2008 Report: Agro-environmental Monitoring

Transcription

1 Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA) Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) Secteur Ecologie Swiss Confederation B. Decrausaz, 11 September Report: Agro-environmental Monitoring Contents 1 Introduction Objective of agro-environmental monitoring Historical review Definitions Agro-environmental monitoring Organisation of agro-environmental monitoring List of indicators for agro-environmental monitoring Levels of observation Methodological development of indicators Types and availability of data at the national and regional levels Communication The regionalisation of agro-environmental indicators Players in centralised evaluation - agro-environmental indicators AEI network of farms Agricultural fiduciaries AEI competence centre The ecology sector of the FOAG strategy and evaluation unit Tools for centralised evaluation agro-environmental indicators (CE-AEI) Data collected on farms Agrotech software, technical support and training Agro-environmental monitoring and environmental objectives for agriculture In short Contacts Référence du dossier : /245 / dec

2 Abbreviations AEI Agro-environmental indicators AEM Agro-environmental monitoring AR Agricultural report ART Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon CE-2015 Working group on centralised evaluation 2015 CE-accounting Centralised evaluation - accounting CE-AEI Centralised evaluation - agro-environmental indicators CE-EBS Centralised evaluation - environmental balance sheet DBTA Data base on the trafficking of animals EU European Union FOAG Federal Office of Agriculture FOEN Federal Office for the Environment FSO Federal Statistical Office FVO Federal Veterinary Office GA-EEA Group accompanying the evaluation of environmental aspects of agriculture IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development REP Required ecological performance SATV-ASAF Swiss Association of Agro-fiduciaries SBV-USP Swiss Farmers Union SHL Swiss College of Agriculture VMP Veterinary medicinal product 2/15 Référence du dossier : /245 / dec

3 1 Introduction The purpose of this report is to provide general information on the agro-environmental monitoring carried out by the Federal Office of Agriculture (FOAG) and on work that is currently being carried out. 2 Objective of agro-environmental monitoring The FOAG carries out agricultural monitoring using agricultural environmental indicators, by means of which it wishes to assess how agriculture affects environmental quality and how changes in agricultural practice affect the environment. This monitoring also shows areas where problems already exist or are emerging. Monitoring can also help in decision-making when choosing new instruments. The results of this monitoring, supplemented by statistical data from the agricultural sector (agricultural statistical data) and results from special research projects (e.g. evaluations), constitute the basis for taking decisions on assessing and developing agricultural policy: Figure 1: Decision-making process Federal Act on Agriculture additional programmes reporting and problem-solving control monitoring, research, evaluation, statistical data on agriculture evaluation calculation behaviour of farmers: implementation of regulations and participation in voluntary programmes The results obtained by environmental monitoring are not only useful to support political decisionmakers, but they also provide information, which can be supplied to the general public and used to compare with other countries. 3 Historical review The legal basis for agro-environmental monitoring is the Federal Ordinance on the Evaluation of Sustainability in Agriculture, which was passed in December Articles 8 and 9 specify that this evaluation shall be based on agro-environmental indicators comparable with international norms, and allowing the quantitative and qualitative effects of agricultural policy to be evaluated at the national and regional levels, and by type of farm. In 2000, a first list of indicators was published in the agricultural report. However, this list did not meet the wishes of the various circles concerned, so this led to the creation of the group to accompany the evaluation and sustainability of the environmental aspect of agriculture. This group is made up of representatives of the various cantonal services concerned (agriculture, environment, nature, cantonal chemists), federal offices (FOEN, FOV, FSO), environmental protection organisations, the Swiss 3/15 Référence du dossier : /245 / dec

