The role of agriculture and agri-environment funding in maintaining regional biodiversity Expert-Workshop Gabala, Azerbaijan, 5-6 July 2010 Dipl.-Biologin Nadja Kasperczyk Gabala Expert-workshop, 5-6 July 20101

2Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Outline: Challenges for agricultural biodiversity in Europe Main funding instruments for agriculture and agri- environment Outlook

3Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Challenges for agricultural biodiversity in Europe Europes biodiversity is strongly linked to agricultural practices Creating agro-ecosystems / high nature value farmland Main trends: Disappearing of traditional, low-intensity farming systems Agricultural intensification Land abandonment (less productive areas) Loss of species and habitats depending on low-intensity farming (e.g. farmland birds)

4Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Challenges for agricultural biodiversity in Europe Shift of understanding : From nature conservation through excluding human resource use integrating protection and sustainable land use 1990s: Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strict agricultural production support broader focus (public goods, ecosystem services) 3 priority areas for action of the CAP: 1.Biodiversity and preservation of natural farming systems, traditional agricultural landscapes 2.Water management and use 3.Climate change

5Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Main funding instruments for agriculture and agri-environment Two main CAP pillars: Pillar 1: direct payments to farmers and market interventions Pillar 2: Rural development policy (EAFRD) Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector (Axis 1) Improving the environment and the countryside (Axis 2) Quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy (Axis 3) Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) specifically address biodiversity issues

6Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Main funding instruments for agriculture and agri-environment Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES): Environmental incentive schemes with voluntary participation Encourage environmentally sensitive farming (commitments beyond obligatory standards) Specified measures describe farming obligations Contracts (usually for 5 years) signed by individual farmer AES are a mandatory part of rural develoment plans of Member States At-EU-27 level: most important measures (23% payments of pillar 2)

7Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Main funding instruments for agriculture and agri-environment Support for mountain regions with natural handicaps or other disadvantaged areas (Axis 2) Protection, development and management of the natural heritage that contributes to sustainable economic development (Axis 3) For example: tourism, marketing of regional products etc.

8Gabala Expert-Worksho, 5-6 July 2010 Outlook Evaluation of rural development policy and its programmes (ex ante, mid-term, ex-post) AES (and others) contribute to a sustainable agriculture and the conservation of agricultural biodiversity But: CAP is not changing sufficiently to reduce biodiversity loss Challenge: introduce structural elements and more extensive agricultural practices into intensively farmed areas

Thank you for your attention! Nadja Kasperczyk IfLS – Institute for Rural Development Research Zeppelinstraße Frankfurt am Main Germany Telefon Gabala Expert-Workshop, 5-6 July 20109