Exploring the CAP Eco-Scheme for Dutch Dairy Farmers: Are Grant Recipients More Sustainable?

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

L29-30 Provide statistics on the generation of these effects.
Indicate the hypothesis of the work in the introduction. Conduct further research showing the use of and comparison between schemes.
L97-100 Add the sources of employment generated in these production units. How many producers are there?
L152-153 Are the data publicly available? If not, indicate how they were obtained.
L177-178 What were the criteria for selecting these indicators?
How was the weight of each indicator shown in Table 1 obtained?
In Table 3, why is the comparison made between gold vs. silver and bronze, but not between gold vs. silver vs. bronze?
What were the limitations of the research?

Author Response

Please find the reply in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. The paper employs straightforward but effective empirical methods to examine important issues in the transition toward sustainable agriculture. While the methods are simple, they are convincing, and the results are insightful and thought-provoking. The findings are particularly relevant for policymakers and researchers, especially the critique of input-based versus output-based sustainability incentives. However, the study could be further strengthened by:
2. While the literature review is adequate, it could better position the novelty of this study relative to existing work.
3. Clarifying the rationale behind the selection of sustainability indicators, including any theoretical or empirical justifications used in choosing specific metrics.
4. The paper highlights that farmers engaging in eco-activities (inputs) do not always show better sustainability outcomes (outputs), but it could delve deeper into possible reasons (e.g., weak policy targeting, lack of stringent accountability).
5. The finding that larger farms benefit disproportionately is critical, but the discussion could better explore whether this reflects structural inequities or unintended incentives in the payment scheme.

Author Response

Please find the reply in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper analyzes the Dutch eco-scheme under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, focusing on its impact on dairy farmers' sustainability practices. It examines grant recipients, funding trends, and the relationship between eco-scheme participation and sustainability performance. The findings indicate that while larger farms benefit more from the scheme, some farmers with lower sustainability scores also receive financial support. so some comments for enhancing your paper are as follows:

1. Clarify Methodological Approach: It would be beneficial to provide more detail about the criteria used to select sustainability indicators. This will enhance the transparency and rigour of your analysis.
2. Expand Policy Implications: Consider deepening the discussion on how your findings can inform future agricultural policies. Specific recommendations for improving the eco-scheme could significantly enhance the paper's practical relevance.
3. Incorporate Case Studies: Including examples of successful sustainable practices among dairy farmers could provide valuable insights and illustrate the potential benefits of the eco-scheme more effectively.
4. Address Limitations Thoroughly: A more comprehensive discussion of the limitations of your study, including potential biases in the data, would strengthen the overall credibility of your findings and conclusions.

Author Response

Please find the reply in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I commend the authors' efforts in addressing the last version's issues, and I have no problem with the content. However, some minor technical revisions are needed:

1. Adding the numbering of the equation in line 233 would make the manuscript clearer. In addition, should there be a variable standing for the value on the left side of the equation?
2. Consider using Arabic numbers to cite the references instead of Roman numbers, and avoid mixing the footnotes and reference numbering.
3. Please double check the manuscript thoroughly.

Author Response

Thank you for your feedback. Please find attached our reply.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf