WFD and agriculture Putting policy linkages into practice Water directors meeting Rome, 24 November 2003 Presentation by Michael Hamell, DG Environment, European Commission

Presentational layout Agenda 2000 CAP reform June 2003 CAP reform Opportunities for the implementation of the WFD 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Linking CAP to respect for environment Agenda 2000: MS shall take appropriate environmental measures reflecting potential environmental effects of farming Agenda 2000: MS commitments within rural development on: - designation of NATURA areas - substantial progress to complete nitrate vulnerable zone designation - significant progress in completing action programs Agenda 2000: within rural development - Good Farm Practice as a baseline for agri- environment and a requirement for LFA support. Concept of cross-compliance well developed… response rather less so. Possibility for the suspension of funding 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

CAP reform 2003 Major expansion of cross compliance concept Single farm payment linked to respect for: Environmental, animal and plant health and animal welfare standards Requirement to keep all farmland in good agricultural and environmental condition Penalties for non respect of cross compliance Strengthened rural development (€ 1.2 billion more per year) with emphasis on meeting new standards (5 year degressive support) and a farm advisory system 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Cross compliance directives wild birds (79/409) groundwater (80/68) sewage sludge (86/278) nitrates (91/676) habitats (92/43) And (health) pesticides (91/414) Commission to prepare indicators to be useful to control. Review by end 2007 with a view to amending the list. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Good agricultural + environmental conditions (1)  MS to define nationally/regionally standards as a condition of cross compliance on: Soil erosion: Soil organic matter: Soil structure: Minimum soil cover Minimum land management Reflecting site specific conditions Retention of terraces Crop rotations Arable stubble management appropriate machinery use 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Good agricultural + environmental conditions (2) Minimum maintenance: Minimum stocking rates or regimes Protection of permanent pasture Retention of landscape features Encroachment of unwanted vegetation Reflection needed on these standards now. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Some clear messages on water/agriculture policy relationship The CAP reform has more clearly defined cross-compliance MS now have well defined obligations and responsibilities related to the single farm payment – set standards and control Citizens will not understand direct support without environmental respect But MS track record on implementation of relevant directives needs improvement. - A great deal depends on proper implementation. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Putting cross compliance into practice Still needs work by Commission and Member States Must be understood and workable for farmers and controllers Useful to reflect using nitrates directive model but This is not an exercise in rewriting directives obligations. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Nitrates directive Aims: Reduce pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources and prevent further pollution Need to implement action programs at farm level in NVZs. This requires on farm control of (for example): Livestocking rate Respect of 170Kg manure N/Ha limit Fertilizer prohibition period respect Sloping ground fertilizer restrictions Buffer strip protection Manure storage capacity rational fertilisation (N + P) Vegetation cover in rainy periods/winter Fertilisation records LINK BACK TO INDICATORS But – If designation is incomplete and action programs are of poor quality cross-compliance is greatly weakened 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Opportunities for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive Some key needs: understanding by both sectors of each others policies Willingness to work together both formally and informally 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Single farm payment ENV authorities need to be involved in debate on and implementation of environmental and other standards ENV authorities need involvement in definition and implementation of maintaining “land in good agricultural and environmental condition” Ensure farm advisory system is aware of WFD implementation 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Rural development Membership by river basin authority in rural development planning for the 2007-13 period. Offer reciprocal arrangement to RD planning authority Find a pragmatic approach where river basin plans are linked with several rural areas. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Rural development Commission proposal for 2007-13 in 2004-5 Subsequent development of MS position – what to influence? Strong requirement on good farm practice Specific recognition of and support to implement WFD More funding to deliver WFD etc 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

NATURA – a lesson for WFD? The NATURA directives are part of cross compliance Restrictions on agricultural use due to them may be compensated within rural development The obligatory requirements of NATURA include: non-deterioration non-disturbance compulsory action plans Rural development – special treatment for NATURA 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell

Conclusions Agri policy is now very favourable to env policy Implementation of env directives related to agriculture is poor but improving. Agenda 2000 opportunities still need to be exploited. CAP 2003 provides enlarged opportunities RDPs 2007-13 provide detailed possibilities for implementation of WFD But – it will not happen without ENV effort. 7/29/2019 Michael Hamell