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 . 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. • the history and development of agricultural and environmental policy of II Targeting approach develop a GIS based methodology for a the area, - state and regional level regional landscape analysis which defines • idealised socio-economic and risk/conflict zones where AEP should environmental targets for the region, support land use compatible with • effective measures to achieve these environmental targets for these zones. targets which are within acceptable limits, III Modelling approach develop user friendly tools for rapid • an assessment of the effectiveness of - regional and landscape level analysis of the effects of current and future actual agri-environmental programmes in AEP’s on various social-economic and the area and the characteristics of environmental parameters. farmers who adopt the measures. The aim has been to develop a IV Farm level approach to investigate the reasons for farmer methodological approach to optimising participation or non participation in AEP. AEP’s throughout Europe, rather than To identify areas where scheme design and attempting to make firm recommendations delivery are necessary. To evaluate the on what should be done in each area. It is ecological benefits of AEP participation...... continued on page 4

Issue No.2 FAUNUS 3 newsletter of the LSIRD network

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believed that through the SUPPORTING THE regionalisation of measures, targeted to match the social, economical and ecological characteristics of any area, future agri-environmental programmes will play an extremely Countryside important role in supporting European farmers in a way that Policy Paper from the Scottish integrates viable production with the protection of our diverse natural Landowner's Federation and cultural European landscape. by Maurice Hankey PARTICIPANTS Institut für Landschaftsplanung und Ökologie (ILPÖ), Universität Stuttgart he Scottish Landowner’s Federation capable of revision, but at all times would Institut für Landwirtschaftliche proposes a radical review of how be required to conform to guidelines of Betriebslehre (ILB), Universität T public support is delivered, across good practice, and be appropriate to the Hohenheim Europe, to the countryside and its locality, and to the resource available. Zentrum für Agrarlandschafts und dependent communities. The 1992 reform “Eligibility” for payments would be Landnutzungforschung e.V. of the CAP has brought stability to the calculated by adding the support available Münchenberg (ZALF) Brandenberg. farming sector, but existing support is under each of four “Levels”, according to Landesanstalt für Grobschutzgebiete restricted to certain sectors, and is now the commitments given in the plan. Eberswalde (LAGS), Eberswalde. also determined by eligibility criteria, such INRA SAD Mirecourt as quotas and eligible land. The system is Level 1: Land management payment bureaucratic, distorts land use and fossilises (for adherence to Codes of Wye College, University of London (WUL) the countryside and businesses. Production Good Practice etc.) under the present CAP remains sheltered Level 2: Environmental and Systems Department of Geography, University College London (DGUCL) from the market place. These factors supplement. suggest that the CAP, as at present, is not Level 3: Social supplement for Department Economia Applicada, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona an appropriate way of ensuring the health disadvantaged areas. (UAB) and well-being of the larger countryside, its Level 4: Support for capital projects. businesses, and its rural communities. A Department of Ecological Agriculture, Wageningen Agricultural University much wider, and more integrated approach Receipt of payments would depend upon (AMLT) is called for. the level of “activity” generated by the The Winard Staring Centre for Integrated In common with a number of other plan, measured in terms of standard labour Land, Soil and Water Research papers on the future of the CAP, the paper units. Each unit would qualify for tranches (WSC-DLO), Wageningen advocates a move towards world market of support at each Level, subject to prices, and the dismantling of existing availability. This effects a form of support and supply management schemes moderation of support on an activity- rather (including all quotas). than a size-basis, but does not constitute a In their place, and in line with the first job-subsidy. It provides a means by which aim of the Federation, the promotion of support can be delivered to large and small high standards of management and use of businesses on an equal basis. The Scheme land, the paper proposes the introduction could be applied on a European basis, with of an integrated Rural Land Use Support member states determining the Further information on this project may Scheme. This would provide essential proportional relationship between the be found in the LSIRD directory, or from: support for the whole countryside in different levels, within an overall ceiling. which the need for food and timber The approach of using a framework plan Dr Mark Morgan production is balanced with the needs of facilitates delivery of support to land-using Institut für Landschaftsplanung rural communities and the wider natural businesses, often in areas where market- und Ökologie, heritage. based income alone could not sustain Universität Stuttgart, The Rural Land Use Support Scheme them, whilst at the same time providing a Keplerstr. 11, would be backed up by wider measures to means of applying environmental controls 70174 Stuttgart, assist rural businesses and communities, and incentives in a free-market situation. Germany including housing and infrastructure Tel: +49 711 121 2815 measures, provision of training and Fax: +49 711 121 3381 retraining facilities, and encouragement of Further information and a full copy of the report, co-operative and locally value-added Supporting the Countryside, Future Opportunities, Email initiatives. may be obtained from: [email protected] Support would be provided through Dr Maurice Hankey WWW: http://www.ilpoe.uni- decoupled area payments, in response to stuttgart.de/ilpoe/eupro.html Scottish Landowner’s Federation, submitting a 5-year management 25 Maritime Street, Edinburgh EH6 5PW. framework under which the land would be Tel: (+44) (0)131 555 1031 managed. Plans would be flexible and Fax: (+44) (0)131 555 1052

