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Voices from the Farm | Page 1 VOICES FROM THE FARM Making Rural Development work for farmers and the environment REPORT EU 2013

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Page 1: REPORT EU 2013 - Pandaawsassets.wwfpl.panda.org/downloads/voices.pdferosion, increased pollution and the excessive use of water. The agricultural sector has become a large contributor

Voices from the Farm | Page 1

VOICES FROM THE FARMMaking Rural Development work for farmers and the environment

REPORTEU

2013

Page 2: REPORT EU 2013 - Pandaawsassets.wwfpl.panda.org/downloads/voices.pdferosion, increased pollution and the excessive use of water. The agricultural sector has become a large contributor

This programme is implemented with the support of the European Union.The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of WWF and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

WWF would like to thank the MAVA Foundation for its support in creating this publication.

Authors and contributors from the WWF Network: Andrea Kohl, Sébastien Godinot, Raluca Barbu, Tycho Vandermaesen, Matthias Meissner, Arnaud Gauffier, Celsa Peiteado, Ennio Merlini, Monia Martini , Karolina Tymorek, Pauli Merriman, Ottilia Thoreson, Alexandra Bennett, Philippe Carr.

Editing and Copy Writing: Derek McGlynn (Writeaway)

Layout: Liesbeth Verheyen (Mazout.nu)

Front cover photo: ©Istockphoto / David WintersPhoto page 16: ©Luca Pradella

Published in February 2013 by WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (Formerly World Wildlife Fund), Brussels, Belgium. Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title and credit the above mentioned publisher as the copyright owner.

© Text 2013 WWF. All rights reserved

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

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Voices from the Farm | Page 3

CONTENTSTHE CAP AT A CROSSROADS

EUROPEAN FARMERSFrance, Quentin Delachapelle

Spain, Juan A.Valladares

Germany, Kai Bischoff

Italy, Raymonde Buysschaert and Guido Barigelli

Sweden, Håkan and Teri Lee Eriksson

Poland, Lidia Ordysińska

Romania, Daniel Cismas

GLOSSARY

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Voices from the Farm | Page 4

THE CAP AT A CROSSROADS

The contribution of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to European society is unmistakable: the food shortages that scarred Europe until the

1950s have become a thing of the past; and the agricultural sector is an important economic driver that has established Europe as a leading agricultural exporter and, as a major employer, ensured the vitality of rural areas.

Regrettably this has come at a heavy environmental cost, as the trend towards industrialised, intensified farming practice continues to cause damage that will destroy the long-term viability of the sector. Over the last three decades we have seen a real degradation of habitats, severe soil erosion, increased pollution and the excessive use of water. The agricultural sector has become a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in its own right.

We are approaching a tipping point which risks destroying much of what we take for granted in farming. Taking climate change as an example, not only will increasing global temperatures mean more unpredictable weather patterns, we will also see the spread of animal diseases associated with warmer climates. Areas already regularly experiencing drought will suffer even more as precipitation levels diminish.

In this publication we introduce you to farmers from different corners of Europe who are using targeted Rural Development (Pillar 2) subsidies to improve their immediate surroundings and take care of the environment. We want to inspire policy makers to create the conditions necessary to make these types of farming thrive across Europe.

OF ALL GREENHOUSE GASES ARE PRODUCED

bY AGRICULTURE

9.6%

bETwEEN 2000 AND 2009 THERE HAS bEEN

A DROP OF 25% IN FARM EMPLOYMENT

IS CAP wORKING

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Voices from the Farm | Page 5

CAP reform for 2014-2020: the risk of a missed opportunity

The EU moving is too slowly towards the promotion of a more sustainable agriculture. We have come a long way from the mantra of “production at any cost” that originally formed the core of the CAP policy. When Pillar 2 of CAP was introduced it was meant to improve our agricultural base by funding such things as rural enterprises, communities and environmental measures. This distinct focus on Rural Development policy has increasingly highlighted issues such as climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity and water management. In contrast to Pillar 1 Direct Payments, Pillar 2 recipients are only paid if they commit to clearly targeted measures. There is however still a long way to go as Pillar 2 represents only a quarter of the overall CAP budget.

There is currently a real danger that the next CAP (2014-2020) will result in a big step backwards. Some politicians in the European Parliament and Council have been looking to safeguard the old Direct Payments system for farmers at the expense of targeted Pillar 2 expenditure.

