Common Agricultural Policy & Wildlife

Transcription

1 Common Agricultural Policy & Wildlife Dr Yves LECOCQ Senior Policy Advisor FACE Kranichstein, 20 September 2013 DJV Symposium

2 Presentation overview Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) today Agriculture: land use & wildlife CAP tomorrow? Role of hunters?

3 The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) today (& yesterday)

4 Common Agricultural Policy Created as a result of need for guarantee of food supplies after 2. WW in Europe A common policy for all the Member States of the EU. Managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU annual budget which is fixed for 7 years at a time (but day to day running is responsibility of the Member States) Main Objectives? increase productivity & ensure supply ensure a fair standard of living for farmers & benefits for rural communities stabilize markets & ensure reasonable prices Why one policy, set at EU level? ensures common rules in a single market addresses market volatility where needed safeguards the progress made in recent reforms towards increased competitiveness

5 CAP evolution 1962 The Common Agricultural Policy is born. The CAP is foreseen as a common policy, with the objectives to provide affordable food for EU citizens and a fair standard of living for farmers The CAP falls victim to its own success Farms become so productive that they grow more food than needed. The surpluses are stored and lead to food mountains The CAP shifts from market support to producer support Price support is scaled down, and replaced with direct aid payments to farmers. They are encouraged to be more environmentally friendly.

6 CAP evolution 2003 The CAP provides income support A new CAP reform cuts the link between subsidies and production. Farmers now receive an income support payment, on condition that they look after the farmland and fulfil environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards A new CAP reform Proposal seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, promote innovation, combat climate change and support jobs and growth in rural areas The June 2013 reform is focused on three priorities: viable food production sustainable management of natural resources balanced development of rural areas throughout the EU.

7 Historical development of the CAP

8 CAP Measures Since 2000 CAP has a structure of 2 Pillars Pillar I Direct payments not only provide farmers with a basic income but also ensure the provision of environmental public goods Market support agriculture is more weather and climate dependent than many other sectors Pillar II Rural development national (sometimes regional) programmes of development are established to address the specific needs and challenges facing rural areas Mechanisms Intervention purchases, when market price fell below an agreed "guarantee price" Import quotas and levies in order to enforce minimum import prices Export subsidies to sell surpluses on the world markets Production quota (for sugar & milk & wine production) but milk quotas expiring in 2015, sugar quotas in 2017, wine planting rights by end of 2015

9 Some concepts Cross compliance Since 2005 all farmers receiving direct payments are subject to compulsory cross compliance. Cross compliance represents the "baseline" or "reference level" for agri environment measures. Ensures that support granted under the CAP contributes to promoting sustainable agriculture and, thereby, responds positively to concerns of citizens at large. Agro environmental measures (AEM) AEM provide payments to farmers who subscribe, on a voluntary basis, to environmental commitments related to the preservation of the environment and maintaining the countryside. Modulation A system of progressive reduction of direct payments allowing a transfer of funds from Pillar 1 (EAGF) to Pillar 2 (EAFRD). In order to achieve a better balance between policy tools designed to promote sustainable agriculture and those designed to promote rural development.

10 Agriculture: land use & wildlife trends

11 Rural vs. urban Predominantly rural and intermediate areas account for: 92% of area 53% of employment 45% of gross value creation Source: DG AGRI 11

12 Intensity of agriculture in the EU (European Commission IRENA 15)

13 Distribution of low- and high-intensity arable land (Kempen et al Agricult Ecosyst Environ)

14 Distribution of small- and large-scale arable land (Kempen et al Agricult Ecosyst Environ)

15 Farming is getting more intensive Yield of winter wheat (100kg ha -1 ) Area of arable land (million ha) (Smith et al Mamm Rev)

16 Losers & Growers in land use changes

17 Land use outlooks to 2020 Predominant land cover trends are continuing: Urbanisation Agricultural intensification Agricultural abandonment Afforestation but over all slow down of total land changes

18 Land abandonment = re-wildering / more biodiversity? (Navarro & Perreira 2012 Ecosystems)

19 Wilderness does not per se lead to higher biodiversity (Navarro & Perreira 2012 Ecosystems)

20 Who will benefit from land abandonment (re-wildering)? Mammals and Birds (n=151) 56% will find more suitable habitat (woodland species, large carnivores) 44% will face habitat loss (small game from open landscapes) (Navarro & Perreira 2012 Ecosystems)

21 Effects of agriculture intensification? 76% of the assessments of habitats linked to agro ecosystems are unfavourable 89 of the 152 grassland bird species (59%) have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe Europe s grassland butterflies have declined by 60% since 1990 and this reduction shows no sign yet of levelling off Source: European Commission

22 Hare hunting bag evolution in Lower Austria Year (Schwenk 1985 Homo Venator, Statistik Austria)

23 Decline in grey partridges (Perdix perdix) Foto Rebhuhn (Jiri Bohdal) Year (Schwenk 1985 Homo Venator, Statistik Austria)

24 Agriculture as 1 of the factors affecting population density? Population density Predation Anthropogenic factors (e.g., agriculture, hunting, road kills) climate and habitat diseases time (Müller 2001)