4 FAUNUS Issue No.2 newsletter of the LSIRD network REGIONAL IMAGES AND THE PROMOTION OF IN THE LAGGING Quality Products REGIONS OF THE EU and Services (RIPPLE)

griculture in the LFAs faces many respect to regional promotion of quality A uncertainties following CAP reforms products and threats to the image of of 1992, the GATT agreement on world these products from lagging regions; trade and further EU reforms which will • provide an overall evaluation of regional become necessary to cope with difficulties marketing initiatives and the quality in the beef and dairy markets as well as to products from farms in the lagging modify market and structural policies to regions of the EU. cope with the addition of new member states from Eastern Europe in the next In particular, the project will help towards millennium. While much research to date the development of models of regional has concentrated on farm-diversification as images and marketing and criteria for a solution to declining farm household assessing a priori the effectiveness of future incomes, this has often been conducted policies and strategies to promote quality without any analysis of the markets for products. It will therefore enable individual products from diversified enterprises and farmers, farmer groups, small scale the wider framework of local and regional processors, local development agencies and economic activities and structures within local authorities to evaluate and develop which they would need to develop. more appropriate strategies for promoting The RIPPLE project which is being their quality products on the basis of funded by the EU under the FAIR regional identity. The study will initially programme more generally will aim to help hope to focus on products such as organic public and private institutions to develop foods, cheeses and rural tourism services. strategies, policies and structures to assist in the successful marketing and promotion of quality products and services in the lagging The project commences March regions of the EU. Innovatively, it will work 1997 and will run for 27 months. on regional imagery and marketing in It will be co-ordinated by: relation to the relative success and failure of Department of Geography, by Brian Revell quality products and services, both of an University of Coventry. Dept Agricultural and Rural Economics, agricultural and non-agricultural nature. SAC Aberdeen Other partners are: More specifically, the project will: Department of Agricultural • measure the local and regional cost- and Rural Economics, effectiveness of current marketing SAC Aberdeen, UK; strategies and promotional activities Institute of Rural Studies, among small and medium enterprises, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK; including farms, and assess the producers’ perceptions of any existing Department of Geography, regional image-marketing activities in University College Galway, Ireland; relation to their products; For further details please contact: Rural Economy Research Centre • explore consumers’ perceptions and and National Food Centre, [email protected] requirements in purchasing quality Teagasc, Ireland; [email protected] products from lagging regions and the CEMEGREF, Clermont Ferrand and social, psychological and economic Department of Agricultural University of Caen, France; motivators for their purchasing and Rural Economics Department of Economics, behaviour; SAC Aberdeen University of Patras, Greece; MacRobert Building • examine the marketing environment and 581 King St Department of Geography, strategies and institutional structures Aberdeen University of Valencia, Spain; AB24 5UD initiated by local government or development agencies to improve the Institute for Rural Research and tel +44 1224 711000 marketing of products from lagging Training, Helsinki University, Finland. fax +44 1224 276012 regions and identify good practice with

