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

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

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!