Farming for Natura 2000 A Guidance document on the management of farmland in Natura 2000

1. Farmingfor Natura 2000A Guidancedocumentonthemanagement of farmland in Natura 2000 HabitatsCommittee Meeting of 25 April 2013 N2K Group

2. Farming for Natura 2000 Guidance: how to integrate Natura 2000 conservation objectives into farming practices Based on Member States good practice experiences Prepared through an active dialogue with relevant stakeholders (agricultural and environmental authorities, farmers’ organisations, environmental NGOs)

3. Farming for Natura 2000 Technical assistance of consultants (N2K Group) and ad-hoc expert group set up with participation of MS and stakeholders (4 dedicated meetings in 2 years). Background analysis (link between Natura 2000 sites/habitats and species of EU interest and agriculture/farmland,key issues and challenges related to agriculture and nature conservation) 2 workshops involving MS and stakeholders to illustrate and review the results of the activities carried out and to exchange views and receive inputs for the elaboration of the Guidance document Compilation of case studies (27 case studies selected and described in a separate report.

4. Farming for Natura 2000 What is this guidance for? - assisting MS administrations and key stakeholder groups, help maintain and improve the conservation status of habitats and species of EU importance that are associated with agriculture. Who is this guidance for? - administrations dealing with the CAP, especially those designing and supporting the implementation of RDPs; - conservation authorities and Natura 2000 managers.

5. Farming for Natura 2000 What can you find in this document? Overview of relationship between farming and N2000 - Habitats and species that are associated with agriculture Farming systems and practices that contribute to their conservation (Farmland:~40% of N2000 area, mainly low intensity farming systems favourable to habitats and species conservation) Policy instruments and funds that can support appropriate farming systems and practices in Natura 2000 CAP and other EU instruments (LIFE+, EFRD) Market-based approaches (labelling, PES…) Guidance to design different packages of CAP and other measures to support the management of Natura 2000 in farmland (including good practice examples from EU-27).

6. Farming for Natura 2000 Farmlandhabitats of EU interest 57 habitat types from Annex I HD (incl. 23 priority) are dependent on or associated with extensive agricultural practices: 14 coastal & dunes 12 heath and scrubs 26 grasslands 2 fens 2 rockyhabitats 1 forest (wooded pastures)

7. Farming for Natura 2000 255 Farmlandspecies of EU interest 193 species from Annex II HD (incl. 53 priority) are associated with agro-ecosystems or grasslands: 115 plants 47 invertebrates 3 amphibians 7 reptiles 21 mammals 62 bird species from Annex I BD

8. Farming for Natura 2000 Review of conservation status and main threats for habitats and species dependent on agriculture

9. Farming for Natura 2000 What are the main drivers of agricultural change that need to be addressed? abandonment of extensive traditional livestock farming practicesisthe most important pressure on key farmland habitats and species the second most important pressure on key farmland habitats and species is the intensification of management Many of the habitats are affected by a combination of abandonment in some areas and intensification in other areas Farmers who deliver suitable management of key habitats and species, often farm under difficult circumstances using labour-intensive systems on marginal land. They are extremely vulnerable to economic pressures to abandon their traditional farming systems and in some cases to cease production altogether.

10. Farming for Natura 2000 Farming practices that can contribute to the conservation of farmland habitats and species Grazing: suitablestockingrates, seasonality and timing, using adequate stock species or a combination of grazers, rotational grazing… Shepherding Mowing hay: appropriate timing and frequency, adequate equipment and machinery, removing or keeping the cut hay, use grazing is in combination with cutting… Maintainfeeding, breeding and shelter habitat for species, stone walls, hedges… etc.

11. Farming for Natura 2000 Funding Natura 2000 farmland Prioritized action frameworks for Natura 2000 financing EU funds that can support Natura 2000 farmland management CAP- pillar 1 and 2 ERDF, ESF CF LIFE+ Other funds Market based instruments Innovative instruments, eg. payments for ecosystems services Need to support the farming system, not only land management.

12. Farming for Natura 2000 It is essential to build an integrated package of support for Natura 2000 farmers to: 1) ensures the economic viability of the farming system on which the beneficial management depends, and 2) address the specific management practices needed for conservation of the key habitats and species.

13. Farming for Natura 2000 Opportunities under the CAP Based on existing experience with the use of CAP funds for Natura 2000 habitats and species Considering the new regulations (introduce changes in many of the support measures relevant to Natura 2000 farming, and in the cross compliance framework and requirements for monitoring and evaluation). Crucial aspects: Use the potential synergies between the two Pillars of the CAP to support both Natura 2000 farming systems and management practices. Combine the different measures so as to ensure that sufficient support is provided to the farming systems. All farmland in Natura 2000 should be eligible for CAP payments under both Pillar 1 and Pillar

14. Farming for Natura 2000 Other funds for Natura 2000 farmland Life+:management plans, development of new agri-environment schemes for Natura 2000 management, combined restrration with AES… New Integrated projects. EFRD: measures for promotion of biodiversity and nature protection, promotion of natural assets, and protection and development of natural heritage. Cross-border and interregional cooperation. Can support restoration, conservation, management and monitoring actions. ESF:can support capacity building aimed at the creation of new job opportunities related to Natura 2000.

15. Farming for Natura 2000 Market-based instruments and innovative instruments Local businessesand co-operatives, direct marketing initiatives Labelling Payments for Ecosystem Services: incentive for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and habitats. Example: UK water company, in association with the RSPB, applies PES to the maintenance of grazing on upland heathland to improve water quality by reducing erosion of the peat soils from burning and over-grazing

16. Farming for Natura 2000 Key considerations for planning the management of Natura 2000 farmland Set clear and understandable conservation objectives Locally adapted management Use best available knowledge–both expert and local farmers Conservation trade-offs:maximise the benefits to all species or favour sensitive or priority species Adaptive management and innovation Maintain habitat diversity and heterogeneity Landscape-scale interventions: conservation measures must be targeted to a sufficiently large area to maintain viable areas of suitable habitat or viable populations of species

17. Farming for Natura 2000 Design and implementation of measures to support Natura 2000 farmland management Strategic planning: conservation priorities and funding needs for Natura 2000 farmland clear objectives and priorities for conservation of key habitats and species. Use PAFs. Ensure that needs are included in the programming of relevant funds. Assess the situation of Natura 2000 farmland and farming systems, and engaging with the farmers: economic viability of the Natura 2000 farming systems, key pressures & drivers engage farmers and local communities and develop a partnership approach Ensure eligibility for CAP support: ensure that the Natura 2000 farmland is classed as UAA and recorded in LPIS/IACS systems (co-operation environmental and agricultural authorities) GAEC standards and other CAP eligibility rules may be specifically defined for HNV and/or Natura 2000 farmland.

18. Farming for Natura 2000 Design and implementation of measures to support Natura 2000 farmland management Securing financial, technical, advisory and administrative resources for implementation funding on long-term basis, not just for payments to farmers but also to cover all delivery and support costs advice and information should be delivered by sources trusted by the farmer (eg. Partnerbetrieb Naturschutz initiative and Landcare associations in Germany) Monitoring, evaluation and review provide feedback to scheme managers and policy-makers design monitoring schemes that can also be applied at farm level using suitable indicators active learning process’ - to review and revise existing schemes and measures, and improve the design of future schemes and measures

19. Managing farmland in Natura 2000CASE STUDIES 27 case studies have been selected to represent a wide range of diverse circumstances involving different types of: · Habitats and species · Agricultural land · Farming conditions and management practices · Conservation requirements and measures · Farmers and land managers. They reflect the range of challenges that farmers, public authorities and nature conservationists face when looking for ways to reconcile farming and conservation objectives. Particular attention has been paid to selecting examples that look for win-win solutions which not only benefit nature, but also support the economic viability of the farmers involved.

20. Draft Guidance document and case studiesLink to CIRCABC site: https://circabc.europa.eu/w/browse/3d495f64-be8d-4318-a84a-a566f1f9d6b7