RD measures working for nature? Gábor Figeczky WWF Hungary

RD measures working for nature? Gábor Figeczky WWF Hungary One year of EU 25 05 09 2005, Bonn

Objectives for the afforestation scheme I. • to increase the air-purifying, carbon-dioxide absorbing, soil protection and water management regulating, etc. beneficial impacts of new forests that affect the environmental conditions of the entire Central European Region; • to enrich biodiversity by establishing close-to-nature forests, to preserve the natural components of the rural landscape, and to facilitate appealing landscape appearance;

Objectives for the afforestation scheme II. • to improve the quality of forests and their protective functions; • to improve the state of environment, and the water management, by increasing the forest cover of the under forested Great Plain and the flood area of Tisza.

Budget 10.6% of total NRDP budget Establishment, maintenance, premium for loss of income Total budget for 3 years: 79.7 m€

Environmental problems in forests • huge plantations of non-native species (black locust, hybrid poplar etc.) cause loss of biodiversity (50% and growing) • protected forests are not managed for biodiversity but for profit • improper game management • no biodiversity indicators for planning/ monitoring

Recommendations to improve the measure I. • substantial differentiation between grants for planting native and non-native(especially fast-growing) tree species • no aid should be given to compensate for damage caused by game • no aid should be given to prevent surface ground water, use suitable species instead

Recommendations to improve the measure II. • supplemenrary aid for planting mixed stands of native species that increase biodiversity • supplementary aid for plantations in protected areas and green corridors carried out according to plans of the nature conservation authority • supplementary aid for planting shelter belts

Other possible tools to preserve natural assets in forests • agroforestry measures • development of Good Forestry Practices • Natura 2000 payments • environmental training for foresters

Training (TA) • support for the on-going monitoring and evaluation (including studies, workshops and seminars) of the Programme; • to support the preparation of potential beneficiaries of the other NRDP measures, with special regard to the citizens living in underprivileged areas, informing the • citizens of disadvantaged groups and providing information to the public in line with Commission Regulation (EC) No.1159/2000;

Training (TA) • liaison with the representatives of social partners, especially with the local and/or micro-regional representatives of disadvantaged groups (especially Romas, women and unemployed people in the remote areas, especially villages under 500 inhabitants); • provision of information and publicity on the programme, ensuring the controllability of actions and activities eligible for support.

Budget 5% of total NRDP budget

Current bodies working as extension services • Agricultural chambers • Village extension services • Managers of small regions • Agri-environmental advisors • Natural Parks (HNV areas) • Private advisors (specialized)

Recommendations for implementation Holistic advisory services (integration of different measures, complementarity, synergic effects) Involve NGOs in implementation Farmers should be encouraged to preserve natural values in a collaborative way Different advisory boards should act in a co-ordinated way

RD measures working for nature? Gábor Figeczky WWF Hungary