1. Land Consolidation and Development of Agricultural Holdings “Examples of policies preventing Land Abandonment” Alex Page Grand Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan 7-8 July 2015.

2. Content of presentation Background the European experience Reasons for Land Abandonment Definition Risk factors Policies to prevent Abandonment

4. Background; The European Experience  The abandonment of agricultural land has been driven by a variety of pressures linked to economic and social transition in Central and Eastern Europe.  During the 1990s millions of hectares of farmland in the new Member States were abandoned as a result of the transition process.  Abandoned land is an unused resource both economically and environmentally.  Where the management of farmland is suspended, its botanical composition can alter rapidly and its conservation value decline within relatively few years.

5. Background; The European Experience  In the early years of abandonment this process may be relatively easy to reverse with appropriate management.  However, once more severe abandonment sets in, much greater effort and levels of expenditure are required.  On some of this land, which had been intensively managed, abandonment brought environmental benefits, particularly a reduction in pollution by agricultural chemicals;

7. Reasons for Land Abandonment There are several causes of land abandonment, with common themes apparent as well as more distinctive national circumstances.  Land reform and structural change a) Breakup of large collective or state farms and the privatisation of land. b) Lack of equipment, limited access to capital, a scarcity of advice and technical support, difficulties with markets and low levels of government support. c) Labour leaving agriculture. d) Farm animals slaughtered and not replaced. e) Uncertainties over ownership/tenure  Socio-economic factors i. Retirement of older generation ii. Lack of formal education has made it more difficult for some farmers to adapt iii. Deterioration in the social infrastructure iv. Disparities in income levels between rural and urban areas

8. Reasons for Land Abandonment  Declining viability of agriculture a) Adverse economic changes reducing the viability of established forms of production b) More severe in Central and Eastern Europe than in the rest of EU c) Very sharp decline in output, especially livestock d) Political and economic transformation of countries e) Loss of export markets f) Reduction in domestic support and subsidy arrangements  National and EU policy changes Abandonment of agricultural land in Central and Eastern Europe has been an issue over the past 20 years, however it has been relatively uncommon in ‘EU 15’ countries during the life of the CAP.

9. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Definition Agricultural land abandonment can be catagorised into several types; A. Where the land is not used at all by the owner or occupier. B. Where the land is used by the owner or occupier but with a low level of management. C. Land abandonment may be permanent or transitional, for specific reasons. However there is no unified clear definition of the terms “land abandonment” or “abandoned land”, with different interpretations between each legal or scientific text.

10. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Definition (cont) When setting a definition a number of additional elements should be considered. Ecosystem services Must be some undesirable changes (usually loss) of at least one of these services Cultural and social dimensions It is necessary to steer the definition towards potential threats for the environment, which in this case, are linked to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. ‘Farmland abandonment is a cessation of management which leads to undesirable changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services’.

11. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Risk Factors Land abandonment is a complex multi-dimensional process with interlinked economic, environmental, social aspects. If the objective is to evaluate the risk of farmland abandonment or if the objective is to analyse the leading causes and also understand the areas where farmland is already abandoned. 1. Map areas where land is already abandoned. 2. Then carry out a risk assessment exercise for farmland and also assess trends and provide an early warning. 3. Risk factors can be identified and assessed and evaluated in 3 main groups.

12. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Risk Factors

13. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Risk Factors (cont)  Poor environmental/biophysical suitability for agricultural activity; Use set of bio-physical criteria established to support the EU delimitation of areas with significant natural constraint (LFA) before refining the picture with socio-economic indicators.  Low farm stability and viability; Farm income Low investment in the farm Age of farm holder (> 65 years) Low farmer qualification Remoteness and difficult access Low size of the farm compared to average of same farm type Farm enrolment in specific schemes

14. Reasons for Land Abandonment; Risk Factors (cont)  Negative drivers from regional context Weak land market Previous trend of farm land abandonment When all available data is gathered a composite map is drawn, indicators D1-4 and D7 are most appropriate to use. IndicatorEffect on risk of Farmland abandonment Variables involved in the normalisation process D1: Weak land market D2: Low farm income D3: Low farm investment D4: Farmers’ age D7: Population density, Remoteness Negative Positive Rent paid per hectare Farm Income per AWU/National GDP per cap Farm investment per hectare of UAA Share of farmers above 65 years Share UAA in remote rural areas

16. Policies to prevent Land Abandonment The issue of land abandonment carries a different weight and different drivers in individual countries and also within each country. In Western Europe, the problem tends to be minor, or even negligible; while in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe it is more important. The priorities for reversing land abandonment are environmental, social and economic but the policy tools to achieve these are almost entirely within the CAP. These policies have undergone a period of major change – CAP Pillar One was reformed as has Pillar Two, Rural Development.

17. Policies to prevent Land Abandonment (cont) Pillar 1 policies relevant to abandoned land; Direct payments to farmers under Pillar One are potentially important in preventing land abandonment or ensuring the future management of currently abandoned land 1. they have a significant effect on farm viability and business decisions; 2. they introduce certain environmental requirements (cross-compliance). IssueStandards Soil erosion: Protect soil through appropriate measures Minimum soil cover Minimum land management reflecting site – specific conditions Retention terraces Soil organic matter: Maintain soil organic matter levels through appropriate practices Standards for crop rotations where applicable Arable stubble management Soil structure: Maintain soil structure through appropriate measures Appropriate machinery use Minimum level of maintenance: Ensure a minimum level of maintenance and avoid the deterioration of habitats Minimum livestock stocking rates or/and appropriate regimes Protection of permanent pasture Retention of landscape features Avoiding the encroachment of unwanted vegetation on agricultural land

18. Policies to prevent Land Abandonment (cont)

19. Other potential measures;  Animal welfare support  Improve the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry  Diversification of the rural economy  farm diversification and micro-enterprises may offer additional sources of income for farm families  Leader Policy flexibility is key to prevent future abandonment – it is not sufficient simply to target measures at abandoned plots.  Biological networks, linking abandoned land to similar habitats are needed.  The abandoned land must be linked to a viable farming system.  Social networks provide a community in which the next generation of farmers can live

21. Referencing and Source material Thanks to all those who contributed and with, Specific reference to;  Assessing the risk of farmland abandonment in the EU ; JM TERRES, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability.  Rural Development Programme 2014-2020; Ministry of Agriculture, Czech Republic.  Land abandonment and biodiversity in relation to the 1st and 2nd pillars of the EU’s common agricultural policy; IEEP.

22. Thank you for your attention Alex Page