4 Farmers Union, and research circles. The initial task of the group was to decide on a national list of agro-environmental indicators. This list was approved by the directorate of the FOAG in Then Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon (ART) carried out a study presenting appropriate methodologies already available and those to be developed, which would allow the indicators to be calculated using data that are currently available or are not yet available. Since the costs of development and implementation are particularly high, in 2004 the directorate of the FOAG decided to develop these indicators step by step and to launch the agro-environmental monitoring project over the period This project is made up of methodological developments of several indicators, preparation of a plan to implement monitoring, and a communication plan. 4 Definitions Agro-environmental monitoring: Agro-environmental monitoring (AEM) covers all the indicators and basic information, which the FOAG uses for periodical assessment of the contribution that farms make ecologically and the effects that agriculture has on natural resources. The FOAG is responsible for AEM, which is based on the Federal Ordinance on the Evaluation of Sustainability in Agriculture. Agro-environmental indicator: Agro-environmental indicators (AEIs) allow environmental evaluations to be done of the use of substances and energy, emissions of environmentally harmful substances, soil fertility, biological biodiversity, and the raising of farm animals. The ART is responsible for developing methods to assess indicators of the types "driving forces" and "potential environmental effects". AEI ART competence centre: As the competence centre for AEI, the ART is responsible for developing methods for AEI within its area of competence and for the centralised evaluation of agro-environmental indicators (CE-AEI). CE-AEI: The centralised evaluation of agro-environmental indicators (CE-AEI) ensures the development and operation of the centralised evaluation of AEIs (organisation and coordination of the transfer of data; calculation; standard evaluation). The CE-AEI is based on centralised evaluation - accounting and it takes account of the results of the centralised evaluation - environmental balance sheets (CE-EBS) project. The data on agricultural practice are collected in a network of farms, so as to provide agroenvironmental information at the regional level and by type of farm. 5 Agro-environmental monitoring 5.1 Organisation of agro-environmental monitoring Agro-environmental monitoring (AEM) consists of several working groups, whose work is coordinated overall by the AEM decision-making group, comprising representatives of the FOAG and of the ART. 4/15 Référence du dossier : /245 / dec

5 Figure 2: Organisation of agro-environmental monitoring Accompanying group GA-EEA Contracting party Management FOAG Supplier Management ART Decision-making body AEM Overall project management AEI ART AEI-ART competence centre Contracting party s project team Ecology sector Control and planning AEI team ART Coordination CE-AEI project Project leadership CA-AEI AEI X1 project Project leadership AEI X1 AEI Xn project Project leadership AEI Xn Agrotech working group Law working group Sampling working group Design Communication working group X working group 5.2 List of indicators for agro-environmental monitoring The set of indicators selected makes it possible to identify the most important agro-environmental issues, to understand the interrelation between the landscape and the environment, to follow the effects of agriculture on the environment and to assess the environmental contribution made by sustainable agriculture. Table 1 gives an overview of these indicators. The FOEN is responsible for the indicators of the state of the environment. In principle, the AEI competence centre of the ART is responsible for methodological developments and for calculating indicators of a practical nature, and effects on the environment. The FOAG coordinates the work as a whole, and publication of the results of agro-environmental monitoring (see chapter 6). 5/15 Référence du dossier : /245 / dec

6 Département fédéral de l'économie DFE Office fédéral de l agriculture OFAG Secteur Ecologie Table 1: Systematic overview: Agro-environmental indicators and sustainability indicators (shaded grey) Type of indicator Driving forces: agricultural practice Environmental effects: agricultural processes State of the environment (overall responsibility: BAFU) Nitrogen Phosphorus Nitrogen balance sheet for agriculture Phosphorus balance sheet for agriculture Potential emissions of nitrogen (emissions of nitrate, ammonia and nitrous oxide) Ammonia emissions Pollution of groundwater by nitrate from agriculture P content of soils Pollution of lakes by phoshorous from agriculture Energy / climate Energy consumption in agriculture Energy efficiency Greenhouse gas emissions Topic Water Use of plant protection products Use of veterinary medicinal products Risk of aquatic ecotoxicity Pollution of groundwater by plant protection products Veterinary medicinal products Soil Biodiversity / landscape Soil cover Risk of erosion Potential effect of agriculture on microbial biomass Input of heavy metals Ecological compensation (including quality)* Potential effects of agriculture on biodiversity* Content of contaminants Soil quality Diversity of wildlife Diversity of habitats Distinctive elements of the landscape * Indicator of sustainability for biodiversity: final choice if the indicator for potential effects of agriculture on biodiversity is further developed 6/15

