European Commission Opportunities for Conservation Agriculture in the EU Common Agricultural Policy Gottlieb Basch González-Sánchez, E.; Gómez McPherson, H.; Kassam, A. 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture September 26-29, 2011, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

BASCH et al. 2 Content  The dilemma of CAP objectives  The evolution of the CAP over 40 years  CAP objectives and deliverables of CA  How to break the ice?

The evolution of the CAP over 40 years Reduced surpluses Environment Income stabilisation Budget stabilisation Food security Improving productivity Market- stabilisation Income support Over production Exploding expenditure International friction Structural measures Deepening the reform process Competitive- ness Rural development Market orientation Consumer concerns Farm income Rural development Environment The Early Years (1960s) The Crisis Years (1980s) The 1992 Reform Agenda 2000 CAP Reform 2003 Productivity Competitiveness Sustainability BASCH et al. 3

4 The 2003 reform Its objectives : a competitive agricultural sector diversity and quality of food environmentally friendly production methods enhanced landscapes vibrant rural communities shrinking negative impact on world stage

The policy dilemma : be competitive in world markets and simultaneously meet the highest environmental, food quality and animal welfare standards The orientation of CAP reform aims at meeting objectives : in a manner that meets citizen, taxpayer and consumer priorities in the less-trade distorting manner The 2003 reform BASCH et al. 5

6 EU agricultural policy model after 2003 (CONSTANTINOU, 2007)

BASCH et al. 7 The Lisbon strategy (2005) n The strategy seeks to tackle the EU's urgent need for higher economic growth and job creation and greater competitiveness in world markets. It is a major EU policy priority. n It aims to provide people with a better standard of living in an environmentally and socially sustainable way. n “Become the most competitive area in the world by 2010” "Strong economic performance" that goes hand in hand with "the sustainable use of natural resources". CAP

BASCH at al. 8 The health check (2008) Further Decoupling of support Shifting money from direct aid to Rural Development Abolition of set-aside Cross Compliance

BASCH et al. 9 The policy outcome of CAP reform… Source: European Commission - DG Agriculture and Rural Development

Common Agricultural Policy Farmers Consumers Taxpayers Industry Environmental and other NGOs Member States...EU WTO OECD Net exporters Net importers ACP LDCs MERCOSUR...World Enlargement to New Member States An even increasing number of demands BASCH et al. 10

BASCH et al. 11 Now…, the 2014 – 2020 reform Concepts Smart Growth: improving resource efficiency and competitiveness Sustainable Growth: food, feed and renewable production Inclusive Growth: unlocking economic potential in rural areas

BASCH et al. 12 The 2014 – 2020 reform - Future challenges

BASCH et al. 13 The dilemma continues … (1) Too many, apparently contradicting, objectives  Protection of soil, water, air, biodiversity, etc.  Reasonable farm income  Landscape management  Globalization of agricultural markets

BASCH et al. 14 The dilemma continues … (2) Too many, apparently contradicting, objectives  Competitiveness of European agriculture  Reduction of subsidies  Food safety and security at acceptable prices  Bio-energy crops

BASCH et al. 15 The dilemma continues … (3) Too many, apparently contradicting, objectives

BASCH et al. 16 Environment Biodiversity Diversity of Rural Areas Natural Constraints Climate change Competitiveness Farm income Production Productivity CAP 2020 Which approach ???

BASCH et al. 17 Which approach ??? Crop Yields, Profitability & Competitiveness Biodiversity & diverse Landscape Less surface runoff & Floods Less soil erosion & Soil Compaction Soil Fertility & Carbon sequestration Conservation Agriculture

BASCH et al. 18 Viable food production  increase cost effectiveness by reducing inputs in form of machinery, energy, labour and fertilizers  provide similar or even higher yields through improvements in soil structure, organic matter and overall soil fertility CA has proven to:

BASCH et al. 19 Sustainable management of natural resources and climate action  diminish off-site damage of infra-structures and pollution of water bodies through less runoff and a much reduced sediment load  reduce runoff and erosion through better aggregate stability and protective cover of the soil by crops or crop residues  maintain and improve in-field and off-site biodiversity through the absence of destructive soil disturbance, protective soil shelter and less off-site transport of contaminants

20 Sustainable management of natural resources and climate action  mitigate CO 2 emissions through reduced fuel consumption and sequestration of atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter  increase the share of green water through better infiltration and water holding capacity and decreasing unproductive losses through evaporation

BASCH et al. 21 Balanced territorial development  contribute to the diversity of rural landscape through enhanced crop diversity and cover crops  maintain disfavoured rural areas under production through economically viable production methods

BASCH et al. 22 Push factors  Improve standard obligations for cross compliance  Minimum thresholds for soil and water conservation  Soil Framework Directive How to break “the ice”? Opportunities?

BASCH et al.BASCH 23 How to break “the ice”? Opportunities? Pull factors  Incentives at least for the transition phase  Effective knowledge and technology transfer  Reward for additional ecosystem services  Advocacy and policy action

BASCH et al Thank you for your attention!