Probistip 2010_vs

8/6/2019 Probistip 2010_vs

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Policy framework for implementation of

agri-environmental schemesVyara Stefanova

25 November 2010, Probistip, Macedonia


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Agrienvironmental payments

Agri-environmental payments ... should ... encouragefarmers and other land managers to serve society asa whole by introducing or continuing to apply

agricultural production methods compatible withthe protection and improvement of theenvironment, the landscape and its features,natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity.....

In accordance with the polluter-pays principle thesepayments should cover only those commitmentsgoing beyond the relevant mandatory standards.

(Council Regulation 1698/2005, Preamble paragraph 35)


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History ofAgri-Environment Policy

in the EU1985: optional for Member States, specialschemes for sensitive areas

1992: MacSharry Reforms - compulsory

accompanying measure1999: Agenda 2000/ The Rural Development

Regulation - compulsory RDR measure toprotect environment and improve countryside,according to need

2005: EAFRD - Axis 2, delivery of biodiversitytargets, Natura 2000, WaterFrameworkDirective, Climate

2008: Increased emphasis within EAFRD on

new challenges as a result of the CAP HealthCheck.


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Current legislation forAgr-

environmental schemes

Set out in Articles 39 & 40, Council

Regulation 1698/2005 (European Agricultural

Fund for Rural Development EAFRD) Article 39: Agri-Environment Payments area

payments

Article 40: Non-Productive Investments

capital works


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Axis 2: Improving the environment and

countryside Resources to contribute to 3 EU-level priority areas:

Biodiversity, high nature value farming and forestrysystems and traditional agricultural landscapes

Water

Climate change

Must integrate objectives and help achieve:

Implementation of the Natura 2000 network

Commitment to reverse biodiversity decline by 2010

Meeting the objectives of the WaterFrameworkDirective

Kyoto protocol obligations.


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Current AE requirements

Voluntary agreements to farmers and other landmanagers

Site specific management requirements

Agreements between 5 7 years Annual payments for actions that go beyond the

regulatory baseline Area payments - payments based on actual expenditure, income

foregone, and where necessary, transaction costs

Non-productive investments - non-remunerative investmentrelated to agri-environmental objectives, to enhance the publicamenity value of Natura 2000 sites or other high nature valueareas.

Minimum expenditure on Axis 2 = 25%

National co-financing required Im ortance of monitorin and evaluation..


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Support for Agri-environment Policies and Programming in Serbia


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Different implementation approaches

across EU-27

Member States have the freedom to design agri-environment schemes according tonational/regional priorities. They differ in three

key ways: Expenditure

Focus: Broad and shallow vs narrow and deep (maintenance;

enhancement; restoration and creation)

Environmental objectives (biodiversity, landscape, resourceprotection)

Farm type (livestock, arable etc)

Geographic coverage: geographically delimited and/orwhole territory

.


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Negative Incentives

(Enforcement of the Polluter PaysPrinciple)

Positive Incentives

(Agri-environment Payments)

Environmental

Improvement

Environmental Target

Reference Level

Profitable Farming

Provision of Environmental Benefits Versus AvoidingHarmful Effects

Free-of charge Provision of

environmental benefits


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The reference level

Baseline above which public payments are justified

- comprises:

EU legislation National legislation

Cross-compliance (Pillar 1 and Axis 2 of Pillar 2)

Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs)

Standards of Good Agricultural and EnvironmentalCondition (GAEC)

.


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Good Agricultural and Environmental

Condition (GA

EC) GAEC - intended to form a baseline level of

environmental protection, alongside the SMRs.

MS discretion in implementation - should take

account of soil and climatic condition, farmingsystems, land use and crop rotation

GAEC standards may be used to: re-enforce existing national legislation:

introduce additional requirements

..Policies and .


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GAEC Standards

.