7 5.3 Levels of observation Various levels of observation are used: - international level: comparison with other countries, especially those of the European Union and the OECD - national level: changes in the agricultural sector within Switzerland - regional level: 3 regions are being observed: lowlands; hills ; mountains. - farm level: pooling of results by type of farm. 5.4 Methodological development of indicators For certain agro-environmental indicators methodologies have been approved at the international or national level. In that case, their use is given priority. If there are no officially recognised methods for the topic, then the ART is responsible for developing them. This is done step by step, according to the research station s working programme. The same methodologies are used at the national and regional levels. There are currently consolidated methodologies for eight indicators. Six indicators are being developed within the ART service contract for The methodology for the ammonia indicator is currently being revised at the Swiss College of Agriculture (work under the responsibility of the FOEN, finishing at the end of 2008). For two indicators there is no planned timetable: for aquatic toxicity research is underway at the international level (EU; OECD). The results of this work will be used in Switzerland. In the case of ground cover it should be possible to calculate this indicator based on data collected for risk of soil erosion. Table 2: Methodological development of agro-environmental indicators Type of indicator Nitrogen Phosphorus Driving forces: agricultural practices Nitrogen balance sheet for agriculture Phosphorus balance sheet for agriculture Environmental effects: agricultural processes Potential emissions of nitrogen (emissions of nitrate, ammonia and nitrous oxide) Phosphorus content of the soil Topic Energy / climate Energy consumption in agriculture Energy efficiency Greenhouse gas emissions Water Use of plant protection agents Use of veterinary medicinal products Risk of aquatic ecotoxicity Soil Ground cover Risk of erosion Potential effect of agriculture on soil quality Input of heavy metals

8 Biodiversity / landscape Ecological compensation areas (including quality)* Potential effect of agriculture on biodiversity* Method exists Method will be available by 2010 No timescale planned as yet 5.5 Types and availability of data at the national and regional levels The calculation of indicators is based on three types of database: national databases; data collected at the level of farms; recordings in the field. The indicators are calculated at the national level, preferably using data from national databases. When that is not possible, we can envisage calculating the indicators at the national level, by extrapolating data collected on farms, or sampling in the field. Calculations of indicators at the regional level, and by type of farm are done with the help of data from farms or by sampling in the field. Data will be collected in farms starting in The methodological development of AEIs has to be done as a function of the data collected by the Agrotech software for the centralised evaluation of agro-environmental indicators (see details in chapter 6). In 2011, in particular following the use of the results of the centralised evaluation ecological balance sheet (CE-EBS) project, additional data could be input into the AEM package if it can be seen that they have a marked influence on the outcome the AEI. For certain AEIs longer periods of data recording are planned, in addition to the annual surveys. For financial reasons, the data necessary to calculate the indicator for ecological compensation of quality corresponding to an indicator of the state of the environment cannot be collected through the CE-AEI network of farms. A supplementary module to the FOEN biodiversity monitoring programme is envisaged. 8

9 Table 3: Sources of data to calculate agro-environmental indicators at the national level (April 2008) Type of indicator Nitrogen Phosphorus Driving forces: agricultural practices Nitrogen balance sheet for agriculture Phosphorus balance sheet for agriculture Environmental effects: agricultural processes Potential emissions of nitrogen (nitrate, ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions) Phosphorus content of the soil Energy / climate Energy consumption in agriculture Energy efficiency Greenhouse gas emissions Topic Water Use of plant protection products Use of veterinary medicinal products Risk of aquatic ecotoxicity Soil Biodiversity / landscape Ground cover Risk of erosion Potential effects of agriculture on soil quality Input of heavy metals Ecological compensation areas (including quality)* Potential effects of agriculture on biodiversity* National data Data from farms Records made in the field 5.6 Communication The main means of communicating the results of agro-environmental monitoring is the annual agricultural report (AR). The publication of results is planned as follows: a) Means of production (fertiliser; plant protection products; veterinary medicinal products; fodder; livestock) and use of land (required environmental performance, bio, ecological compensation): annual presentation of changes in the results. b) Six indicators of environmental sustainability (see table 1): updated results for sustainability indicators (including economic and social aspects) are presented every four years (annual reports 2005; 2009; 2013). c) Specific areas: annual publication of two themes, with topics repeated every four years. - year 1: phosphorus and soil (annual reports 2006 ; 2010 ; 2014) 9