Issue No.2 FAUNUS 5 newsletter of the LSIRD network Improving wool quality and MARKETING BEEF natural colours in the SOPRAVISSANA Sheep he Sopravissana was first bred in the seventeenth T century by crossing a local Italian breed with French Merinos. The breed became known for its wool quality from nature reserves in (about 20µm). With competition from Australia and New Zealand, wool quality became a less important production trait, and breeders turned their attention by Angeliki Riganatou HOLLAND to milk and meat production, including crossbreeding with other sheep breeds. This process has resulted in a reduction in the wool by Geesje Kuit & Hielke van der Meulen quality of the Sopravissana, which is now 22-25 µm (still a reasonable standard), and also the near extinction of the breed. n the Netherlands, farmers and nature conservation organisations The breeding of Sopravissana sheep was a traditional rural activity in manage an important part of nature reserves with beef cattle. By central Italy - the name originates from a small town in the Sibillini I 2015, further extensification of farm land use will create a total Mountains National Park, that extends through Umbria and Marche. area of 315,000 ha of semi-natural grasslands, which can produce Our project involves six farms in Marche, all situated in disadvantaged 120,000 head of cattle - “nature beef” - i.e. some 10% of the domestic rural areas, three of them close to the National Park. beef slaughter. The objective of the project is to create a Breeding Centre for Husbandry, beef quality and marketing systems show a broad natural coloured sheep, by mating brown and black New Zealand diversity, arising from differences in the ecology of the reserves, Merinos with 200 Sopravissana ewes, for the following purposes: breeds used, and supplementary feeding strategies. A surplus value of • to improve the quality of Sopravissana wool. The Merino rams that about 20% above the current wholesale prices is obtained by are being used are extremely fine (16 µm). producers selling to organic butchers or direct marketing to • to create a genetic line of coloured sheep, in order to avoid all the consumers. The cost/benefit-ratio appears to favour direct selling. toxic and dangerous procedures used to dye wool white (there is a Niche-marketing is gaining importance through the rise of specialised further study that we are carrying out, investigating the processes retailers selling to quality butchers in urban areas and stylish of dying white wool with vegetable dyes. Creating the genetic lines restaurants. will enable us to study genetic transmission of colours, especially In the present investigation, 10 case studies have been made at brown. We will create a database and conduct experiments on different stages in the production chain - producer, processor and mating and breeding coloured sheep, with particular regard to market. The cases contain a variety of types of producers (individual nutrition. farmers, groups of farmers, nature conservation organisations and also • to revive traditional local craftsmanship, and to promote this as a a consumers’ group), regions, breeds and husbandry systems. Four tourist attraction in a niche market. The project aims to create a systems of beef production systems can be distinguished: linked chain from the breeding of the sheep to the final manufacture and marketing of the wool products, in order to 1. year round grazing system in self-regulating nature reserves. Low stimulate the local economy. We are studying fibre quality, in stocking rate (10 to 30 ha per LU); free range management with collaboration with ENEA and CNR, and we also intend to examine such breeds as Heck-cattle, Galloway and Scottish Highland. the possibility to blend different kinds of fibres to improve the 2. extensive seasonal grazing system on poor natural grassland. product. Stocking rate 0,75 LU per ha; suckling cow management with • to create a shearing service for the use of wool producers in the breeds as Limousin, Charolais, Blonde d’Aquitaine. region and to provide courses of instruction in shearing. 3. semi-extensive seasonal grazing system on richer natural • to create a Central Italy Wool Centre, alongside other projects in grassland. Stocking rate 1 LU per ha; suckling cow management Umbria involving alpaca and mohair. with French beef breeds and dual purpose breeds as Maas, Rijn • to create a market for coloured sheep, and a local network of and Yssel-vee (MRY), Blaarkop and Lakenvelder. coloured sheep breeders and wool craftsmanship. 4. Seasonal grazing system integrated with arable farming for fattening. Stocking rates and breeds as mentioned under 2 and 3, The project began in March 1996, and involves a number of Italian roughage and concentrates for finishing from nature reserves organisations: FSAM, Ovi.Ca, University of Camerino, ENEA, CNR, and/or organic farming. CTA. It is estimated that in the future, the proportions of meat produced Ovi.Ca is a part of the Italian Agricultural Confederation (CIA), an from these systems will be 0.3, 21.3, 28.5 and 49.9%, respectively. At association active in the promotion of development in rural present, most beef (about 85%) is from system 2 and 3 (suckler cows). areas. Other projects currently being undertaken include Beef from nature reserves is considered to be a high quality product investigating methods to protect agricultural land from the by producers, aware retailers and consumers, principally because of activities of wild boar in the Apennines, and another to assess the superior taste and structure of the meat resulting from the the damage done to livestock by wolves and wild dogs. production methods - slow growth rate, type of vegetation consumed, characteristics of the cattle (sex and breed) and meat processing (ageing). Extrinsic quality aspects are also important for consumers: Angeliki Riganatou the emotional value of “nature”, known origin and reliable production process, contact with the producer, the price, the ease of stocking c/o Ovi.Ca, Corso Stamira, 29, Ancona, Italy. beef in the freezer, etc. Tel: +39 360 329991 The origin and quality of the beef partly defines the marketing Fax: +39 71 56314 ...... continued on page 7

