The Spanish agricultural sector is facing a key regulatory change that will come into force in 2026: the mandatory completion of the Digital Farm Notebook (Cuaderno Digital de Explotación, CUE).
Although many farmers are already used to keeping their field notebook on paper, from 2026 this record will have to be kept in digital format. It will be necessary to make use of online applications or platforms to record the phytosanitary treatments carried out on farms. This is not a minor change: for some it will mean an effort of adaptation, but it can also become a help to have a more organized farm and avoid problems during an inspection.
In this first article we want to clarify the basic doubts about the CUE: what exactly it is, who it affects and what deadlines we must take into account for 2026.
The CUE is the digital version of the traditional paper notebook that every farmer had to carry. In it, essential aspects of farm management were noted down, such as:
● Phytosanitary treatments applied.
● Fertilization and nutrient management.
● Crop cultivation.
● Production data.
The difference is that now these records will have to be entered into a digital platform. This will allow the administration to access the information more directly and to keep the data better organized, although it will also mean that farmers and technicians will have to adapt to a new system.
It should be noted that in this first phase the scope will be limited: the digital registration of phytosanitary treatments will only be mandatory from 2026. The use of the digital logbook in its entirety will remain voluntary during the current CAP period (2023-2027).
The fixed timetable marks January 1, 2026 as the key date on which the CUE becomes mandatory throughout Spain.
● Initial phase - January 1, 2026: it will be mandatory to digitally register only phytosanitary treatments. That is, each application of plant protection products must be reflected in the digital notebook. It is important to know that this regulation will affect all farms regardless of their size.
● Full implementation - January 1, 2028: the use of the CUE in its entirety will become mandatory for farms exceeding certain extension levels. 30 hectares of arable or permanent land, more than 5 hectares of irrigated land, or more than 0.1 hectares of greenhouse area. However, farms that do not reach these minimum extension levels will only be obliged to record in the CUE the phytosanitary treatments carried out.
In this way, implementation will be progressive: it will begin with a single block of information (phytosanitary), and two years later, in 2028, larger farms will have to keep the complete digital notebook.
The obligation to keep the CUE falls on all those who manage a farm where phytosanitary treatments are carried out. In practice, this includes:
● Individual farmers, regardless of the size of their farm.
● Cooperatives and SATs, which will be able to centralize the management of the notebook for all their partners.
● Technical advisors, who will play a fundamental role in helping farmers to enter data correctly.
It remains to be specified how the regulations will be applied in specific cases, such as small self-consumption farms, family orchards, or very small productions . It is expected that there will be exceptions, but the details will be clarified as the final regulations are published.
For many farmers, the main novelty will be that it will no longer be enough to keep a paper notebook. All the information related to phytosanitary treatments will have to be entered in digital format, through applications or platforms enabled by the administration or authorized third parties. The minimum data to be entered for each phytosanitary treatment are:
● Date of application.
● Plot or crop treated.
● Product used and dosage.
● Responsible for the application.
● Applicator team
● Identification of the advisor.
This level of detail is not new - it was already required on paper - but now it is intended to make the process more agile and avoid errors or loss of information. In addition, it will greatly facilitate inspections: the administration will be able to check in seconds what previously required reviewing pages and pages of handwritten documents. For technical advisors, the change will bring them closer to the farmer, since many will need support with data entry, in choosing the right digital tool, or in interpreting the results.
Phytosanitary treatments must be registered in digital format within 30 days after their application, but for the moment it is not mandatory to automatically submit them to SIEX.
Farmers can keep the records in their private digital notebooks (e.g., on platforms such as GreendaAI) and should only transmit them to the SIEX in case of inspection, as established in Article 4 of the Regulation.
It is important to note that in order to comply with traceability, the REA (Registro de Explotaciones Agrarias) must be downloaded and kept up to date. If an inspection is carried out, the above data must be available in digital format to show that they were recorded within the regulatory period.
On the other hand, official public notebooks automatically record the exact date of data upload, so in such cases it is not possible to add retroactive information outside the 30-day period.
Challenges and Opportunities
The entry into force of the SES poses some significant challenges:
● Digital adaptation: many farmers are not yet familiar with online platforms or mobile applications.
● Connectivity in rural areas: in areas with poor internet coverage, it can be difficult to record data in real time.
● Need for training: both farmers and technicians will need to acquire new digital skills.
But along with these challenges, there are also great opportunities:
● Better control of treatments: the farmer will have a clearer and more organized view of what he applies to each crop.
● Greater traceability: it will facilitate compliance with quality, certification and export regulations.
● Simplification of inspections: data will be immediately available to the administration, reducing paperwork and procedures.
● Access to European aid and programs: many funds prioritize farms that demonstrate sustainability and traceability, and the CUE can become a key tool.
Many farmers wonder what specific applications will be available to register their phytosanitary treatments. The answer is simple: there will be two main ways of access.
● The Ministry of Agriculture and the autonomous communities will make available free platforms connected to the SIEX (Farm Information System).
● Each farmer will be able to access through digital certificates or identification keys that are already used for other administrative procedures.
● These tools guarantee compliance with basic regulations, although their functionality will be more limited.
● Agrotech companies offer digital notebooks with advanced functions (data automation, alerts, reports, etc.).
● They can be accessed through a simple registration (username and password) and can usually be used from a mobile, tablet, or computer.
● Although they are not mandatory, they greatly facilitate daily work and are prepared to send data to the SIEX just like the public platforms.
In short: any farmer will be able to choose between a public or a private application. The key is to decide what level of support you need and which tool is more comfortable for you to keep your farm up to date.
The Digital Notebook will be mandatory as of 2026 for recording phytosanitary treatments. Although the change may generate doubts and some resistance, it also represents a step towards a more organized and transparent agriculture. Knowing the deadlines and who is affected by the regulation is key for each farm to prepare in time and adapt in the best possible way.