With an annual expenditure of about 55 billion euros (about 31% of the total EU budget 2021-2027), the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can be a key instrument to halt biodiversity loss on EU farmland. The CAP already has three key measures to support biodiversity, namely compulsory standards that farmers have to adhere to (Cross Compliance), support measures for improved management (Agri-Environment-Climate Measures), and in 2014, Greening was introduced with three measures to improve Direct Payments. Despite these measures, farmland biodiversity is still declining.
In summer 2020, members of the European Commission invited European scientists to deliver evidence-based recommendations on how the updated CAP could perform better for biodiversity. The voluntary, independent process which followed this invitation was coordinated by iDiv, UFZ, Thünen Institute and the University of Rostock, and in cooperation with many other European research institutions. The process included 13 workshops and an online survey which were conducted between 2020 and 2021. Over 300 scientists and other experts from 23 European member states representing the disciplines of ecology, agronomy, economics and social sciences participated in this consultation. Dr Guy Pe'er, an ecologist at iDiv and UFZ and lead author of the study, emphasises, “The direct interaction with the European Commission was unique and extremely motivating. All scientists participated voluntarily, knowing that there is interest in using their expertise and knowledge to improve the CAP. This demonstrates how important and useful it is to strengthen the science-policy dialogue.”
In the study that emerged from these consultations, the authors highlight six principles as key for the success of the CAP:
A particular focus of the study is on the new CAP instrument "Eco-schemes", as this instrument could almost double the budget currently available for biodiversity measures. The authors highlighted which measures are likely to be effective (such as fallow land and extensive permanent grasslands), but warn of the risk that large parts of the Eco-schemes’ budget will be spent on maintaining the status quo instead of improving farmland management. "This risk is quite realistic when one examines the Strategic Plans submitted by the member states”, says Pe’er. “They should really be improved either before implementation or soon after. Adjustments must also consider the world market situation, while making sure we do not risk ecosystem collapse and crop failures by placing, in response to the war, even more pressure on land and biodiversity”, he adds.
Prof Sebastian Lakner, agricultural economist at the University of Rostock and co-author of the study, points out: “Our paper comes at an important time because the war in Ukraine has led to turbulences on the international agricultural markets. Especially in such a time of multiple crises we need rational and cost-effective decisions. Given the high price levels on the world market, we may need to consider higher payment levels for Eco-schemes and Agri-Environment-Climate Measures (AECM) to achieve the necessary biodiversity effects in the EU. With small tweaks we can make the most of taxpayers' money, investing in efficient Eco-Schemes and AECM. Without them, this CAP-Reform 2021 can become a missed opportunity.”
Conservation Letters
Data/statistical analysis
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How can the European Common Agricultural Policy help halt biodiversity loss? Recommendations by over 300 experts.
30-Jun-2022