Capacity to deliver results-based approaches in an Irish setting Andy Bleasdale National Parks & Wildlife Service
Outline of presentation RDP Priorities RBAPS generally and capacity required Results-based delivery in Ireland Burren (from research to roll-out) AranLIFE/RBAPS* (research/pilot) Hen Harrier/FPM EIPs (targeted innovation) Open call (untargeted innovation) INTERREG VA Objective 2.1 Concluding remarks and observations
The RDP priorities (at EU level) 6 priorities for rural development Restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems Enhancing competitiveness Promoting food chain organisation, animal welfare and risk management Promoting resource efficiency and a low carbon economy Promoting social inclusion and economic recovery Knowledge transfer and innovation
Paym ent for Results Result = habitats/habitats for species in good condition A sim ple concept:fields scored;the better the product,the higher the paym ent.w orking w ith farm ers to im prove m anagem ent.
Multi-disciplinary capacity - at a variety of levels Farmer Farm advisory Ecological Local community Departmental Institutional (EU/universities/research institutes etc) and Financial
Irish & EU funded research in results-based solutions
Burren Hen Harrier FPM Current OG stepping stones: Via Article 28 and Article 35
15 projects for the next phase of EIP Nephin Beg Uplands Farming Group Peat Uplands Mayo Blackstairs Farming Futures Partnership Peat Uplands Carlow/Wexford Wicklow Uplands Council Peat Uplands Wicklow MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Forum Peat Uplands Kerry Caomhnú Árann Biodiversity Galway DANÚ Farming Group Biodiversity Countrywide Limerick Lesser Horseshoe Bat Farm Project Biodiversity Limerick Irish Breeding Curlew Conservation Group Biodiversity Galway/Midlands Callows Farming and Wildlife Conservation Partnership Biodiversity Callows Grazing for Ecosystem Services Group Ecosytem Management Connacht Maigue River Operational Group Water Cork Duncannon Sustainable Farming Association Water Wexford Rush Control and Pesticide Water Quality Action Group Water Countrywide BRIDE Project Group Dairy Cork/Kerry ECT (Enable Conservation Tillage) Tillage Tipperary/Laois
Small community of Irish ecologists and AE advisors Recent recruitment by DAFM (ecologists) and NPWS (CRs) has had an effect on pool People have moved from one project to another; or are supporting many projects The market is expanding faster than the supply specialisms or backgrounds Capacity issues in DAFM, NPWS and Teagasc also
Support from the EU for knowledge exchange CAP provides for financing if the Member State makes it part of its Rural Development Plan(s): Support for access to advice by farmers Support for the setting up of farm advisory services Support for the training of advisors
Closing The Gap Research Advisors Interaction Farming Practice 13
Advisors are key but have they the correct skillsets to meet current needs?
The Farm Advisory System (FAS)
Steering Board European Innovation Partnership Rural Development Network Steering Group Rural Development Committee EIP Network Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) Research & Innovation Framework: Research projects Multi-actor projects Pilot project clusters Innovation brokers On-farm experiments ETPs, ERA- Nets, JPIs, etc. Horizon 2020 Programme Committee Rural Development Policy: Knowledge transfer Cooperation Pilot projects Demonstration Advisory services Investment Member States Programmes Operational Groups Operational Groups Operational Groups Operational Groups Operational Groups Farmers. Advisers. Enterprises. Scientists. NGOs
Multiple Perspectives Multiple Truths One Agreement
Lessons learned from RBAPS Common design approach across diverse agricultural landscapes is possible to meet different challenges A well-designed scoring system is necessary: that is locally adapted, practical and results focused Time and expertise is required to develop the scoring systems Guidance and training are key Integrated knowledge transfer/farm advisory services are required
It is a challenge to Get suitable data & set the biodiversity targets Devise an appropriate scoring system (that is understood by farmers) Set the correct payment levels and capital incentives; determine the eligibility criteria Build understanding/trust/confidence (if riskaverse) Roll out; including Dept IT/admin support Monitor and evaluate efficacy of delivery Evolve and adapt our ducks in a
Conclusions RBAPS will deliver results RBAPS is not always the best solution; prescription or hybrid/blended measures are also valid options Farmer, advisor, specialist, local, financial, Dept and institutional capacity may limit roll-out initially Meanwhile capacity is being built through the Burren Programme and the RBAPS, EIP Ogs, INTERREG and LIFE processes, within Departments and at EU level If successful EIPs, LIFE and other EU projects can be in the next cycle
An ecological hotspot!! - with plenty of hot ecologists