Issue Compulsory Standards Optional Standards

Soil Erosion Minimum soil cover

Minimum land management

reflecting site specific conditions

Retain terraces

Soil Organic Matter Arable stubble management Standards for crop rotations

Soil Structure Appropriate machinery use

Ensure a minimum level

of maintenance & avoid

the deterioration of

habitats

Retention of landscape features

Avoiding the encroachment of

unwanted vegetation on agricultural

land

Protection of permanent pasture

Minimum livestock stocking rates

and/or appropriate regimes

Prohibition of grubbing up olive

trees

Maintenance of olive groves &

vines in good vegetative condition

Protection &

management ofwater

Establishment of buffer strips along

water courses

Compliance with authorisation

procedures for irrigation water

Source: Annex III, Council Regulation 73/2009


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1

IPA

RDA

E Legal basis

Article 12 (2) of Council Regulation (EC) No

1085/2006 on establishing an Instrument for

Pre- Accession Assistance (IPA) Article 177 of Regulation (EC) No 718/2007

on implementing Council Regulation (EC)

1085/2006 establishing an instrument for pre-

accession assistance (IPA)


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1

Objectives contribution to the preparation of the Candidate

Country for the future implementation of agri-environmental/animal welfare measures under MS

assistance application of agricultural production methods

compatible with the protection and improvement ofthe environment, the landscape and its features,natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity

adaptation of high standards of animal welfare byproviding support for farmers who undertake to adoptstandards of animal husbandry going beyondrelevant mandatory standards


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Beneficiaries

Farmers and other land managers who

undertake commitments for five years can be

beneficiaries of the measure. Definition of farmer to be developed by a

Candidate Country and described in IPARD

Program.


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Pilot measures Measures at pilot level, targeted on limited number of areas, geographically well-

defined with identified environmental objectives,

develop practical experience with measures implementation at both theadministrative and farm level,

rules set out in the Council Regulation 1698/2005 and in the CommissionRegulation 1974/2006 can be applied

Experimental nature of the pilot measure

do not replicate measures that the country already has experience with

Restricted number of intervention areas and individual projects covering chosenpriorities

help in implementation of Community policies

raise awareness among a large group of potential beneficiaries

the pilot dimension of measures not linked to a territorial factor (e.g. organicfarming), can be based on the limitation of potential beneficiaries e.g. developingonly an organic scheme for fruit and vegetables


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Commitments Voluntary agri-environmental actions, going beyond mandatory

standards

Commitments in line with the priorities described in IPARD

Program Number of the selected commitments appropriate to country

needs as well as implementing capacity of the administration

Commitments advised on the basis of diagnosis

Examples of commitments: organic farming, diversification ofcrop rotation, actions to conserve soil, actions to maintain

agricultural habitats, management of pastures, birds protection


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Mandatory standards for agri-

environmental measures Set of standards legally binding identified by a Candidate Country as

well as described in IPARD program

Easily verifiable as well as manageable by the competent nationalauthority

To be respected by farmers as entry condition for a commitment Mandatory standards in agri- environmental commitments can refer to

the ones applicable in Member States

standards relating to soil erosion, organic matter, soil structure andminimum level of maintenance, protection and management ofwater

standards in the area of public, animal and plant health;

environment; animal welfare minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection product use

other mandatory standards established by national legislation


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Payments

Payments granted annually to beneficiaries who makeon a voluntary basis commitment going beyond

mandatory standards Level of support determined by Candidate Country

based on a calculation

Maximum level of support defined by Annex toRegulation 1698/2005

Annual crops: 600 EUR/hectare

Specialised perennial crops: 900 EUR/hectare

Other land uses: 450 EUR/hectare

Local breeds in danger of being lost: 200 EUR/livestock unit


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Calculation

The reference point for calculating a level of support

is the relevant mandatory standard referring to the

commitment- a baseline

The general principle of a calculation is a comparison

between a baseline and a commitment

The difference (additional costs and income forgone)

is compensated under this measure

Methodology to calculate the level of support to be

described in IPARD program.


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Steps towards designing the measure

Setting priorities on the basis of the strategy including analysis of thesituation in terms of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Consultation with environmental stakeholders, NGOs, public authoritiesand other bodies to identify environmental problems in Candidate

Countries Identification of pilot zones with defined environmental problems

Design measures on the basis of identified environmental priorities onthe selected pilot areas as well as relation with agricultural activities

Identification of mandatory standards in Candidate Countries followedby preparation of the legislation (if necessary)

Establishment of contacts with scientific institutes to prepare

calculations of premium under measures Design implementing and controlling structures within the

administration


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