6 FAUNUS Issue No.2 newsletter of the LSIRD network

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channel. For example, Heck-cattle are THE VORARLBERG POINT-MODEL sold as aurochs to top restaurants in integrating agricultural support within Paris; Limousin-cows from De Peel in beef-packages are sold directly to local consumers; and double-muscled cattle from Flevoland are supplied to artisan butchers in the region. A proportion of Bioland Vorarlberg the cattle from nature reserves is sold to organic butchers. Selling whole carcasses AUSTRIA to restaurants and butchers is generally difficult, because they are used to buying by Erik Schmid from wholesalers. An experiment has been set up by a large-scale slaughterhouse for production, processing and marketing of steers he Vorarlberg Point-model The farmer finds his own position on a (castrated bulls) from nature reserves, (Vorarlberger Punktemodell) is fine scale from “conventional” to aimed at low production costs and T the outcome of the working-group “biological” and always has a short-term sufficient uniformity. “Market measures and Quality and achievable aim in view. Differences in husbandry and meat assurance”, which I presented in The difference in the method is that quality of “nature beef” is a constraint for connection with AGEX (Arbeitsgruppe we want to guide our farmers to the high achieving the scale advantages of the Existenzsicherung der Landwirtschaft; target of “biological agriculture” by a step conventional marketing channels. This consultant, Dr. Berthold Pohl) at the end by step policy. The holistic classification diversity however, at the other hand of 1994. The Point-model is an integrated of the farm also requires that farmers gives the opportunity for quality- system for support, consulting, quality- identify with the principles involved and distinction (for example regional control and marketing for livestock- see the scheme not only as the fulfilment differences), which can be used as a farmers in Vorarlberg on an uniform of certain conditions to get particular marketing-tool. Further research will give more information about organoleptic basis. subsidies. The transparency of this differences. The benefit of direct selling Especially in livestock-farming we as system of farm support gives high social to consumers is well understood by veterinary-officials are often required to acceptance for further payment of farmers, being confronted with define the meaning of “appropriate subsidies and social control between the extremely low wholesale prices. This stockmanship” and to objectify this for farmers by each other. It is crucial that practice is increasing and can be a juridical implementation in the transaction of the whole of the promising marketing channel for large administration. For this purpose we agricultural subsidies is simplified. With quantities of beef, when effectively developed the so-called the unified description and classification, promoted. Efficiencies of scale for the “Tiergerechtheitsindex” (index for authorities are able to withdraw direct processing and marketing of labelled species-specific welfare requirements) of control and to delegate many steps of “nature beef” can be obtained by Prof. Dr. Bartussek from the control to self-responsibility and self- producer co-operatives, such as in an experimental arrangement between a Bundesanstalt für Alpenländische documentation. There even exists the group of 70 farmers in Waterline (North- Landwirtschaft in Gumpenstein, Austria. possibility to organise and carry out the Holland). The objective of this index is to grade controls of the farms, which have to be practices (fields), significant to the well- done every year on the same criteria, by Dr Geesje Kuit & Dr Hielke van der being of animals, in degrees of quality, the farmers themselves in a form of Meulen finally to assess the overall quality of mutual assistance. Most important is the Department of Rural Sociology, stockmanship as appropriate to the fact, that within this model there is an Agricultural University of Wageningen, animals concerned. Just as appropriate incentive for performance on subsidies. Hollandseweg 1 stockmanship an important component The point-model offers the possibility 6706 KN Wageningen of sustainable agriculture, so the to sustain several classification-criteria The Netherlands Tiergerechtheitsindex is also part of the which are important for consumers, such Tel: +31 317 483032 Vorarlberg Point-model . Besides as animal-welfare, renunciation of Fax: +31 317 483990 stockmanship, the feeding and soil fertilisers, feeding of forages and so on, E-Mail: [email protected] / cultivation practices were also included. into regional label-production without [email protected] The main objective is to develop a any additional efforts. humane, and ecologically balanced ACKNOWLEDGEMENT agriculture, with a clear categorisation This research was carried out with between conventional and organic Further information is available from: contributions from nature conservation systems. organisations (Staatsbosbeheer, Dr Erik Schmid The point-model offers for the first Vereniging Natuurmonumenten, time the possibility to classify a farm on Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung Provinciale Landschappen), the agricultural organisation (Land en the basis of “ecological processing”. The Abteilung Veterinärangelegenheiten Tuinbouworganisatie Nederland), farm first gets described in the various Römerstraße, 15 6900 Bregenz beef cattle breeders (Federatie fields and is then classified on uniform Austria Vleesveestamboeken Nederland) and the criteria. The system structure is simple Dutch meat board (Productschap Vee en and clear, so that every farmer is able to Tel: +5574 511 2530 Vlees). classify himself with respect to his farm. Fax: +5574 511 80

Issue No.2 FAUNUS 7 newsletter of the LSIRD network

Nafplio Conference Setting the agenda for the LSIRDnetwork

he programme for Nafplio was designed to explore the Many of the ecosystems found in disadvantaged areas are areas in which different research disciplines could be managed through the presence of large herbivores, mainly T applied to address the specific problems encountered in domestic ruminant species, and there is a great need to identify LFA livestock production, and possible approaches to enhance grazing strategies for different farmed species to meet nature the role of livestock in European rural development. conservation and environmental needs. The conference began with three perspectives on some of the These different aspects of farming - overcoming the physical biological, social and economic problems facing livestock farms. constraints, realising the maximum product value, and managing It was regarded as vital that the relationship between livestock vegetation effectively and sustainably - are all intimately operations and economic development of the rural population influenced by the wide range of policy instruments acting in should be well understood in order to develop strategic and disadvantaged areas. These policies were examined in detail, and policy recommendations. The types of constraints facing farmers the effects of the environmental measures introduced in 1992 in disadvantaged areas were categorised into 5 types - availability were discussed, using UK LFA beef farming as a case study. of labour, management skills, grazing resources, status of other The importance of farmers in the rural areas of the Union, and land uses (e.g. forestry and nature reserves), and infrastructure.. in particular in less-favoured areas, was recognised by all. Work was reported that aims to characterise the processes Agricultural activity will undoubtedly need certain aids to linking agricultural policy and marginalisation of farming compete on open markets, and this may be more or less direct operations in the EU. granted or given as compensation for the occupation and Key elements in many programmes to improve the profitability maintenance of land. However, there was a diversity of views of farming enterprises are on-farm processing and direct expressed on whether the priority should remain to maintain marketing of the products. Value-adding activities give farmers agricultural and livestock production activities oriented around the opportunity to realise some of the market potential provided economic and market objectives, or if this might be replaced by a by their location in regions identified with quality products, and a new ethos in which agriculture should be a means to maintain clean environment. Three papers examined regional differences landscapes, and traditional ways of life. in on-farm processing, and the opportunities and constraints that Arguments were put forward recommending closer integration farmers face to develop and exploit a quality image. of rural development and environmental policies into agricultural The third session demonstrated some of the current work that support mechanisms. In order that appropriate policies may be is being carried out aiming to identify the opportunities for tailored to suit the diversity of climatic and geographical species diversification, using cashmere production from goats as situations covered by the CAP, it was stressed that considerable an example. Attempts to identify the current relationships flexibility should be left, in order that local decisions, e.g. between European fibre-producing groups, were reported, investments in local infrastructure, subsidies for direct marketing relating in particular to two such fibres: mohair and camelid hair. and processing, subsidies for investments outside agriculture or Through a series of market-orientated models, future for the creation of tourism facilities etc., may be made at a local opportunities for co-operation between present and potential level. contributors to the European fibre pool were identified, The ideas explored at Nafplio will be taken forward and highlighting areas of current strength and weakness. examined in closer detail over the next 18 months in the LSIRD In the light of the shifting emphasis in agricultural support workshop series, beginning in May with the policy workshop :- resulting from, amongst other pressures, the WTO negotiations, “The future development of EU rural policy mechanisms and the environmental management is emerging as possibly the key role, implications for livestock farming research in the disadvantaged and indeed purpose of, livestock keeping in disadvantaged areas. areas”, details of which can be found on the LSIRD website.

8 FAUNUS Issue No.2 newsletter of the LSIRD network

Livestock Systems in FARMING HOUSEHOLDS in a semiaridSpain area of by Déa de Lima Vidal

he long-term viability of livestock systems, and of the farms that operate them, depends on the level of productivity, at present the most important parameter, and T on the total family income. Hence the future of farming activity and the maintenance of the quality of the characteristic landscapes of these regions are seen to be linked, not only with the improvement in viability of farming systems, but also in the existence of policies which can compensate for the poor ability for accumulation of capital experienced by farms in the regions. We have been studying the relation between income levels of households, and practical systems, using the rural space hypothesis, in order to pursue the identification, modelling and the analysis of the viability of different production systems in households engaged in sheep-goat and cereal-sheep production, searching for their possible relationships in the economy and the degree of land intensification, and work factors in the households sampled in semi-arid Aragon (Spain). The classification of family households was carried out for the differentiation of production systems practised in the central Ebro valley. Relating the structural characteristics with the land productivity, we observed that the households with the highest forage and irrigated agricultural area demonstrated the highest economic productivity with respect to the total utilised surface. The highest total economic return, and the greatest labour productivity are obtained by dryland and irrigated households with a large flock size, and high availability of land. Flock size, the subsidies received and the presence of the irrigated cereal production explain the favourable results. The lowest incomes are obtained by dry households with small flocks and intermediate land availability, and irrigated households with the lowest utilised agricultural area and all group size flocks. Among the dry farms, there are some which use more economically and structurally extensive systems. The irrigated households are those which have high economically and structurally intensive systems. In general we can see that profitable intensification is not directly related with the family revenue level and neither with the utilised agricultural area. Nevertheless, these systems are economically very fragile as they depend on the uncertain future of the protection measures of European agricultural support policy.

Further information on this work, which forms part of a doctoral thesis, may be obtained from:

Déa de Lima Vidal Universidad de Zaragoza Unidad de Economía Agraria C/Miguel Servet, 177 50013 Zaragoza Spain

Tel: +34 976 761611 Fax: +34 976 761612

Email: [email protected]

Issue No.2 FAUNUS 9 newsletter of the LSIRD network

LOW INTENSITY Farming Systems • Like most cattle breeds, the Red Mountain Cattle was traditionally a triple-purpose by Rainer Luick in Germany breed, of which traction used to be the most important.

ermany is probably not the first place that comes to mind when talking about low intensity farming systems - most regions in Germany are characterised by highly Gintensive agriculture. However, the current status of extensively managed meadows and pastures is of great concern. As is still the case in Mediterranean regions, low intensity pastures in Germany covered vast areas of land until the middle of the last century. It was normal at that time to keep livestock outdoors for most of the year, before storage of fodder for the winter was commonly practised. As a result of poor management, the pastures were certainly rich in structure. On the other hand, the economic forces for a maximal exploitation of all natural resources caused these pastures to be overused, and resulted in ecological devastation. It is quite important to bear in mind that the present ecologically highly-valued grasslands have their origin in this devastating • Vogelsberg mountain - this patchy landscape with agriculture of previous times. To some extent, it is the withdrawal of agricultural activities hedgerows, tree-lined farm-roads, pastures and which leads to landscapes rich in structure. meadows is becoming increasingly rare. The widespread adoption of intensive agriculture, and the abandonment of farming in the most marginal areas has led to a dramatic decline in extensive grasslands. The only examples of regions with considerable areas of extensive grasslands in Germany are alpine pastures in remote areas, the pastures in the southern part of the , and the Central-German- Mountain-Range (i.e. , Vogelsberg and Rhön), the heaths of the Swabian and Franconian Jura, and in northern Germany (e.g. Lüneburger Heath), lowland pastures along the Elbe-river and flooded saltmarshes along the coast-line of the North and Baltic Seas. Even in these areas, extensively managed grasslands are still only found on a very small scale. Some regions correlate with the distribution of indigenous and endangered livestock species such as the Black Forest-Hinterwald-Cattle, the Red-Vogelsberg-Mountain-Cattle, the Rhön-Sheep or the “Schnucke” (sheep) of the Lüneburger-Heath. One of the most attractive regions with a tradition of pastoralism is the southern part of the Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg. There are remnants of a medieval type of agricultural system, with common grazings. Although the number of the communal pastures has decreased in the last decades, they still extend over an area of approximately 10,000 hectares. The • In the middle part of the Elbe river which was communal pasture land region is also the breeding area of the Black Forest Hinterwald-Cattle the previous border between East and West- Germany one of the ecologically richest areas in which is the smallest and lightest Central European Cattle species. Germany has survived. The biggest threat to all mountainous regions in Germany is the dramatic number of closures of dairy farms which are the basic economic structure for many low intensity farming areas. In the south-western part of Baden-Württemberg, about 70 % of dairy farms disappeared within twenty years and with them about 40 % of the cattle. The landscape reflects these changes, and in some places only small strips of cultivated land are left down in the valleys. Sheep-keeping and ecologically-rich chalk grasslands are found in the Swabian and the Franconian Jura. The system of transhumance practised in the Jura is unique in central Europe. The system developed as late as at the end of the 18th century when the Merino was Rainer Luick introduced from Spain. The typical feature of the Swabian transhumance were the use of is a member of the European Forum of Nature pastures during summer on the heaths of the Swabian and Franconian Jura and from autumn to Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP), spring in the valleys of the Rhine or or by Lake Constance. Today, transhumance in the a European-wide network of scientists, farmers, exists only on a small scale and shepherds are confronted with many problems to conservationists and politicians. maintain the system. New features of extensively used landscapes in Germany were created by the conversion of Institute for Landscape Ecology industry-like cattle farms in the new länder into suckler cow farms as for instance in coastal and Nature Conservation Mühlenstraße 19 regions along the Baltic Sea. There are farms which operate on several thousand hectares of D-78224 Singen land with low livestock densities. Germany One of the most important aspects in the current discussion of endangering factors and concepts for conservation of low intensity farming systems is the question of how agricultural Tel: +49 7731 9962 0 systems can be maintained in regions less favoured for agriculture. Because production of milk Fax: +49 7731 9962 18 or meat in areas such as the Black Forest will never be able to challenge the global agricultural market it is necessary to set up local cycles of processing and consumption. Email: [email protected]