25 More hares in areas with set aside? Population density in spring (hares/100ha) R 2 =0.54, p= Proportion of set-asides (%) (Hackländer 2004)

26 % Species Good Conservation Status R 2 = Log of Hunters+Anglers/1000 in population Bubbles show growth rate of GDP in country High density of hunters and anglers High proportion of species with favourable conservation status (FFH Art. 17 evaluation)

27 The CAP tomorrow?

28 A challenge for society & CAP? The major global threat to biodiversity is the expansion of urban and farmland into natural habitats

29 Challenges for Agriculture Europe is a net food importer (60 million tn) virtually using 35 million hectares in third countries to supply Europeans today. Production growth by 2019 (FAO forecast, period ): Brazil 40%, Ukraine 29%, Russia 26%, China 26%, India 21%, Australia 17%, US and Canada 10-15% EU-27 less than 4% (Western European agriculture is forecast to be stagnant).

30 Challenges for Agriculture A greater population (35% increase) and change of dietary patterns (more animal products 2x consumption) Source: UN Population Division, World Population Prospects: the 2008 Revision (Medium Variant) Will we be able to deliver?

31 Challenges for Agriculture Agriculture needs to make efficient and sustainable use of water, land and energy. Farmers to meet rising food and feed demand without exhausting valuable scarce natural resources and threatening biodiversity. Sustainable increase of productivity.

32 European Commission, DG ENVI position EU strategy & legal obligations for wildlife conservation EU Birds and Habitats Directives (BHD) Favourable Conservation Status for species & habitats EU Biodiversity Strategy, by 2020: Halt biodiversity loss, restore ecosystem services Target 1: full implementation of BHD, achieve measurable improvement of conservation status of species and habitat types Target 3a: maximize areas covered under CAP biodiversity related measures, 5 sub targets were largely included in Commission CAP reform proposals

33 DG ENVI position Financing biodiversity & Natura 2000 CAP and Rural development essential Learn from past problems perverse definitions and application, high administrative burden, too low payments, short term vs long term Ensure continuity for successful measures Enhance cooperation between administrations Enhance understanding for the value of nature & biodiversity

34 DG ENVI position Guidance on Farming for Natura 2000 How to integrate Natura 2000 conservation objectives into farming practices Based on Member States good practice experiences Prepared through an active dialogue with relevant stakeholders (agricultural and environmental authorities, farmers organisations, environmental NGOs) Guidance to design different packages of CAP and other measures to support the management of Natura 2000 in farmland Includes good practice examples from EU 27 Draft available at gation/container.jsp

35 DG ENVI position CAP best practices Prevent abandonment and intensification in valuable extensive areas (Natura 2000 sites, HNV) Set clear and understandable conservation and management objectives Use best available knowledge both expert and local farmers Support practices that can contribute to the conservation of farmland habitats & species, e.g. Maintain and enhance habitat diversity and heterogeneity Grazing: suitable stocking rates, seasonality and timing, using adequate stock species or a combination of grazers, rotational grazing Shepherding Mowing hay appropriate timing and frequency, adequate equipment and machinery, removing or keeping the cut hay, use grazing is in combination with cutting Maintain feeding, breeding and shelter habitat for species, field strips, stone walls, hedges Protect natural forest species composition, enhance presence of deadwood, Funding on long term basis, not just for payments to farmers but also to cover all delivery and support costs Provide advice and information by sources trusted by the farmer Ensure adequate monitoring, evaluation and review

36 DG ENVI position CAP best practices: Direct Payments Ensure the economic viability of extensive farming systems (including HNV) Flexible eligibility rules to preserve natural features for wildlife (eg trees, field margins and hedges) Do not exclude the extensive area from direct payment Greening needs ambitious implementation of Ecological Focus Area to ensure added value for wildlife needs application of enlarged definition of permanent grassland (inclusion of plants for grazing which are not herbaceous)

37 CAP & Wildlife inside protected areas? Natura 2000 (20% of EU!) Natura 2000 sites are often located on land used for farming Integrate Natura 2000 conservation objectives into farming practices Prevent abandonment and intensification in valuable extensive areas Support practices that can contribute to the conservation of farmland habitats and species Support achieving conservation objectives Maintain and enhance habitat diversity and heterogeneity Grazing: suitable stocking rates, seasonality and timing, using adequate stock species or a combination of grazers, rotational grazing Maintain feeding, breeding and shelter habitat for species, field strips, stone walls, hedges Protect natural forest species composition, enhance presence of deadwood

38 CAP Tomorrow?

39 CAP Tomorrow? Political agreement between European Commission, Council of Ministers and European Parliament reached on 26 th of June 2013 after two years of negotiations through Ordinary legislative procedure. What happens next: The formal adoption of the reform is still needed by the European Parliament and the Council. Budgetary issues are the only part of the agreement still in the trialogue (Council/Commission/EP).

40 Timetable? Reform should be implemented on national level as from 1st January 2014, except for the new direct payments structure (Greening) which will apply as from 2015 in order to give enough time to inform farmers about the new CAP. Rural development programs should be approved early 2014, however, for certain annual elements, transition rules should apply.