10 - year 2: energy and climate (annual reports 2007 ; 2011 ; 2015) - year 3: nitrogen and water (annual reports 2004 ; 2008 ; 2012) - year 4: biodiversity and landscape (annual reports 2005 ; 2009 ; 2013) Within the agro-environmental monitoring project, a communication plan has been developed, so the coordination and distribution of responsibilities are made clear. Table 4: Means of communication Subject Content Agricultural policy Results of the indicators Communication channel Agricultural report "agro-environmental monitoring" heading on the FOAG webpage Electronic platforms FSO, FOEN Quadrennial agroenvironmental report Body consulted For opinion GA- EEA For opinion: GA- EEA Responsibility FOAG, ecology sector Technique: information sector Content: ecology sector Technique: information sector, FSO, FOEN Contents: ecology sector FOAG directorate Research Scientific results without numerical data or with published data Scientific results with unpublished numerical data Cahiers Agroscope, other scientific brochures Cahiers Agroscope, other scientific brochures With endorsement: decision-making body For information: FOAG Consultation (form): FOAG Agroscope, other research institution Agroscope, other research institution 10

11 6 The regionalisation of agro-environmental indicators Starting in January 2009, data enabling indicators to be calculated at the regional level and by type of farm will be collected in an AEI network of farms. These data can also be used to calculate the indicator at the national level if there are no appropriate data from national databases or they can also be used to check the plausibility of national results. Collection and flow of data are done according to the centralised evaluation agro-environmental indicators (CE-AIE) project, which is included in the AEI competence centre of the ART. 6.1 Players in centralised evaluation - agro-environmental indicators The flow of data coming from farms and various players in the system is based on a structure identical to that for centralised evaluation accounting. Five players have decisive roles in the flow of data: o o o o o farmers of the CE-AEI network agricultural fiduciaries (coordination Swiss Association of Agro-fiduciaries [SATV- ASAF]) Agrotech and Agridea consortium ART competence centre FOAG Figure 3: Players and their roles in the CE-AEI Main functions collect data record data complete validate check plausibility ensure quality transfer data deliver receive data calculate evaluate Production process Variant 1 farmer agricultural fiduciaries (service providers) ART Farmer records data required according to state regulations (required ecological performance, veterinary medicinal products etc.) and other information, using the Agrotech software Agricultural fiduciaries provide the following AEM services: recruitment setting up completion transfer of data to the CE-AEI Centralised evaluation at the ART 11

12 6.2 AEI network of farms Selection of farms To facilitate links between the different economic and ecological aspects in farms, CE-AEI farms are normally chosen from farms included in the centralised evaluation of accounting (CE-accounting). The first collection of data will begin on 1 January A pragmatic approach has been selected for this initial phase. The collection of data from farms taking part in the CE-EBS projects will be completed on 31 December These 180 farms have considerable experience in data collection, and the objective is to transfer them to the CE-AEI on 1 January Additional farms, selected from the CEaccounting farms may be added to this initial network, according to the selection plans for the CE-EBS or CE-accounting project. The number of farms involved in the initial phase is estimated at about 350. Starting in 2011, the network of farms will be based on a selection plan from the Sampling Design project, so that the farms selected will provide representative data (current estimate: farms). This project is being prepared. In case of specific needs (e.g. use of plant protection products in farms with special crops) farms that are not taking part in the CE-accounting project may be selected. The network may also be supplemented by farms in which data collection is financed by the cantons or other networks. Farmers are compensated for this work. Tasks of farmers in the CE-AEI network Farmers input the data needed to check required ecological performance (REP), those required by the Ordinance on Veterinary Medicinal Products and certain additional data into the Agrotech software. These farmers allow these data to be used for agro-environmental monitoring and for various types of research, provided that data protection is respected. 6.3 Agricultural fiduciaries Agricultural fiduciaries are members of the SATV-ASAF, who represent the farmers in various discussions. Their role is similar to that which they play in centralised evaluation - accounting, namely to recruit farms, to help them to input data into Agrotech, to check that the data provided ate correct, to transfer the data collected from ART farms and to archive the data received from farms. 6.4 AEI competence centre The AEI competence centre: - is responsible for dealing with AEI types "driving forces" and "potential environmental effects". Although the competence centre is not responsible for AEI indicators of the "state of the environment", these may be developed in ART projects; - develops the AEIs within its area of responsibility, through projects in its programme of work; - launches the CE-EAI project, which includes developing and running the centralised evaluation of agro-environmental indicators. - makes proposals to the decision-making body for the inclusion or exclusion in the CE-AEI of AEIs that have been fully developed methodologically. 12