In seeking to improve the CAP, it is important to frame desired outcomes around the need to produce high quality food in a sustainable way, by:

• conserving and restoring increasingly scarce natural resources;

• ensuring economic viability and contributing to balanced territorial development;

• helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change;

• combining the delivery of valuable ecosystem services (such as clean water, healthy soils, etc.)

• managing the countryside and delivering public goods to society (living landscapes, clean environment, etc.);

• improving the quality of life in farming areas;

• ensuring animal welfare.

wwF wANTS DIRECT PAYMENTS TO bE

bASED ON MEANINGFUL ENVIRONMENTAL

DELIVERY

OVER 40% OF EUROPEAN LAND IS

USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

20% OF RECIPIENTS REAP

ROUGHLY

80% OF THE DIRECT INCOME

SUPPORT

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The farmers in this publication have something to teach us as they have managed to strike a balance between all these requirements. Be it large farmers, such as Kai Bischoff from Germany (see page 14) or smaller farms with more diversified incomes, such as Raymonde Buysschaert and Guido Barigelli in Italy (see page 16), they all highlight the way forward.

WWF recommendations for Rural DevelopmentFarmers should only be rewarded for actions that are environmentally sound or for producing public goods that the market does not reward.

Therefore, the new CAP should support responsible land management, e.g. projects concerning the use of permanent pastures for carbon storage, the maintenance of biodiversity and landscapes, the protection of soil and water resources and the development of vibrant rural areas.

The farmers in this publication demonstrate that our recommendations are clearly achievable and with the right policy support they can become much more widespread.

WWF’s recommendations on Rural Development, formulated together with farmers, call for a more sustainable and inclusive CAP in 2014-2020:

1. Ensure Rural Development (Pillar 2) funding is 50% of the CAP budget;

2. Increase support for environmental measures within Rural Development to 50% (from 25% today);

3. Support responsible farming in Europe by creating distinct ‘High Nature Value’ and organic farming sub- programmes and considering these when designing short supply chains;

4. Maintain income stabilisation and insurance schemes through preventive measures and market measures and not through Rural Development, and promote innovation that includes local knowledge, is open to all stakeholders and supports environmentally-friendly technologies.

77 % OF EUROPEANS THINK THAT

SOME FARM PAYMENTS SHOULD bE LINKED TO THE

ENVIRONMENT

1KG OF wHEAT REqUIRES 1,300 LITERS OF wATER

1KG OF bEEF REqUIRES 15,500 LITERS OF wATER

DID YOU KNOw

Voices from the Farm | Page 6

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Voices from the Farm | Page 7

Name Quentin Delachapelle

Type of farm

Arable farm

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Voices from the Farm | Page 8

FRANCEWhat type of farm do you have?I run a cereal farm in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. We are two working on the farm which produces cereals (wheat, barley and maize), rapeseed, hemp, alfalfa and sugar beet. Around 40% of our farm is located in a Natura 2000 area. I voluntarily maintain permanent grassland despite the fact that there is no reward for doing so. Hedges and woodland borders account for 2% of the gross area with pasture covering a further 5%.

Rural Development subsidies have been very helpful for my business. Our efficient use of inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers means that we are less susceptible to price changes. We sell our produce via cooperatives to European and international markets.

What is your approach to farming? We run an environmentally aware farm. My education - university studies in biology and ecology - reinforced my knowledge of the limits of intensive farming. I have sought advice on how to reduce system inputs and we have implemented monitoring systems to evaluate the functioning biodiversity present on the farm and to balance our interventions (insecticides, tillage) accordingly. This includes the selection of plant species which favour green manure and insects as pollinators.

We have taken steps to produce in a sustainable way. We have reduced our use of mineral fertilisers and pesticides and voluntarily developed buffer strips along watercourses. Practices such as crop rotation and mechanical weeding reduce our need for herbicides. We maintain ecological focus areas on the farm and have reduced our pesticide and

“We have taken steps to produce in a sustainable way. We have reduced our use of mineral fertilisers

and pesticides and voluntarily developed

buffer strips along watercourses.“

Quentin Delachapelle

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Voices from the Farm | Page 9

92%OF EU’S RIVERS, LAKES AND

AqUIFERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED

bY POLLUTION, OVER-AbSTRACTION AND

HAbITAT ALTERATION DUE TO AGRICULTURE

fungicide use through smart risk-based approaches which also protect biodiversity. These initiatives also help soil quality as does our use of green manure.

How could CAP reform help?The CAP should support farmers who wish to move towards more environmentally aware farming. A greening of the first pillar which involves no substantive change in practice, would be a missed opportunity. It would mean that farmers who have implemented innovative practices that are beneficial to the environment are not rewarded. Policymakers need to ensure that there is not a mismatch between the proposed measures and their local application. Rules should be enforced evenly.

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Voices from the Farm | Page 10

Name Juan A. Valladares

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Name Quentin Delachapelle

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Voices from the Farm | Page 11

SPAINWhat type of farm do you have?I manage a 27 ha organic extensive farm which raises ‘Asturiana de la Montaña’, a local breed of beef cattle. My farm is a mix of private and communal land. Aside from some fruit and vegetables grown for self-consumption, a small quantity of apples is harvested each year to produce and sell cider. Additional income is generated through agri-tourism.

Under the CAP, I receive Direct Payments for suckling cows and livestock and some Pillar 2 payments for agri-environmental measures for endangered local breeds and organic production as well as less-favoured area measures for mountainous areas. I run a small, low-income farm, but my production costs are also very low. When combined with the arable crops and some agri-tourism activity, the farm itself is profitable.

I sell calves directly to consumers, whereas the cows and adult bulls are sold via conventional intermediaries. By doubling the livestock, paying careful attention to the natural capacity of the pastures to support them, as well as developing our direct sales, the farm could be profitable without relying on farm subsidies.

What is your approach to farming? I disagree with modern agriculture and livestock production methods. I manage this farm using traditional, extensive methods, together with some environmentally-friendly innovation.

The livestock graze freely throughout the year and they rarely require additional food. Our approach to pasture management includes both manual clearing and the use of local animals, such as goats or pigs when necessary.

“By doubling the livestock, paying

careful attention to the natural capacity of the

pastures to support them, as well as

developing our direct sales, the farm could be profitable without

relying on farm subsidies.”

Juan a.Valladares

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Voices from the Farm | Page 12

In fact, the whole farmland is carefully managed to maintain biodiversity. To take one example, the only wood harvested is from trees felled by natural causes. Among the primary environmental benefits of extensive grazing is the maintenance of the silvo-pastoral – or forest and pasture – ecosystems. Extensive ranching is also known to minimise methane emission.

Whenever fertilisation is needed, only farm-produced manure is used. Regarding other inputs, the installations don’t require electricity, so energy expenditure is almost zero. The only fuel used is for powering agricultural machinery.

How could CAP reform help?The EU should support family farms, which are linked to the local territory and which promote good practices that promote real sustainability. I mean things like the proper use of fertilisers, crop rotation or organic farming. There should be greater encouragement of extensive livestock production and the number of shrubs and trees in the pasture should not be used as a way to reduce eligibility.

The new CAP should also support market mechanisms that help to deliver fair prices for producers. I would like to see payments going primarily for those working the field and not to the landowners or agribusiness companies. Finally, there should be more efficient capping and an increase in the minimum payments.

80%OF ALL wATER IS USED IN

AGRICULTURE IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN EUROPE

wATER SCARCITY AFFECTS OVER

100 MILLION EUROPEANS ANNUALLY

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Voices from the Farm | Page 13

Name Kai Bischoff

Type of farm

Mixed cash crop and livestock farm

Where it is

North-East ofSchleswig-Holstein, Angeln, Germany

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Voices from the Farm | Page 14

GERMANYWhat type of farm do you have? This is a mixed organic farm of 115 ha. There are 65 dairy cows and 90 breeding cattle and we have 30 ha of grassland. On our 85 ha of arable land we grow a range of cash crops such as clover and winter rapeseed, wheat and rye. We have two employees on the farm and my parents also help out. My income is supplemented with revenue from photovoltaic activity on the farm.

Although not as profitable as a conventional farm, a combination of CAP and regional payments (Bundesland Schleswig-Holstein) makes organic farming viable.

What is your approach to farming? The move to organic agriculture is obvious once you begin to question your approach to the farming process. We now actively protect soil organisms, water, air, bees (with the help of white clover) and other insects by tolerating positive weeds and through crop rotation. We have reduced our energy consumption by not using artificial fertilisers. This is achieved by using alternative weed control methods and through the use of dung and manure.

Looking ahead, we want to do less ploughing on the farm and to improve our manure processing so that it is more effective for the soil. We also want 100% of the fodder to come from our holding. How could CAP reform help?I would like to see CAP reform which reduces bureaucracy for farmers. I would like to see animal-friendly barns being supported with investment. Wider measures to increased demand for organic products, for example, by encouraging healthy menus in public canteens, would be welcome and I think there should be abolition of all area-based support measures – famers should make their living by selling their own produce!

“I would like to see CAP reform which

reduces bureaucracy for farmers. I would

like to see animal-friendly barns being

supported with investments.”

Kai Bischoff

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Name Raymonde Buysschaert and Guido Barigelli

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Type of farm

Organic and educational farm producing high quality products

Where it is

San Paolo di Jesi, Marche, Italy

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Voices from the Farm | Page 16

ITALYWhat type of farm do you have?We established ‘La Battinebbia’ in 2004 as an organic and multi-functional farm. At this 4.5 ha site, we have vineyards and orchards which produce medicinal herbs, cherries, olives and alfalfa. We also make a wide variety of high quality products such as vines, fresh and dried herbs, derivates of soap production and olive oil. In addition, we offer educational tours of the facility and the surrounding area.

Our farm was recognised as a ‘didactic farm’ in 2007 by our regional authority (Regione Marche). We have specialised tours for children and adults in Italian, English, French and German. The visitors get a real farm experience while learning how practical science and mathematics, coupled with local geography, history and culture, come together to form our farm’s produce.

What is your approach to farming? On our farm we harvest high quality crops that are grown naturally. We believe that organic farming offers a real alternative to intensive farming. It reduces soil exhaustion and enhances biodiversity. The flowers, wild herbs, wildlife and insects around here all benefit from our healthy management approach and our dedication to using appropriate products.

Aside from only using environmentally-friendly products which respect our local ecosystem, we also focus on reducing waste as much as possible. Our committed approach has helped our farm receive an official regional certification for organic farming (issued by the Regione Marche).

“The EU should support farmers

by simplifying the bureaucracy associated with

the CAP. We would also like to see full

acknowledgement of the role that organic

farming plays in the conservation of

biodiversity.”Raymonde Buysschaert

and Guido Barigelli

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Voices from the Farm | Page 17

How could CAP reform help?“The EU should support farmers by simplifying the bureaucracy associated with the CAP. We would also like to see full acknowledgement of the role that organic farming plays in the conservation of biodiversity.” Likewise, the CAP could do more to promote the exchange of ideas among European organic farmers and to help them network.The EU should not only further incentivise organic farming and environmental conservation, it should help to build awareness of the younger generation of rural heritage and the need to recover traditional crops. Finally, regulation needs to be more coherent overall and we need more effective controls in supporting environmental measures.

SINCE THE 1900S, AbOUT 75% OF PLANT

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN AGRICULTURE HAS

bEEN LOST

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Where it is

Wiggeby farm, Ekerö, Sweden

Name Håkan and Teri Lee Eriksson

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Type of farm

Environmental farming at the cutting edge

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Voices from the Farm | Page 19

SwEDEN

“We think that there are many

pro-environmental measures which could

easily be introduced by the EU. The potential

is enormous.” Håkan and Teri lee Eriksson

What type of farm do you have?At Wiggeby Farm, we practice conventional farming cultivating a range of crops. Today we actively use 600 ha through a combination of purchase and leasing. The soil is mainly clay and in large areas heavy clay.

The farm is located on an island in a lake that is the main drinking water source for a large residential area. This is taken into consideration in the planning and execution of different measures, such as spreading of fertiliser and use of pesticides.

What is your approach to farming? We focus on combining conventional farming with new technologies and pro-environmental methods. Our sustainable farming goal means improving resource efficiency without reducing yields. Since 1994, we have been systematically analysing our farm’s performance. For each field we know how the soil is cultivated, fertilised and how much is harvested. This knowledge lets us optimise input usage, increase harvest results and take environmentally-sound decisions. Through “Farming in Balance”, a group linking 17 farms, we are actively involved in sharing best practice amongst the farming community. Advice is especially important when a farmer is thinking of investment. The most successful new technology we have introduced on the farm has been the N sensor. This tractor-mounted device calculates the crop’s nitrogen content in real-time and determines the dose of fertiliser to be applied accordingly. The result is more even crop quality and less nitrogen loss.

We believe that our composting and recycling division is going to be one of the determining factors for the sustainability of farming at Wiggeby. Today we are totally fossil free regarding fuels for heating and drying grain.

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“We use permanent, six-metre wide,

grass buffers alongside our

drainage ditches”

THE bALTIC SEA CONTAINS

800% MORE PHOSPHORUS THAN

IT DID 100 YEARS AGO

We are always seeking to reduce nutrient loss in the soil and we have taken steps to reduce runoff into the aquatic environment. We use permanent, six-metre wide, grass buffers alongside our drainage ditches and we also recently built a sedimentation pond to reduce phosphorous runoff. These efforts play an important role in reducing algae growth which can choke the local freshwater..

Our commitment to showing how a modern farm can apply environmental measures to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses saw us win the 2010 Baltic Sea Farmer Award.

How could CAP reform help?We think that there are many pro-environmental measures which could easily be introduced by the EU. The potential is enormous. The focus should be on spreading knowledge to change attitudes about the value of natural resources and the environment and on implementing technology directed towards sustainable and profitable agriculture production. Realistic goals are important. Productive and profitable agriculture businesses have the greatest potential to provide food and energy for the European population.

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Name Lidia Ordysińska

Type of farm

Mixed dairy and arable farm

Where it is

“Kozi Gródek”, Wołczkowo, Poland

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POLANDWhat type of farm do you have?I have been running an organic farm since 1998. We breed milking goats and process the milk on the farm. The farm employs one person full-time and four-to-six seasonal workers. We have 36 ha, of which 26 ha is permanent grassland and 10 ha is used as arable area for mainly for plants like peas and beans.

Organic farmers incur higher production costs (i.e. labour costs) and lower profits when starting out, but after five years or so, the balance shifts in our favour. I find that the organic model of farming means that plants remain free from disease longer, drought is rarely a problem and animal health is considerably improved – so our veterinary service costs are negligible, for example.

EU support is important to the financial wellbeing of my farm: we receive Direct Payments and some money through Rural Development measures. This support has allowed me to modernise; the farm can now compete with non-organic products, as in Poland organic food is not much more expensive. The good news is that customer awareness of the benefits of the organic model is increasing.

What is your approach to farming? For me, organic farming means high quality food and avoiding the use of chemicals.

This choice has many consequences on the running of the farm. For example, I only use compost, effective microorganisms (EM) and earthworms for farm manure aeration and processing. We have also connected the farm to the municipal microbiological wastewater treatment plant and household waste is segregated and put into separate containers. When chemicals are needed their

“In the reformed CAP, subsidies for

organic farming and agri-environmental measures should be kept. I would like to

see restrictions which eliminate ‘pseudo

organic’ farmers.” Lidia Ordysińska

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use is restricted to only using hydrogen peroxide and EMs for personal hygiene and cleaning at home and in the processing plant.

How could CAP reform help?In the reformed CAP, subsidies for organic farming and agri-environmental measures should be kept. I would like to see restrictions which eliminate ‘pseudo organic’ farmers. This could be achieved by introducing more appropriate inspections. The funds this would free up could then be used to subsidise agri-environmental measures that encourage the manufacturing of genuinely healthy food.

In Poland, the setting-up and developing small local processing plants is over regulated: we have much more stringent rules than other EU countries. This inhibits our fledgling sector. In other EU countries such processing accounts for over 25% of the food market.

“In Poland, the setting-up and

developing small local processing

plants is over regulated: we

have much more stringent rules than other EU countries.”

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Name Daniel Cismas

Type of farm

Mixed extensive farm

Where it is

Topa, Mureș County,Transylvania, Romania

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ROMANIAWhat type of farm do you have?We call our farm ‘Topa’s ecological farm’. The village of Topa is situated in the Sighisoara-Tarnava Mare Natura 2000 site which covers 85.374 ha and is one of the largest lowland areas of High Nature Value (HNV) farmland in the European Union.

Some years ago the local school wanted to educate children about ‘healthy’ agriculture. When the farm began back in 2005, it consisted of just one hectare of land! My family was involved from the very beginning and we took over the running of the farm in 2009.

The farm now has 33 ha of land comprising of 1 ha of roses with the rest being used for fodder, vegetables and medicinal plants. We also have 15 cows. This allows us to produce fresh cheese, pickles and different varieties of tea, which we sell directly at the village market and surrounding areas, and indirectly at the bio-store we opened in Sibiu together with six other small producers.

Under the CAP we have been receiving Rural Development funding including agri-enviroment and Direct Payments since 2009.

What is your approach to farming? “Our farm is a real example of sustainable development. By raising our animals traditionally and by promoting environmentally-friendly practices, as well as respect for natural cycles, we contribute to the preservation of HNV farmlands, which are characterised by an exceptional biodiversity.”

“The EU should continue to build a comprehensive

approach that supports farming

practices which work in harmony with

nature.”Daniel Cismas

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By investing in organic farming we enjoy being able to offer healthy products to our consumers, and thus access a market that recognises the value of environmental protection. The farm provides income for our entire family and for those who help us during harvest season.

From a social perspective, the farm creates direct links with the local community. Children and teachers volunteer at the farm. We also get volunteers from all over the world who come to benefit from intercultural exchanges and to learn the practice of organic farming.

How could CAP reform help?The EU should continue to build a comprehensive approach that supports farming practices which work in harmony with nature.

The launch of Natura 2000 payments in Romania during the next financing period (2014-2020) is essential and long-awaited by many farmers. “We also need a comprehensive package of measures supporting our Rural Development needs, from taking care of our natural resources to facilitating market access, to sharing knowledge gains and educating future generations about sustainable farming. A strategy to identify short supply chains of relevance to farmers like me is essential.”

POPULATIONS OF IMPORTANT bUTTERFLIES AND bEES ARE IN DECLINE

IN RURAL AREAS, POPULATION DECLINES HAVE OCCURRED IN AbOUT 1/3 OF INSECTS

AND 4/5 OF bIRD SPECIES

ROUGHLY 25% OF THE EU’S NATURA

2000 SITES IS FARMLAND AND THAT REqUIRES

APPROPRIATE PROTECTION AND FARM ACTIVITY

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Voices from the Farm | Page 27

GLOSSARYThe European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy supports food production at farm level, ensuring that rural communities continue to thrive, as well as protecting the environment from dangers caused by farming.

Pillar 1 provides Direct Payments to farmers. These form a significant part of their overall income. in most EU countries this subsidy is calculated on the number of hectares of land owned. Currently payments are not based on any type of environmental delivery.

Pillar 2 or Rural Development is responsible for about 24% of the overall Cap budget and it provides targeted subsidies that improve farm competitiveness, environmental delivery and the quality of life and economic diversification of rural areas.

Agri-environmental measures (in pillar 2) provide payments to farmers who subscribe to environmental commitments related to the preservation of the environment and maintaining the countryside.

Natura 2000 is an EU wide network of protected areas, established to maintain biodiversity and areas of special conservation. much of this land is privately owned and still under human stewardship. activities like farming are allowed as long as they fit into certain criteria.

Organic farming restricts the use of fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides as inputs. In Europe this type of farming is certified by the European Union, so that consumers know exactly what they are buying.

High Nature Value farming combines low intensity farming with the needs of the environment by preserving biodiversity.

Intensive Farming is a form of agriculture which is heavily dependent on large amounts of inputs such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilisers and sometimes irigation to maintain a high yield of crop. instead of preserving supportive biodiversity, as much of the land as possible is used for agricultural production. The result of intensive farming is a breakdown in soil quality, water shortages and pollution and vast areas without any rich biodiversity.

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Why we are here

www.wwf.eu

To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment andto build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

© 1986 panda symbol and ® “WWf” Registered Trademark of WWf-World Wide fund for nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), WWF European Policy Office, 168 avenue de Tervurenlaan, Box 20, 1150 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 743 88 00, www.wwf.eu

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70%The decline of butterfly populations over the past 30 years in the EU

85%The percentage of agricultural Greenhouse gas produced by livestock

€38 billion a yearThe overall cost of soil degradation in the EU per year

€115The average annual contribution paid by each European between 2007-2013