Thomas Dworak Ecologic Institute Integrating water issues in Farm advisory services A Handbook of ideas for administrations Thomas Dworak Ecologic Institute

Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak Aim of the Handbook A clear need for information sharing among the Member States on the structure of Farm Advisory Services Content focuses on: Environmental considerations in water management, not water management in general! – i.e. “Water-friendly” farming practices Institutional and organizational setup behind technical farming measures Target audience: Governmental, administrative bodies that govern advisory services Information sharing is a prerequiste for a better understanding of the impacts of FAS on delivering environmental outcomes and costs 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Farm Advisory System versus farm advice The "Farm Advisory system" (FAS) is a comprehensive system made up of different advisory bodies coordinated by a central body or authority. This system guarantees that each farmer in all Member States is able to ask and receive advice on compulsory standards, at the least on all cross compliance requirements. A "farm advisory service" is the service a farmer receives from an advisor, i.e. an oral or written advice that analyses a farmer's practical problems on his farm and gives guidance in order to resolve practical problems. Advice is the provision of a technical skilled opinion on a specific subject to assist the farmer in his decision making. 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Structure of the Handbook 1 Background and Introduction Why such a handbook? What does “Farm Advisory System” and “farm advice” mean? What to be found in the handbook? Who should read this handbook? 9 What is the motivation of farmers to participation and how to approach farmers to do so? 2 Water problems resulting from agriculture 10 What is the best timing of advice? 3 What does “farm advice” mean? 11 Examples of advice to address water problems 4 What relevant legal aspects to consider? 12 Costs and financing of advice 5 Current situation of FAS in MS 13 “Soft skills” of the advisor 6 How to target the advice to solve certain environmental problems 14 Monitoring and Evaluation 7 What are the different farm advisory approaches? 15 Links for additional information 8 Ways to integrate FAS approaches to increase efficiency of advice and reduce costs 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

What can be found in the Handbook? 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 2 – Water problems resulting from agriculture Chapter 3 – How does farm advice work? Pollution – nutrients and pesticides Alterations of hydrological regimes Hydro-morphological modifications Soil erosion Focuses on the benefits achieved through farm advice Chapter 3: such as Better compliance with new legal issues (e.g. new GAECs after the 2008 CAP health check), Environmental benefits (e.g. improvements of the biodiversity, water quality), Cost savings for the farmer (reduced costs for fertilisation), Ensuring vitality of farming in the future 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 4 & 5 – Legal and Institutional issues Details the legal requirements FAS must cover Examples on the institutional and organizational set up in various MS Which institutions are involved Strategic direction of FAS Prioritization within FAS How MS already handle water issue in advice, i.e. whether water is a specific advice issue or if it is integrated into other advice issues (e.g. soil) Requirements and training of advisors 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 6 – How to target advice “How to select the farmers that should be addressed?” Other approaches include: Focus on most prevalent types of farms in breach of environmental laws or standards (e.g. Belgium – Flanders) Production focus Self-screening (e.g. England, Ireland, Hungary, Austria) Several different approaches found in the MS 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 7 – Different farm advisory approaches Chapter 8 – Ways to integrate different FAS approaches Chapter 7 – Different farm advisory approaches Which approaches to provide information exist Which tools and methods of advice exist How to select the right tool(s) for advice Goal is to increase efficiency of advice and reduce costs Focuses on how MS integrate different advice approaches (e.g. legal, business, environmental) in the FAS 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 9 – Why do Farmers participate in FAS? Personal values play an important role in decision-making and participation. Important to know about farmer motivation in order to effectively implement farm advice Farmer segmentation in the UK Environmental concerns Social pressures (the civil society or other farmers are forcing a farmer to participate) Economic reasons (cost savings due to optimized management practices) Compliance with legal requirements Social reasons (meeting with others or loyalty to their advisor) 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 10 - Best Timing of advice Presents information on what time of the year the different FAS tools are most effective For example: Manual, templates, maps, software tools: Suitable year-round. Updates before the main sowing season in the spring. Telephone help-line: Suitable year-round. One-on-one visits: Most relevant close to or during the growing season. Small group advice: Start of the growing season. Training courses, workshops, seminars and information meetings: During the winter time when farmers are more likely to have time to leave the farm. 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak Chapter 11 - Farm advice activities to address water problems caused by agriculture Boxes on MS examples of current activities to address: Nutrient pollution Pesticide pollution Irrigation Mixed - addressing more than one issue 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 12 – Costs and financing of advice Costs of services differ widely across Europe Financing What are the main sources of funding? E.g., rural developing funding, other public funds, private etc. Funding conditions of private institutions, i.e. Award criteria for subcontracting private advisory services In some MS farmers get between 50%-80% of the costs covered while in others financing depends on the level of advice (e.g. Czech Republic) 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 14 – Soft skills of advisors Highlights in the need for soft skills to effectively reach farmers Focuses on “trust” & "understanding and speaking the farmers' language“ Incorporation of soft skills into training of trainers 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Chapter 14 – Monitoring and Evaluation Handbook focuses on: The competences of the advisor The impact on the farm in terms of change of the behaviour/practices - evaluating the impacts of advice Chapter gives examples on how Member States evaluate their own FAS and how much monitoring takes place Important to note that some MS are still in the process of updating their FAS after the Health Check, so some of the monitoring and evaluation processes in the MS may not be in compliance with current ruels 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak

Thank you for listening. Thomas Dworak Ecologic Institute, Auhofstrasse 4/7, A-1130 Vienna Tel. +43 (664) 7359-2278, Fax +43 (1) 877-6430 thomas.dworak@ecologic.eu www.ecologic.eu 6-7 April 2010 Seville, WFD Expert Group on agriculture– Thomas Dworak