The European Audit Chamber will review the design of the EU biodiversity strategy and its application in Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Auditors will also evaluate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU funding for agricultural biodiversity. Agricultural biodiversity applies to all ecosystems and life forms directly related to agriculture.

This includes rare varieties of seeds and animal breeds, many organisms such as soil fauna, weeds, pests, predators, as well as all local plants and animals living on the farm and passing through it.

According to auditors, biodiversity in the EU is in a state of “constant strong decline, especially as a result of agricultural activities”.

“One million species in the world are endangered, a recent international report warns. In the EU, agriculture is the largest source of biodiversity loss. Our audit will determine how useful the EU’s contribution was in correcting, and even changing this situation, ”said Janusz Wojciechowski, member of the European Audit Chamber, responsible for the audit.

Auditors will also examine whether the biodiversity strategy and legal framework of the CAP were well thought out and whether the European Commission and Member States improved the contribution of agriculture to biodiversity.

The audit will include visits to five Member States: Germany, Ireland, Poland, Cyprus and Romania.