MEASURES APPLIED TO ACHIEVE THE AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS UNDER LITHUANIAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR

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1 MEASURES APPLIED TO ACHIEVE THE AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS UNDER LITHUANIAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR Agnė Prakapienė Chief Specialist of Division of Environment and Ecological Farming Department of Agricultural Production and Food Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Lithuania 29 October 2013

2 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LITHUANIA Population: 3 millions. Ethnic composition: Lithuanians: 83.5%, Poles: 6.7%, Russians: 6.3%, Belorussians: 1.2%, other: 2.3%. There are 115 ethnicities in total in Lithuania. Area: 65,3 thous. sq. Km. Largest cities according to the population (thous.): Vilnius (553,200), Kaunas (373,700), Klaipėda (191,600), Šiauliai (132,700), Panevėžys (118,800). Administrative division: 10 counties, 60 municipalities, 546 elderships. Language: Lithuanian. Lithuanian Independence: declared: 16 February, restored: 11 March, Political system: Parliamentary democracy. Currency: Litas (3,45 LTL = 1 Euro). Membership: EU, NATO. Lithuania joined NATO on 29 March, 2004, and on 1 May, 2004 it became a member state of the EU. 2

3 NATURE OF LITHUANIA Seaboard: ~ 90 km. Forest area: 1972,2 thous. ha (covers 32,4 % of territory). Woodlands: cover 31,7 % of territory. Protected landscapes: cover 12 % of territory. Regional parks and nature reserves: covers 30 % of territory. There are: 722 rivers (21 of them are longer than 100 km); more than 3 thousand lakes (they cover up to 1.5 % of territory). 3

4 SCENERY OF LITHUANIA

5 INFORMATION ABOUT RURAL AREAS OF LITHUANIA 2006 (2011) Area of utilised agricultural land: 2790,6 (2805,9) thous. ha (it covers ~ 42,7 (43,0) % of all registered land. Less-favoured area covers 50 % of the total utilized agricultural area in Lithuania). Area of arable land: 1877,8 (2185,7) thous. ha (it covers 67,3 (77,9) % of utilised agricultural land and 28,8 (33,5) % of all registered land). Meadows and natural pastures: 876,3 (589,3) thous. ha (it covers 31,4 (21,0) % of utilised agricultural land and 13,4 (9,0) % of all registered land). Orchards and berry plantations: 35,2 (29,2) thous. ha (it covers 1,3 (1,0) % of utilised agricultural land and 0,5 (0,4) % of all registered land). 5 5

6 6

7 EU support for member states: measures of the RD policy Rural development policy : Measures «LEADER Axis» (5%): integrated, bottom/up, innovative Axis 1: Competitiveness 10%: - Farm modernisation - Processing - Infrastructure - Natural disaster aid - Training Axis 2: Environment and Land Management (25%): - Less favoured areas - Natura Agri-environment - Forestry measures Axis 3: Diversification and quality of life (10%): - Diversification, tourism - Micro-enterprises - Village renewal - Basic services EAFRD: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 7

8 Global objective for Rural Development Strategy of To ensure growth through improving competitiveness of agri-food and forestry sectors as well as creating possibilities for diversification of economic activities and improving the quality of life in rural areas, meanwhile enhancing the existing environmental, human and other values and reducing disparities between rural and urban areas as well as separate regions Axis and Objectives thereof AXIS I: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector Objective: To develop modern and competitive agri-food and forestry sectors Tasks 1.1. Improvement of infrastructure of farms and forestry holdings; 1.2. Modernization, implementation of modern technologies and innovations, improvement of product quality and marketing; 1.3. Strengthening of human potential. AXIS II: Improving the environment and the countryside Objective: To improve environment and landscape through rational use of land resources and promotion of sustainable development of agriculture and forestry Tasks 2.1. Encouragement of environmentally friendly farming practice; 2.2. Reduction of climate change; 2.3. Preservation of biodiversity and support of farming. AXIS III: The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of rural economy Objective: To improve the quality of life and increase the employment of rural population in rural areas Tasks 3.1. Founding of alternative income sources and working places in rural areas; 3.2. Improvement of physical and social rural infrastructure. Funds: European Agricultural Fund for Rural development, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, European Cohesion Fund AXIS IV: Leader Objective: To promote rural development and develop community character through local initiatives and partnership Tasks 4.1. Encouragement of local initiative, partnership, cooperation; 4.2. Development of human resources in order to achieve successful development and implementation of the strategies of LAG as the outcome of education of communities 8

