Farmers in Limburg face subsidy cuts over illegal water use
Farmers in Limburg risk losing European subsidies if they violate irrigation rules. From 2026, Waterschap Limburg will report illegal groundwater or surface water withdrawals to authorities, directly impacting farmers' financial support under the CAP.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority | Waterschap Limburg, NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) |
| Affected Group | Farmers in Limburg applying for CAP subsidies |
| Violations Monitored | Illegal groundwater or surface water withdrawals |
| Requirements | Registration of wells, permits for surface water, pump labeling |
| Consequences | Potential subsidy reductions, sanctions, or legal action |
| Policy Framework | EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) conditionality rules |
| Effective Date | 2026 |
Waterschap Limburg is responsible for managing water resources in the province, including monitoring irrigation practices to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The NVWA enforces broader agricultural policies, such as the EU’s CAP, which ties subsidies to adherence to sustainability and legal standards.
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Read the full translated article below
Irregularities in irrigation may affect subsidies
From this year (2026), Waterschap Limburg must report any detected irregularities in irrigation to the NVWA. This applies to violations in both groundwater and surface water withdrawals. As a result, these violations may affect the amount of European subsidies farmers receive.
To qualify for European agricultural policy subsidies (CAP subsidies), farmers must comply with the conditions of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). These are rules in the areas of environment, health, and animal welfare. Internationally, these rules are known as ‘conditionality’. The NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) monitors compliance alongside other regulators.
Waterschap Limburg checks during the irrigation season whether the irrigation wells and pumps used are legal. Groundwater wells must be registered, and pumps must have a label if groundwater is being extracted. Withdrawals from surface water must be permitted or must be reported (once) to the water authority. More information on this can be found at: Grondwater of oppervlaktewater onttrekken - Waterschap Limburg(opent in nieuw venster) (verwijst naar een andere website)
If it turns out that an irrigator has committed a violation, the water authority and/or the public prosecutor’s office may impose a sanction. Since this year, the water authority must also provide the NVWA with the offender’s details. The consequence may be that the violation also affects the amount of subsidies a farmer receives.