03/04/2017 (Agence Europe) – At the Agriculture Council on Monday 3 April, the European Commission presented a report revealing that the overall percentage of declared ecological focus areas (EFAs) on arable land is almost twice as high as the 5% required (see EUROPE 11757). The Commission does not intend to raise the percentage for EFAs from 5% to 7%. “There is no justification for that”, said Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan. Since 2015, farmers whose arable land extends to over 15 hectares must ensure that EFAs make up at least 5% of that land. At the Council, some delegations raised the somewhat controversial issue of banning the use of plant health products on what are termed productive EFAs (see EUROPE 11749). The European Parliament has yet to agree its position on this delegated act. (LC)