9 IMPLEMENTATION OF AXIS 2 PRIORITIES Lisabon Strategy (to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion) all measures of Axis 2 contributes to the implementation. Goteberg strategy (environmental dimension ): measures II.2.1., II.2.2, II.3.2. Overall objective To improve the environment and landscape through rational use of land resources and promotion of sustainable development of agriculture and forestry Specific objectives II.1.Environmentally friendly farming practices II.2.Mitigation of climate change II.3.Preservation of biodiversity and development of high nature value and traditional agrarian areas Measures of RDP II.1.1. Agri-environmental measures: II Landscape management II Shore belts of surface water bodies II Rare Breeds II Soil liming (chalking) II Water bodies at risk II Organic farming II.2.1. Afforestration II.2.2. Restoring forestry potential II.3.1. Natura 2000 territories II.3.2. Farming in LFA

10 The amount of the EU s support 1 milliard 766 mill. EUR + co-financing form the national budget 521 mill. EUR, TOTAL: 2 milliards 287mill. EUR Axis III. 262,3 mill. EUR; 11% DISTRIBUTION OF THE RESOURCES OF EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL FUND FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND OF THE NATIONAL BUDGET FOR Axis IV. 134,5 mill. EUR; 6% Axis V. 90,7 mill. EUR; 4% Axis I. 996,9 mill. EUR; 44% Axis I. Improving the Competitiveness of the Agricultural and Forestry Sector Axis II. Improving the Environment and the Countryside Axis III. The Quality of Life in Rural Areas and Diversification of the Rural Economy Axis IV. LEADER method Axis II. 802,5 mill. EUR; 35% Axis V. Technical Assistance 10

11 MEASURES SUPPORT FOR MEASURES OF AXIS II FOR THE PERIOD OF Axis II. Improving the Environment and the Countryside Non-productive Investments in Forests Non-productive Investments 5,8 10 2,8 15 2, , ,3 346, mill. EUR Restoring Forestry Potential Forest Environment Payments NATURA 2000 Payments (support for NATURA 2000 areas in forests) First Afforestation of Non Agricultural and Abandoned Land First Afforestation of Agricultural Land Agri-environmental Payments NATURA 2000 Payments (linked to directive 2000/60/EC) Payments to Farmers in Areas with Handicaps (Less Favoured Areas) TOTAL FOR AXIS 802,5 mill. EUR 11

12 Agri-environmental measures in Lithuania 12

13 The following measures, which are undertaken by entities on a voluntary basis, are applied in Lithuania under the Rural Development Programme : - Landscape stewardship scheme. - Organic farming scheme. - Rare Breeds scheme. - Improving the status of water bodies at risk. - Environmentally friendly fruits and vegetables cultivation system. 13

14 Objectives of Agri-environmental measures under the Rural Development Programme: to encourage the sustainable use of natural resources and soil, to preserve the biodiversity and stability of activity in Eco-systems, to conserve natural slopes of water bodies, to preserve and duly maintain natural and semi-natural grasslands as well as use wetlands in a sustainable manner, to reduce the negative impact of agricultural activities on environment. 14

15 Landscape stewardship scheme 15

16 Objectives of the Scheme: to preserve the biodiversity through due maintenance of natural and semi-natural grasslands and wetlands, to continue or re-establish extensive farming systems in grasslands and wetlands, to reduce the intensity of farming in heavily exploited grasslands, to protect water bodies against pollution from agriculture. 16

17 The Landscape Stewardship Scheme is composed of the following activities: 1. Management of natural and semi-natural meadows (98 EUR/ha). 2. Management of wetlands (229 EUR/ha (for other than farming land) and 168 EUR/ha (for farming land)). 3. Management of bank protective belts of water bodies in meadows ( EUR/ha). 4. Protection of water bodies against pollution and soil erosion on the arable land (160 EUR/ha). 5. Stubbly field in winter season (145 EUR/ha). 6. Strips or plots of melliferous plants in arable land (62 EUR/ha). 7. Management of landscape elements in holdings (437 EUR/ha). 8. Management of reclamation ditches (100 EUR/ha /from2012 for new beneficiaires150 EUR/ha). 17