10 FAUNUS Issue No.2 newsletter of the LSIRD network

BIOSPHERE Lebensraum Rhön

Reserve Rhön by Dieter Popp A MODEL FOR RURAL REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

n 1991 the Rhön, which covers parts income can be assured of a continued of , Hesse and Thuringia in existence. Commercial farming and I central Germany, was recognised as a forestry procedures in the Rhön, when biosphere reserve by UNESCO to serve as conducted in an accord with nature, will a model region for low mountain areas ensure the production of high-quality with meadows and pastures. In case of the goods which then are finished or biosphere reserve Rhön, special attention processed by skilled tradesmen and then must be given to the preservation and collectively marketed. This is the novel sustainable development of this cultivated point of departure for the biosphere landscape which was shaped by farmers reserve Rhön to serve as a model. The over centuries. From the primeval forests emphasis here is not on the protection of of the region, once known as “Buchonia” nature by prohibitions, but on a (land of beeches), there emerged a “land sustainable development in accord with of open spaces” as a result of cultivation nature. and clearing the higher regions of forests. • As good utilisers of coarse feed Rhön sheep Since 1991 over 300 projects adopting preserve the cultivated land of the Rhön These ecologically valuable extensive region - the "Land of open spaces." this new line of approach have originated mountain meadows and pastures, which in the biosphere reserve Rhön and they are also important for tourism, can not be are well-known far beyond this region. kept in this open state under the general The establishment of regional shops to provisions of the European Union’s provide the population with high-quality agricultural policy. Many of these low- foodstuffs of local origin is one of these productive mountain meadows and projects. The co-operation between pastures would, as a result of this policy, farmers, skilled tradesmen for processing be earmarked for the heavily financially and innkeepers is an additional interesting subsidised forest restocking program. As a starting point which has attracted much result of this, a unique European cultivated interest and imitation throughout landscape would be lost. Germany and in the neighbouring The three governments in Bavaria, European countries. Hesse and Thuringia and the local Finally, there are a number of projects communities in the six counties which contributed to the increasing concerned agreed on the importance of Achten Sie auf dieses Zeichen! acceptance of the biosphere reserve Rhön preserving the open-space condition of • Meat from the Rhön sheep is available in by the native population, which at first the mountain meadows and pastures for hotels that display this emblem. had sceptical of it as “a reserve imposed reasons of nature conservation and on them from the powers above”. These tourism. This open-space policy was projects have included the construction of originally funded by the taxpayer. The new buildings in typical regional styles annual costs for the most ecological and built with a view to reduce the strain valuable areas came to about 20 million on resources, high-quality finishing of German Marks. These sums are now no native timber produce in skilled craft longer available. workshops in the Rhön, a unified energy A new program, “Man and Biosphere”, consumption plan for the Rhön and an has recently come into effect. The integrated rail and bus system. Another population of the affected areas have contributing factor was the creation of developed their own concepts within the about 300 qualified jobs over a period of framework of a unified approach to Further information may be obtained from: only five years. Only with a firm regional development. Only the technical conviction established in the minds of the Heinrich Heß presentation of the contributions to the population can the objectives of this discussion and findings were arranged by Hess. Verwaltungsstelle regional development approach bring external advisors. By opening up new Biosphärenreservat Rhön about the success which is needed for the Georg Meilinger Str. 3 income alternatives resulting from the D-36115 Ehrenberg- Wüstensachsen long-term endurance of the project. The marketing of high-quality products from Germany most important foundation for this future the region, a large proportion of the perspective was the development and the approximately 4000 agricultural Tel. +49 6683-9602 -0 realisation of the objectives and projects smallholdings supplementing the main Fax. +49 6683- 9602-21 by the local population.

