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Research Network for LivestockLivestock SystemsSystems inin Integrated Rural Development FAUNUSFAUNUS newsletter of the LSIRD network • ISSUE 2 • MARCH 1997 newsletter of the LSIRD network LSIRD a network Widening the net TAKING SHAPE by Jerry Laker ne of the lasting fter almost one year, the LSIRD network is fast becoming established in Oimpressions of the A its role to provide an effective channel for international co-operation, Nafplio conference was the collaboration and idea-sharing for research workers interested in the special degree of consensus issues encountered in the European less-favoured areas. There are already displayed between the some 350 signed-up members, representing 218 organisations spread across FAUNUS participants on rural the EU engaged in livestock-related research, and we have held a major Edited by Jerry Laker MSc development issues, in European conference. This is the first stage in building up a network of LSIRDnetwork particular, that it is essential contacts that will be a powerful resource for those embarking on Macaulay Land Use that LFA farming systems interdisciplinary projects. Research Institute must necessarily take on Last November’s Cork Declaration established the philosophy, at an EU Craigiebuckler board sustainable agriculture level, of “integrated rural development”, i.e. that policy structures aiming to Aberdeen AB15 8QL stimulate the rural economy must recognise that agriculture plays only a part, Scotland, UK principles, and exploit to the fullest extent the albeit a major one, in a wider range of rural economic activities. This is likely, Tel. +44 (0) 1224 318611 opportunities offered by in time, to have far-reaching effects on agricultural systems, particularly in the Fax. +44 (0) 1224 311556 value-adding activities, such LFAs - some 56 % of the farmed area of Europe. Livestock rearing is commonly the major agricultural sector in the LFAs, and it is being increasingly [email protected] as regional and eco-labelling, recognised that future systems will be encouraged to incorporate elements of http://www.mluri.sari.ac. on-farm processing and uk/~mi361/lsird.htm traditional husbandry methods which have played an essential role in creating marketing, and where and maintaining the characteristic habitats and landscapes. appropriate, co-operative Future systems must be compatible with positive environmental FAUNUS is an informal ventures between rural management, as well as returning an adequate income to farmers, a demand newsletter edited by Jerry production and retailing Laker for the that is leading to an increasing number of farmers engaging in some form of enterprises. The message LSIRDnetwork. The views processing or speciality marketing to add value to their products, possibly in expressed in this that many took away with co-operation with other local businesses, such as restaurants and retail outlets. newsletter are the authors’ them was that LFA livestock and do not necessarily farming is developing as a reflect those of the editor, distinct research field in its the Network nor any own right. There is an 1st LSIRD Conference NAFPLIO, GREECE institutions that the opportunity now to take the authors may belong to. This drive to integration of rural development initiatives opens up new LSIRD network a stage Copyright remains with challenges for livestock research. There is increasing need for further, and bring in more of the authors and the collaborative, interdisciplinary investigation which will combine the people who are active in material in this newsletter existing knowledge and new technologies. The Network held its first research projects. The should not be cited conference, which took place in Nafplio, Greece on 23rd-25th January elsewhere without first proceedings from Nafplio, 1997. The Nafplio conference was an attempt to draw together experts obtaining the (available now on the in production systems, policy and economic research, and permission of the Author. WWW, and soon in print) environmental management, in order to identify opportunities for Publication of work in set out some of the concepts FAUNUS does not affect synergy between the disciplines, and form a conceptual basis for the that will be developed over the author’s rights to future development of the LSIRD network (see full report on page 8). publish the same data in a the next two years by the refereed journal. workshop series and this publication. I would ask you to spread LSIRD Directory of Current Research the word about the network, The valuable contacts made in Nafplio will be developed and extended and encourage colleagues to through the directory of members interests. Work on this has begun, register. and the progress to date can be found on the Internet site. This After one year we have a medium offers great possibilities both for getting current work known LSIRDnetwork is functioning network of in scientific circles, and for establishing a detailed and user-friendly supported by the innovative research workers. information resource. The database will be developed as a Web-based Concerted Action service, but will in the future be published in print. In the meantime, programme of the In the coming year, we can European Commission DG VI. harness this dynamic, and we can supply printouts to anyone without access to the database. An FAIR1 CT95-0114. develop LFA livestock essential element of building up a useful information resource is your research as an identifiable cooperation and enthusiasm. A leaflet giving details of the simple multidisciplinary field. procedure to deposit and update information is available from LSIRD. Print and Design Halcon Printing Limited Stonehaven, Scotland Tel. +44 (0) 1569 762250 LSIRDonline http://www.mluri.sari.ac.uk/~mi361/lsird.htm Fax. +44 (0) 1569 766054 2 FAUNUS Issue No.2 newsletter of the LSIRD network Regional Targeting of EU AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES an integrated methodological approach by Mark Morgan he challenge facing agricultural Two key areas of research are being During the first 2 years of the project, policy makers throughout Europe followed by project participants: methodological-development and data- T today is to find a way of switching collection has been co-ordinated by means production from the current system • a Europe-wide analysis and evaluation of of four interdisciplinary sub-groups (Table towards one which is economically, current AEP scheme design, delivery 1). The four groups work at different socially and environmentally sustainable and acceptance by farmers which will vertical levels (geographic and political) in the longer term. A key to achieving this enable future schemes to be designed in within each of the countries and, where end must come through a redistribution an optimum way so as to achieve their possible, apply the methodologies to of CAP money to promote more desired effects. collect data from study areas selected in sustainable forms of agriculture. A start each of the countries involved. Within has been made following the agreement • an analysis of the current conflicts, both each of the study regions an AEP of some of EU regulation 2078 made in 1992 actual and potential, between the form (established there under EU whereby a percentage (4%) of all CAP environment and agriculture which will regulation 2078/92) is offered to the money has been re-directed for spending allow recommendations to be made farmers. The regions cover a broad range on Agri-Environmental Programmes concerning regional targets which of agri-geographical conditions from (AEP’s). should be aimed-for in order to move intensively-used polders in the Netherlands The EU has now recognised the need for towards more sustainable production. to the uplands of the Swabian Alp in integrated research to look at ways to Southwest Germany. improve agri-environmental programmes The final recommendations will be The answer to the problem of how to in the future. The ultimate aim of EU based upon an integration of these two achieve valid recommendations for each Project AIR3 CT94-1296 is to arrive at approaches. Results will be tested through region must come from a careful vertical scientifically justified recommendations for a series of planned ‘platform discussions’ integration of the results from the various the optimisation and regionalisation of AEP between farmers and policy makers in levels within the study regions. This will programmes. Through the methodologies each study region before final presentation proceed in two steps. First all data must be being worked on towards this end it is to policy makers in the EU and at collected from the various levels and used hoped that it will also be possible to national/state level in the member to build a complete picture (‘leitbild’) of develop tools for monitoring the countries. Results will be ready at the end the study region. Examples of the factors environmental benefits resulting from AEP. of 1998. which should be known for each study region include: Table 1: Specialisation and responsibilities of the 4 project sub-groups • its agri-geographical location, including the physical environmental Sub Group Specialisation Responsibilities characteristics and the limitations they place on agriculture, I Institutional approach to understand and document the origins • spatially defined agri-environmental - state and European Level and development of agri - environmental conflicts in the area, both actual and policy. To investigate the implementation potential, structure in the participating countries.

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