13 - To develop agro-environmental monitoring, the ecology sector of the FOAG makes experts available to those responsible for methodology at the ART (e.g. committee work, providing information). - coordinates its activities in the area of agro-environmental monitoring both internally and with the ecology sector of the FOAG. 6.5 The ecology sector of the FOAG strategy and evaluation unit The ecology sector of the FOAG strategy and evaluation unit is responsible for agro-environmental monitoring as a whole. This implies certain responsibilities for the FOAG: - Overall responsibility for AEM in the sense of the Ordinance on the Evaluation of Sustainability in Agriculture - Financing services and administrative work that are not part of the service contract, but which are necessary for AEM and for the development of AEIs. - Creation of the framework to ensure the continuation of AEM in the medium term, the collection of data and the calculation of AEIs. The ecology sector of the strategy and evaluation unit of the FOAG is responsible for managing and coordinating various working groups and various development projects. It also does the political evaluation of the results and publishes them, in particular in the agricultural report. 7 Tools for centralised evaluation agro-environmental indicators (CE-AEI) 7.1 Data collected on farms Data are collected on the farm by farmers, using the Agrotech software. The 2009 version is more user-friendly than previous versions, and meets the needs of agro-environmental monitoring. The principle for data collection in 2009 is: collection of all data that must be collected by farmers in relation to their required ecological performance (structural data; notebook on fields; swissbilanz; database on trafficking of animals; diary of medical treatments) and certain specific additional data such as direct use of energy, diary of discharges and data that only have to be collected once. Thanks to the data that will be collected in 2009 and to methodological developments that have been introduced, it will be possible to calculate the following indicators in 2010: - Nitrogen balance sheet, OECD - Phosphorus balance sheet, OECD - Emissions of greenhouse gases, IPCC - Consumption and efficiency of direct energy - Use of plant protection products, FOAG: with a reserve concerning the amount of data collected. - Use of veterinary medicinal products, FOAG: with a reserve concerning the amount of data collected. The data collected in monitoring should make it possible to calculate other indicators that are being developed. 7.2 Agrotech software, technical support and training Adaptations to and maintenance of the software are done by the consortium of the owners of the Agrotech software (Agridea; Swiss Farmers Union). Agricultural fiduciaries and Agridea take care of training and technical support. The ways in which the technical support will be provided are still being worked out. 13

14 Figure 4: tools, tasks and responsibilities Main functions Support poce sses IT-tools Recruitment Setting up Installing, initial records) Help-desk Support Training recruitment Agricultural fiduciaries collect data service Agricultural providers fiduciaries SPOC record data Agro-Tech advice / ecology complete validate check plausibility ensure quality help-desk Agro- Tech IT-support Agridea FOAG ART transfer data deliver receive data CE-AEI calculate evaluate 8 Agro-environmental monitoring and environmental objectives for agriculture Discussions are currently taking place between the FOAG and the FOEN on setting environmental objectives for agriculture (long-term objectives). The findings will be published during Intermediate objectives also have to be developed, depending on the long-term objectives. These will be set taking account of the measures introduced, the costs for agriculture and other objectives of agricultural policy. The discussions underway allow us to envisage analysing the achievement of many objectives from the results of monitoring. A detailed analysis will be done, to spot any gaps in the present system. 9 In short The FOAG agro-environmental monitoring currently provides national information on the effects of agricultural practice on the environment and information on the state of the environment. Through this, information can be provided to those interested, and the strengths and weaknesses of the agricultural policy in the area of the environment can be identified and rectified if need be. To improve this support for decision-making, the monitoring is being regionalised. Starting in 2009, data will be collected at the level of farms, in order to have information on the environmental effects of agriculture by region and by type of farm. The first such results should be available in In the medium term, economic, ecological and social aspects could be correlated, to provide better information concerning sustainable development of agriculture. Agro-environmental monitoring should also enable us to measure, to a great extent, the achievement of environmental objectives for agriculture. 14

15 10 Contacts Person responsible for agro-environmental monitoring, FOAG: Person responsible for the competence centre for agro-environmental indicators, ART Link: 15