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

2. Presentational layout
Agenda 2000 CAP reform
June 2003 CAP reform
Opportunities for the implementation of the WFD
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Michael Hamell

3. 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
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Michael Hamell

4. 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
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5. 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.
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6. 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
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7. 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.
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Michael Hamell

8. 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.
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9. 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.
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10. 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
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Michael Hamell

11. 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
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12. 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
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13. Rural development
Membership by river basin authority in rural development planning for the period.
Offer reciprocal arrangement to RD planning authority
Find a pragmatic approach where river basin plans are linked with several rural areas.
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14. 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
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Michael Hamell

15. 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
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16. 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 provide detailed possibilities for implementation of WFD
But – it will not happen without ENV effort.
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Michael Hamell