNK locks outside CAP subsidy application
The national regulation regarding water board ditches as landscape elements sparked nationwide debate. Based on developments, HHNK decided in 2024 to discontinue this practice. This means that ditches owned by HHNK could no longer be declared as landscape elements in 2024. This decision was announced on this website on May 17, 2024.
2025: Ditches outside CAP subsidy application, with the exception of ditches located next to HHNK leasehold plots
HHNK has decided that ditches owned by HHNK may not be designated as landscape features. An exception to this rule applies to HHNK ditches located along HHNK property parcels that are legally leased. These ditches may be designated as landscape features by the legal lessee.
If you receive questions/inspections from the RVO regarding your declaration of ditches as landscape elements for the CAP, please contact the water board.