18 Organic farming Organic farming helps in harmonising the economic objectives of production activities led by economic entities and the environmental objectives (demands) of the public. Old farming traditions that used to spare environment are fostered by this style of farming, which also helps preserving the authentic agrarian landscape. 18

19 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPORT IN ORGANIC FARMING: Crops have to be declared annually. Applicant has to participate in the organic farming scheme for at least 5 years. The organic produce has to be placed on the market. 19

20 AID INTENSITY (I) Support is granted for certified and declared areas, used for producing organic agricultural products: - for grain crops EUR 215/ha; - for perennial grass EUR 127/ha. - for vegetables, potatoes EUR 440/ha; - for herbs EUR 489/ha; - for berries and for gardens EUR 516/ha. Payments are made for organic farming and farming in transition. 20

21 AID INTENSITY (II) Seed growing holdings certified in accordance with the requirements of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 and Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1452/ August 2003 and Organic farming regulations for parcels used for organic seed growing. - for vegetables, potatoes EUR 440/ha; - for herbs EUR 489/ha; - for berries and for gardens EUR 516/ha. Payments are made for organic farming and farming in transition. 21

22 Number of organic farms and certified AREA SERIES M. (WITH FISH FARMS)

23 RARE BREEDS SCHEME The objective of this measure is to promote keeping and breeding of the old local endangered breeds of native domestic animals and birds.

24 JUSTIFICATION OF THE SCHEME: This scheme is designed to preserve the old local breeds of animals and birds in danger of extinction. Local breeds of animal are identified in Programme of FAO AnGR Global Focal Point & Baltic Genofond in cooperation with FAO SEUR. The local breeds of animals and birds in danger of extinction and the number of rarebreed animals and birds registered as of February 22, 2006 are as follows.

25 Support is granted for rare Lithuanian breeds - for Žemaitukai horses EUR 198 per horse; - for Big Žemaitukai horses) EUR 198 per horse; - for Lithuanian Weighted horses EUR 191 per horse; - for Lithuanian Ash-Grey cattle) EUR 180 per cattle unit; - for Lithuanian White-Backed cattle EUR 180 per cattle unit; - for Lithuanian Rufous and Black and White cattle (local genotype) - - EUR 180 per cattle unit; - for Lithuanian White pigs (old genotype) EUR 65 per pig; - for Lithuanian Native (Wattle) pigs EUR 65 for per pig; - for Lithuanian Coarse-wooled sheep EUR 28 per sheep; - for Lithuanian Blackhead sheep (old genotype) EUR 28 per sheep; - for Chicken geese EUR 3 per Chicken goose.

26 IMPROVING THE STATUS OF WATER BODIES AT RISK 26

27 SCHEME FOR IMPROVING THE STATUS OF WATER BODIES AT RISK The objective of the scheme is to help achieve good status of water bodies that by especially big negative impact of farming - pollution of water with nutrients, organic substances - are at risk not to achieve good status till 2015 (as is required by Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and Water Law of Lithuania).

28 The scheme of improving the status of water bodies at risk is aimed at reducing the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in water bodies resulting from fertilization and soil erosion in adjacent fields. (Income foregone resulting from the conversion of arable land into a permanent pasture (meadow) 118 EUR/ha.) 28

29 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CULTIVATION SYSTEM The goal of the system is to encourage farmers growing fruit and vegetables to introduce environmentally friendly production technologies and reduce environmental pollution.

30 The growing of fruits, vegetables and berries under this system is an important tool for improvement of environmental protection while allowing farming. Environment-friendly technologies help to retain and improve quality of soil, reduce water pollution, secure the stability of the eco-system and biodiversity.

