Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania. Promoting viability of agricultural communities to protect a Natura 2000 landscape Barcelona December 2014

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Jonah Todd
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1 Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania Promoting viability of agricultural communities to protect a Natura 2000 landscape Barcelona December 2014

2 . one of Romania s largest farmland SCI/ Natura 2000 sites

Tarnava Mare, a lowland area of high biodiversity, 85.

3 Tarnava Mare, a lowland area of high biodiversity, ha farmed by families in small-scale farming communities

6 Why are these landscapes and communities important? Public Goods Biodiversity Clean air, clean water Food quality Food security Nature tourism Resistance to flooding, fires, climate change Low energy agriculture Low energy villages Short supply chains Pollination Carbon sequestration Agro-biodiversity

biodiversity that wilderness areas Biodiversity Wilderness

7 Mosaic landscape, habitats, species Mixed traditional agricultural landscapes in Europe often have higher biodiversity that wilderness areas Biodiversity Wilderness Mixed agriculture Intensive agriculture Source: after Hoogeveen et al., 2001

8 Tens of thousands of hectares of grassland and forest habitats, and many species, protected at European and global levels

9 Some of the most important wildflowerrich lowland haymeadows in Europe

10 . and areas of mosaic landscape with wildflower-rich haymeadows, trees and scrub offering biodiversity connectivity and refuges

11 with associated wildlife of European importance

13 Who created these landscapes? Farm sizes in Romania 2.7 m holdings <1ha, 35% of UAA 900,000 holdings 1-5 ha, 15% UAA 150,000 holdings 5-10ha, 40% UAA

14 Biodiversity comes from traditional land management. Challenge: can traditional land management in Romania offer a livelihood to small-scale farmers? Collapse of cow numbers (~25% in 5 years) à Each cow = 1ha of meadow habitat maintained à Up to 50% of hay meadows in some areas abandoned

DG Agriculture & Rural Development DG Environment One-stop shop for

for measures; obligations linked to measures; food safety and hygiene

Policy development through cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of

so that design and implementation of measures in current and future

increase their capacity to carry out individual and joint actions.

through farmer groups. Using SMS in cooperation with Orange Romania.

THIS CIRCLE SHOWS HOW LINKED ACTIVITIES OF FUNDAȚIA ADEPT HAVE

HIGH BIODI- VERSITY LANDSCAPES OF TÂRNAVA MARE N2000 SITE such as

attract visitors and income to the area.

where it quality products to provoke publicity.

agri-environment schemes, but suited to modern expectations.

15 DG Agriculture & Rural Development DG Environment One-stop shop for farmers, providing information on a wide range of topics: applications for measures; obligations linked to measures; food safety and hygiene regulations for processing and direct sales; marketing. Policy development through cooperation with the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, and consultations with DG Agriculture, so that design and implementation of measures in current and future Rural Development Programmes are informed by ADEPT s practical experiences. Training of individual farmers, and of farmers associations, to increase their capacity to carry out individual and joint actions. Information groups for farmers, packaging information and channeling it through farmer groups. Using SMS in cooperation with Orange Romania. Links to National Rural Development Network. THIS CIRCLE SHOWS HOW LINKED ACTIVITIES OF FUNDAȚIA ADEPT HAVE INCREASED THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF SMALL-SCALE FARMS, COMMUNITIES AND HIGH BIODI- VERSITY LANDSCAPES OF TÂRNAVA MARE N2000 SITE such as innovative mountain bike trail networks which link guesthouses and attract visitors and income to the area. Communication with the consumer such as the Know what you eat, know where it quality products to provoke publicity. With Orange Romania, we are developing mobile phone apps for use by consumers. Innovative machinery for management of traditional grasslands under agri-environment schemes, but suited to modern expectations. Innovative processing to assist micro-producers, and to overcome authorization problems. Marketing initiatives, developing modern brands and packaging, producer groups, short supply chains and genuine farmers markets across Romania. The impact of this integrated information programme has been remarkable increased local incomes of over 2m per year for 2,000 small-scale farmers in the Târnava Mare area, increasing farm viability and community prosperity while supporting sustainable farming practices.

CAP payments In 2005-6 we designed Romania s first HNV grassland agri-environment scheme. Scheme launched nationally in 2008.

17 CAP payments In we designed Romania s first HNV grassland agri-environment scheme. Scheme launched nationally in Participation of Târnava Mare area farmers in the agri-environment scheme was five times higher than regional average. Local: 1,390 small farmers on 17,641 ha are National: 230,000 farmers on 1.1m ha

Benefits: keeping farmers on the land These shepherds get 124 /ha basic grassland a-e payments + 58 ha non-mechanisation + 100/ha direct payments = total 282

18 Benefits: keeping farmers on the land These shepherds get 124 /ha basic grassland a-e payments + 58 ha non-mechanisation + 100/ha direct payments = total 282 per ha per year They are not changing their behaviour. But without a-e payments they would not continue. Multiple biodiversity and other ecosystem service benefits

Measure 214 also supports community grazing A-e payments, when used by common grazing associations, are reversing the decline in cattle numbers.

19 Measure 214 also supports community grazing A-e payments, when used by common grazing associations, are reversing the decline in cattle numbers. Ø association receives /year for direct payments and agrienvironment payments on 900ha of common grazing. Ø Funds used as co-financing for investment projects.

20 Carrying out conservation/restoration of important grassland habitats under two EU LIFE+ programmes LIFE STIPA LIFE Aquila pomerina

21 Innovative mapping for prediction of habitats.. 95% accurate

impact negotiations with processors for better prices linked to quality and quantity The Milk Collection Points serving over

22 Improving the market for milk by developing Milk Collection Points and milk hygiene Workshops practical impact: cleanliness at milking, time between milking and cooling, discipline at the communal milk collection points by on-the-spot testing Economic impact negotiations with processors for better prices linked to quality and quantity The Milk Collection Points serving over 170 farmers, and over 700 cows, /year additional income Biodiversity impact: maintaining 1500 ha of grass by grazing/mowing

23 Markets and diversification Farmers markets 150,000 / year 70 producers Area branding Farmer associations Apps SMS Mountain bike trails linking producers and guest houses 10-fold increase to 110,000 income 10,000 visitors

Education, awareness Brief Guide to Birds of

fluturi indicatoare pentru pajiștile uscate cu Înaltă

indicatoare pentru pajiști cu Înaltă Valoare Naturală

24 Education, awareness Brief Guide to Birds of Sighişoara-Târnava Mare Natura 2000 site Specii de fluturi indicatoare pentru pajiștile uscate cu Înaltă Valoare Naturală din Transilvania Specii de plante indicatoare pentru pajiști cu Înaltă Valoare Naturală din Transilvania Kovács István, Komáromi István Sándor, Daróczi J. Szilárd, Kelemen A. Márton, Papp Tamás. Ilustrations: Deák Attila Laszlo Ràkosy John Akeroyd și Sabin Bădărău

25 Nature interpretation signs

26 But..beware exporting W European approaches to E Europe If it ain t broke don t fix it!

27 Partnerships Farmers Ø maintaining existing management patterns how? Innovate Ø Creating associations critical mass for markets, policy Linking policy with practical experience on the ground Ø Town Halls, Ministries, Commission 2012: 1st prize in EU for best communication with farmers 2013: 1st prize in EU for most innovative communication with farmers 2014: 1st prize in EU for bringing most benefits to communities in a protected area

28 Multumesc pentru atentie! Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania

Making small scale farming viable for people and nature in Romania. Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania

Making small scale farming viable for people and nature in Romania Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania Policy environment Policy makers should overhaul global food systems, making them healthier and more sustainable