Chapter 1

the regional project

• What we wanted to prove:

Early involvement of the

farmers and stakeholders will support

implementation of measures to improve environment of water course in the sense of the EU Water Framework Directive

Results of the Regional Project

Results of the Regional Project

• How did we experiment

1. Setting up working groups (nature conservation, water management and agriculture) to discuss the issues

2. Producing data, which show the matter of facts regarding diffuse pollution and ecology indicators

Results of the Regional Project

• What is the obtained result ?Within the project area, the water board will implement measures to improve the structure of the river Lethe. No meanders were possible to achieve, but a small solution, which will definitely improve the ecological value of the river.

• Sharing knowledge has been achieved• Spin off: A farmer will realize compensation

measures at the banks of the river. The project catalyzed this issue. Diffuse pollution will be less in future.

Results of the Regional ProjectConclusions / Consequences • On regional level?Ecological values of the landscape are not seen as advantages

from the farmers perspective. Microeconomics is the most relevant issue to them. An evaluation in terms of money or an assessment of the added values is needed

• On EU level? In times of good economy for farmers, either financial incentives

must be very high to convince farmers to participate in any environmental scheme or the legislation must be very strict and must have a local approach, considering soil, precipitation etc.

Measures financed by EU should have a holistic assessment regarding sustainability.

Results of the Regional Project

What next?

Pressure on prices for land and high prices for agricultural products will make it very expensive for the public and any other institution to pay for environmental measures in future.

Chapter 2

The public private model

Model private public space

1

Private Goods(the market pays)

2Public goods

Physical(public funding)

4

Market value+ added value

3

Public Goods cultural

Local products create local pride and identity

transactions

Cultural symbol

• There is no regional symbol in the pilot region of Weser-Ems (but of course in the wider area)

• One farmers involved in the project in Weser-Ems produces „added values“ while using his obligation regarding compensation to create a buffer strip along the river

• Consumers in Germany do recognize more and more added values with buying organic products

• Do you recognise the elements in the model? In a way regarding the “spin off”of the project (bufferstrip as

compensation measure) • Which goods / products would you name in the model?Compensation measures• What is in your opinion the ‘regional symbol’?Farmers do not contribute to or support actively “added value of

agriculture” as landscape, aesthetic values, biological values. Their focus is on pure microeconomics.

• How does the money flow in your region? Farmers sell to the world market. Money flows through private

enterprises supported by public funds.

Discussion of the model