defining the hnv farming concept at eu and local levels
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Defining the HNV farming concept at EU and local levels. Guy Beaufoy EFNCP Spain. What is High Nature Value (HNV) farming?. Farming that creates conditions of high biodiversity (diversity of wild fauna and flora); and/or maintains particular wildlife species of conservation concern. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Defining the HNV farming concept at EU and local levels
Guy BeaufoyEFNCPSpain
What is High Nature Value (HNV) farming? Farming that creates conditions of high
biodiversity (diversity of wild fauna and flora);
and/or maintains particular wildlife species of conservation concern.
What is High Nature Value (HNV) farming? The term “HNV farming” dates from 1993
-Nature Conservation and New Directions in the CAP
This report found the common characteristic of HNV farming to be a low intensity use of:• Livestock densities per ha.• Nutrient inputs (nitrogen)• Biocides• Land exploitation with “space for nature”
Identifying HNV farming at EU level In 2003 the European Environment
Agency began developing indicators and maps of HNV farming (Andersen et al).
Two main types were identified:1) Low-intensity livestock systems using
mainly semi-natural vegetation.
2) Low-intensity arable and tree cropping systems in a mosaic, with presence of semi-natural elements
Low intensity managementLivestockNitrogenBiocides
% of semi-natural vegetationGrass, scrubTreesField margins
Diversity of land coverCropsFallowsGrass
Type 1
Type 2
HNV
Presence of High Nature Value farmlandusing mainly semi-natural vegetation,CORINE land coverSource: EEA
Extremadura,Spain
Western Isles,Scotland
Proportion of UAA under low-intensity farming systems, using FADN data on farm inputsSource: EEA, unpublished
Extremadura
Type 1: semi-natural grazing land (Extremadura)
Black vulture
Nardus grasslands
“Cambrionales”
Cytisus purgans formations
Hay meadows
Natural values maintained by mountain grazing
Typcial mixed dryland landscape of Spanish interior (HNV type 2),
Natura 2000 habitats: Wet and dry heathland Blanket bog Alpine and coastal grasslands
Type 1: semi-natural grazing (Western Isles)
Type 2: low-intensity crop mosaics with semi-natural elements
Crex crex
Crucial actors for nature conservation
How is HNV farming important for nature conservation? Many of Europe’s most valued natural
areas are maintained by HNV farming. HNV farming is thus essential to the
success of policies such as Natura 2000. HNV farming is also crucial to biodiversity
outside protected areas. It is thus essential to achieving the EU’s
aim of halting biodiversity decline by 2010.
How secure is the future for HNV farming? HNV farming is widespread in marginal areas
where physical conditions have prevented intensification.
But it faces fundamental problems of economic survival due to various factors: The marginal physical conditions and location. Specific labour requirements (e.g. shepherding). Competition from other labour opportunities. Competing landuses, such as afforestation and
irrigation (CAP funded?). Increasing rules and regulations
What needs to be done? Need a common understanding of:
• what is HNV farming?• how to identify it?• and how to target policies to support it?
New EU study starting now on these questions
But Member States need to take up the challenge for themselves.
Local case-studies should be helpful in building a national picture.
Ensuring sustainability of HNV farms For basic economic viability, farms need
support payments (for example, Less Favoured Areas payments).
For long-term sustainability, farms need investment aid and advice.
Farming practices can be made better for the environment through agri-environment payments.
Policies for rural development, nature conservation, forestry, food labelling, should all take account of HNV farming.
Conclusions Supporting HNV farming is not just a legal
obligation … For some countries it can also be seen as
an important resource for rural areas. HNV farming is an opportunity for
combining nature conservation with the maintenance of employment and cultural values...
And for the development of new economies, such as “green” tourism.