Method to monitor and quantify the environmental impact of European agriculture : conceptual outline

European policy is currently aiming at reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. To evaluate the effect of the measures, a Europe-wide method is needed that provides standardized information for all countries. This paper presents the outline of a method intended to determine where and to what extent the environmental impact of agriculture has changed. It consists of three procedures: general change detection, determination of agricultural presence in the region, and change identification. The method offers standardized information on the location and extent of changes in environmental impact caused by agriculture. Changed regions can be located shortly after the growing season, which enables the adjustment of policy to the actual situation. Hence, it will provide a useful tool to evaluate and formulate policy measures intended to influence the environmental impact of agriculture.