31 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CULTIVATION SYSTEM AID INTENSITY Support is granted per hectare under this scheme: - for vegetables and potatoes 316 EUR/ha; - for currants plantations 336 EUR/ha; - for orchards and berry plantations 344 EUR /ha. 31

32 Declared area, ha Declared area, ha Declared area, ha Declared area, ha Declared area, ha Declared area, ha 214. Agri-environment payments , , , , , ,05 Landscape stewardship scheme , , , , , ,21 Management of shore protective belts of water bodies in meadows 0 16,72 6,81 30,48 21,35 10,66 Protection of water bodies against pollution and soil erosion on the arable land 0 5,43 3,43 3,43 3,41 0 Management of natural and seminatural meadows , , , , , ,17 Management of wetlands 732,67 881, , , , ,93 Stubbly field in winter season , , , , ,81 Management of reclamation ditches 0 11,37 30,34 31,56 25,69 29,54 Strips or plots of melliferous plants in the arable land 0 3,88 6,94 8,84 4,22 0,96 Management of the holding landscape elements 0 1,00 8,96 0,67 12,16 19,14 Organic farming scheme , , , , , ,09 Scheme for improving the status of water bodies at risk 0 475,89 308,39 383,68 480,79 664,58 Environmentally friendly fruits and vegetables cultivation system 2.801,17

33 PREPARATION OF LITHUANIAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

34 One of the objectives of the new CAP is the enhancement of environmental performance through a mandatory greening component of Direct payments which will support agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment applicable throughout the Union. 34

35 The purpose of greening is the way to improve the environmental value, introducing a compulsory component of Direct payments in support of climate and environment-friendly agricultural practices. The articles of Regulation of Direct payments. The three main requirements: (a) crop diversification; (b) maintaining existing permanent grassland; (c) ecological focus area on the agricultural area. 35

36 CROP DIVERSIFIACTION Where the arable land of the farmer covers between 10 and 30 hectares, and is not entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year or for a significant part of the crop cycle, there shall be at least two different crops on that arable land. The main crop shall not cover more than 75 % of that arable land. Where the arable land of the farmer covers more than 30 hectares, and is not entirely cultivated with crops under water for a significant part of the year or for a significant part of the crop cycle, there shall be at least three different crops on that arable land. The main crop shall not cover more than 75 % of that arable land and the two main crops together shall not cover more than 95 % of that arable land. 36

37 MAINTAINING EXISTING PERMANENT GRASSLAND Farmer s declared permanent grassland/pasture must be kept by them. Reference year perennial maintenance Declared permanent grasslands + and new permanent grasslands, declared in The maximum decrease from the reference rate - 5%, at the national level. In order to ensure that the pasture/grassland ratio at the national level decline more than 5%, Member States may impose the control of adequate requirement at the farmer's level. 37

38 ECOLOGICAL FOCURS AREA ON THE AGRICULTURAL AREA EFA may include: Commission identified areas/objects having high conservation value: fallow, terraces, landscape features, buffer strips, and recording nitrogen, cover crops, and etc. Member States included new areas/objects, of high conservation value that will be acknowledged by the European Commission. 38

39 LINKS TO OTHER TOOLS European Commision offers new GAEC requirements for Water and Nitrate directives and beneficial soil preservation. Replace Baseline requirements of agrienvironmental measures. The farm advisory system strengthened to help farmers implement the new requirements. 39

40 ECOLOGICAL FOCUS AREA ON THE AGRICULSTURAL AREA 10 hectares and more of arable land in farms are hectares of fallow land and hectares of protein crops. Fallow land is about 3,5 %, protein crops - about 2,5 % of all declared agricultural land, except permanent grasslands. About 37 % households declared fallow and / or protein crops. 40

41 CONCLUSIONS Crop diversification for various farms - should not be an issue. Maintaining existing permanent grassland - a challenge both for administrative authorities and for farmers. EFA - a bigger part of farms it could be a problem. 41

42 MEASURE AGRI ENVIRONMENT CLIMATE 42

43 Support may be provided only for those liabilities which exceeded following basic requirements: - the cross-compliance requirements (statutory management requirements GAEC). - I pillar greening measures (crop rotation, ecological objectives for the area of permanent pasture) requirements; - mandatory requirements for fertilizer and plant protection product use and other relevant national law to establish mandatory requirements. Benefits under the program counted one hectacre or per animal unit to cover the underwriting liabilities incurred additional costs and income foregone. Specific activity and specific requirements will be specified, in agreement with environmentalists. 43

44 Thank you for Your kind attention! Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania