Tasks of the European Environment Agency (EEA)

1. Tasks of the European Environment Agency (EEA) • To collect data and information on environmental trends in Europe • To report on the influence of economic sectors and the effectiveness of (environmental) policies • To lay the basis for informed decisions by policy makers • 31 member countries, ~150 staff

2. Work on agriculture & environment • IRENA project on agri-envir. indicators for EU-15, together with Commission • 40 indicator fact sheets, 2 reports • Reports on effects of EU-enlargement + High Nature Value farmland areas • Current projects: biofuels on farmland; water pollution from agriculture; CIFAS project • www.eea.eu.int

3. Approach of presentation • Socio-economic framework • Strategic rather than implementation perspective (30 years +) • The right tool in the right place • Learn from monitoring and evaluation • Sharing knowledge + good practice • Looking ahead..

4. Underlying driving forces + factors • Economic trends (increase in labour costs, falling product prices) • Technological development • Socio-economic expectations • Further structural change is probable • Agricultural policy as a tool for delivering public goods • Limited administrative resources for more complex policies • Total agricult. budget likely to decline

5. The strategic perspective • Nature conservation is forever.. • There is not one single solution.. • Discussion of a few principles • Aim to add value to nature products • Link policies up where possible but do not over-complicate delivery • Exploit new trends where possible • Focus on conserving or developing ?!

6. Key elements of EAFRD regulation Conserving elements: AE schemes; Natura 2000 payments; semi-subsistence measure; meeting standards measure; LFAs Developing elements: Adding value to rural products; farmer training and advice; non-productive investments; upgrading rural heritage; diversification; LEADER approach

7. Chosing the policy approach Important factors to consider: • Structure of the farming sector • Type and distribution of env. issues • Administrative structures and capacity • Environmental baseline + polluter pays principle • Adding value and dynamism

8. Regional paths + opportunities The Austrian way: High public support for RD, regional markets, premium products, new services and diversification, LEADER The Brandenburg way: Large-scale farming, strong AE schemes, nature set-aside, large players in organic farming and bio-energy The Extremaduran way: Extensive farming under strong physic. constraints, some traditional quality products, support through 1st pillar aid

9. Nature conservation solutions? • Alpine grasslands – Triglav NP (SI) • Large coastal + upland grasslands - Matsalu bay (EE), Nemunas delta (LI), White Carpathians (CZ) • Hungarian puszta • Narew river floodplain (PL) • Spanish cereal steppes

10. Monitoring and evaluation • Key tools for policy learning • Is public money well spent? • To be integrated into scheme design • Often neglected so far • New opportunities through EAFRD, Article 67 • Make use of EAFRD resources + improved technology

11. Learning from each other • It is a knowledge game.. • R.D. networks under EAFRD are a big step forward – let’s use them! • Sharing knowledge between different players and countries • Look at LEADER • Exploit new technologies? • It is a long-term task..

12. Looking into the future Who will manage high nature value farmland in 30 years time? Semi-subsistence farmers: small area Family farms: where conditions are right Organic farmers: require top-up schemes Nature managers: in many cases yes Large conventional farms: mostly not Bio-energy farmers: Yes, if we create the right conditions for it!

13. What remains to be done? • Reform the LFA schemes • Further reform of 1st pillar • Better targeting of RD measures • Evaluation + sharing of knowledge • Link RD policy to other policies: LIFE, structural funds, energy policy • We have made progress already!