Issue No.2 FAUNUS 11 newsletter of the LSIRD network

integrated development of the BSR Rhön. THE PROCESS OF ZONING Public hearings of the report were made with community representatives. Suggestions for changes and additions were discussed. It was particularly stressed that the differing claims for land IN THE BIOSPHERE use should be in tune with each other. For example, positive development of Natur-und Lebensraum Rhön e.V. extensive land cultivation should not be Reserve Rhön spoiled by measures taken to develop tourism. by Regine Albert Less problematic than establishing the core zone was to distinguish the maintenance zone. This was surprising, as The Biosphere Reserve Rhön (BSR) - socio-economic effects are to be expected Part of a Worldwide Programme through the realisation of nature Biosphere reserves are part of the international protection-technical goals. Next to the programme “Man and the Biosphere” (MAB), core zone, the maintenance zone shows whose expressed aim is no longer to remove the most ecologically valuable elements of human influence from protected areas as is the landscape with the biggest claim for usual in the context of conventional nature- protection. In the Rhön, the maintenance protection plans. The separation of man and zone was subdivided into zone A and environment should be abolished, as natural and zone B. Their higher nature-protection human habitats are understood as one whole. value is to be preserved by specific The cultural landscape of the Rhön, resulting measures. Due to the high sensitivity of from the usage of land by small farmers, offers maintenance zone A, supporting measures the ideal experimental area to model a concept are necessary, such as cessation of further of protection which includes the active effects development (traffic, housing, trade), of man on nature. measures of tourist guiding, as well as The Rhön was recognised as a biosphere reserve marking permitted walking areas. Core zone on the 7/03/91 by UNESCO. Through this Maintenance zone B (53,069 ha) Maintenance zone A acknowledgement came the requirement to represents further sections of the cultural Maintenance zone B protect the diverse landscape areas of the landscape which should be protected for region. The Rhön is also one of the largest Lebensraum Rhön Development zone the preservation of the Rhön’s biosphere reserves, covering in total 184,939 individuality. The traditional practices of hectares. It constitutes Europe-wide a habitat for endangered and highly specialised species extensive agriculture should be continued which must be conserved. In this respect, the Rhön is a representative example of the world- and adjusted to improve its nature wide preservation of habitats within the UNESCO strategy. protection role. These are cultivated areas whose future The process of zoning - adjustment of spatial emphasis management should be undertaken The aim of establishing zones is to develop a representative protected area, in which all following nature protection-specific valuable habitat types, as well as all natural habitat types are included in sufficiently large criteria. Conflicts between farmers and areas. Zones comprise, ideally, of three surface categories which are structured according to representatives of nature protection the intensity of human intervention. In the Rhön there is a cluster of discrete zones, where organisations, sparked off by conflicting the diversity of agricultural and cultural structures is taken into account by establishing ideas of how to adjust cultivation, have several core zones which are physically separated from each other. prevented adequate cultivation up to now. Generally however, the application Establishing zones in the Biosphere Reserve Rhön for protected status was welcomed by the In 1991, the federal states involved in the BSR: Bavaria, Thuringia and Hesse agreed on a communities, not least because they general framework plan which included: realised that the cultural landscape - as the • the division of the zones most important asset of the Rhön - is to be preserved through specific maintenance • the development principles and aims measures. • suggestions for the final fencing off of the area. After three years of the planning Starting with one of the most significant aims of the MAB programme, the preservation of process and discussion with all the genetic potential, biotope mapping was carried out as an initial step. The protection status communities, authorities and associations, was established on the basis of an integrated plan for dividing the area ecological-biological criteria and land was presented in 1994. use objectives were derived from it. Accordingly, importance is placed on species and biotope protection in Regine Albert development planning, as the EU Research Project EQULFA extinction of a species involves an Dept. International Animal Husbandry Steinstr. 19 irreversible loss of genetic potential. D-37213 Witzenhausen The results of the stock-taking of Germany the nature area were presented in an initial interim report by the Tel: +49 55 4298 1203 concerned institutions. This report Fax: +49 55 4298 1250 (1992) was the basis for planning the Email: [email protected]

LSIRDnetwork, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QL, Scotland, UK Tel. +44 (0) 1224 318611 • Fax. +44 (0) 1224 311556 • [email protected]