Zanda Melnalksne Union Farmers Parliament October, 2016 Second WFD-cycle is started – comparison of agricultural measures Proposed agricultural N and P measures in Latvia Zanda Melnalksne Union Farmers Parliament October, 2016

Farmers Parliament - the voice of Latvian farming NGO, where 900 producing farmers are members, founded 1999 Main tasks: Lobying of farmers interests in Latvia and EU Education and information of farmers www.zemniekusaeima.lv Active in projects from 2002

WFD in Latvia Water protection and management Policy planning document Developed in every 6 years (2010.-2015., 2016.-2021., ...). Four river basin territories Rivers, lakes, ground and costal water status description Identify problems Recommendations for water quality improvements Approved by the Minister of Environment so the plan has a recommendatory nature

Lithuania Belarus NVZ Lielupe – flat area Daugava – 3 hydropower stations – big wetlands, with water aeration. Trans boundary water from Lituania and Belarus. Lithuania Belarus

Lielupe river basin Area in Latvia 8800 km² Agricultural land 50 % 57 % from agricultural land is arable

Characteristics of Latvia NVZ Lielupe – second biggest Latvia river High transboundary influence (Lithuania) Fertile soils, mild climate, flat relief > 50% agriculture land, from which 65% arable land; > 40% forests ~ 50% of Latvia grain and raps is produced in Zemgale

Main problems identified for agricultural activities Increased nutrient concentration in the water runoff from agriculture lands Major part of agricultural water runoff is between vegetation periods/in winter 27% N leakage is in vegetation period (summer), 73 % - in late autumn, winter and spring. 43% of annual N leakage is during winter (December February) Main reason – intensive precipitations

Recommended measures (1) - 2m buffer zone - in arable fields next to water courses and drainage systems. grassland, has to be mowed at least once a year during period from 10 July to 10 September. Eco focus territory 271 EUR/ha

Recommended measures (2) - Green coverage in winter period – grasslands, stubble field, winter crops. Stubble fields in winter period – 80 EUR/ha agri-environmental payments from RDP 70914 Ha, 2015, (totally 1,62 milj.ha declared for payments) 70% of NVZ should be covered in winter period by crop compliance There forms perennial grassland, which has to be mowed at least once a year during period from 10 July to 10 September. Risk of yield loss due to late spring works (manure spreading, ploughing, etc). Higher risk of plant deseases. No suitable for animal farms, since manure spreading is not allowed.

Recommended measures (3) Amelioration system with environmentally friendly elements Supported by RDP investment measures Up till 80% investment support Sedimentation ponds Two step ditches Stone constructions/dams River meandering Controlled drainage Artificial wetlands 343 amelioration system reconstruction projects have been approved, no information about no of projects with environemntal elements High risk water bodies. Additinal service will be needed for env.elements. No idea at this moment how often, which costs, how to implement….Many questions.

Farmers Parliament activities for testing and promotion of measures Demonstration of environmental drainage elements at the Aile stream within Nutrinflow project: Evaluation of 5 potential places, technical evaluation Local action/discussion group initiation (melioration department of MoA, farmers, municipalities) Construction planning Water quality measurements, economical evaluation Recommendations for policy development and implementation regulations Bebri

Dams before and after beavers settling