41 Main elements? Greening: In addition to the Basic Payment Scheme, each holding will receive a payment per hectare for respecting agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment. Member States will use 30% of their national envelope in order to pay for this. Greening is compulsory and failure to respect the requirements will result in penalties which go beyond the Greening payment, i.e. after a transition offenders will also lose up to 125% of their Greening payment

42 Main elements? The 3 basic measures foreseen are: maintaining permanent grassland crop diversification (at least 2 crops when arable land exceeds 10 ha / at least 3 crops when arable land exceeds 30 ha. Main crop may cover max. 75% of arable land / 2 main crops max. 95% of the arable area) maintaining an ecological focus area of min. 5% of the arable area of the holding for farms larger than 15 ha (excluding permanent grassland) i.e. field margins, hedges, trees, fallow land, landscape features, biotopes, buffer strips, afforested area. Increase to 7% after a Commission report in 2017 and a legislative proposal

43 Main elements? II Pillar MS will decide which measures they use (and how) in order to achieve targets set against 6 broad "priorities and their more detailed "focus areas", on the basis of sound analysis. MS will have to spend min. 30 % of rural development funding from the EU budget on certain measures related to land management & fight against climate change RDP to be designed in a way to work towards the common targets set in Europe 2020 Strategy. Priorities fostering knowledge transfer and innovation; enhancing competitiveness; promoting food chain organisation & risk management; restoring, preserving & enhancing ecosystems; promoting resource efficiency and transition to a low carbon economy promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.

44 Main elements? LEADER? = a programme to strengthen the rural economy by encouraging local people to take action at the local level (bottom up), rather than imposing off the shelf action on them (top down) Part of the Rural development program Good way to involve local communities (also hunters)

45 Budget ? The Commission proposes to allocate: billion to 1. Pillar of the CAP (from European Agricultural Guarantee Fund EAGF) 89.9 billion to rural development (from European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development EAFRD) In addition, 15.2 billion will be distributed between: research and innovation; food safety; food support; reserve for possible crises in the agricultural sector, etc. Percentage of the Agriculture budget in comparison to the whole budget has been dropping steadily (from almost 75% to 44% in 2011) Funding: Pillar I Direct Payments (70% of CAP Budget) Market Measures (10% of CAP Budget) Pillar II Rural development Programs (20% of CAP Budget) 4% 23% 73% I Pillar II Pillar Additional

46 Role of hunters?

47 Hunters proposals 1 Germany The hunters foundation Natur + Mensch has rewarded farms which do already work with greening, through the award Wildtierfreundliche Landwirtschaft. Promotion of ecological networks and establishment of a functioning regional ecological network Biotopverbund Promotion of field margins, flower strips, flowering areas, however with the option to conduct measures from care up to economical use Promotion of open land areas through targeted measures, such as lark windows or double row spacing in corn planting Preservation and promotion of existing habitats through cartographic recording. Non sufficient fulfillment of requirements for the preservation could lead to cuts of single payments (cross compliance related)

48 Hunters proposals 2 France Set aside for environment and wildlife since 1994 with derogation of CAP by agricultural ministry: Good practices for harvesting, ploughing, grinding; 40 days of forbidden grinding but too little; Plantation of hedges, km; Preservation of wetlands from drying out; "AGRIFAUNE" Competitive, sustainable agriculture protecting wild species, small game and habitats, to value agriculture by biodiversity. Network of farms : For all country, all agricultural productions, for all small game; To obtain references and to compare practices and biodiversity development about agronomy, economy and wild life; National database with 23 indicators ; To make recommendations to farmers and to propose measures to CAP.

49 Hunters proposals 3 Sweden Riparian strips: are strips of arable land along large ditches, streams and lakes that are sown with ley mixtures and maintained in the same way as set aside with a five year duration. Buffer strips: similar to riparian strips, but are established between crops in a field or at a field margin. Open ditches: provide wildlife with access to water, shelter and food. Set aside: Swedish farmers can apply for compensation under pillar 2 for maintaining fields, or parts of fields, as set aside for five years. Bird crops: Swedish farmers can apply for compensation to leave cereal crops un harvested. Sloping forest edges: Swedish farmers can apply for compensation for restoring and maintaining traditional sloping forest edges, with a gradual change from open agricultural habitats to a closed forest.

50 Ireland Hunters proposals 44 Articles from the Commission Proposal under which hunting related actions are possible: 1. Fostering knowledge transfer and innovation Article 16 Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services 2. Enhancing competitiveness of all types of agriculture and enhancing farm viability Article Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints Article 20 Farm and business development 3. Promoting food organisation and risk management 4. Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems Article 29 Agro environment climate Article 31 Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments 5. Promoting economic development in rural areas

51 Conclusions Hunters can help farmers & society to increase productivity sustainably MS are drafting the Rural Development Programs at the moment. Involvement of hunting associations on the national level right now is crucial, to try to influence the measures drawn up in the new Rural Development Program, as the Program will last for 7 years and changes in between will not be possible. e.g.: farm advisory services European Innovation Partnership LEADER Make sure activities by hunters (e.g. planting flower strips, hedgerows..) are eligible in the national Programmes.

52 Thank you