Farmers on the B7 islands views on farming and the Baltic Sea

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1 Farmers on the B7 islands views on farming and the Baltic Sea Susanna Kaasinen Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners, MTK

2 The B7 islands Photo: K. Härjämäki Photo: S. Almqvist Photo: T. Tammla Photo: Öland s tourist office Background map: HELCOM Map and Data Service 2011 Photo: J. Hansen Photo. J. Jõepera

3 A farmer s view on the Baltic Sea study What are the farmers attitudes towards the Baltic Sea? According to the farmers, what part does farming play in nutrient leaching? Interviews in six islands 5 farms per island were interviewed -> not a statistically representative sample

4 Interviews on six islands of the Baltic Sea Island Bornholm Gotland Hiiumaa Saaremaa Åland Öland Number of animal farms Interviewed persons in the farm Distribution of part/full time farms Age of interviewed persons (years) men 3 men / 1 part time/ 4 full time Average 49 2 couples 3 men / 1 woman / 3 men / 1 woman / 1 couple 1 couple 5 full time 5 full time 2 part time/ Average Average 47 3 full time Average 49 3 men / 2 women 1 part time/ 4 full time Average 50 3 men/ 2 families 5 full time Average 47 Number of 1 1 and organic farms partly Farm size (ha)* *Farm size including also rented area and pasture.

5 Agriculture in the islands Island Bornholm Gotland Hiiumaa Saaremaa Åland Öland Number of farms 481* Agricultural area (ha)** /% of all land area / 55% / 35 % / 25 % / 21 % / 9 % / 62 % Number of organic farms Cultivated organic farm area (ha) *Include only farms at 5 ha or more. **Including pastures

6 Farming opportunities + Good climate and soils + Short distances + Close contact to customers + Positive spirit among the farmers (Swedish islands) + Good special brand (Gotland, Bornholm) + Support from EU (Estonian islands) Photo: J. Nilson - Difficulties in connections to mainland - Transportation costs are high - Costs due to lack of competition - Difficult to find more cultivation area at a reasonable price - Restrictive rules (Bornholm) Photo: S. Almqvist

7 Status of the Baltic Sea Most thought that the status is ok in the part of Baltic Sea where they live 24 of 30 were at least somewhat worried Some thought contradictory information makes it difficult to answer In all islands there were farmers who thought that the situation has gone worse and those who thought it had gone better It is like driving an oil tanker. It takes a long time to stop and to swing it Photo: A. Kulmala

8 Indicators Majority of the farmers thought algal blooms were a problem Anoxic sea bottoms not so well known Most farmers of Åland, Gotland and Öland thought this is a problem 8 of 10 farmers of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa had not heard of this or did not see it as a problem Source: SYKE 2012

9 Does farming have an effect on the Baltic Sea environment? 26 of 30 farmers thought that all human activities, also agriculture have an effect on the Baltic Sea Most sceptical farmers on Bornholm and Estonian islands Many thought that the role of agriculture in nutrient leaching has been overestimated Photo: A. Kulmala

10 Country spesific opinions Many farmers in Åland, Gotland, Öland and Bornholm thought that there is more leaching from Baltic states and Poland All farmers of Estonian islands thought nutrient leaching is not a big problem in Estonia Danish farmers critisised their tight nitrogen regulation Photo: A. Kulmala

11 The farmer s role The farmers play a role in improving the Baltic Sea environment Manure storages Manure spreading techniques Controlled drainage Buffer zones Catch crops Photo: A. Kulmala

12 Not too much patronising, but if we want results, rules will be needed 23 agreed and 5 agreed to some extent, with the statement The measures have to be obligatory to reduce nutrient leaching effectively Having the same rules makes the situation more equal Measures have to be obligatory in all countries around the Baltic Sea. Almost all thought that farmers need to be paid for the environmental benefits they produce Photo: A. Kulmala

13 Farmers want to learn and do more 24 out of 30 farmers were interested in learning more about agri-environmental measures 17 out of 30 were planning to introduce measures to prevent leaching in the the next 5 years 9 Estonian farmers were planning to do so Photo: K. Koppelmäki

14 What has kept the farmers until now from doing more? Lack of possibilities for investments got most mentions (16) Lack of technology, 9 mentions Lack of knowledge, 6 Lack of environmental advice, 6 Other things: lack of interest, bureaucracy, all is done that is possible Photo: K. Kure

15 Finding knowledge and advice Around half of the farmers thought that it is easy for them to find the knowledge they need about environmental measures to reduce leaching Many measures have contradictory effects. There is not an easy answer. It is difficult to see the whole picture Photo: J. Aalto

16 Conclusions WHAT MOTIVATES THE FARMER TO REDUCE LEACHING? All sectors need to do their share All farmers around the Baltic Sea need to do their share Support for producing environmental benefits right price for products Support for investments Effective measures that are proven to really work Clearer communication The right advice and knowledge needs to be easy to find

17 Thank you! Photo: A. Kulmala Read the full report: